[Closed] Time to shift a few kilos

Well giant quote 125kg rider and 10kg luggage as fine
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hello and welcome to the forum aj, the bike you want is a mountain bike because with one of them you can go anywhere but with a road bike (racer) you can only go roads! it is much more fun zooming through forests than roads. This is a mountain bike forum after all.
What is your budget for a bike and where do you live?
Do you hace access to a cycle to work scheme at work?

This is a mountain bike forum after all.

😯

it is much more fun zooming through forests than roads.

Nah* 😉

* I do realise that I'm in the minority here

This is a [s]mountain bike forum[/s]forum for folks that like to think of themselves as mountain bikers, but in reality don't like mud, and why have all the faff of mountain biking when I can ride from the door and be home in time to breastfeed Tarquin, wash the Audi, and spiralize my courgette, after all.

FTFY

You're not alone, whitestone.

That said, jekkyl's probably right that, in terms of getting started and falling in love with two wheels, I suspect it is mountain biking that the OP will find more seductive. Mountain bikes do have the power to make one feel like a kid again.

Phew!

I think a CX or Gravel type bike with either flat or flared drops would be most useful. Reasonably quick on the roads but capable of quite a bit off-road as well. Might not be suitable for trail centres though.

nahhh none of your funny handlebar nonsense. Op get a hardtail. get down your local trail centre as a great introduction as to how much fun cycling offroad can be. At the end of it you'll be knackered with a great big smile and be wanting to go back and do it again.

Can someone explain to me how riding in the woods can possibly not be more fun then riding on the roads?

I get why people want to ride road, etc, but ^^^

Running is much more fun than riding...and it's cheaper

I'm 6ft 1in and around 115kg, so rather on the chunky side of things. I've got a Boardman CX Sport bike for riding on the road. It's a bit like a rufty-tufty road bike. Stronger built frame and wheels etc.

For off-road, as the fokls here say, any hard-tail, (no suspension at the back), should give you a good laugh nowadays. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get good giggles.

I'd have a look at the Boardman range again for a good intro. No need to fill your garage with the full range from Orange like some folks... 😳

Whilst i will always prefer mountain biking to road cycling, i think OP if the main reason is to lose weight, then road cycling makes more sense.

Unless you are really lucky, mountain biking usually involves driving somewhere, whereas you can ride a road bike from the door, which means you ride more often.

Road bikes are cheaper to run when it comes to components and things as they don't wear so quick.

Plus riding a road bike is a lot more of a constant effort, a lot of mountain biking is an "effort" followed by downhill, and often it's easier to cruise and involves more stops and faffing.

@The Artist - I don't know why but I find riding in forests mind numbingly tedious - doesn't matter what bike I'm on either. Trail centres are even worse. Like I said, I realise that I'm in a minority on here about this.

Anyway - back on topic: the OP needs a bike that isn't at either end of the spectrum, so no UCI weight limit busting TT machine or 160mm travel DH bike. Hardtail if the OP is leaning to off-road, CX if more road oriented.

I think you're right scud, I would agree that the argument for constant cycling is better for losing weight BUT I would still suggest that a HT as general bike would be a better choice as a first bike, purely because it's simple more versatile; canal paths, cycle paths, woodland fireroads, trail centres, AND roads. Whereas road bikes are only really good for roads.

Can someone explain to me how riding in the woods can possibly not be more fun then riding on the roads?

perhaps start here op: https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p0/Mountain-Bikes/Front-Suspension-29ers

as a minimum I'd be looking for 10 speed or more. Rockshox forks & Shimano Hydraulic brakes. This one's nice: https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p6949/GIANT-TALON-29ER-1-2016

Welcome to the forum, i`m with Jekkyl and pick up a nice light hard tail for starters, nothing worse than having to hit the A roads with the cyclist haters that want to buzz you at 50mph ,bad enough after a few years but as a newbie be even worse, you are literally a swerve away from being a statistic, B roads are our target wherever possible where we can actually have a craic.
Also flat bars are better for hanging stuff on in the garage once the love is lost 🙂

Plus riding a road bike is a lot more of a constant effort, a lot of mountain biking is an "effort" followed by downhill, and often it's easier to cruise and involves more stops and faffing.

