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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
 Posted - 02/08/2012 : 11:43:37
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OK, so here's another random one from me. But this time it's about bikes. I've asked this same question on another forum too, but thought I'd give it a go here as well.
I'm just going to C&P the question and just tweek it a bit... saves me having to type it all out again!
A few years ago I did have a bike. Just a kids everyday type thing. But I loved it all the same. But I haven't had a bike since then, 'cause that one got burnt - actually melted - in a fire.
These days I go out walking for miles, often along the National Cycle Routes, which I'm very lucky to have going in either direction just up the road from me. I love walking along them with my camera and seeing what I can find. But there's only so far I can go in a day ('cause of my M.E. I need to be back by five for my afternoon sleep) and it's starting to get frustrating.
Also I'd like to have more indapendance. Because of my fear of people I can't go a lot of places on my own 'cause I can't get on a bus to get there. I have to have someone there with me if I need to get in a taxi and will only get in one if I have no choice 'cause I hate it. Everywhere I go right now I walk there. Don't get me wrong, I love walking. But it has it's limitations.
As well as going of on off road trips along the NCR and other pathways I'd like to be able to go shopping on a bike and be able to bring more back at a time. And also would like to be able to carry my little furries to the vets if and when they need to go on the back of the bike. This would be totally on the pavement, no off roading there or back.
Now this is the part where you're probably going to start to hate me... My budget is only a hundred quid in money, or if all else fails I could go up to three hundred out of the Kays catalogue (only). That's it. I have no way of aquireing more money from anywhere and I can't save it up or anything like that. Sorry about that : /
So at first I had my eyes set on this bike: http://www.amazon.co...&pf_rd_i=468294
It's got good reviews, seems solid and is full-sussie so me and my little furries wouldn't have an overly bumpy ride.
But now I learn that that's a stupid idea, and a pointless choice. It's too cheap and will fall apart. I really did think that was a good bike, but now I just feel stupid for choosing it : (
So I'm now confused as to which bike I could get that would work best for me and my needs? I thought maybe a hybrid bike instead? But I know nothing about them and can't seem to make much sence out of Google.
I need a bike that can handle off road trips that will include any surface from grit-like gravel to big hunking rocks, tree trunks and brick sticking out of the pathways. It'll need to handle steep hills and uneaven ground. I'm not after a fast bike, but suspension is a must really as I don't want to be left without a backside and I certainly don't want poorly pets to have to be bumped around.
I'll be using said bike a lot, at least once a week on tarmac and often on off road trips that will last all day and will be for miles over various bumpy terain.
I'm not planning on racing it or belting it over the gardens of hell. It just needs to be able to handle off road trips of average but not nessaseraly fast speeds over rough and sometimes challenging terain and be able to have me and my furries and my shopping not be thrown around and left with sore and/or battered bits afterwards.
Am I really asking for something so impossable?
Are there any bikes out there that would be worth it? If so which ones? I'm very limited for what I can get and where I can get it from. A hundred quid bike and I can get it anywhere... more and I'll have to get it out of Kays and even my budget then is only up to three hundred quid.
Anyone fancy helping me out with this one?
To add the that I should say that I'm not agaist second hand, it's just that I'm wary that maybe the bike will need more repairs than is worth it. Do you see what I'm saying?
Also, I was actually offered a bike for free. It's a totally custom made bike that was made for my half-sisters grandma to actually go riding on the cycle tracks. But looking at it I'm not sure it's up to much other than the smoother paths (but what do I know?). It's a solid looking thing though, and god knows it cost enough to have made! Looks kinda hybrid to me. It'll definatly need new tyres and possably have it's breaks done. Not sure about anything else. Without much info on this bike could anyone tell me if I could convert it into a more off-road friendly bike? Give it new chunky tyres etc. Could I make it work?
Sorry, that's a veeery long thread : / |
Just me and my zoo. |
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Stewy-C-
Yearling
United Kingdom
103 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2012 : 11:57:03
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| Where about are you located? |
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"The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about"
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2012 : 12:01:12
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| County Durham. Consett if your wanting more spercific. |
Just me and my zoo. |
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mystra
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
590 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2012 : 14:02:21
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Hybrids are fine for parks, gravelly paths etc, but not really for off-road type things - for that terrain you'd need a mountain bike. The downside to that is that mountain bikes can be sluggish/heavy going on roads/paths etc. But as you're not fussed over speed as such then that's not a huge problem.
I had a hybrid for commuting, but wanted something faster (and lighter). Now i have a road bike (think skinny wheels with not much texture on the tyres lol) - perfect for the roads but I used to go through the park as a nice detour in green - part of it had gravel and the bike often felt skiddy on that. My old hybrid never had that issue. Different bikes for different terrain. I see lots of people commuting on mountain bikes. Again it's harder work on the roads but it still works :)
The free bike might be worth a go - just chuck some chunky tyres on. Does it have suspension like you want? If it just has normal brake pads that's fairly cheap and easy to do yourself (check online for some good guides).
