recommend me a MTB please (<300e)

cokedrinker · 10-09-2009 4:08am #1

Well, my fitness has declined something ridiculous, and so I would like to take up cycling and do a few leisurely miles everyday. I have not cycled in about 10 years so i have absolutely zero knowledge on what type of bike to get / where to get it. I live out in the country so im thinking a MTB would be best, altho it will still only be used on the road

Can I get some suggestions please? Id prefer it to be <300euro!
Any help will be much appreciated, cheers!

Lumen · 10-09-2009 6:47am

Don't buy a MTB unless you want to go off road seriously.

A hybrid will be fine for short distances, but you're better off getting a drop bar road bike, for lots of good reasons.

Taltos · 10-09-2009 6:53am

Hi CD.

I was in a bit of a similar situation to you a while ago.
Here's what I wanted: (thought I wanted)
Hybrid to cycle ~ 10mile to work
MTB - for some off road fun

The advice I got was to defo get the hybrid for the work ride (>95% of usage) & a 2nd hand MTB for the weekends.

So at my local store (well not so local) I picked out the hybrid, and was told that with stock shortages it would be a few weeks. However I managed to get a really decent 2nd hand TREK for < 200 smackers.

Well finances have changed and I cannot afford the hybrid right now - but I am using the MTB with the offroad tyres for my work trip. Just once a week but really enjoying it. Figure that when I get the hybrid next year it will shave chunks off my time.

So my suggestion would be to try getting a 2nd hand one - but it all depends on how much you intend to use it.

ie
Serious road use - hybrid / racer
Not so serious - hybrid / mtb
Bit of fun - mtb - 2nd hand
Some off road - mtb 2nd hand
Major off road - MTB - good one

Just my thoughts - but hope it helps. Oh go to a reputable bike store for the 2nd hand.

Lumen · 10-09-2009 6:57am

I disagree with the implication that a racer is not fun. That's the whole point of them.

Jip · 10-09-2009 8:32am

Lumen wrote: »

I disagree with the implication that a racer is not fun.

Tell that to someone who changes from regulalrly cycling on their MTB with fat tyres and big gel saddle to a road bike with rock solid tyres and a saddle the CIA could have used in Guantanamo.

ednwireland · 10-09-2009 8:43am

Jip wrote: »

Tell that to someone who changes from regulalrly cycling on their MTB with fat tyres and big gel saddle to a road bike with rock solid tyres and a saddle the CIA could have used in Guantanamo.

your fit / saddle is wrong, only reason you get a sore arse from a road bike (and sticking a big gel saddle on a road bike usually doesnt work)

Jip · 10-09-2009 9:10am

I wouldn't agree. It's like alot of things you aren't used to. If you go from lazily cycling around on a fat gelly saddle or even having been off a bike for a long time after being sitting in a comfy car seat every morning and evening , there's always that little breaking in period when your arse needs to get used to it again, toughen up if you would.

Lumen · 10-09-2009 9:15am

Jip wrote: »

If you go from...having been off a bike for a long time after being sitting in a comfy car seat every morning and evening

This is true. But since the OP is intending to cycle daily, it would be a bit of an odd criteria for a bike purchase.

Taltos · 10-09-2009 9:17am

Sorry guys - did not mean to imply a racer was not fun.
Used to have them yrs ago - loved it - esp the speed down hill with my head down, what a rush

Probably would get one back now too - just got tired of having to constantly adjust the wheels for the holes in our roads - but that was a long time ago so guess the tech has moved on so that might not be necessary any more. Did get quite good at it though.

So OP - don't disregard racers either - they are deadly.
And all this talk about torture devices - it is amazing what you can get used to with the proper gear.

Sorry Lumen

recommend me a MTB please (<300e)

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