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New Bike Help

  • 16-03-2015 12:18pm
    #1
    rosenallis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭


    Hi,

    Apologies, ive searched through threads but cant see to find the answer.

    Looking to get a new bike with the Bike to Work Scheme.

    I'll be mainly using it for city commuting, but want to try and complete a Connemara Challenge as well.

    Are Cyclocross the most suitable? To be honest i couldn't afford the 1500 that seems to be the norm price. I wouldn't expect to become an elite athlete but a bit of mountain biking/ off road would be fun at the weekend and would be good to have a book which would work with both.

    Many thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Inquitus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,763 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    A Cyclocross bike would be grand for the likes of the Connemara Challenge which is light fire roads and forest tracks, it is not suitable for Mountain biking like up at 3 Rock or Ballinasloe or wherever.


  • #3
    rosenallis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭rosenallis


    Inquitus wrote: »
    A Cyclocross bike would be grand for the likes of the Connemara Challenge which is light fire roads and forest tracks, it is not suitable for Mountain biking like up at 3 Rock or Ballinasloe or wherever.

    Thanks. To ask a stupid question, whats a cyclocross good for?

    How about hybrids?


  • #4
    Inquitus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,763 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    rosenallis wrote: »
    Thanks. To ask a stupid question, whats a cyclocross good for?

    How about hybrids?

    Cyclocross is a type of cycling done off road in the winter, it involves, mud, grass and the like. It would be the quickest bike for the likes of the Connemara Challenge which takes place mainly on this sort of light off road terrain. CX bikes have no suspension and the wheels / tyres are not made to sustain the sort of impact Mountain Biking involves.

    CX

    kOKSIJDE-620x300.jpg


  • #5
    rosenallis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭rosenallis


    OK thanks for that.

    So in reality, id need two separate bikes if i wanted to do mountain biking and proper commuting


  • #6
    Inquitus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,763 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    rosenallis wrote: »
    OK thanks for that.

    So in reality, id need two separate bikes if i wanted to do mountain biking and proper commuting

    You could commute on a mountain bike, it would just be slower than on a road bike or CX bike. On the flipside you couldn't take a road bike or a CX bike mountain biking.


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  • #7
    rosenallis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭rosenallis


    Thanks for the help, How about hybrids?


  • #8
    Inquitus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,763 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    rosenallis wrote: »
    Thanks for the help, How about hybrids?

    A Hybrid with front suspension might be able for some light mountain biking, but again it fits into a light off road / on road category, it's serves a similar purpose to a CX bike in the regard.


  • #9
    rosenallis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭rosenallis


    Inquitus wrote: »
    A Hybrid with front suspension might be able for some light mountain biking, but again it fits into a light off road / on road category, it's serves a similar purpose to a CX bike in the regard.

    Would it be light enough to get semi-decent commuting speed? I wouldn't be too annoyed by an uncomfortable Connemara cycle for an hour or two but would annoy me having a heavy slow bike in the city.


  • #10
    Cee-Jay-Cee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    I would have thought a CX Team bike would suit your needs best. If there's a Halfords near you have a look at their Boardman CX bike, it's €1079 with Sram Rival and disc brakes. It's a stunning looking bike in polished alloy color.


  • #11
    Inquitus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,763 ✭✭✭✭Inquitus


    rosenallis wrote: »
    Would it be light enough to get semi-decent commuting speed? I wouldn't be too annoyed by an uncomfortable Connemara cycle for an hour or two but would annoy me having a heavy slow bike in the city.

    A CX bike as stated above seems ideal for your needs, you can swap the CX Tyres for Road tyres depending on use, so you'll be able to commute at road bike speeds plus have the versatility to do adventure race cycling


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  • #12
    rosenallis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭rosenallis


    Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »
    I would have thought a CX Team bike would suit your needs best. If there's a Halfords near you have a look at their Boardman CX bike, it's €1079 with Sram Rival and disc brakes. It's a stunning looking bike in polished alloy color.
    Inquitus wrote: »
    A CX bike as stated above seems ideal for your needs, you can swap the CX Tyres for Road tyres depending on use, so you'll be able to commute at road bike speeds plus have the versatility to do adventure race cycling

    Thanks for the help. I suppose the next questions centres around getting one more within my budget. Hoping to get a bike, all the bits and pieces and gear for the 1k budget?

    Also, would you know what i such be looking for as to not buy a dud?


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