550 replies to this topic

[maka]

... i want to ride it where i like


^ not link to a song...

Yeah...

anyone here ride bikes around, to work, for fun, cheaper or quicker than the bus or is inbody indeed into smashing down big hills
what do you ride?

for me Claud Butler Rock, 2003 model, she's old but been good to me, need my gears tuned up a little, popped into evans today to get a quote

these below are taken where i ride a fair bit



mostly has panniers on i cant be bothered to take them off. and it beats a backpack any day!!!

personally i use it to go to my mates house up in the sticks, sometimes to work, and i like going on the "derwent walk" which is part of the C2C network.
recently i have been riding though the woods, starting to like that, nothing too extreme though!

Edited by maka, 31 March 2008 - 11:42 PM.

[panda plodder]

... i want to ride it where i like


^ not link to a song...

Yeah...

anyone here ride bikes around, to work, for fun, cheaper or quicker than the bus or is inbody indeed into smashing down big hills
what do you ride?

for me Claud Butler Rock, 2003 model, she's old but been good to me, need my gears tuned up a little, popped into evans today to get a quote

these below are taken where i ride a fair bit the above being new Newcastleton in scotland



mostly has panniers on i cant be bothered to take them off. and it beats a backpack any day!!!

personally i use it to go to my mates house up in the sticks, sometimes to work, and i like going on the "derwent walk" which is part of the C2C network.
recently i have been riding though the woods, starting to like that, nothing too extreme though!

there was me thinking you meant proper bike as in motorbike!!!

[maka]

i like motorbikes, but i cant see the local police being to kind when i take a wonder down the fields....

[Gforceuk]

thats not a bike its a bicycle...

[AndyM]

I'm getting one of these using the cycle to work scheme:




Cracking deal saving me about 40% of the price

[DrMax]

this is my beast
 bootleg_racing_rats_06.jpg   46.99K   44 downloads
took a little getting used to but love it. I mainly cycle on the streets of London so wanted something that was quick and tough but not on a mountain bike scale, equally I didn't want something where I would be continually removing buckles in wheels.
DM

Edited by DrMax, 01 April 2008 - 09:40 AM.

[MrBlonde]

2005 Specialized Rockhopper, LX/XT upgrades as bits have broken, Magura Julie front Disc, various X-Lite and Raceface bits.
It's a fun/fitness bike, don't use it to commute and it tends to get used mostly over winter and I switch to running when the sun comes out, although the lads get our act together a few times over summer and go out for long runs around the Peaks/Dales and see who can be the first to throw up on the long climbs and stack it on the decent to the Pub

[Basil the Rat]

I must get a picture of my trusty Saracen up here. The miles we have covered over the years, you could land an aeroplane on my bottom.

[McFlurry]

I've got a vintage racer (with imperial wheels etc...) but it's too tired now for the road so she's permanently hooked up to a turbo trainer in the second bedroom.

Might get another pushbike one day, but not anytime soon, far too many things to spend on.

[LS18]

I've got three bikes. A bmx, a hardtail mountain bike for commuting and fun and a big beast downhill bike. It cost me 2500 a couple of years back. Cant wait to get out again in the summer!



Me at glentress freeride park in the scottish borders



My bike halfway up the Innerlaeithen downhill track, summer 06

[maka]

i cant remember what model or make i seen yesterday but seen a carbon framed bike in evans
looking at the site it was maybe a Bianchi Camos XC XTR Disc

but wow!! lovely thing!
it was so light about 3k though so out of my limits.

[Amy]

I'm getting fit this summer, and as I hate gyms with a passion, a bicycle seems like the ideal thing! I'm just getting a cheapish one though, is Saracan an ok bike? I'm looking at this one

[maka]

that doesn't look too bad for just rolling around on, but pas experience has told me.
cheap bikes have cheap parts. Saracen are a heard of make, never had one myself though

on my old ones the only part i knew was shimano for gears, some didnt even have that
needless to say wheels buckled going up curbs, cogs got chewed, bits came lose etc etc.

the current model is fine, no problems apart from needing a service. and maybe a wash
i think all the parts are banded, things like Tioga, WTB, and are good build quality.

also look at some of the 2006/7 models you can often pick them up cheap
have a look at http://www.evanscycl...subdept_id=1100

Edited by maka, 01 April 2008 - 06:45 PM.

[Amy]

Thanks Maka

Where would I find the 06/07 models? Any brands you'd specifically recommend, or avoid? I don't really care what I get, I just want it last a fair few years and don't want it breaking in the middle of nowhere!