All depends how you ride, I absolutely burst myself on descents generally.

The Forme Ripley that a few STW'ers have posted about looks an absolute bargain (if 16 or 20 inch is the correct sizing) - http://www.startfitness.co.uk/cycle/bikes/mountain-bikes/forme-ripley-1-hardtail-mtb-blue-for93.html

Welcome to the OP. A hardtail Mtb with two sets of wheels..knobblies for off road and some slick/semi slicks for the road. Don't get a road bike they are for turbo trainers only 😳

Wow guys, thanks! So much good information here! I am going to have a read through all the above and then get back to you guys!! Thanks to all the mountain bikers!!

As you seem new I'd advise staying away from buying on line without seeing the thing. Easier to get a good fit if you go to a shop. The wrong size can be a complete killjoy.

Evans cycles produce a range of bikes under the pinnacle brand. Good value and generally well regarded. Road, cx or MTB. Fwiw think about wjat you will want to ride. Proper offroad means a MTB. Canal paths, cycle ways and dirt roads means cx and tarmac means road. Nothing wrong with any but don't buy a MTB to ride on the road. It'll suck the life from you.

don't buy a MTB to ride on the road. It'll suck the life from you

What ?

I'm doing a 50 miler on Sunday on the road on my Parkwood. Sure, i won't be averaging 18mph like on the road bike, but should be getting 15+ out of it... more comfort, nicer rubber, what's not to like? Over the past 4 years i've done loads of winter miles on the MTB on roads, it's only because of Zwift i've been playing indoors.

Welcome. For the purposes of general exercise on a relatively regular basis, I'd second the comments to ride on the road. You can leave from your house, you won't get so muddy (less cleaning), you can fit it in at short notice when free. There is no doubt that mountain biking is fun, and it is good exercise, but to be honest, it always feels like playing to me 😳 .

Choose a disc braked Boardman cross bike or Giant Defy to budget, strong, good stopping, well specced and well priced. then look on Strava or ridewithgps for some local routes to keep you off the main roads. A garmin is very helpful, because you can load the route and it will give you directions, and pacing if that is your thing. It will also provide stats for your riding and you can track your improvement - and you will get faster and fitter pretty quickly with regular cycling.

Buy some comfortable cycling kit, you need good shorts as a minimum (i like 3/4 bib tights as they are very versatile in cold and not so cold weather), and a jersey with rear pockets is helpful. Add a tight windproof coat, spare inner tube and pump (replace tube, fix puncture at home), something to drink and a small snack, and off you go.

Keep it up regularly and the weight will come down. Sadly, what nobody tells you is that cycling induces Prader Willi Syndrome by proxy - you'll feel hungry a lot more! fear not, the fitness and health gains are most dramatic in the first month, then three months.

Have fun.

Tricycle with a concrete beam strapped on the back ? He did want to shift some kg's

Balls to riding on the road, on a road bike at least. Get a hardtail, use the roads to get to the fun stuff and do some skids and wheelies on the way while you learn to bunnyhop and manual 😀

You don't need a GPS thinger

You don't need a super-de-duper road bike

You don't need to drive somewhere to ride your 'mountain' bike

People don't seem to realise that putting effort 'x' in on an MTB with squishy tyres to go 10mph is exactly the same as putting an effort 'x' in on a road bike and going a bit faster but the MTB is [i]infinitely[/i] [s]more fun[/s] less po-faced along the way.

the MTB is infinitely more fun less po-faced along the way

Some of us manage to ride a road bike without being the least bit po-faced 😀 . But your right about choosing a mtb, easily the most versatile type if bike; especially with a change of tyres to suit the ride.

nothing worse than having to hit the A roads with the cyclist haters that want to buzz you at 50mph

Then don't ride on those roads.

The country is chock full of roads, most of which get next to no traffic. Wherever you live there will almost certainly be lots of lovely quiet roads to ride on, you may need to go on a few short bits of busy if you are unlucky.