That's the beauty of a bike - you can do most of any work needed yourself :D
Hope that helps :) happy cycling :D |
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SE London - Canada Water |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2012 : 14:36:07
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If there is an Halfords near you they often have at least one "mountain" bike on offer for under a hundred quid, but also as Mystra said that free bike might be worth a shot as long as you can get chunky tyres for it, and for a smoother ride the fatter the better  hope that helps... |
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jonnyc1988
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
908 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2012 : 22:32:45
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For that budget I would strongly recommend you avoid full suspension. Its usually so terrible it makes the ride worse rather than better. You want to find a really nice hardtail, I would look for a Giant terrago, or a GT avalanche. They retail at around £300, but im sure you will be able to pick up past seasons models cheaper. Some websites I use that you could try
www.chainreactioncycles.com
www.wiggle.co.uk
www.evanscycles.com
www.leisurelakesbikes.com
www.edinburghbicycle.com |
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 09:31:25
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Thank you for your replies peoples : )
Firstly, I had a proper look at the bike I was offered. It's no good, I really don't think I could do much with it and to be honest it looks to be in a need for a lot of repair. I think it's going to cost more to get it up to anything than just finding another bike. The frame is flimbsy, no good for rougher ground, and loose in places (the solder has come away/rusted), the tyres are well past it, the brakes need to be totally replaced, not sure on the gears but the wheels are rusting so they'll need replacing. The handlebars will need changing and the whole thing just seems rickity. I don't mind doing a bike up but it just seems beond any feasable help. At least from me. I'd actually prefer to buy a second hand one and go from there. It's a shame, but I'd feel much happier on a more stable bike : /
mystra, thanks for explaining hybrids for me. Yeah, I figured a mountain bike was going to be what I needed.
jonnyc1988, thanks for those links. But I can't find a bike on any of them that's under a hundred quid.
I can only afford three hundred if it's out of Kays 'cause it wouldn't be bought with 'real' money... does that makes sense?
Here are the mountain bikes that Kays have: http://www.kandco.com/sports-leisure/cycling/mountain-bikes/e/b/20637,3250/s/bestsellers,0.end?trail=2780-3243-3250-20637&nav=top
Are non of those any good? I know to avoid Raleigh, everyone seems to say the same with them is that they're no good any more. But what about the others?
I don't have a Halfords round here that I know of, but I'm not sure I'd be able to go into one if I did. I do have a small bike shop in Consett centre that sell bikes, but I know nothing about them and I think I'd need an idea of what to ask for before trying to go in?
So, I want a mountain bike, but not FS. Front sussie only, yeah? And I want some brand like Giant or Avalanche. I've read some good things about Giant bikes, and they seem pretty do-up-able and seem solid things as well. Are there any other bikes to watch out for second hand? How about Apollo? I've seen a few people selling various Apollo bikes and a good few of them are under a hundred quid. A lot need new tyres etc, but that's OK. I'd probably want to put new'uns on anyway. Would an Apollo be any good?
So really, if I'm looking into second hand, which it looks like the only way forward, should I be looking at the whole bike or should I be looking out for a bike with a certain frame that I could 'improove' around? If I can get a bike for under a hundred then I could afford to give it a slight make over. New chucky tyres, fix the breaks etc. I see it's not an overly expencive thing to do. I would prefer a bike that doesn't need much doing to it, but the odd job shouldn't be a problem for me.
So should I give up with wanting a new bike? Are there any off Kays that are worth it? Should I be keeping an eye out for second hand? If so, what are the modles that I should be looking out for in particular? Brands being something like Giant, Avalanche... Apollo? Not Raleigh though.
Thank you for your help with this : )
Bikes used to be an easy thing to chose. These days there seem to be a million different kinds and I'm just lost in it all : /
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Just me and my zoo. |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 09:28:26
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I found out I actually have two near me... I never knew : /
I'm not sure though, the cheaper bikes, the only ones I could afford with 'real' money, seem to have mixed reviews and a lot of complaints about quality/breakages etc.
I'm still on the look out for a second hand one. Not an awful lot of luck so far, but I was on my way to wandering over to ebay yesterday. Will continue that journey today : )
Thanks for all your helps with this peoples : ) If there are any other models I should be looking out for please let me know, it would be a great help. |
Just me and my zoo. |
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carlb1981
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1527 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2012 : 10:00:10
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Try this site
http://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/?parentid=1®ion=5&countryid=193
there is a 2nd hand bike shop in bedlington but that might be a bit far for you |
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BlueDragon
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
876 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:26:27
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I've got my eyes set on a GIANT Boulder bike now, people seem to say they're pretty indistructable and it seems just what I need. But it's such a hard thing to come by : /
I'm going to see if I can find one locally from somewhere, no luck so far though, for new or used. Thought I had a second hand one, but it had sold : (
I'd need a 14 ins frame 'cause I'm a proper little short a**e. So maybe that's making it harder for me to find one.
Never mind, will trudle on...
Thanks for all your continued help peoples : ) |
Just me and my zoo. |
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Another random question... about Bikes!
