What type of bike
Posted by: Mick P on 15 March 2004
Chaps
I am only a couple of weeks away from retirement and as such will need a mode of transport. I am trying to avoid buying a second car and would like to buy a bike to do relatively short journeys of say up to 5 or 6 miles. Mainly as an aid to returning my body to its previous Greek God proportions.
I will be going to the gym between 8.00am and 10.00am most weekday mornings and a bike would be a good way of getting there.
Swindon has a good cycle path infrstructure and I have no interest in cyling up mountains or mud tracks. It there is no tarmac, I shall not go, so to speak.
So what sort of machine should I be looking at and is it better to buy from a national chain such as Halfords, a local chap or via the net.
Many thanks
Lycra clad Mick
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Jones:
But I don't understand the point of an MTBer worrying about the aerodynamicism of their riding position. Those tyres might be a better place to reduce rolling resistance 
I'm looking forward to observing how well you perform on wet, muddy trails with slicks on!
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Tim Jones
John -
Looks like the aims of that Genesis Geometry thingy are to change weight distribution so descending is more stable, and stretch the rider out so that more power can be applied on a climb - rather than aerodynamics per se.
Steve - Mud? Harummph. Time you grew out of such things sonny
Tim
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Jones:
Steve - Mud? Harummph. Time you grew out of such things sonny
Mud would have seemed pleasant compared to commuting on my road bike this morning - straight into the wind and rain!
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Rockingdoc
Ah well, we may not have the scenery, but the weather is glorious here today.
p.s. do you think Mr Parry is going to cope on these bikes?
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Ah well, we may not have the scenery, but the weather is glorious here today.
It's quite nice here now as well, but no doubt it'll be raining by the time I have to cycle home.
quote:
p.s. do you think Mr Parry is going to cope on these bikes?
Hmmm - he'll either use it once then it'll be left gathering dust in his garage, or love it so much we'll see him in a years time at Glentress riding a Santa Cruz Blur dripping with XTR and Chris King bits!
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Mekon
When I look at Genesis geometry, I figure it to be an attempt to get the benefits of a stubby stem, without having to pay the penalty on climbs.
If you've never tried an MTB with a big set of risers and a short stem, you've really missed out. A set of Renthals will turn the most nervous of riders into a hooligan.
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by matthewr
AFAICT "Genesis" is Gary Fisher's version of the changes in consensus MTB geometry that happened in the mid 90s. The general idea was that for most people MTBing was more about fun then epic 30 mile XC expeditions so bikes changed to trade technical ability and handling for some efficiency.
The tight rear triangles and slackened (or is tightened -- I can never remember) head angle and more upright riding style all come from the 'freeride' hardtails that becamce very popular at around this time.
Matthew
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by David C
Surely building something around this frame would result in the naim of the mountain bike world?
David
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Steve G
Those pace frames are pretty heavy though and while they do look rather lovely the folks I know that own them all seem to use them as road bikes!
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by ErikL
My nominee for the Naim of frames is the IF Steel deluxe:
Posted on: 27 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Ludwig:
My nominee for the Naim of frames is the IF Steel deluxe:
Very nice, but very,very expensive (£1599) for a steel hardtail if I recall correctly.
I've enjoyed the Inbred so far but longer term I'm thinking about replacing the frame with a Cotic Soul - similar to an IF but much cheaper!
Posted on: 27 March 2004 by Mick P
I saw a reasonably good bike today, a Claude Butler Legend.
Alloy frame etc.
Any views good or bad.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 27 March 2004 by Mekon
That IF is lovely. However, it's definitely reference series. The Standard STA is more olive.
Posted on: 28 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Mick Parry:
I saw a reasonably good bike today, a Claude Butler Legend.
It looks ok but for similar cash I much prefer the Specialized Crossroads and it would hold its value better.
