Buying a new MTB
Hi,
I'm shopping for a new MTB. I will be putting road tyres on it and using it to commute the 7 miles each way to work each day. Then swapping the tyres over and getting muddy at the weekends. I'm looking to spend in the region of £400. I'm just waiting on Evans to get me a Q800 in at the moment, so I can have a look at the weekend. http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60947 Any good / bad points anyone knows. Would I be better off with something else? All advise greatfully recieved cheers guys -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Auz wrote:
I'm shopping for a new MTB. I will be putting road tyres on it and using it to commute the 7 miles each way to work each day. Then swapping the tyres over and getting muddy at the weekends. That will get /very/ boring very quickly, I suspect. I'd suggest budgeting for a replacement wheel set rather than just tyres (you could put a closer spaced block on the road wheel too). Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/ -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Peter Clinch wrote: That will get /very/ boring very quickly, I suspect. I'd suggest budgeting for a replacement wheel set rather than just tyres (you could put a closer spaced block on the road wheel too). Bloody good thinking. Cheers pete. I already have the tyres, a new cassette - £35? wheels? what should I get for road use? -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Peter Clinch wrote: Auz wrote: I'm shopping for a new MTB. I will be putting road tyres on it and using it to commute the 7 miles each way to work each day. Then swapping the tyres over and getting muddy at the weekends. That will get /very/ boring very quickly, I suspect. I'd suggest budgeting for a replacement wheel set rather than just tyres (you could put a closer spaced block on the road wheel too). Very much agreed. You'll want to run V-brakes or cantis if you do this, as swapping wheels with disc rotors that will invariably not line up is just as annoying as a tire swap. If you look around, a spare set isn't expensive. Over here stateside, I've seen several nearly new 26" wheelsets with street rubber being flogged for $50 on Craigslist recently. Alternately, and probably smarter, if you're locking outside, piece together something more appropriate for commuting, that's also hellaciously ugly and theft resistant. -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Very much agreed. You'll want to run V-brakes or cantis if you do this, as swapping wheels with disc rotors that will invariably not line up is just as annoying as a tire swap. Don't forget...if you do decide to buy an extra set of wheels (and you have V-brakes), make sure both sets of rims have the same (or similar) width. If the width is identical on all your rims, then you shouldn't require any adjustment of the V-brakes. If the widths are slightly different, you should be able to use the barrel adjuster on the brake lever to compensate without messing with your brake setup. I am in the unfortunate situation where my rim widths are not equal. In addition to the barrel adjuster on the brake lever, I have installed in-line adjusters at the V-brake noodle. The extra adjustment allows me to set a quick brake response (i.e. pads as close to rim as possible) without having to tool around with the brakes. HTH, Dave -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
You really need to get two bikes. Changing tires or wheelsets for
different riding conditions will get to be such a pain in the ass that you will find it convenient to choose not to ride. A cheap road bike in today's world will be reiliable and fast, better than the best racing bike of 20 years ago. Then you can justify buying the off-road bike you really want. -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Paul wrote: You really need to get two bikes. Changing tires or wheelsets for different riding conditions will get to be such a pain in the ass that you will find it convenient to choose not to ride. Just fit it with road tyres. That will cope with all but the worst mud/gravel/wet grass. Then you'll only be bothered to change wheels if you are going off somewhere special anyhow. A cheap road bike in today's world will be reiliable and fast, better than the best racing bike of 20 years ago. Then you can justify buying the off-road bike you really want. Absolutely. For 300 quid you can get something that is very reasonable indeed. ..d -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Thanks for all your input Guys.
