Hi, I want a small bit of advice about buying a Mountain Bike.
I won't really be 'mountain biking' as such, but will be cycling on country roads and a cycle path off road, which is a rough limestone chippings trail with potholes, rocks and puddles and some grass humps and weeds. I have my eye on this bike ( http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/voodoo-bizango-29er-mountain-bike) and have the money saved up but it was at a lower price around Christmas and I am seeing if it will come back down again.
I am just checking if the bike is a good choice? I will be going on rides around 30 miles long on this offroad track, and probably no more than twice a week. Just want to check if the bike will be good for journeys like that? My budget is around €750 (about £650) and would like any suggestions if there is a better bike in my range suitable for my needs.
So basically, I won't be doing any serious mountain biking, but instead medium distance cycles on a rough cycle path and also country roads.
Thanks
Best advise I can give you from experience is to look online for the type of bike you are after then go into your Local Bike Shop and have a good cat with them on the bikes your looking at ect.
This will build up a relationship and then you will have a better understanding of what to look for. I had loads of hassle from buying online and now will only use my lbs.
Any decent bike shop will give you free advise and take care of the bike you secede to purchase.
Hope this is of some help.
That bike will do what you want without any problems. However if it was me and all I'd be doing would be rural roads and bike paths I'd want a big ring, to go faster. Maybe look at hybrids which won't have such large suspension forks, even like 60-80mm of drop would do for your purposes.
for eg if you want it to be halfords: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-mx-comp-bike
However buying the 29er would keep mtbing as an option open to you for in the future, you'd be able to razz round trail centres quite happily on that whereas you wouldn't really on a hyrbid.
That's a great choice of bike for your budget, and it'll suit the type of riding you describe just fine.
In the UK, Halfords often have sales on, I suspect that'll be the same over the water. Just depends if you're prepared to wait to save 10% or so, or would rather be out riding now.
For the terrain you're riding that choice seems (IMO) like a heavy lump of overbuilt compromise. Sure you can do much better for the budget. I agree with jekkyl in principle re wider mtb options and gearing.
However, I do exactly the type of riding you describe and prefer a more lightweight rigid setup (so-called 'adventure/gravel/monstercross bike) with hybrid tyres that roll faster on paved and gravel surfaces. For back-road hacking about I also like to be able to fit full-length mudguards so all-weather cycling isn't such a mud-spray fest.
[url= https://www.evanscycles.com/gt-grade-sora-2016-adventure-road-bike-EV240493 ]GT grade on sale, worth a look if yr a medium (56cm) fit[/url]
I'd agree with Malvern rider that a gravel bike is more suited for the terrain you describe. Most of us mtb types don't think you need a suspension fork to handle the odd pothole, but then you may disagree and decide you'd be more comfortable with one ... fair enough. We're probably just saying that because we'd get a bit bored on mostly smooth trails so would run a rigid fork to spice things up a bit.
On the other hand jekkyl's comment is also spot on, that if you get something like you suggest (29er with a suspension fork) that leaves 'proper' mountain biking open to you as an option in future.
This Pinnacle Ramin looks to be very good value for a quality MTB - [url= https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-2-2016-mountain-bike-EV264162 ]linky.[/url]
If they had any in small I'd be tempted myself.
Yeah the Ramin looks sorted, but listed weight - oof, again, could be overkill for OPs terrain. Up to OP if thinks might like an entry MTB to try riding othe stuff too, or a hybrid/gravel job for roads and paths. I got bored/disillusioned with keeping sus fork on lockout when hammering not-so-rough back roads and paths, so took the jump back to rigid and loving it.
That Boardman MX Hybrid (or similar) could be a good compromise to straddle most eventualities
[quote="smiffyboi"]Best advise I can give you from experience is to look online for the type of bike you are after then go into your Local Bike Shop and have a good cat with them on the bikes your looking at ect.
This will build up a relationship and then you will have a better understanding of what to look for. I had loads of hassle from buying online and now will only use my lbs.
Any decent bike shop will give you free advise and take care of the bike you secede to purchase.
Hope this is of some help.
Thank you and that is good advice indeed. I already had a look at what was available in my area, and unfortunately, as I'm in a rural area, the only shop didn't have enough in the range I am looking for. In fact, after researching the brand of bikes available there, I read about how those bikes should be avoided as they were poor quality. I'll pretty much have to either look online or travel to Halfords
[quote="jekkyl"]That bike will do what you want without any problems. However if it was me and all I'd be doing would be rural roads and bike paths I'd want a big ring, to go faster.
However buying the 29er would keep mtbing as an option open to you for in the future, you'd be able to razz round trail centres quite happily on that whereas you wouldn't really on a hyrbid.
Hi, yes, that is the thing. The main reason I made this thread was that I get the feeling that I may not need a mountain bike at all. I don't really know much about bikes so I wasn't sure whether a hybrid bike is what I should be looking at, and I seem to remember some biking article saying that hybrids were not a good choice or something. I can safely say that I won't be doing proper mountain biking, so not having that option would not be a great loss to me. I think, not knowing about bikes, I just assumed I would need a mountain bike because the trail is offroad, but the trail is mostly in good condition and smooth enough, with gravel, chippings sections.
[quote="Malvern Rider"]For the terrain you're riding that choice seems (IMO) like a heavy lump of overbuilt compromise. Sure you can do much better for the budget. I agree with jekkyl in principle re wider mtb options and gearing.
However, I do exactly the type of riding you describe and prefer a more lightweight rigid setup (so-called 'adventure/gravel/monstercross bike) with hybrid tyres that roll faster on paved and gravel surfaces. For back-road hacking about I also like to be able to fit full-length mudguards so all-weather cycling isn't such a mud-spray fest.
Would you have any suggestions of decent bikes in this range for me? I'll probably have to go to Halfords. I like the look of that Boardman bike. Would a hybrid bike be okay on country roads too?
as an alternative to halford have a look here: https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m9b0s18p0/Leisure-Bikes/Hybrid-and-Trekking
Pauls are a great shop and always gets reccomendations here. prices are excellent. I bought a bike from there and can personally recommend them.