Some bicycle questions.

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Skyline

Emmet Brickowski
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Dave
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Looking to get a bike to try and get fit. Before I spend loads on one only to find out cycling isn't for me I thought I might try the 2nd hand route.

I would be using mostly around my (large) village. Lots of hills where I live. I would use it on the road but also take it off road for photo opportunities.

I'm 5ft 11, so what frame size am I looking for?

Am I best going for a mountain bike or road?

I have had a bike since I was a kid so thought I would give it a go to see if I enjoyed it.
 
You do not need a mountain bike which will be a pain on the hills. A road bike can take a bit of off road. A hybrid might be a better option. How off road are you talking about?
 
If its just a country lane off road then a hybrid will probably be ideal. As for frame size that depends on your inside leg as its measure from seat post to crank if im not mistaken.
 
A hybrid is possibly best for a first bike and I'd go with hub gears for general leisure use rather than dérailleur types - have used hub gears for 2 years now and would never by a bike with dérailleurs again! Second hand is often a good bet as there are some bargains to be had. I'd make sure it had proper mudguards and ideally dynamo lights.
 
rjbell said:
You do not need a mountain bike which will be a pain on the hills. A road bike can take a bit of off road. A hybrid might be a better option. How off road are you talking about?
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Over fields, up and down some wood tracks.
 
33L said:
If its just a country lane off road then a hybrid will probably be ideal. As for frame size that depends on your inside leg as its measure from seat post to crank if im not mistaken.
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Shows what I know. A hybrid bike. This is all new to me lol
 
boliston said:
A hybrid is possibly best for a first bike and I'd go with hub gears for general leisure use rather than dérailleur types - have used hub gears for 2 years now and would never by a bike with dérailleurs again! Second hand is often a good bet as there are some bargains to be had. I'd make sure it had proper mudguards and ideally dynamo lights.
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What I be able to get something like this for under 100?
 
Don't rule out a mountain bike, look for a hardtail (no rear suspension just front) you can easilly fit slicker tyres and it becomes very road friendly.
You can't turn a road into a trail or mountain bike. Look at Giant or Trek, great thing about mountain bikes is you have a few more gears so if you are not super fit you can get up hills easier.

like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-XTC...Bike-Medium-/271969130598?hash=item3f529f9866
 
I'd recommend either a road bike or a hybrid - which ever you go for, get some 'touring tyres' (esp if you go for a road bike) as these are a little larger and offer some extra (not much though) comfort...

Initially, decide if you want straight or drop handle bars.
 
Mr Bump said:
Don't rule out a mountain bike, look for a hardtail (no rear suspension just front) you can easilly fit slicker tyres and it becomes very road friendly.
You can't turn a road into a trail or mountain bike. Look at Giant or Trek, great thing about mountain bikes is you have a few more gears so if you are not super fit you can get up hills easier.

like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-XTC...Bike-Medium-/271969130598?hash=item3f529f9866
Click to expand...


I was looking for something under a 100 to see if I like cycling before spending loads :)
 
andyred said:
I'd recommend either a road bike or a hybrid - which ever you go for, get some 'touring tyres' (esp if you go for a road bike) as these are a little larger and offer some extra (not much though) comfort...

Initially, decide if you want straight or drop handle bars.
Click to expand...

Think I would go for straight.
 
To be honest for £100 you will get junk and you will hate bikes :-)
 
Mr Bump said:
To be honest for £100 you will get junk and you will hate bikes :)
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Daverkl said:
That's the pickle I'm in. If I spend loads on one and cycling isn't for me.....
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I disagree. I got my "Kraken" rigid tail and adjustable front suspension for about £75 second hand. Nice light weight construction and quality gearing and disc brakes.

No way I would have spent loads more here in the UK as I find it all well overpriced as a Dutchman.

For around town I still find it amazing that loads of people here dress up like they are doing the Tour de France including their bikes with race tyres and all sorts. For everyday simple transport a nice upright style heavy Dutch bike is perfect for the rubbish roads in the UK. It will provide much more comfort and efficiency to the pedal.

But hey my cultural background is a bit different and it is transport for pedestrians opposed for cyclists.
 
I came back to cycling a few years ago and my first bike was a hybrid from Halfords. I'd try to avoid the Apollo range as they are not strong or particularly reliable from my experience but they do a really good brand called Voodoo, really solid bikes!

They're quite cheap on eBay and you get a lot of kit for the money - one of the things I had to have on my bike was disc brakes as I was quite nervous and found the extra stopping power was really welcome.

The Carrera range is pretty good too, we have 2 in the house - I think eBay or gumtree are your friends here for the budget.
 
I got a used Carrera from ebay a year or so ago for under £100 as I too was in a similar position to you Dave. It doesn't look amazing but has nothing wrong with it, is fairly light and easy to ride.
The cheap Halfords bikes tend to be very heavy, rust at the first sign of rain and are poorly painted but this is based upon my experiences from 2-3 years ago, and I don't know the Voodoo range at all.

We have 2 very lightly used kids bikes from the Apollo range sitting in the garage that so far we have not even been able to give away...
 
looks like go to Halfords have a try on and look for second hand then :-)
 
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