Basic MTB recommendation (e.g. suitable for Phoenix Park trails)

Sacksian

I'm a runner facing the possibility of a few months cross-training this summer due to injury. I tried aqua jogging for the first time yesterday and it was really depressing.

I generally run a lot around the magazine fort and munich hills in the Phoenix Park and I was looking at them today thinking, if I can't run, that it'd be pretty great to spend an hour going up and down them instead of walking in water.

What sort of bike would I be looking at for that terrain?

I had a Grifter (xl!) as a kid and I don't think I'd need any suspension or anything like that for hills as small as the Phoenix Park ones, so what bike would you recommend as a starter?

Peterx

Cyclocross bike =great fun in the park. And when you do get back running you can put road tyres on it and use it commuting. Brucie Bonus!

A mountain bike would be unnessessary for the park, obviously excellent if you do plan to venture further afield and try the Coillte MTB trails on Ticktock and Ballinastoe. Which are excellent.

Sacksian

Peterx wrote: »

Cyclocross bike =great fun in the park. And when you do get back running you can put road tyres on it and use it commuting. Brucie Bonus!

A mountain bike would be unnessessary for the park, obviously excellent if you do plan to venture further afield and try the Coillte MTB trails on Ticktock and Ballinastoe. Which are excellent.

Cheers - I'll investigate what Cyclocross is!

Sacksian

Ok - found this:

http://andrasgercsenyi.blogspot.ie/2012/10/cyclocross-spin-in-phoenix-park.html

Looks perfect!

But a cyclocross bike couldn't handle MTB trails, is that right?

Entry-level cyclocross bikes seem to be more expensive than their equivalent hardtail MTBs though.

C3PO

Sacksian wrote: »

But a cyclocross bike couldn't handle MTB trails, is that right?

Entry-level cyclocross bikes seem to be more expensive than their equivalent hardtail MTBs though.

No a cyclocross bike won't handle proper mountain bike trails but frankly nor will a lot of "entry level" mountain bikes! What mountain bikes were you considering?

Sacksian

C3PO wrote: »

No a cyclocross bike won't handle proper mountain bike trails but frankly nor will a lot of "entry level" mountain bikes! What mountain bikes were you considering?

I have a Fuji Feather road bike, so would love the simplicity of a single-speed, if possible, but i hadn't thought single speed MTBs existed. After a bit more research, I discovered the redline monocog but that doesn't seem to be available here or in the UK and can't find too many other suggestions other than building your own. This cyclocross bike could fit the bill:

http://www.statebicycle.co.uk/collections/off-road-bikes/products/warhawk-bike-navy-maroon-gold

Any other options?

Peterx

Sacksian wrote: »

I have a Fuji Feather road bike, so would love the simplicity of a single-speed, if possible, but i hadn't thought single speed MTBs existed. After a bit more research, I discovered the redline monocog but that doesn't seem to be available here or in the UK and can't find too many other suggestions other than building your own. This cyclocross bike could fit the bill:

http://www.statebicycle.co.uk/collections/off-road-bikes/products/warhawk-bike-navy-maroon-gold

Any other options?

Assuming your budget is about €750 - you can get a second hand disc brake CX bike that someone bought but didn't use, on adverts.
http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/fuji-2015-cross-1-5-cyclocross-bike/9126661