Non-newcomer, but new to cycle related informed decisions

[Boopop]

Hi all,

Just decided my old mountain bike has given up the ghost and my mum has said she'll buy me a new bike, and my budget is £300. Being 18 now, I bought my current mountain bike during the whole mountain bike craze of my generation. I've used it practically every day, cycling to college and back, which is 5 miles each way.

Anyway, what with having a fairly large budget (My last bike cost £200), I decided the time has come to get some advice on the best bike for me. I'll be mainly using it to commute to Swansea University from the student village, which is about 1.5 miles as the crow flies, so I'll be probably travelling as far as I have done the past two years. However I shall also be using it to cycle along the, from what I could tell, fairly flat promenade for my own entertainment.

I'm used to full suspension with my current bike, but I'm willing to change that if you guys reccomend otherwise. Also, do I really need disc breaks? I remember hearing in the local bike shop that it only makes a difference when your wheel comes loose, as normal breaks stop working while disc breaks keep on going.

I was looking at Hybrid bikes, would they suit my needs?

Anyway, if you're this far in, thanks for reading my post, and any advice would be greatly appreciated =D

Boopop

 

[theclaud]

Greetings from another Swansea cyclist. You won't actually need an mtb just to do the route you describe, but I know another very good reason you should get one. If you drop down Olchfa Lane from the student village instead of going down the main road, it becomes a lovely rocky lane leading into Clyne Woods, which offers both serious mtb territory and (in slightly drier weather) a quickish but beautiful off-road route into Uni (you can come out at Blackpill/Derwen Fawr and simply whizz along the seafront bike path). For £300 you'll get a decent hardtail mtb like a Specialized Hardrock (my previous bike - I loved it) from Schmoos or Wheelies, and your route is sufficiently short that an mtb won't be a significant disadvantage on the road, and has all the gears you need for the rather daunting hill on your way home...

PS I wouldn't worry one way or the other about disk brakes - they're better in the wet but Vs are good enough if you use decent pads, and I think disks are ugly. Just get the best bike you can find for the money, and make sure your wheel is firmly in its dropouts!

 

[Arch]

Welcome!

I don't know much about MTBs, but I'd say if you are mostly riding on tarmac, and flatish, then a hybrid would be fine, you probably don't need suspension, and disks are probably overkill - by foregoing those two things you can probably get more better bike for your money....

I suppose if you think you might want to get out and do some rougher stuff, you might want to reconsider on the suspension/disks.

Do bear in mind that if you're at Uni, you might need to beef up your lock arrangements, and budget for that.

I think a hybrid might also be less attractive to campus thieves too....

And enjoy getting a new bike! Shopping can be so much fun!

 

[theclaud]

I second what Arch says about the locks. Wouldn't leave a bike outdoors on Swansea campus after dusk however well it was locked, though. Teams of little gits with allen keys will remove bits from it. Try and find someone who'll let you put it indoors...

 

[Boopop]

Greetings from another Swansea cyclist. You won't actually need an mtb just to do the route you describe, but I know another very good reason you should get one. If you drop down Olchfa Lane from the student village instead of going down the main road, it becomes a lovely rocky lane leading into Clyne Woods, which offers both serious mtb territory and (in slightly drier weather) a quickish but beautiful off-road route into Uni (you can come out at Blackpill/Derwen Fawr and simply whizz along the seafront bike path). For £300 you'll get a decent hardtail mtb like a Specialized Hardrock (my previous bike - I loved it) from Schmoos or Wheelies, and your route is sufficiently short that an mtb won't be a significant disadvantage on the road, and has all the gears you need for the rather daunting hill on your way home...

PS I wouldn't worry one way or the other about disk brakes - they're better in the wet but Vs are good enough if you use decent pads, and I think disks are ugly. Just get the best bike you can find for the money, and make sure your wheel is firmly in its dropouts!

Thanks for the info (and theclaud too)!

Just a note, I don't live in Swansea at the moment, I'm in Blackpool until Friday

Anyway, What you described Arch looks good, however I'm not quite sure which I prefer - off roading or just comfort while commuting. Do I have to compromise between the two? Also, what sort of lock would I need? Currently I just have one of these.

