Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
I have been given the green light to get myself another new bike to go along with my two road bikes. As I'm getting on a bit and a big, heavy (300lb) lad, I had been thinking of electric assist bikes, but for the prices those things are going for I'd expect a decent second hand car. Added to that, one of my main reasons for cycling is as my main form of exercise, and I'm not sure how I would measure my output if I was getting electric assistance. I just want to be able to keep climbing hills without getting off and walking.
I've just about come round to the idea of getting a hard tail mountain bike instead, and have looked into a whole load of them by Whyte, Marin, Cube, Trek etc. Some of the sizing guides leave doubt as to whether anything but an XXL would fit me, whereas some make it quite clear that XXL is my size. There don't seem to be many XXLs in stock within my price range of up to £1,400. I don't want to spend more than that on a third bike ... which is only likely to be used on off-road rides and hilly rides.
So it seems my criteria are:
(1) Hard-tailed mountain bike.
(2) £1,400 max price.
(3) As much help as possible on the hills from the gear ratios but without compromising cruising speed too much.
(4) Decent reliable componentry.
(5) Totally unconcerned about downhilling manoeuvrability/handling as I'm not into mountain biking as such, just road cycling in the mountains.
This leads me to the Bergamont. I have to concede that I have never heard of them, but I'm open to risking an aluminium frame for my third bike (although my others are steel framed for peace of mind because of my weight). Loads of Shimano componentry, similar brake disc sizes to how I have my No.1 bike set up and a great gear range (36/22T double chain ring and 45/11T 11 speed cassette). Would give me a seemingly unbeatable climbing mechanical advantage of 204%, (45/22) which sounds too good to be true, with a 36/11 for cruising. Sounds great, but who are Bergamont, and am I missing something here? How can it be just £720? Any Bergamont owners on here?
https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/b...MI0_a1wdjmigMV2JJQBh0ZPAl3EAQYBiABEgL3WPD_BwE
NB: Edit: I've just noticed the max weight (incl rider) is 115kg, so no good for me. Can anyone recommend a mountain bike with a good gear ratio that will take 135kg plus?
I've just about come round to the idea of getting a hard tail mountain bike instead, and have looked into a whole load of them by Whyte, Marin, Cube, Trek etc. Some of the sizing guides leave doubt as to whether anything but an XXL would fit me, whereas some make it quite clear that XXL is my size. There don't seem to be many XXLs in stock within my price range of up to £1,400. I don't want to spend more than that on a third bike ... which is only likely to be used on off-road rides and hilly rides.
So it seems my criteria are:
(1) Hard-tailed mountain bike.
(2) £1,400 max price.
(3) As much help as possible on the hills from the gear ratios but without compromising cruising speed too much.
(4) Decent reliable componentry.
(5) Totally unconcerned about downhilling manoeuvrability/handling as I'm not into mountain biking as such, just road cycling in the mountains.
This leads me to the Bergamont. I have to concede that I have never heard of them, but I'm open to risking an aluminium frame for my third bike (although my others are steel framed for peace of mind because of my weight). Loads of Shimano componentry, similar brake disc sizes to how I have my No.1 bike set up and a great gear range (36/22T double chain ring and 45/11T 11 speed cassette). Would give me a seemingly unbeatable climbing mechanical advantage of 204%, (45/22) which sounds too good to be true, with a 36/11 for cruising. Sounds great, but who are Bergamont, and am I missing something here? How can it be just £720? Any Bergamont owners on here?
https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/b...MI0_a1wdjmigMV2JJQBh0ZPAl3EAQYBiABEgL3WPD_BwE
NB: Edit: I've just noticed the max weight (incl rider) is 115kg, so no good for me. Can anyone recommend a mountain bike with a good gear ratio that will take 135kg plus?
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