[maka]

for brands see my above link, they only really sell "known" makes, such as GT, Mongoose. some will be out of your price range but its all worth looking for an extra £25 or £30 you could pick up a bargain

heres a few of my "regular" sites i look for MTB stuff
http://www.wiggle.co....aspx?cat=cycle
http://www.stif.co.uk/index.asp

as for brands i like my Claud Butler, they even used to be made locally to me!
another thing to get is "slime" its a goo for your inner tubes and it seals small punctures up with that i have had thorns in my tyre in the last few weeks (council start to cut the hedges now) pull thorn out spin my wheel and pump it up if needed, and its good as new

Edited by maka, 01 April 2008 - 06:51 PM.

[Amy]

http://www.evanscycl...jsp?style=86627

http://www.evanscycl...jsp?style=86670

What do you think about either of those? Sorry Maka, I don't have a clue about bikes etc. I really just want something that I can get out and about on. Parks, nature trails, roads, anything really.

Would I be able to pick up a reasonable enough bike for £200 or am I expecting a bit too much? Also, on evanscycles I could only find 08 models?

Thanks

Edit: you just keep editing What about http://www.evanscycl...jsp?style=87608 , if Claud whats his face is a good brand...

Edited by Amy, 01 April 2008 - 06:57 PM.

[maka]

yeah evans is pretty much a "proper" bike shop, more tricks and going down the mountain than commuting.
£200 is the starting price i would say, any less than that and it's not worth it.

for what your saying "parks, nature trails, roads, anything really."
it would be on par what with i have, front suspension is nice to have, im not so bothered about rear, 18-24 gears and an alloy frame.
some cheaper ones are steel which is nasty. for gears i would avoid "grip shift" type ones and go for rapid/EZ fire ones, you just use your thumb and next finger to change.

best bet is find a decent local bike shop and have a go on a few, they are normally good with things like that, i had a play in the shop with mine when i got it. online is good for guidance, and at least if you buy from a shop they can adjust it to your height and similar and tweak any handlebar adjustments etc before you take it

[Amy]

Thanks again, I think I know roughly what I'm after now. If any more questions arise no doubt I'll be straight back to ask you

[cat thing]

I haven't been on a bike for about 12 years and I don't intend to start now!

I know they say you never forget how to ride a bike, but I really do think I might have

[maka]

ahh on yer bike

im going to be going to the gym, mainly for pull ups, pressy things and rowing.
cant do bikes in the gym, they feel too weird, they dont move. you dont go anywhere, it just doesnt seem right

[Donatello]

http://www.evanscycl...jsp?style=86670

What do you think about either of those? Sorry Maka, I don't have a clue about bikes etc. I really just want something that I can get out and about on. Parks, nature trails, roads, anything really.

Would I be able to pick up a reasonable enough bike for £200 or am I expecting a bit too much? Also, on evanscycles I could only find 08 models?

Thanks

Amy, I have the mens version of the above bike, there isnt a lot of difference in terms of specs, but I would recommened it, I use my bike to cycle to work nearly every day, which is about 5 miles each way. Its really comfy to ride and touch wood I've never had any problems with mine.

another thing to get is "slime" its a goo for your inner tubes and it seals small punctures up with that i have had thorns in my tyre in the last few weeks (council start to cut the hedges now) pull thorn out spin my wheel and pump it up if needed, and its good as new

I have a similar problem on my cycle to work, lots of thorns and glass, and in nearly 2 years I've only had 2 punctures, what I did was once I got my punctures rather than fixing the puncture I bought a new inner tube, and cut the valve out of the old one, and cut around the inside of the tube, and used it to line the tyre, which gives me 2 layers of protection, before it gets to my inner tube, its worked brilliantly.

[maka]

i used to use the double tube thing. (i might still do on one wheel lol cant remember)
but that slime
seems good for me, also it has a lot do do with tyres. i still have the originals on the front.
the back (due to skidding like im some speedway maniac) is now a Tioga Downhill tyre and its did me good, still going good after 3 years!

[Donatello]

i used to use the double tube thing. (i might still do on one wheel lol cant remember)
but that slime
seems good for me, also it has a lot do do with tyres. i still have the originals on the front.
the back (due to skidding like im some speedway maniac) is now a Tioga Downhill tyre and its did me good, still going good after 3 years!

Yeh I agree the tyres play a big part I've got some Tiogas on mine too, they did a goosd job in the snow last week too

[maka]

they do grip in the wet, one of my mates has hybrid type tyres, and to go down this grassy hill i slammed on my back brake and pretty much went down sideways. his tyres simply lost it half way down and he's off
that is, one of my favorite things, powerslides

also the DH ones have armor, the more expensive being kelvar lined

[DrMax]

started cycling for two reasons. Fight the expansion of the waist and get away from London underground. Cycling worked wonders..... Calmer and the weight falls off. Great way to forget about work too, to busy concentrating on not becoming an organ donor curteousy of the streets on London.