Morning all,
My dad wants a new bike and i'm trying to gather a quick list of bikes that fit the bill for him.
He rides 90% on canals and flat tow paths that get pretty muddy. Not many hills but he couldn't really manage on a singlespeed.
He's budgeting no more than £1k.
Fully rigid is an option.
Minimal maintenance is desirable.
Whats out there folks?
29er inbred
I dont think the 29er inbred comes as a complete bike? Would prefer not to have to build one. The 29er Parkwood looks good however
something like this. which is for sale by the way... 😀
[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/16251590882_a094c69970.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qL6DLN ]cidImage_FOT5121.jpg" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/16251590882_a094c69970.jpg [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qL6DLN ]cidImage_FOT5121.jpg"/> [/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/91703444@N06/ ]20ston[/url], on Flickr
I'd say an alu 29er HT with 2x10 gearing.
Maybe that Voodoo one that gets the amazing reviews? Bizango?
My 29er is awesome on towpaths but also capable of so much more if required - with no real penalty.
Kona Rove Al?
What about this with a few upgrades (hubs and frame are disk ready):
Fits the low maintenance criteria, pretty light and well within budget.
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/bikes/item/beinn-29
This looks very good for the money (small and medium left)...
[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin-five-2014-29er-mountain-bike-ec055210 ]http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin-five-2014-29er-mountain-bike-ec055210[/url]
And you'd have an endurodad, with that nice acid yellow colour.
Cheers guys. Keep them coming 🙂
pinnacle ramin.
£1k! - how does £400 sound?
Genesis Longitude?
Following along the post from chakaping, something like this:
[url= http://www.certini.co.uk/2014-specialized-crave-comp.html ]Spesh Crave Comp[/url] or the next model up (Reba fork) is about £40 more.
Genesis Longitude?
+1
My Fortitude 1x10 is perfect for this kind of stuff.
A Genesis Croix De Fer 10 at £849.99 would be another option, skinnier tyres but you can fit proper mudguards, handy as all the tow paths near me are dog-egg minefields.
Pinnacle Lithium
Would he entertain those curly bars like they have in the Tour de France?
Plenty of CX / gravel options out there if he is, likely to be lighter than a mtb for the same price if that's important.
How about a Spesh' Crosstrail? Hired a couple to pootle whilst on holiday and they're great. Plenty of options pricewise.
For £650 http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-comp-ht-650b-2014 , the 29er is £1K http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-pro-hardtail-29er-2014
Merida cross bike black and green one 1k.Or Trek crossrips great for towpaths.£850/1k.Easier to clean than a MTB and if he wants a break from the towpath great on the road not like a MTB on the road.
I would second the idea of a cross bike if he can get on with curly bars
I have a Voodoo bizango and it is very good, but my new Pinnacle arkose from Evans is probably better on towpaths and much lighter.
It would also have the benefit of being able to take slicks and double as a road bike.
If he's riding 90% on towpaths etc, then I'd go for a hybrid or similar - that Smithfield above looks perfect with mudguards & Alfine 11. For more offroad stuff her could remove the guards & put knobbly tyres on, 1.9" to 2.1" should fit.
I have an 18" 29er inbred with very light use that I would be happy to sell. Built with decent kit and with a carbon rigid fork.
That Smithfield above looks ideal.
Steel frame with a bit of give, full guards etc.
That would be spot on.
As would a Carrera Subway for 1/3 the price.
Mine spends it's life hauling me & my work gear in all weathers, & just gets on with the job.
Deliberately understated colour scheme.
Last thing you want is some scrote taking his chances on a lonely tow path, having eyed the flashy name & Rebas etc.
