Any mountain bikers on here

Id like some advice please.

Bought my first bike 3 yrs ago to get fit and lose weight. Didnt want to spend a fortune in case I lost interest and it ended up stuck under the stairs so I spent £300 on a Carerra which I was told was a half decent entry level bike.

Hardly used it first year. Last year I started again but went over the handlebars and had to replace the front wheel.

This year Ive lost 30 pounds in weight and im out virtually every night and really enjoying the exercise but the back wheels buckled now and the gears continally need adjusting.

-So-

Im about ready to upgrade.

How much should I spend on my next bike? Which brand should I be considering?

Ta in advance.

 

Well all I can say is you idle fat gets the lot of yer!

 

I've got a Kona and can highly recommend them - they have quite a big price range so you will have plenty of choice

http://konaworld.uk.com/

this is the one I have:-

http://www.konaworld.com/09_firemountaindeluxe_uk.cfm

 

I have a road bike and don't know much about MB's but I'd strongly recommend a local bike shop-not halfords!there's this one at penistone</p>

it's always best to try before buying and take their advice-and spend as much as you dare!!!!</p>

Lex's
112 Sheffield Road
Penistone
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S36 6HF
United Kingdom</p><h1><font size="2">email: </font><font size="2">Leon@lexs.co.uk</font></h1><div class="LexOtherPageDivs">

Telephone: 01226 763763</p></div>

 

There are some on here, there was this thread with some recommendations a couple of weeks ago.</p>

http://www.barnsleyfc.org.uk/bbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=139069&amp;mid=928915</p>

If you are unsure check out the mountain bike mags in whsmiths. One of them has a recommended section in the back, usually split into price brands. That should give you an idea of what to look at.</p>

I'm a bit like you, bought a &lt;&pound;200 giant a couple of years. Used a bit first year, then not really for a couple of years. Been out a few times this year, and going to start biking 10 miles each way to work when the weather is decent. Thats the plan anyway, although how long I keep doing it is a different matter.
</p>

 

Lol - got my 1st one from Halfords

Then discovered Evans at Castleford. They have the full price range there as well.

 

Sorry...

But how did you manage to go over the handle bars?

 

Cheers. Was looking at the Konas with a view to spending around £4-500.

 

Link to the thread I started a couple of weeks ago has already been posted. I got a brand new claude butler cape wrath (2008) for just £249. Hydraulic discs, lockout shocks - the lot! (I have no idea what I'm talking about btw!). It is a good bike though.

 

Ha ha

I went out one afternoon after it had rained heavily. Was riding down a track and started to lose control of the bike. I went from the saddle on to the crossbar and then the bike dug in and over I went - landed on my back after doing a somersault! Bike landed on top of me. Lucky I wasnt injured apart from a few cuts on my shins from the pedals really.

 

Just had a look - cheers mate nt

 

RE: Ha ha

Did you manage not to hurt the never regions on the crossbar?

 

RE: Ha ha

Thankfully not. It was quite funny really and all seemed to happen in slow motion but I just couldnt stop although I wasnt going very fast. I remember the jolt as the bike stopped dead and shouting "for feckcs sake" as I sailed through the air.

Annoying thing was as the front wheel was totally shagged I had to shove the bike home so there I was pushing the bike, wonkey wheeled, covered in mud and blood streaming down my shin past all the dog walkers of Ackworth. No one asked if I was ok! Stuck up gets!

 

I prefer Treks, although my current one has been hung on the garage wall for a couple of years. My 1st Trek cost upto £1K when I done upgrading front shockers and gears. This ended up getting nicked (Whatya expect). I replaced that with another Trek at about £600. Fantastic bike, only wish I could get my arse in gear to take it out.

But if you say you've lost 30lb's, then I need sort misen out.

Used to go around the disused rail tracks and bridleways. Route was from Darton, Cawthorne, Silkstone, Wentworth, Wombwell, Barnsley, Newlodge, Mapp and back to Darton. Just short of 20 miles in 1hr 20mins. About 80% of it was off road.

 

The RRP for the Firemountain is c.£440 - excellent value for money

 

Go for quality names that have stood the test of time

Trek
Specialised
GT
Giant
Kona
Cannondale


If you are serious then £500 is a minimum spend, you don't want bits going wrong half way down a mountain.

Front suspension and disc brakes are highly recommended.

Have a look on ebay, got my last bike of there and it was a bargain, £1200 of bike for £450.

 

Got my bike from e bay an all, specialised but its a road bike

best advice is to chat to the guys at a proper cycle shop and probably go for the best model you can afford if your going to take it up seriously

 

RE: Go for quality names that have stood the test of time

locally for bike maintenance and some decent bikes Barnsley road at wombwell ,allens cycles or bike shop rear of Wednesday ground off leppings lane.from footie ground turn right .small shop.

 

Kona is a good brand, also TREK

Try http://www.trekbikes.com/. Make sure you get XT giring and brakes! (Not disc brakes)

Otherwise the frames are all decent.

 

Halfords is not so bad

In the end you just go for the right bike at the best deal, whichever shop that may be. Those Carreras never looked bad bikes to me for the price albeit I never rode one.