Looking for advice

[Fred1]

I am a returning cyclist after about 50 years off-bike. I did a lot of cycling in my teens but when I started work and got married I was always stuck for money. Last year a friend gave me a bike and after doing some fixing (even in my teens I did my own bike servicing and repairs), I tried out the Blue Route in the Gisburn Forest about 20 miles from my home in the Ribble Valley. What a revelation! I came back home buzzing with the fun I had experienced. The bike I had was a no-suspension Carrera and I found my sore bum and wrists made me look into full suspension frames on ebay. I bought an aluminium full suspension frame and set about trying to transfer components from one to the other but came a cropper when I found the new-to-me frame did not take calliper brakes. New wheels and disc brakes later I was back on two wheels again. Now I am looking to buy a hard tail aluminium frame which should be lighter and more responsive. I want to transfer the wheels etc from my current full suspension to the as-yet-not found hard tail front suspension frame. The steep learning curve has not reached the point where I have much idea about good and not-so-good frames. My family have given me money for my birthday so I am funded up to a point.

I would appreciate some help and guidance in my search for a frame suitable for my needs. The present full suspension bike I have weighs a whopping 18 kg and I would like to reduce this by a significant amount so that my 72 year old body can cope when I take my grandchildren out on their bikes!

Fred1

 

[DTD]

Not really my area, but are you sure you need a new frame? – would something like some of the cheaper Specialized's for around £400 end up cheaper and do a better job?

If you're riding for the first time in a while might be a question of getting used to it again. Padded shorts and padded gloves are a big help and I've found if I ride a bike that's not the right size or not set up for me I get wrist pains.

Whatever you decide on, good luck and hopefully some of the more knowledgeable members will be along shortly to offer advice.

 

[KenG]

I Agree with DTD, there are several manufacturers offering great entry level bikes, as long as you stick to the more established brands they are all up to the job.
If you decide to go for a frame you'll have to look to see if your existing forks will fit ( unless your'e buying frame and forks) and there are frames out there that will take both disc and V-brakes, so you can use the parts you already have.
You can also pick up bargain frames from websites like Chain Reaction who do some great offers.

 

[Norm]

Indeed, a Spesh Rockhopper or a Giant Talon can be had for £400 new and they are the sort of thing that you can pick up second hand with very few miles on the clock as that price gets people buying who never quite catch the bug.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1 Definitely the way to go. As your cycling moves on you may well find a renewed need / want for the Full Sus so keeping it as a second bike is a good idea

BTW congratulation. I know people in their 20's would could not get around a Blue route!!!

Indeed, a Spesh Rockhopper or a Giant Talon can be had for £400 new and they are the sort of thing that you can pick up second hand with very few miles on the clock as that price gets people buying who never quite catch the bug.

 

[billflat12]

Pity you never sought advice before buying that frame , a modern hardtail is usually faster round any blue rated trail than most full sussers .
You should consider your overall budget & what other components need replacing from that old carrera. ie. will your forks be up to the job & suit the geometry of the frame ? is the the drive train worn & need replacing ?, do you need modern riser bars & shorter stem for better control ? do you need to replace the saddle for a modern mtb one. seriously though you could end up spending more updating than it would cost buying a complete new bike !! . Don,t really want to sound off or be negative here but you may be better persevering with your current bike an
" toughen Up " , you,ll soon find those aches and pains a thing of the past as you get fitter riding that 18kg frame around , unless you plan to compete the extra weight really shouldn't be an issue. Then after considering the style of riding you want to do , maybe buy a modern "all mountain " mtb designed for trail centres.

 

[hotmetal]

Rock on though! I hope I'm still riding trails when I'm 72! Hey, I'll be chuffed if I'm still riding motorbikes at that age, never mind off road cycling. Please don't take my comment the wrong way!

Maximum respect.

 

[jethro10]

I built my own lightweight XC bike about 2 years ago.


with this frame, A Corratec Xvert s 0.1 http://cgi.ebay.co.u...5#ht_3961wt_989

in 19" weights 1570g and I've loved having it.

the seller has other sizes and I paid £150, so he's dropped his price by a tenner!

Mine is approx 10.5 Kg (No pedals) as that is the normal way to compare weights.

I just love it and it's not like we hang back when I'm out on it.
eg:-
https://www.cyclechat.net/
https://www.cyclechat.net/



best thing I ever did and now I'm so much fitter and healthier. although I'm only 50!, hope I'm still riding it at 70!

Jeff

 

[jethro10]

Good luck mate.

when I did the C2C last year, admittedly on a heavy and heavily laden bike, I was passed going up a STEEP hill by a 78 year old guy!.

Infact all 6 guys passed me in that group, with an average age of 65 they said....

Jeff

 

[Globalti]

Welcome Fred. Where in the Ribble Valley are you? I'm in Wilpshire and wouldn't mind going out for a ride some time, I can show you some nice routes. Have you tried the new routes off the top of Billinge Hill just outside Witton Park in Blackburn? There is an active MTB club in Blackburn, have a look for BAD or Blackburn Bikers on the web, we have a couple of riders in their 60s and most of us are in our 50s.

Where bikes are concerned you are in the middle of a veritable goldmine; you've got Merlin Cycles in Leyland who offer a very nice steel hardtail called a Rock Lobster, excellent spec and price. You've got Ribble Cyles at Hutton Roof who sell mostly on the web but you can collect from their warehouse for an extra discount. There are stacks of other bike shops around, most of whom will have some kind of offer or deal. If I was you I would be looking for a hard tail with front suspension in the £400 to £500 range, something like a Specialized Rockhopper, which is a good entry level bike or the aforementioned Rock Lobsters. Halfords Bike Huts have the very well reviewed Boardman bikes, excellent value and a nice ride too.

 

[Globalti]

Been away, will call today.