Want to get back into cycling 300 euros to spend

Psygnosis

Hi,

Ok I'll be honest I have not done much(any excercise) for the past 10 years Im 31 now. Not overw wieght but need to do some excercise when I was younger I loved cycling so I want to get back into it again.

So what I am looking for is a light bike hybrid/mtb style and I need recommendations I had a look at wiggle and like the look of
Focus Marakas 2008



Also the bike would need to come nearly fully built I hear wiggle do this.

Thanks again

kenmc

For that price definitely avoid suspension and probably disc brakes too.

Psygnosis

Thanks Kenmc

Can you give me some recommendations I have an old trek in the garage a 720 its in need of repair its a green mtb bought it for 180 around 7 years ago so owes me nothing its very light I loved it. would any where take a trade in like cycleways

kenmc

We need some more details. Do you want to do mountain biking or road biking? what sort of distance are you hoping to get to? just a 20 min spin once a week, or up to 3-4 hours most weekends? Is there a reason you're looking at hybrids/mtbs more so than road (dropped bars)?

Your budget is at the low end of the scale, so you might be better off looking for a decent secondhand. I don't think cycleways etc do much in the way of trade-ins - there's too many stolen bikes around for them to be anyway sure of the legitimacy of any potential trade-ins.

Raam

Something like this might be up your street
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25457

When on the road, it's much nicer cycling a road specific bike than a hybrid.
The drop handle bars may look daunting at first, but they really are worth the small effort it takes to get used to them. And it's a very small effort.

concussion

How about a new drivetrain for your 720 - depending on what kind of cycling you want to do of course.

Psygnosis

I live out in Rush Co, Dublin so the roads arent the may west and I would see myself doing a small bit of off road like easy tracks like glenda lough etc.

I guess I would cycle 2-3 hours at the weekend and maybe 40 mins week days.

I find road bikes quite uncomfortable I had a townsend pro am for years and while it was very light I felt every bump I went over.

So all recomendations appreciated.

kenmc

Personally I'd nearly be inclined to get a road bike for near home, and perhaps get the MTB a once over to get it back running for the trails. Wouldn't really want to be cycling an MTB for 2-3 hours much on roads, yet a road bike wouldn't go near the trails. The other 'all in 1' option is a cyclocross bike, but they don't come cheap.

Psygnosis

I had a look at my trek its quite bad nick the drive train is fubarred the only pieces worth salvaging are the wheels and frame the rest is just rusty.

I liked my Trek bike at the time I had it and found it great for cycling around town. Would something similar not suit still.

kenmc

Psygnosis wrote: »

Would something similar not suit still.

Only you can answer that

I presume you mean it is a trek 7200, cos the only 720s I can find are racing bikes?

If you could find something similar to the trek7200 it would do the job, but I don't think you're going to easily find something like that in your price range.

Lumen

I used to ride a hybrid converted to drop handlebars.

It started out cheap, but I spent loads converting it to mostly Ultegra (high spec road groupset), although I kept the centre pull brakes (Euro shudder).

Anyway, a hybrid isn't a bad way of getting into road cycling and gives you the option of fitting fatter tyres for increased comfort.

Speed is almost all down to the rider. Most of the boardies would be faster on a full-suspension mountain bike than I would be on a Cervelo RS.

Avoid suspension forks. You really don't need them, even offroad, and they'll be crap at that price.

Run_to_da_hills

For an extra E100 over your budgett you could buy a velib.

Raam

Psygnosis wrote: »

I live out in Rush Co, Dublin so the roads arent the may west and I would see myself doing a small bit of off road like easy tracks like glenda lough etc.

I guess I would cycle 2-3 hours at the weekend and maybe 40 mins week days.

I find road bikes quite uncomfortable I had a townsend pro am for years and while it was very light I felt every bump I went over.

So all recomendations appreciated.

I bike the roads around Rush quite often. They are no worse than anywhere else I've been. A road bike takes a little time to get used to. Kind of like a sports car and a jeep. If you want to go fast and push yourself and have a better time, use the sports car.

blorg

kenmc wrote: »

Only you can answer that

I presume you mean it is a trek 7200, cos the only 720s I can find are racing bikes?