I'm an MTBer but I can defend road riding. It's much easier to plan more and longer rides on roads, due to there being more of them. It's also a better place (generally) to get into the zone and rack up the miles without disruption caused by obstacles, gates, boggy bits, and so on.

On the other hand a good mtb ride is fun for other reasons. They are both different activities really, and we make our own choices.

You don't need a GPS thinger

The key to regular exercise for weight loss and fitness gains is the regular part. My life is not sufficiently ordered that I can regularly ride offroad.

And even though I ride on the road, I save my po-face for racing, I always say hello (except in Richmond Park, it gets a bit tiresome there!)

.......and whatever you end up getting OP don't wear a yellow jersey like in the photo unless you've actually won the Tour de France

Did anyone else look at this title and link it to the coke discovery on the beach? Made me smile

I put on weight after a long period of disability, not quite yr weight, but was getting there - I found that a 29er rigid adventure bike* was perfect for all kinds of riding. Thing with regular cycling (some may disagree) is you are best suited to taking opportunites from your front door, ie commuting, keep-fit, whether it's trails or back lanes or cycle paths, you want to be away from big volume traffic and enjoying yourself, regularly, increasing your stamina and technique.

A low-maintenance bike helps too. To get back into it I got some decent lights and first rode a simple10 mile local loop down country lanes, at least once a week in the evenings, add in the odd 4-5 miler shop run for milk, etc any excuse. Soon got expanded to 17-20 miles, then a bit more. The key is regularly, so even a few miles a day is better than none, as long as you get going.

I'd be tempted to grab a decent deal on something like a Pinnacle Arkose (back lanes, gravel trails) or a simple hardtail 29er MTB and just get riding 🙂

Make sure you get the sizing right! And check back here for saddle advice when the tears start flowing. 😉

Good move!

*Genesis Vagabond

The middle ground of bike ownership is of course a matter of perspective.

From where I stand a giant defy is to far towards the road end. I think space for bigger tyres makes sense so if you want drop bars then some sort of gravel bike would be my call. Good on the road and fine on most of Britain's Sustrans route and bridleways. Example would be Genesis Croix De fer, Pinnacle Arkose, Boardman cross bike

A hard tail is a good call. That would open up all the bridleways and the trail centres as well. With slicks on its still a capable machine road machine, check for rack mounts if you want to tou. But suspension forks add to the cost. So only buy a hard tail if you know you want to try mountain biking and are prepared to pay enough to get a reasonable fork. I don't know where the cut off is but more than £500 perhaps up towards a £1000. Too many options for me to be able choose from

The final option is the rigid MTB or rigid hybrid. They are really versatile and in some ways the best value. The shifters on drop bars tend to be pricey (there are exceptions like the Vagabond mentioned above). I know people with sub £500 hybrids as their only bike. They road ride, commute, tour and use ride off road. Examples would be Pinnacle Lithium or Ramin 1.

PS I way 100kg and assume that any bike is fine for me unless it has a weight limit

Just remembered, whatever I or anyone say, when you're lugging your own weight around - comfort helps a lot.

Just for a different perspective I'll tell you how I got cycling again after yrs of struggling with road and MTB bikes.

At my very lowest fitness and highest weight I found self riding a used Dutch bike (Batavus Personal) that cost me only £100. It has three gears and weighs >50lbs unloaded in all its sit-up-and-beg fugliness. After removing the over-padded seat and fitting a decent saddle (Specialized Body Geometry) in order to take my full seated weight while not causing perineal pressure (this problem is always exacerbated by being an overweight cyclist - saddle choice is key) - I soon found I wanted to ride that weird-looking beast whenever I could, and had heaps of fun just moving again.

Soon became addicted to quiet urban and semi-urban night-riding and began going out every night around local towns and villages even in the winter. Loaded with two cheap panniers it became the utility for late night shopping runs, perfect exercise. I cycled 5 miles nearly every time we need something for a meal, so would shop the night before just for the ingredients. The weight started falling and I soon got back into mountain biking, but carried on shopping and pootling on the Batavus.

