Topic: The Cyclist Thread

[Mal]

My decade-old Gary Fisher is on its last legs so looking to get a cheap-ish mountain bike for the summer. Budget will be around £250-300. Of the cheaper makes, which ones are best to go for?

If you can go to a decent bike shop and get some good advice.

My plan would then to wait until Jan/Feb./March next year (if you can wait that long) and get one of this years models cheap (they'll be looking to get rid of stock ahead of '08 arrivals). My brother in law did exactly that and paid £300 for a Giant MTB that should've been £400 just months earlier.

[Party Phil]

My decade-old Gary Fisher is on its last legs so looking to get a cheap-ish mountain bike for the summer. Budget will be around £250-300. Of the cheaper makes, which ones are best to go for?

Look for the lower lines of Kona, Trek, Specialized, Giant or Cannondale.  If price is really an issue, i'd rather buy a used bike from a reputable dealer than a new bike from the high street sports shop.

Agree with that except you'll struggle to find any Cannondales in your budget. In fact you will be looking at the absolute base model for all the others mentioned too but that's probably still better than going for some cheap shite as the frames from those listed by tex should be better quality.

If you go to a true bike store they should have good turn over on used bikes in the 200-300 quid range

But I don't agree with that, the bike shops near me only have really top spec used bikes for over £700. Go online for used bikes, I built mine up from separate parts on ebay and I'm well chuffed with it.

If you feel you must have a new bike GT are probably the cheapest of the top manufacturers for what you get per £ and I would personally recommend Trek as being excellent value if you are happy to spend a few quid extra and swap out some of the stock components that come on their excellent quality frames.

[Ben_JP]

Cheers for the feedback fellas I've searched and there are a couple of independent bike shops near where I'll be living back home so hopefully they'll stock some of the models recommended and follow-up the good advice here.

[Butcher Knife Roberto]

got this from the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative last week for less than £250 brand new, its more for street use than anything off-road, but it's got a great spec (Continental slick tyres, Tektro V-brakes et al) and goes like the fucking clappers. Plus it weighs next to nothing too.

[Pheeny]

Pheeny, what groupo have you got on it?  Obviously Shims like but which, 105?  Ultegra?  Also, you're not going to leave them pedals on are you?  You need clipless and I'd recommend Look Keos, meself like. 

got Shimano Tiagra.Just bought pedals today.Well actually I bought new shoes and the pedals came free.

[Ben_JP]

got Shimano Tiagra.Just bought pedals today.Well actually I bought new shoes and the pedals came free.

Very swish. I'd be happy wearing them as normal shoes!

[IloveGuinness17]

A bit off topic.

I actually knew a bloke who I played rugby with who got a drunken driving citation for leaving the bar and getting on his bike then moments later crashing it in front of some cops on foot patrol. Our whole rugby team could see the action unfold from the bars deck outside and the guy never heard the end of it. For some time I asked myself "How the fuck do you get a citation for drunk driving while riding a bike"? The answer came quick, he plays rugby.

[NewHampshire_Exile]

nice bike pheeeny but why the fuck do you need a treble ring - you gonna be using the granny gears a lot where you are? Either they builty some new fucking big hills round by you or you really are gtting fucking old...

anyway - have fun with that and do get the clipless. I wanna hear how long it takes before you fall out. I lasted 2 rides beofre I went sidesways into some rubbish bags at a junction..

[Pheeny]

nice bike pheeeny but why the fuck do you need a treble ring - you gonna be using the granny gears a lot where you are? Either they builty some new fucking big hills round by you or you really are gtting fucking old...

anyway - have fun with that and do get the clipless. I wanna hear how long it takes before you fall out. I lasted 2 rides beofre I went sidesways into some rubbish bags at a junction..

never heard of the Ardense then Mike? Also I've had clipless for over a year on my old bike and not fallen yet.

[rogermoore]

never heard of the Ardense then Mike? Also I've had clipless for over a year on my old bike and not fallen yet.

That is just not good enough.

[Pheeny]

Just been with the club around Liege 70km and very hilly in parts.

[rogermoore]

You are a serious cyclist then.  Cool.

When I was young I was packed off camping holidays with other youths that were treated equally bad (yeah right - fucking teenagers).

