classic beginners mistake

[stephyt]

hi guys think i have made a classic newbie mistake lol

didnt do my 'homework' and bought a cheapy MTB (although she does look nice) for a charity ride im doin in couple month on which im reading through posts on here and the helpful advice ive been giving in my welcome mat thread n MTB is the wrong type of bike i want for what i will be using for (mainly road/pathways) shoud have gone for a lighter weight bike, guess i only went for an MTB as ive had them in the past (shoot me now can hear all u experienced riders sayin oh dear another naive newbie lol)

has any other newbie riders done this rushed into things then taking heed of the advice u've been giving ?!?

guess the MTB will have to do till i can save up for an appropriate bike

steph xx

 

[Kiwiavenger]

Is it a full suspension bike or just have front suspension? If full sus then buy the time youve built up the base miles going to a hard tail will feel so much easier! Also if you can try locking out the front suspension fork or replacing it with a fixed fork with no suspension.

To make it easier you could fit slicks/semi slicks to make it roll easier.

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[stephyt]

hiya yea its full suss, sorry not sure i understand what u mean im all new to this so dont know the technicalities like slicks/semi slicks ?!?

 

[MrJamie]

Hi

Some suspension has a "lockout" which fixes it in position, so that the bike doesnt bounce when you pedal and waste energy. If not, you may be able to put the preload/tension up to max for a firmer efficient ride.

Slicks are just a term for smooth tyres without the knobbley bits, they run easier on the road than knobbley offroad tyres. Its really all about not wasting the energy youre putting into the pedals, so that its easier.

The weight wont matter too much on the flat and the gear range will probably be sufficient for any hills. Just keep in mind that if its too hard work, it might be more the bike than cycling thats the problem and youll go faster when you get yourself a hybrid/road bike because of the extra effort youre used to

 

[Peteaud]

Have you a model name etc

or better a pic, or link to a pic.

How long is the charity ride?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

A slick tyre like this (Link) will roll fastest on road and need less energy to move than other tyres. A semi-slick (here) has some blocks on the edges to allow the tyre to grip off road but should still roll well on road.

What bike is it that you have got?

 

[RhythMick]

hi guys think i have made a classic newbie mistake lol

didnt do my 'homework' and bought a cheapy MTB (although she does look nice) for a charity ride im doin in couple month on which im reading through posts on here and the helpful advice ive been giving in my welcome mat thread n MTB is the wrong type of bike i want for what i will be using for (mainly road/pathways) shoud have gone for a lighter weight bike, guess i only went for an MTB as ive had them in the past (shoot me now can hear all u experienced riders sayin oh dear another naive newbie lol)

has any other newbie riders done this rushed into things then taking heed of the advice u've been giving ?!?

guess the MTB will have to do till i can save up for an appropriate bike

steph xx

If you can persuade the bike store to let you exchange then I'd go for something that's suitable for all surfaces. Definitely not a super lightweight road machine, as it might fall apart first time you take it on a typical cycle route. On the other hand what you've gone for sounds like a heavy beast suited to real rough trail riding.

If they won't exchange, maybe look at it this way. If you train on a heavy beast, the change to a road/hybrid bike will be a very nice change.


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[stephyt]

thanx guys

i have a trax tfs.1 ladies pink n silver haha
only got a pic on me phone atm unless theres a way of uplaoding ton here from me phone ?!?

 

[stephyt]

i only collected the bike today so only been on it riding home from the shop
( yes it was halfords explained what i was doin with the bike and my plans for afterwards which in the short run is the charity bike ride then in the long run gentle riding to help lose bit weight n keep active to which he was like 'oh yea that bike will do u.. then picked the bike up today another guy behind the cunter miserible as sin like he didnt wanna b there lol )

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

That'll be this one then. Okay, not the best bike to start with but you already know that. Assuming you can't exchange it for something more suitable, changing the tyres will make it a lot nicer to ride. I'd suggest the Schwalbe Cityjets in 26x1.5 inch.

I had a cheap bike similar to this from Halfords (not in pink) some time back and it was possible to stiffen up the rear suspension and reduce bobbing simply by doing up the nut at one end of the spring which compressed it reducing movement. The front suspension won't have lockout but cheap bikes like this usually use rubber springs which are stiffer than the equivalent coil springs.

It's not ideal but it can be made to do the job until you can find the bike for you.

 

[stephyt]

That'll be this one then. Okay, not the best bike to start with but you already know that. Assuming you can't exchange it for something more suitable, changing the tyres will make it a lot nicer to ride. I'd suggest the Schwalbe Cityjets in 26x1.5 inch.

I had a cheap bike similar to this from Halfords (not in pink) some time back and it was possible to stiffen up the rear suspension and reduce bobbing simply by doing up the nut at one end of the spring which compressed it reducing movement. The front suspension won't have lockout but cheap bikes like this usually use rubber springs which are stiffer than the equivalent coil springs.

It's not ideal but it can be made to do the job until you can find the bike for you.

yes thats the bike lol will check those out thanx

 

[james79]

how much is cheap?

 

[Paulus]

how much is cheap?

In this case, £89.99.

 

[freewheelwilly]

In this case, £89.99.

I'm astonished that a bike can be made at this price and still be profitable for the manufacturer.

 

[gary in derby]

money is made on spare parts when it falls to bits as you take it out of the shop.