There are a lot of ways to look at cycling and I like most types of bike - but when at my fattest I was glad this simple bike happened my way simply because it was solid, comfortable, maintenance-free, always ready to go in any weather (dynamo hub lighting, guards,stand, fitted lock) and very, very easy to ride and use. Best 'bang for buck' I ever had. Not saying go and get one, just saying there are many ways to look at cycling!
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Loaded with two cheap panniers it became the utility for late night shopping runs, perfect exercise. I cycled 5 miles nearly every time we need something for a meal, so would shop the night before just for the ingredients.

Different strokes and all that, but the very last thing that would motivate me to get out cycling more, would be the thought of getting kitted up and dragging a 50lb behemoth round a 5 mile late night shopping trip

very last thing that would motivate me to get out cycling more, would be the thought of getting kitted up...

I think that's one of my lazier attractions to this bike. It just sits there on it's massive side-stand in the garage. Whatever I happen to be wearing I just stick a hat or helmet on, turn the key on the wheel-lock and go. Front light is always-on. Don't even have to cock a leg over the top-tube cos there isn't one. Forgot winter gloves? That's ok, it has gloves too!

...and dragging a 50lb behemoth round a 5 mile late night shopping trip

Weirdly - it just glides along silently. Dutch fairy-dust or something...

Once up to sub-warp speed it's unstoppable, especially with the roller-brakes. That said, up-hills are verrrry slow. I usually catch up on some podcasts via bluetooth. Relaxercise. No TV, no family, get to seen the moon, stars, streetlights, bats, foxes and the drunken straggler.

I met this guy from Brazil last Autumn with a very similar bike and he's still right now touring Europe on it (replete with hand-made wooden tablet-mount for the handlebars 😯 ) Lett me find a pic, he carries his whole life with him!

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Retry -

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Thanks for all the feedback and input guys! I have got the selection of bikes I like down to only 2 which are, The Boardman Pro 29er and the Pantera Comp. These both look like awesome bikes that have plenty of stability. A friend mentions the GT brand before and had no complaints only praises, I might be going down that route.

Also, I have already brought some very [url= https://www.easyprices.com/f/Home/Result?searchWord=cycling+shorts ]fashionable cycling shorts[/url]fashionable cycling shorts and a helmet but would you guys recommend any other clothing or protection?

Be back soon guys!!
Thanks again

A little more info on the GT I have found maybe the specs will give you a better idea than just a name.

PANTERA COMP

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Frame: All New 6061 T6 Aluminum Frame, w/ Triple Triangle?, Replaceable Derailleur Hanger, Disc Brake Mounts, and Zerostack tapered Head Tube, 27.5 + Design
Fork: Suntour XCR32-Air 120mm Travel, Lock Out w/ Rebound adjust, Tapered Alloy Steerer, Magnesium Lowers, 32MM Stanchions
Rear Shock: N/A
Chain: KMC X9
Crankset Chainwheel: 15
Crank: All-Terra Boost Z-501 36/22t
Crank Option 1: All-Terra Boost Z-501 36/22t
Bottom Bracket: Cartridge Sealed
Pedals: GT Slim Line Flat Pedal
Front Derailleur: microSHIFT
Rear Derailleur: Alivio
Shifters: Shimano Alivio
Cog Set: Sunrace CS-M98, 11-36T, 9-Speed Cassette
Rims: All Terra DB-X40 Double Wall, 32H 27.5 +, disc specific 40mm wide
Tires: (F&R) WTB Trail Blazer 27.5x2.8"
Hubs: All Terra Center Lock, QR (F) Alloy Disc with Boost 110, (R) Alloy Cassette Disc with Boost 141
Brake: Tektro Hydro Disc (F) 180mm Rotor (R) 160mm Rotor
Brake Levers: Tektro Disc Brake Lever
Handlebar: All Terra Riser Bar, Double Butted, 710mm Width, 15mm Rise, 31.8mm Clamp
Stem: All Terra 1 1/8" Threadless, 3D Forged, 4-Bolt W/ CNC Face Plate, 7? Rise, 31.8mm Clamp
Grips: GT Statement
Headset: Integrated seal bearing, 1-1/8? Upper + 1-1/2? Lower
Saddle: WTB Silverado Sport
Seat Post: All Terra Alloy Micro-Adjust, 30.9mm
Seat Clamp: All Terra Alloy QR

