Looking to buy a mountain bike, - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

Gridlock · 14-03-2005, 01:02 PM

Hi all,

Im looking to buy a mountain bike to spice up my cardio training a bit, the trouble is I don't really know where to start! My last bike had horse caliper brakes and a bell, needless to say I think things have come on a bit since then! Had a quick look on eBay and the prices look really good but im confused as to what I should be looking for. Three considerations for me are: 1) Im a heavy bastard, so i need something strong. 2) I'm 5'8" with short legs. 3) It's a good 2-3 miles from my home until I can get anything like offroad, so I need something that is ok on the road as well as a bit of rough and tumble.

Does anyone have any advice on: what I should be looking for, where I should be buying from or anything else that I should be aware of?

:lift:

Carlos901 · 14-03-2005, 01:07 PM

i have a bike m8, paid £250. the make is giant, 21 gears, under leaver gears. if u live near newcastle u can have it for £30 as i havent used it in about a year. also has front suspention

Carlos901 · 14-03-2005, 01:08 PM

forgot to mension, its basicly brand new

samurai69 · 14-03-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gridlock

Hi all,

Im looking to buy a mountain bike to spice up my cardio training a bit, the trouble is I don't really know where to start! My last bike had horse caliper brakes and a bell, needless to say I think things have come on a bit since then! Had a quick look on eBay and the prices look really good but im confused as to what I should be looking for. Three considerations for me are: 1) Im a heavy bastard, so i need something strong. 2) I'm 5'8" with short legs. 3) It's a good 2-3 miles from my home until I can get anything like offroad, so I need something that is ok on the road as well as a bit of rough and tumble.

Does anyone have any advice on: what I should be looking for, where I should be buying from or anything else that I should be aware of?

:lift:

If your near newcastle, you cant go wrong for 30 quid.

What sort of money are you looking to spend.

For about 300 quid you can get a good aluminium framed bike with fair quality front suspension (if you are heavy this is inportant) you should also get a cheapish rear disc brake or maybe even both.

Giant is a good make, but most manufacturers do a fair job.

Go to a bike shop and get it fitted to you (It will save on injuries)

Riding on and off road is down to tyre choice they do some fair combination tryes now. If you are planning on doing more off road then go with rougher tyres.

Pedals shood have atleast to clips, but as you use the bike more a clipless pedal and shoe is better.

Kel · 14-03-2005, 01:45 PM

Dawes mountain bikes are supposed to be good. My fella is also quite big built and finds his excellent he wouldnt change the bike for anything. They are hand made in Britain and last a life time if you catch the sales you will pick up a good one for about £150.

crazycacti · 14-03-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos901

if u live near newcastle u can have it for £30

and u say that when i have no money! If gridlock's ok with it - i'll send u a PM, unless he's wanting to pay P+P or collect it?

Gridlock · 14-03-2005, 02:45 PM

Go for it Cacti, no worries

crazycacti · 14-03-2005, 02:56 PM

Thanks ;)

InSaNiTy · 14-03-2005, 11:08 PM

I used to do national downhilling, but I think those bikes are a little out of your price range @ around 3000 quid

, Basically, what you pay for is what you get, don't bother with rear suspension, as it'll cost you around 1500 for a decent one, cheap ones are just plain crap, they sap your pedalling power on smooth surfaces and not particulary useful offroad. Look out for Rock Shock forks, at least 4 inch travel and you'll be just fine with a bit of offroading. As for the rest, GT are good, can be expensive though. Go for a light weight one, as heavy ones will be a bastard uphill. You're looking at 500 for a decent front suspension only bike. You could try on ebay, search through that and paste me the link and I'll let you know how good it is

.

14-03-2005, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gridlock A diamond in the rough Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,229	Looking to buy a mountain bike, Hi all, Im looking to buy a mountain bike to spice up my cardio training a bit, the trouble is I don't really know where to start! My last bike had horse caliper brakes and a bell, needless to say I think things have come on a bit since then! Had a quick look on eBay and the prices look really good but im confused as to what I should be looking for. Three considerations for me are: 1) Im a heavy bastard, so i need something strong. 2) I'm 5'8" with short legs. 3) It's a good 2-3 miles from my home until I can get anything like offroad, so I need something that is ok on the road as well as a bit of rough and tumble. Does anyone have any advice on: what I should be looking for, where I should be buying from or anything else that I should be aware of? :lift: __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

14-03-2005, 01:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Carlos901 Legend Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,788	i have a bike m8, paid £250. the make is giant, 21 gears, under leaver gears. if u live near newcastle u can have it for £30 as i havent used it in about a year. also has front suspention __________________

14-03-2005, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Carlos901 Legend Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,788	forgot to mension, its basicly brand new __________________

14-03-2005, 01:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kel Miss UK-Muscle Siren Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East Posts: 1,086	Dawes mountain bikes are supposed to be good. My fella is also quite big built and finds his excellent he wouldnt change the bike for anything. They are hand made in Britain and last a life time if you catch the sales you will pick up a good one for about £150. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. KEL Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all!

14-03-2005, 02:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gridlock A diamond in the rough Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,229	Go for it Cacti, no worries __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

14-03-2005, 02:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
crazycacti Fat and bulking... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Isle of Man/Newcastle Posts: 1,417	Thanks ;)

14-03-2005, 11:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
InSaNiTy Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,835	I used to do national downhilling, but I think those bikes are a little out of your price range @ around 3000 quid , Basically, what you pay for is what you get, don't bother with rear suspension, as it'll cost you around 1500 for a decent one, cheap ones are just plain crap, they sap your pedalling power on smooth surfaces and not particulary useful offroad. Look out for Rock Shock forks, at least 4 inch travel and you'll be just fine with a bit of offroading. As for the rest, GT are good, can be expensive though. Go for a light weight one, as heavy ones will be a bastard uphill. You're looking at 500 for a decent front suspension only bike. You could try on ebay, search through that and paste me the link and I'll let you know how good it is .

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