Cycled round Eire twice for two weeks on my bike.  Dublin to Cork and Cork to the Blarney stone.  Great crack.  Loved the nightlife in each of the hamlets, villages we stayed at.  More pubs than houses with each and every one packed each and every night.

[Pheeny]

You are a serious cyclist then. 

yea, cycle on average 250 to 300 km per week.


Hence why I was getting annoyed at wankers posting crap in this thread.I was trying to get other cyclists to join in.But no RAWK is full of kids these days...

[rogermoore]

You should have realised sensible discussion is more about piss taking then debating the inadequacies and merits of particular concepts.

You must spend alot of time in the saddle.  I ride 6-10 miles most days.  Well worth it.

So do you go on many cycling tours?

[Pheeny]

You should have realised sensible discussion is more about piss taking then debating the inadequacies and merits of particular concepts.

You must spend alot of time in the saddle.  I ride 6-10 miles most days.  Well worth it.

So do you go on many cycling tours?

Just started as I had to hang up my marathon shoes due to back trouble.I'm off to watch Liège - Bastogne - Liège this Weekend.Will also be riding some of the course.Then in the summer will be doing Imes Classic which is 100 km   Zolder - Kanne - Zolder or if I'm in form 180 km Zolder - Keutenberg - Zolder

[Maggie May]

Just started as I had to hang up my marathon shoes due to back trouble.I'm off to watch Liège - Bastogne - Liège this Weekend.Will also be riding some of the course.Then in the summer will be doing Imes Classic which is 100 km   Zolder - Kanne - Zolder or if I'm in form 180 km Zolder - Keutenberg - Zolder

Excellent.

However.  As memory serves, you definately promised me a pic of you sweaty in your vest.  Did you not?  And so ............ ?

[rogermoore]

That is what I call dedication. 

Maybe I am a bit behind the times but do you live in Belguim? Sorry to hear about the back.  Anyway enjoy the cycling.

[Pheeny]

Excellent.

However.  As memory serves, you definately promised me a pic of you sweaty in your vest.  Did you not?  And so ............ ?

will post when I get the cam back


but for the time being here is one from 97



taken at the finish line of the Antwerp Marathon which I completed in 3hr.28min.31secs

[Pheeny]

That is what I call dedication. 

Maybe I am a bit behind the times but do you live in Belgium? Sorry to hear about the back.  Anyway enjoy the cycling.

Yea I live in Belgium.Great part too,not far from Voeren/Fourons area some of the most beautiful,and hilly, parts of Belgium.

[rogermoore]

A fit man by the looks of it.

[Pheeny]

A fit man by the looks of it.

well thats what the women say.

[Maggie May]

will post when I get the cam back


but for the time being here is one from 97



taken at the finish line of the Antwerp Marathon which I completed in 3hr.28min.31secs

Very many thanks.   

Impressive.  Very impressive. 

You must be fitter than a butcher's dog to finish in that condition and in that time.  That is some serious stuff. 

Next time lose the t-shirt but keep the vest. 

[Pheeny]

[NewHampshire_Exile]

never heard of the Ardense then Mike? Also I've had clipless for over a year on my old bike and not fallen yet.

mole hills mate fucking molehills!!!


come on over and check out the White Mountains - and if you do that on ya bike then you'll have  done it before me   I only stick to southern NH - still hilly enough!! 

love to do some seriuos rides someday - was doing some good milage a couple of years ago but am suffering from young kids and a lack of time.

I'd love to do trans usa one day!!

[M(oaning) B(ecomes) E(mbarrassing)]

Just started as I had to hang up my marathon shoes due to back trouble.I'm off to watch Liège - Bastogne - Liège this Weekend.Will also be riding some of the course.Then in the summer will be doing Imes Classic which is 100 km   Zolder - Kanne - Zolder or if I'm in form 180 km Zolder - Keutenberg - Zolder

Hey, Pheeny, I'm the same.  I was a marathon runner but I've now switched to cycling!  I've just been in Cyprus for a week's training and I'm doing the following bike events this year; White Rose Classic (long course, 160K with 3,200 metres climb), Manchester-Liverpool, Maratona Dlles Dolomiti (138K with 3,000 metres climb), Pendle Pedal (160K 3,600 metres), Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool, Manchester 100 mile.  Also planning on coming to watch a European race this year and doing the sportive beforehand.  There's a huge growth in interest in sportive events in the UK right now.  It's a great time to be a cyclist here. 

