Cheap mountain bikes
#31
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Given how brisk it is a 2nd brake pedal is a thoughtful addition, I was lucky enough to chase Dave, driving mine in his VRs, it was smoggy fun...
dunx
dunx
#33
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I live about 8 miles from the Falcon "factory". It's just a distribution centre now
Halfords bikes, Carrera brand name, are specced UP. Go and have a look.
#34
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Got a link Bravo?
Alcazar's post was good. And yes, cheaper bikes tend to be heavier, the lighter the better for those hills.
I would say the main thing is to keep it simple - don't get anything with full suspension on a burget as you will end up with a weighty pogo stick!
If it was me I'd go for a base level Giant for about £200, with front suspension fork and v brakes. The Raleigh may well be fine though.
HTH
Andy
Alcazar's post was good. And yes, cheaper bikes tend to be heavier, the lighter the better for those hills.
I would say the main thing is to keep it simple - don't get anything with full suspension on a burget as you will end up with a weighty pogo stick!
If it was me I'd go for a base level Giant for about £200, with front suspension fork and v brakes. The Raleigh may well be fine though.
HTH
Andy
or
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...xt%3EBIKES.htm
had no idea that Rayleigh had been bought out though so thanks for the info coffin dodger.
Then are things like Muddy Fox which i've never heard of:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...xt%3EBIKES.htm
Also at 6'3" what size frame/wheels do I need to go for?
Thanks again for all the helpful info
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 15 March 2011 at 02:37 PM.
#35
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I was in a similar position last year, I wanted a bike but didn't know if i'd use it and didn't want to spend £600+ like most specialists want to charge.
I had a look at a few reviews and each one had positive things to say about the Carerra range (Halford's own brand, one up from their 'Apollo' range). I ended up getting a Carrera Vulcan Disc Spec in red for £250. The reports I read were giving it 4 out of 5 and saying it compared to bikes twice the price.
I've been on quite a few long rides with some of my mates since (20-30 miles). One had an Apollo which looked and felt cheap, one had a supermarket special that broke twice on it's maiden voyage, the other had a £600 Kona which looked nice but was heavier.
Only problem with buying onlne is you might not know what size frame you want.
#36
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http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3175028/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm
or
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3322675/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm
had no idea that Rayleigh had been bought out though so thanks for the info coffin dodger.
Then are things like Muddy Fox which i've never heard of:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3322462/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm
Also at 6'3" what size frame/wheels do I need to go for?
Thanks again for all the helpful info
or
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3322675/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm
had no idea that Rayleigh had been bought out though so thanks for the info coffin dodger.
Then are things like Muddy Fox which i've never heard of:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3322462/c_1/1|category_root|Sports+and+leisure|14419152/c_2/2|14419152|Bikes%2C+cycling+and+accessories|144191 53/c_3/3|cat_14419153|Mountain+bikes|26350687/Trail/searchtext%3EBIKES.htm
Also at 6'3" what size frame/wheels do I need to go for?
Thanks again for all the helpful info
DON'T take any sizes off here, go and sit on one, remember if it's amountain bike you want 3" or more CLEARANCE between the frame and your nads, when standing.
So ALSO check the seat tube will go up far enough for you to be comfortable, sitting on the seat, feet on pedals, knees should JUST be flexed.
#37
Alcazar.........I did some work with the Falcon Campagnolo team back in the late 70's. At the time they were based at Barton-upon-Humber and did manufacture bikes there.
I've still got a team Falcon road bike vintage 1977 but it's actually a rebadged Bianchi LOL
Is that your neck of the woods ?
Shuan
I've still got a team Falcon road bike vintage 1977 but it's actually a rebadged Bianchi LOL
Is that your neck of the woods ?
Shuan
#39
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Is this any better than the Argos ones I posted:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#dtab
I phoned my local store and the bloke who I spoke to said he weas about my height and he has a 20" frame on his bikes but I can go in and try out to see.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#dtab
I phoned my local store and the bloke who I spoke to said he weas about my height and he has a 20" frame on his bikes but I can go in and try out to see.
#40
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#41
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Alcazar.........I did some work with the Falcon Campagnolo team back in the late 70's. At the time they were based at Barton-upon-Humber and did manufacture bikes there.
I've still got a team Falcon road bike vintage 1977 but it's actually a rebadged Bianchi LOL
Is that your neck of the woods ?
Shuan
I've still got a team Falcon road bike vintage 1977 but it's actually a rebadged Bianchi LOL
Is that your neck of the woods ?
Shuan
#42
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Have a look here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-kraken...item20b7d5be44
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-vulcan...item4cf5d856e6
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-VULCAN...item19c3f00b9d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Vulcan...item27b9762b00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-vulcan...item2562137100
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item4157a990be
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item20b7d50231
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-kraken...item4157b2f693
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item2a0ee9169a
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-KRAKEN...item564316e54c
And I've only copied a few..........
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-vulcan...item4cf5d856e6
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-VULCAN...item19c3f00b9d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Vulcan...item27b9762b00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-vulcan...item2562137100
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item4157a990be
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item20b7d50231
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-kraken...item4157b2f693
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item2a0ee9169a
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-KRAKEN...item564316e54c
And I've only copied a few..........