That Pantera is pretty basic and will be heavy. You might be better looking at something like this Cannondale from Paul's Cycles - £300 off and a much better spec

[url= https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p6549/CANNONDALE-TRAIL-1-2016 ]Cannondale Trail 1[/url]

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016
Options SM - - No Longer Available,
MD - - In Stock,
LG - - In Stock,
XL - - In Stock
Frame Trail, Optimized 6061 Alloy, SAVE, 1-1/8" head tube
Forks RockShox Recon Gold TK 27.5", 100mm, Solo Air, PopLoc remote lockout, rebound, 1-1/8"
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore, 31.8 clamp
Shifters Shimano Deore
Chainset Shimano Deore M612, HollowTech, 40/30/22
Bottom Bracket Shimano BB51 Hollowtech
Chain KMC X10, 10-speed
Freewheel Sunrace, 11-36, 10-speed
Headset Tange Zstep
Stem Cannondale C3, 6061 Alloy, 1-1/8", 31.8, 6 deg.
Handlebars Cannondale C3, 6061 double-butted alloy, 20mm rise x 720mm
Front Brake Shimano M506 hydraulic disc, 180/160mm
Rear Brake Shimano M506 hydraulic disc, 180/160mm
Brake Levers Shimano M506 hydraulic disc
Rims Alex DC 3.0, double wall, 32-hole
Front Hub Shimano RM66 Disc
Rear Hub Shimano RM66 Disc
Spokes Stainless Steel, 15g Black
Tyres WTB NineLine, 27.5x2.0"
Saddle Cannondale Stage 3
Seatpost Cannondale C3, 6061 alloy, 27.2x350mm
Pedals Cannondale Platform
Grips Cannondale Locking Grips

Or a Giant Talon with £400 off

[url= https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p6909/GIANT-TALON-27-5-0-2016 ]Giant Talon[/url]

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Model Year 2016
Options Small Blue/Red - - In Stock,
Medium Blue/Red - - In Stock,
Large Blue/Red - - In Stock,
X Large Blue/Red - - In Stock
Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
Forks Fox Float Performance / FIT4 Damper / 100mm travel
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Shadow
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Shifters Shimano Deore 20 speed
Chainset Shimano Deore 24/38T
Bottom Bracket Shimano
Chain KMC X10
Freewheel Shimano HG50 11-36T
Stem Giant Connect
Handlebars Giant Connect XC / Low Rise / 690mm
Front Brake Shimano M447 160mm
Rear Brake Shimano M447 160mm
Brake Levers Shimano M445
Rims Giant S-XC2 27.5 wheelset
Front Hub Giant Tracker Sport
Rear Hub Giant Tracker Sport
Spokes Stainless steel
Tyres Maxxis Icon 27.5x2.2 Wire
Saddle Giant Connect Upright
Seatpost Giant Connect 30.9mm
Pedals MTB Caged

I have the rigid 29 version of that Cannondaleand I ride it everywhere. The Other 4 bikes feel very neglected.

That Cannondale looks brilliant value.

This can't quite compete on price but you could ride before you buy

Pinnacle Ramin 2

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Sorry for parallel thread...

[b] Malvern Rider[/b]...

Love the descriptor of the late night rides. I get where your coming from.

The guy with that bike carrying his whole life...

Utterly great, what a life!

^ 🙂

Back to OP - that 'Dale and Giant both look much better options. Not seeing how the Pantera stacks up really for the price they're asking.

Always worth a check at bike-discount.de - the 'Radon ZR' range is normally much better specced than many other brands and at similar prices. Instead of Acera and Suntour you'd probably be looking at Recon forks and SLX mix, possibly Crossride wheels, etc around 13kg in all.