[saph]

hey mbe

i am hoping to do the manchester metric. study has meant i've hardly been on my bike but hopefully come the summer i'll be ramping up the mileage. will have to get out of south manchester though as it is FLAT!!! great two weeks in brum which was hilly(ish).

what pedals systems do others run? and what bikes? i've got a trek sr1400, second hand 40% off, and a trek 7.2fx for bobbing round manc in.

[saph]

also does anybody have a fixie or single speed. that is next on my shopping list any thoughts?

[TheKid.]

You lazy c*nt Tony, running not good enough for you any more?

[Pheeny]

You lazy c*nt Tony, running not good enough for you any more?

its faster on a bike Luke.Top speed yesterday of 57kph.

[Maggie May]

Conversation between my mate Kath, her daughter Sharon and me on viewing Pheeny's pic.

Take at look at this.
Mmmmmmmm.
Great thighs.
Mmmmmmmm.
And shoulders.
Mmmmmmmm.
Rugged.
Mmmmmmmm.
Big fella innie?
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[M(oaning) B(ecomes) E(mbarrassing)]

hey mbe

i am hoping to do the manchester metric. study has meant i've hardly been on my bike but hopefully come the summer i'll be ramping up the mileage. will have to get out of south manchester though as it is FLAT!!! great two weeks in brum which was hilly(ish).

what pedals systems do others run? and what bikes? i've got a trek sr1400, second hand 40% off, and a trek 7.2fx for bobbing round manc in.

Firstly, Saph, no. it's not the metric but the actual 100 miler I'm doing and I did it last year as well.  The thing is, it is NOT flat!  Not flat at all!  If you do the 100 miler, there is 1000 metres of climb with a particularly brutal ascent in the last 10 miles (just after Alderley Edge if memory serves). 

As for pedals, all clipless are good and the bigger the footplate, the more efficient they are.  Standard SPDs are good as they will allow you to walk round in the shoes whereas Look Keos and other specific road shoes will not (or they make it much more difficult anyway). 

As for bikes, I too have a Trek 1200 road bike for winter and wet weather, a Carrera MTB for some off-road stuff but my absolute babe is my gorgeous Bianchi 1885 which has Ultegra running gear and I've personalised it with a Specialised saddle (the one with the "love tube"!) and really light-weight tyres.  I love that bike, me! 

[Pheeny]

Conversation between my mate Kath, her daughter Sharon and me on viewing Pheeny's pic.

Take at look at this.
Mmmmmmmm.
Great thighs.
Mmmmmmmm.
And shoulders.
Mmmmmmmm.
Rugged.
Mmmmmmmm.
Big fella innie?
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Pheeny]

I might be getting my hands on one of these in the next couple of weeks



Its a Zannata cyclo-cross bike and ideal for the winter.Its 2nd hand but has only done about 300km and I might be able to get it for €400/€500.

[rogermoore]

Also a nice bike.  Like the tread very meaty.

[Pheeny]

Like the tread very meaty.

its a Cyclo cross bike. Normally used off road but as I like to carry on cycling through the winter I want one of these for on the road,less chance of punctures then.Also good training as there is more friction with the tyres being thicker.

[rogermoore]

You will have problems getting it to go anywhere other than down hill.  It has not got any pedals.

[Pheeny]

Just done a 100km ride last Saturday and then on the 9th June it will be 180km we a few major hills one of which is the Keutenberg

[Ben_JP]

Fecking hell, I get out of breath going downhill....

Thanks for all the advice given earlier in this thread, I have now bought my new bike. It's a Specialized Hardrock. It's nice on the rough, and rapid on the flat. And silver, which probably isn't that important

[Pheeny]

Fecking hell, I get out of breath going downhill....

Thanks for all the advice given earlier in this thread, I have now bought my new bike. It's a Specialized Hardrock. It's nice on the rough, and rapid on the flat. And silver, which probably isn't that important

nice bikes them.What did you pay for it?

[Ben_JP]

nice bikes them.What did you pay for it?

The assistant in the shop didn't hesitate to recommend the Specialized when I said what I was after. Got it for a penny under £400, so a bit over budget, but seemed worth spending a bit more to get better quality components.

Slowly getting back into a combo of running and riding now. These first few sessions are always a nightmare!