I bought the Felt Q800 (very pleased!) yesterday, and will deal with swapping the tyres over for the time being while I decide whether to a)buy a second set of wheels or b)buy a road bike in a couple of months (funds permitting). I think it's going to be the road bike. Probably a tourer, so I can carry change of clothes / lunch etc. to work. Looked at a Dawes while I was standing around for nearly an hour in Evans (they forgot to build my bike!!!) The Galaxy - twice the price of a suggested road bike. I'll investigate further. Thanks again -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
In article om
Auz wrote: Thanks for all your input Guys. I bought the Felt Q800 (very pleased!) yesterday, and will deal with swapping the tyres over for the time being while I decide whether to a)buy a second set of wheels or b)buy a road bike in a couple of months (funds permitting). I think it's going to be the road bike. Probably a tourer, so I can carry change of clothes / lunch etc. to work. You don't need a tourer to do that - any sports bike can be fitted with a beam rack to carry a large rack pack or small panniers, or you can get quite a lot in a good old-fashioned saddlebag (the Carradice sort, not a wedge pack). -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Rob Morley wrote: You don't need a tourer to do that - any sports bike can be fitted with a beam rack to carry a large rack pack or small panniers, or you can get quite a lot in a good old-fashioned saddlebag (the Carradice sort, not a wedge pack). What do mean by sports bike? A road bike? With the amount of holes in the road? I thought tourers were built a bit stronger with wider wheels? Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know much... -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
In article . com
Auz wrote: Rob Morley wrote: You don't need a tourer to do that - any sports bike can be fitted with a beam rack to carry a large rack pack or small panniers, or you can get quite a lot in a good old-fashioned saddlebag (the Carradice sort, not a wedge pack). What do mean by sports bike? A road bike? Indeed, but isn't a tourer also a road bike? I didn't use the term "road racer" because I don't think that's really what you want in terms of cost or performance - I suppose "training bike" might have been a better label, but I've not seen many production bikes so described. So I used "sports bike" as a description of a race-style machine with the edge taken off - mudguard clearance, slightly gentler steering geometry, cheaper than a competition machine ... With the amount of holes in the road? I thought tourers were built a bit stronger with wider wheels? Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know much... Touring bikes are built for a relaxed ride with a substantial load, so they're slower and less nimble than sports bikes. Unless you're riding over wheel-swallowing potholes a narrow high-pressure wheel should survive as long as you keep the tyres at a suitable pressure, and a lighter quicker-handling bike should make it easier to avoid potholes in the first place. It really depends how energetic your commuting will be whether you'll prefer the quick or comfy approach, but both styles of bike should be up to the job. I was really just pointing out that you needn't restrict your choice to a Galaxy type machine. -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Thanks Rob. Can you suggest acouple of bikes / manufacturers to look
at? I didn't realise there were so many different styles of road bike. I have much to learn. Enjoying it though... -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
In article .com
Auz wrote: Thanks Rob. Can you suggest acouple of bikes / manufacturers to look at? I didn't realise there were so many different styles of road bike. I have much to learn. I'm afraid I'm totally out of touch with most of the current ranges. Here's one I do know about http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/brevetconical.html They've got one on eBay ATM http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=160017452310 could be a bargain for someone. -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
Buying a new MTB
Auz wrote: Thanks for all your input Guys. I bought the Felt Q800 (very pleased!) yesterday, and will deal with swapping the tyres over for the time being while I decide whether to a)buy a second set of wheels or b)buy a road bike in a couple of months (funds permitting). I think it's going to be the road bike. Probably a tourer, so I can carry change of clothes / lunch etc. to work. Looked at a Dawes while I was standing around for nearly an hour in Evans (they forgot to build my bike!!!) The Galaxy - twice the price of a suggested road bike. I'll investigate further. Thanks again One other option you might look at is a cyclocross bike. That's what I have and use it for a road bike. It is very versatile, you can use the standard wheels with wider tires and haul touring loads (mine has rack mounts) or put on narrower wheels and tires and ride like a sports tourer. They're also not bad on milder trails or doubletrack. Mine gets ridden a lot on the rails-to-trails we have here in the USA. Smokey -- rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/ Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:25 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
CycleBanter.com