If you could find something similar to the trek7200 it would do the job, but I don't think you're going to easily find something like that in your price range.

The Trek 720 was a steel hybrid from the late 90s, Irish Cycling Safaris (Belfield Bike Shop) used to use them. Nice bikes at the time, might be worth a refurbishment.

Psygnosis

Im confused now :-)

Don't think I'll be getting my old bike fixed up. Think I'll sell it on adverts maybe some one could give it a loving home.


Anyway, I think I'm going to go with the Mtb/Hybrid. I just find them much more confortable and easier to ride. So could people drop me a couple of recomendations in the price range. Cycle City (Templeogue) have a nice Giant for 280 think its a CSR4 or something like that what would this be like.

blorg

The CRS4 is decent hybrid, guy here in work has one and it seems fine.

Raam

Psygnosis wrote: »

Im confused now :-)

Whatever you end up getting, all that matters is that you will be out riding it

Lumen

Psygnosis wrote: »

Cycle City (Templeogue) have a nice Giant for 280 think its a CSR4 or something like that what would this be like.

Was it a CRS 4.0 perhaps?

Maybe consider the CRS 3.0 instead, as it's got proper forks.

kenmc

CRS3 here
Expression here
Expression N3 here
the first would probably be the best for you if you don't want to carry stuff commutinge etc.

Psygnosis

Would anywhere on line have it cheaper and how much does it weigh in KG

concussion

Some MTB's in the price range
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25443

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29070

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Whistler_2008/5360032353/

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=232&idproduct=20968

They'll definately do you for the occaisional spin up the mountains. When I first started I had a rigid steel with V brakes and I got on fine. Exept for the concussion. I definately would have been instantly killed had I not been wearing my helmet :p

Lumen

Psygnosis wrote: »

Would anywhere on line have it cheaper and how much does it weigh in KG

Those CRSs are 12kg+.

Psygnosis

I am really leaning towards this one at the moment http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Fo...08/5360032353/

What do you think and what weight would it be

kenmc

looks reasonable, but would be sluggish on the road - 26" wheels, wide tyres vs 700mm, thin tyres on a more road-based hybrid.
this years model is 13.5kg, this would be similar.

Lumen

Psygnosis wrote: »

I am really leaning towards this one at the moment http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Fo...08/5360032353/

What do you think and what weight would it be

You are concerned about weight, but want heavy, unnecessary suspension forks. This makes no sense.

Psygnosis

Well I would do a little off road and front suspension would make this more confortable. I am still looking around what would be the lightest bike MTB or Hybrid that would be decent with a front suspension

kenmc

you need to either up your budget or pick any 2 of these 3 variables:
Weight
Price
Function (road only or on and off road).

concussion

Psygnosis wrote: »

Well I would do a little off road and front suspension would make this more confortable. I am still looking around what would be the lightest bike MTB or Hybrid that would be decent with a front suspension

Any low priced MTB's or hybrids are going to be heavy - if its mainly for commuting get one with a rigid fork, that will bring it down a little but generally speaking less weight = more money. Personally I don't have a problem commuting or going on long road spins on 26 x 2.1" tyres - resistance training I call it :pac:

short circuit

kenmc wrote: »

you need to either up your budget or pick any 2 of these 3 variables:
Weight
Price
Function (road only or on and off road).

You could always go second hand and meet all 3 ... and the people on boards have a very bad disease called upgraditis ... very contagious as well ... so usually a good selection of well maintained (mostly) used bikes around for sale ...

kincsem

concussion wrote: »

Exept for the concussion. I definately would have been instantly killed had I not been wearing my helmet :p

Careful now! You are more likely to get injured discussing helmets than falling on you head wearing one. :rolleyes: (I also landed on my head wearing a helmet - some sort of helmet / road magnetism). :pac:

I have one flat bar bike and three road bikes (drop handlebars). So my recommendation is a road bike. After a few weeks on a flat bar bike a road bike seems like heaven.

concussion

short circuit wrote: »

people on boards have a very bad disease called upgraditis ... very contagious as well ...