Also, when deciding which bike to get, what should I look for? I was hoping for a specific model...I know a fair bit about computer parts, and I thought it might be similar to that, but I'm starting to get the impression the range of different bikes is a lot larger.

Thanks, Boopop

 

[theclaud]

I'm not quite sure which I prefer - off roading or just comfort while commuting. Do I have to compromise between the two? Also, what sort of lock would I need? Currently I just have one of these.

Also, when deciding which bike to get, what should I look for? I was hoping for a specific model...I know a fair bit about computer parts, and I thought it might be similar to that, but I'm starting to get the impression the range of different bikes is a lot larger.

Thanks, Boopop

The point is that you can do both on an mtb! If your commute was longer it would compromise your comfort, but not over the distance you are talking about. I repeat my recommendation of the Hardrock, on which one can climb long hills in comfort and nip around on or off road with ease. Wheelies in the Uplands and Schmoos in town will let you try before you buy, and will give you advice according to how you plan to use the bike...

Get a big d-lock to fix your bike to the rack, and use that one, or another long cable, to secure the wheels or anything else that can be removed very quickly.

 

[Boopop]

Do you think Try-Before-Buy is the best option? I was going to buy it before I left, on the net, but if you reccomend either of these shops, and think trying the bike before you buy it is best, it probably would be easier.

 

[Boopop]

EDIT : I'll do some research anyway and see what I can find in Blackpool

EDIT (For real) : Oops, please excuse my double post.

 

[theclaud]

Do you think Try-Before-Buy is the best option? I was going to buy it before I left, on the net, but if you reccomend either of these shops, and think trying the bike before you buy it is best, it probably would be easier.

Well, the most important thing with any bike is that it's the right size for you, and a good bike shop can help with sizing, which can be hit-and-miss on the web. Schmoos have the best knowledge, and Wheelies have a very good range, and they will both take the time help you choose a suitable bike.

 

[Boopop]

Looks like I'll be waiting until next Friday to get my new bike :'( Oh well, I think I'll go to Schmoos if they have the best know-how.

Thanks for the help, I'll keep you informed once I get there

Boopop

EDIT: I fear I might have neglected to mention, at the moment I prefer cycling long flat distances, as in 15 miles here in Blackpool, and I wouldn't mind trying for more while in Swansea, around the bay...Do you still think it's a good idea to get a MTB?

Boopop

 

[Crackle]

<takes pipe out of mouth, locks boopop with stern gaze>

"never buy a bike without a test ride laddie"

If you're going to mix it up you could still get a mtn bike but change the tyres or maybe a hybrid which is more mtn than road bike. The route TheClaud described sounds fun. Think on lad (?) and chuck that lock in the bin and get a couple of decent ones.

 

[Boopop]

<takes pipe out of mouth, locks boopop with stern gaze>

"never buy a bike without a test ride laddie"

If you're going to mix it up you could still get a mtn bike but change the tyres or maybe a hybrid which is more mtn than road bike. The route TheClaud described sounds fun. Think on lad (?) and chuck that lock in the bin and get a couple of decent ones.

My main problem is not knowing whether to get a Mountain bike or a road bike. Anyone have any ideas on how I should decide?

Crackle, telling me to chuck the lock and get a couple of "decent ones", isn't much help, what with this being the beginners' sub forum, I need specifics! Thanks for your help all the same

 

[4F]

My main problem is not knowing whether to get a Mountain bike or a road bike. Anyone have any ideas on how I should decide?

If you intend to do the miles on the road and increase what you are doing now then get a road bike. If you intend to mix it off road as well then go with the suggestion of the claud. For locks as a minimum you want a solid D lock as well as a long cable lock to ensure the thieving little lowlife scrotes don't make off with you wheels.

Something like this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/K...0D_With_Free_7ft_Kryptoflex_Cable/5360036846/

 

[Crackle]

My main problem is not knowing whether to get a Mountain bike or a road bike. Anyone have any ideas on how I should decide?

Crackle, telling me to chuck the lock and get a couple of "decent ones", isn't much help, what with this being the beginners' sub forum, I need specifics! Thanks for your help all the same

Abus or Kryptonite gold standard D lock with an extension cable. Heavy but worth it.

 

[Boopop]

Great, thanks for all the advice - looks like I'll be going for a MTB. I found that off road track on google maps, looks fantastic =D

Boopop