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Need help with bike buying

  • 24-06-2009 9:18pm
    #1
    jumpguy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,962 ✭✭✭


    Hey everyone. Well, I love cycling, but my knowledge about bikes leaves abit to be desired. I'll be doing a big challenge soon and I want to get fitter than I currently am (I'm okay now, but I dunno if I'm climbing-4-mountains-in-one-weekend fit). I've always borrowed my friend's bike which I love but it's now getting too small (we grow so fast) and I'm pretty sick of relying on him to go cycling so I can use his bike.

    Right, so I was thinking of buying a new one, with a budget of about 150-200€.

    First off, anyone know good bike shops? Secondly, what about weight of a bike. My own (not my friends) is very heavy for it's size and it's one of the reasons I hate it, could someone explain what I should aim for with weight though when buying a bike? Is it just the lighter the better all the way.

    Then there's the usage. I'm abit on and off. I'd imagine it'd be in a good bit of use now as I have summer holidays and the weather is fairly decent. Also, to get technical, I'm worried about gears. My friend has a really good gear system, the derailer (sp?) works like a dream. There's no clunking (yes, I know you must pedal btw) or stickiness or frustration whatsoever. Anyone know what I should avoid and what to go for. Are the shimano brand any good (seem very common)?

    Then in more technicalities, I'm thinking about suspension. I won't be doing any serious off roading with it so should I bother with it? Will it not be cheaper, faster (no absorbancy of power) and lighter without suspension?

    Thanks in advance for those who help me out. Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong board, but I don't think I have.


Comments

  • #2
    newton
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12 ✭newton


    To be honest, your budget is quite small. A new bike at that price will probably fall apart before you get it home. You may be better looking at second-hand.
    If you're not going to be doing off-road, definitly don't go for suspension. If you don't want a road-bike (drop bars) go for a hybrid, rather than an MTB.
    For lightness, keep away from suspension/MTBs. Look for aluminium over steel (or better still carbon, but that'll be out of your price bracket, even 2nd hand)
    Shimano are a reputable manufacturer who make group-sets of all grades to suit all from the occasional commuter all the way up to the pro racers.


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