Posted on: 28 March 2004 by Tim Jones
The Naim of bike frames would definitely not be an MTB. Pace and Timing on one of those things? Yer, right
MTBs are bikes with tone controls...
Tim
Posted on: 28 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Jones:
MTBs are bikes with tone controls...
But with road bikes you have to stick to one type of music - and most of the time it's pretty boring.
Mountain bikes set you free...
Posted on: 28 March 2004 by Rockingdoc
quote:
Originally posted by Mick Parry:
I saw a reasonably good bike today, a Claude Butler Legend.
Alloy frame etc.
Any views good or bad.
Regards
Mick
Not sure if this means a steel-based alloy
Aluminium frames are noisy and a harder ride than steel.
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Not sure if this means a steel-based alloy
Aluminium frames are noisy and a harder ride than steel.
The bike Mick referred to is a comfort hybrid bike, with suspension forks and a suspension seatpost, so it should be comfortable enough.
I've got steel and aluminium bikes and while steep certainly has a nice springy ride quality my two most comfortable bikes are aluminium framed.
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by Laurie Saunders
Rockingdoc
quote:
Not sure if this means a steel-based alloy
Aluminium frames are noisy and a harder ride than steel.
You referred above to titanium frames.
I have the opportunity to purchase one, but not try the complete bike
Any thought from you?
My experience is really limited to steel (531, 635(?) ..) etc
Not sure what the ride would be like..
Laurie S
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Laurie Saunders:
Not sure what the ride would be like..
My limited experience with titanium (mountain) bikes is that they ride like a steel bike but are much lighter.
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by Laurie Saunders
Thanks Steve
I was interested in a road frame, though i guess your comments would also apply to these?
I don`t have much experience of Ally frames either....my (ancient) 531 frames seem to have a lovely sense of "life"....some may find the "spring" a bit disconcerting though
When I asked the dealer who was selling the frames, he said that Titanium was very "stiff"...not sure exactly what he meant
Laurie S
Posted on: 31 March 2004 by John G.
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Jones:
MTBs are bikes with tone controls...
But with road bikes you have to stick to one type of music - and most of the time it's pretty boring.
Mountain bikes set you free...
I can't wait till the local trails dry out a bit more as I'm looking forward to trying out a number of trails in my area. I just got back from a 9 mile ride through a forest preserve trail that's made up of crushed limestone. The area is in a river valley and is a bit hilly. I'm totally new to MTB but from only two MTB rides in the last month I can see myself getting hooked. I've put about 150 miles on my bike over the last month, mostly on the road and will start exploring these off-road trails as long as they stay relatively dry. Still getting a feel for how fast I can safely go through the turns without falling over.
Mick,
Have you gotten a bike yet? Here's my suggestion:
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=comfort&bike=SolsticeJohn
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by ErikL
Mick,
Did you buy a bike yet?
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by Mick P
Mrs Mick and I went into a cycle shop looking for a bike for me and came out with a Claude Butler city bicyle for her. She just took a shine to it.
It has got Derallier (sic ?) gears and I have been using her bike to cycle to the gym. I must admit I cannot get on with the bloody thing and I reckon I will be going for the Pashley which has the Sturmey Acher gearing....much easier to use.
Regards
Mick
Posted on: 17 April 2004 by Two-Sheds
If Mick doesn't mind me hijacking this thread for a moment since there seems to be quite a few moutain bikers in here discussing bikes that are far above what Mick asked for.
I've been thinking of getting a bike again as I used to enjoy cycling and would like to use it as an attempt to regain some form of fitness. I'll be doing some road/cycle path stuff and hopefully some moderate off road stuff.
I went to a local shop and they recommended two bikes, the
Gary Fisher Marlin is about $200CAD cheaper than the other bike which I think was the
Rocky Mountain Fusion.
I'm not too sure of the exact rocky mountain model, but I think it was the fusion. Any knowledge of either brands would be useful since the last time I really looked at bikes was 5 to 10 years ago.
cheers.