The only known cure is a chain forged from unobtanium

Lumen

Psygnosis wrote: »

Well I would do a little off road and front suspension would make this more confortable.

You said "a small bit of off road like easy tracks like glenda lough etc". For light trails suspension forks are of little benefit, and make you slower going up hill. If you want comfort off-road, buy a Range Rover.

Suspension forks are useful for going over big obstacles or going very fast downhill. In every other way they compromise the bike.

DirkVoodoo

Henboy is selling this bike

Looks very nice!

Psygnosis

Nice but a bit expensive for me what would be a decent weight for a bike would 13kg be classed as heavy

blorg

13kg would be heavy for a road bike but probably typical for a hybrid.

Psygnosis

Just had a look my bike the trek was actually 930 from 98 so I thin it is time for a upgrade. I am going to get a hard tail so what is the best value out there at the moment

novarapid

i'm not an expert but heres what i think.....

if your going to go with the mountain bike get a pair of slick tyres so you can use them on your long cycle which will increase your speed.

The bike you linked to looks grand and good value for the money. the frame is the same as a more expensive bike they make.

As regards weight dont worry too much about it, a very good road bike will be about 8-9kgs, an average hardtail will be about 13kgs, don't know about you but alot of people would be able to lose 4kgs.
Dont forget a helmet if your offroading.

Enjoy it, use it and have fun!!

Psygnosis

Ok going to get the focus from wiggle in the morning if any one has more advice ill be checking every so often

blorg

If you are using it on the road as well try to get a fork with lockout, there is nothing worse than the bouncy bouncy front as you pedal along. To be honest a MTB is not really suited for the road at all although slicks will help matters. I'd only really get one if you are going to be doing a reasonable proportion of trail riding. Light fireroad-type stuff could be done on a hybrid with wide tyres.

Psygnosis

This is my old bike
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=460559

blorg

That Focus is a damn good deal for an entry-level mountain bike I reckon and the fork does have lockout, which will help on the road. Could be a good compromise although get some slicks for the commute.

Psygnosis

I wont be using it to communute unforunately cycling from Rush into the Ifsc would be a bit too far. Might start cycling to train station tough

blorg

Well same goes for the road, get slicks for the road riding, pump them up to a high pressure, and lock out the fork. It will still be slower/more effort than a fast hybrid like Henboy's but cheaper, new and you will have the trail riding option.

Psygnosis

Bought the bike lock and helmet for 299 GBP now waiting for delivery can't wait to tell you the truth.

It will great to get back on a bike a good bike.

The Wifey got it for me for my birthday so I better use it

DirkVoodoo

Well done psygnosis, I'm sure being back on a bike will be great. Henboys is a very good offer in my opinion, its a shame you couldnt stretch for it, but the focus is a good bike as well.

kenmc

Best of luck with it, hope it comes soon!

Psygnosis

Have my back now 3 days been out three times for half hour stints, have a real issue though I can't sit on the seat it kills me first night was ok second and third time its killing me when I sit. Its the bones in my arse cheeks not good.

Mate at work who cycles a bit said dont change the saddle and that I would get used to it but I'm not so far.

Can some one recommend a really comfortable saddle or a pair of padded shorts

BostonB

Dunno about that, my old saddle was a nightmare. Replaced it with a cheap gel saddle and some padded shorts and its a night and day difference.

dave.obrien

i had the same problem, so i got a new saddle. works great. from what i can gather, it's a really personal thing, there's no such thing as a more comfortable saddle, it's just going to suit certain people better. the one i got for my commuter was actually narrower and less padded than the stock saddle, but it's made the world of difference, cause it suits me. looking at options for my road bike now, the stock one starts to put a bit too much pressure on after a few hours of constant riding.

go to your local bike shop, explain the problem, they should be patient enough to let you try a few alternatives for 5/10 minute spins, and it will be worth it. nothing worse than getting violated by your lovely new bike!

edit: padded shorts would also help, and loads of the bike shops have a sale at the moment, so get them while they're cheap! cycleogical on the quays had some cheap nalini's recently...