No idea!!

shorty1 said:

I quite new to the cycling world, and have no idea about bikes or equipment. I've been going out a couple of times a week on my 10 year old bike, every ride I've done so far has involved both road and off road biking. I've not done any difficult off road stuff yet (not sure if I will) but I do live very close to a national park with lots of trails.

So my question is how much should I be looking to spend on a decent bike (I don't really want to be changing again in near future)

Also what kind of MTB would be best suited to my needs. I like the idea of full suspension (some of the country lanes I go down are very pot holed) but I don't want to get something I don't needor spend money on something I don't need.

Any help would be fantastic because I really don't have a clue.

FWIW. Consider a 29er (Hardtail) with a RIGID fork ... you can use almost any size 700c tire ... the width of the rim is the only limitation on tire size.

I think that a typical (?) 29er wheel has a 622-19 rim, so a 700x25 might be okay ... and, a 700x28 would be better as the smallest tire size.

The largest tire size is 700x58.

700x52 is other 29er tire size.

Big, fat tires provide a lot of cushioning!

You may want to look at the REDLINE 29er, first, even if you opt for a regular bike.

BTW. A few months ago, I determined that (without fenders mounted) one of my old Touring frames (a 90s vintage GIANT) could handle massive 700x52 tires with a lot of clearance -- a good thing!

I currently have narrow Road tires mounted in the frame.

Sorry but what's a 29er hardtail? I presume rigid fork means no suspension?

I know this makes me sound stupid, but I am a novice.

Cheers
Mark

shorty1 said:

Sorry but what's a 29er hardtail? I presume rigid fork means no suspension?

A 29er is a MTB which uses larger 700c (Road-size) wheels instead of 26" wheels.
[INDENT]A larger circumference wheel means that road/path/trail imperfections are not as jarring as one would experience with a smaller circumference wheel which has an equally inflated tire.
[/INDENT]A Hardtail is a MTB which lacks a rear suspension.

A Rigid fork is the name which MTBers have given to a non-suspension fork.

Basically, a 29er Hardtail is a Hybrid with a shorter wheelbase & a much better suspension fork (if you happen to be comparing Hybrids which have suspension forks) ...

Hybrids can use 700x42 tires ... I'm not sure about larger sizes ... the tire clearance undoubtedly differs between different Hybrid frames.

BTW. I think that the inexpensive RST forks which are found on low-end bikes have steel instead of alloy lowers & "pogo stick" springs instead of dampened suspension components ... so, they are added weight & cost which should probably be avoided.

I'm a big fan of the JAMIS CODA, BTW. The MSRP for the base model is $550 ... it should be discounted by 20%, or more, because we are in the transition period between this year's bikes & next year's bikes. I'm not sure what the maximum tire size is for the Jamis Coda.

you might also consider a pre-owned higher end mountain bike and a second set of wheels. Knobbies on one set, road tires on the other. You can then enjoy both types of riding. Being able to lock out the fork or a rigid one on road routes would prove beneficial, as has been stated.

Yes silly me!! I've just looked on google at some of the terminology so I have more of an idea now.

I had considered a second hand bike, it seemed a logical choice to me. But I had read not to go second hand because the bike will probably have been hammered.

Cheers
Mark