#43
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Have a look here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-kraken...item20b7d5be44
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-vulcan...item4cf5d856e6
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-VULCAN...item19c3f00b9d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Vulcan...item27b9762b00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-vulcan...item2562137100
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item4157a990be
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item20b7d50231
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-kraken...item4157b2f693
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item2a0ee9169a
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-KRAKEN...item564316e54c
And I've only copied a few..........
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-vulcan...item4cf5d856e6
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-VULCAN...item19c3f00b9d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Vulcan...item27b9762b00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-vulcan...item2562137100
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item4157a990be
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item20b7d50231
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-kraken...item4157b2f693
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Kraken...item2a0ee9169a
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-KRAKEN...item564316e54c
And I've only copied a few..........
#44
Alcazar
I used to visit Scunthorpe quite a bit as a lad..........not to far to travel on the ferry from Hull where I was born.
This is the bike team based in Barton all those years ago.........
http://www.internationalcyclesport.c...on_cycles.html
Shaun
I used to visit Scunthorpe quite a bit as a lad..........not to far to travel on the ferry from Hull where I was born.
This is the bike team based in Barton all those years ago.........
http://www.internationalcyclesport.c...on_cycles.html
Shaun
#46
Cooking on Calor
iTrader: (23)
I understand you are a great rider, you never ride side by side on busy roads and never hold up other road users.
great, you have to realise there are riders out there that do do it and on a regular basis. at no point have I singled you or your very pleasant partner, it was him and you that singled me out though!
#47
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Alcazar
I used to visit Scunthorpe quite a bit as a lad..........not to far to travel on the ferry from Hull where I was born.
This is the bike team based in Barton all those years ago.........
http://www.internationalcyclesport.c...on_cycles.html
Shaun
I used to visit Scunthorpe quite a bit as a lad..........not to far to travel on the ferry from Hull where I was born.
This is the bike team based in Barton all those years ago.........
http://www.internationalcyclesport.c...on_cycles.html
Shaun
#48
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Bought the girlriend a bike outta Halfrauds for about 250 i think, its okay but actually heavier than my ten year old one which was probably only twice the price -she hardly ever gets on it
Hers is cheap ali and small mine is larger and steel . The extra weight is in the wheels ! various other components and maybe the discs ? , mine are just v brakes and the gear is pretty mediocre
Second hand definitely the way to go !
Hers is cheap ali and small mine is larger and steel . The extra weight is in the wheels ! various other components and maybe the discs ? , mine are just v brakes and the gear is pretty mediocre
Second hand definitely the way to go !
#49
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1%? so the entire 1% rides in derbyshire do they?
I understand you are a great rider, you never ride side by side on busy roads and never hold up other road users.
great, you have to realise there are riders out there that do do it and on a regular basis. at no point have I singled you or your very pleasant partner, it was him and you that singled me out though!
I understand you are a great rider, you never ride side by side on busy roads and never hold up other road users.
great, you have to realise there are riders out there that do do it and on a regular basis. at no point have I singled you or your very pleasant partner, it was him and you that singled me out though!
#50
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When I was looking for an MTB, the Specialised Hardrock seemed to review well and seemed a good deal.
Thing is, you could get the basic version for £269 last summer. Difficult to find that sort of a deal now.
J.
Thing is, you could get the basic version for £269 last summer. Difficult to find that sort of a deal now.
J.
#52
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Just a thought before I chuck it down the tip my old bike is a Rayleigh Kalahari mountain bike which if I remember correctly was about £300 back around 1990 which was a fair bit then. Is it worth getting overhauled? Chain is rusted to bits so assume that will mean the gearing has probably had it as well? It still works and rides but I wouldn't assume it to be safe being so old and never serviced in 20+ years and probably still original tyres and brake blocks.
This is a pic off a google search:
This is a pic off a google search:
#53
If you're not happy doing the spannering yourself, then labour charges from a shop are probably going to be £50 or more (assuming a couple of hours).
Assuming it's a 7 speed drivetrain, a chain can be had for £5 upwards but it depends on the state of the chainset and cassette as to what else you might need.
PS. Rayleigh is a town in Essex - Raleigh make bikes
Assuming it's a 7 speed drivetrain, a chain can be had for £5 upwards but it depends on the state of the chainset and cassette as to what else you might need.
PS. Rayleigh is a town in Essex - Raleigh make bikes
#55
One thing to prepare yourself for as I found out was the level of pain given via saddles! I Was on the bike for the first time in ten years this weekend, I'm just about clear of pain now!
#56
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Yes the saddle is the one thing that I need to sort whether on a cheapo bike or getting my old one fixed. Do gel saddles make a big improvement or are all sadlles painful, just less so on the more expensive ones?
#58
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Saddles are important, but a good set of cycling pants is going to be an essential too. I've got some cycling trousers that I wear at the moment from Aldi and they're great, but come the summer I've got a pair of bib shorts from Wiggle that are good quality and great for the long rides. Hopefully I'll be able to buy another set soon as I've lost over a stone through cycling
#59
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Saddles are important, but a good set of cycling pants is going to be an essential too. I've got some cycling trousers that I wear at the moment from Aldi and they're great, but come the summer I've got a pair of bib shorts from Wiggle that are good quality and great for the long rides. Hopefully I'll be able to buy another set soon as I've lost over a stone through cycling