Which Budget Mountain Bike?

"MeMyselfI" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:264f8e5f20a059d5ae1a9f9ffc56c775@TeraNews...

Quoted message said:

3. Suitable for round town cycle routes and minimal off-road

The MTB for that is a rare beast these days - one with no suspension. (but there are a myriad of
hybrids and comfort bikes suposedly for such uses).

Quoted message said:

Are disk brakes important (recommended)?

Not really, and certainly not at this price and for what you want to do.

Quoted message said:

Are 24 gears overkill?

Yes, but any modern and half decent bike will probably be 24 already.

As I said, very few rigid ones left - the specialized hardrock fits the bill perfectly. I have got a
low cost "giant" but that was probably an oldish no-longer-imported model.

If I wanted a bike like this, I'd see if I could get a second hand "specialized hardrock" or
"rockhopper" (better model) from a few years ago.

Ian D Henden said:

"John's Cat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ian D Henden said:

"John's Cat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
> On Sat, 2 Aug 2003 00:41:05 +0100, "Ian Henden" <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
> >
> >"JohnB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
> >> Dave wrote:
> >[cut [censored]]
> >> > indication whatsoever, 'cos hey!, it's only a cyclist....
> >>
> >> Like a typical Southampton bus.
> >>
> >
> >Of course, it wasn't a typical Southampton cyclist that ran into a OAP getting off a bus at a
> >bus stop, was it? riding along a (narrowish)
pavement
> >at around 20 mph.
> >
> Was said narrowish pavement a shared use cyclepath, perchance?
No.

As said in another post, he was probably avoiding the danger associated with sharing the roads
with you and your bad-tempered colleagues.

Which demonstrates yet again, the breathtaking arrogance of the SOAP. Quote the HC etc - when it
suits him.

Have already agreed that some cyclists use pavements illegally.

Quoted message said:

Ignore it completely - when it suits him. He MUST NOT be delayed, but is quite happy - deliriously
pleased, in fact - if he can delay someone else.

Can't see how you get this from anything I've written.

Quoted message said:

And sod anyone having the effrontery to get off a bus, at a kerb, at a bus stop, if the SOAP is
hurtling along the pavement (illegally).

As I have said elsewhere (we had this discussion a few months ago), I can understand cyclists using
pavements where traffic is heavy. Indeed, it ought to be encouraged. But it is about time the SOAPs
took on some duty, like "Cycling with due care and consideration for othe road users".

Some do.

Indeed, many do. But many decide that since the law can't or won't protect them from errant
motorists, they are going to make their own arrangements.

Quoted message said:

A significant number don't.

Quoted message said:

Red or Blue?

The language in this case was principally blue.

And the bus?

Quoted message said:

Come on guys. What should I buy?

one of these www.dawescycles.com/bikes/shuniah.html

"MeMyselfI" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:264f8e5f20a059d5ae1a9f9ffc56c775@TeraNews...

Quoted message said:

I want an inexpensive mountain bike - but where do I start?

When buying most other items I know nothing about it's quite easy. I just find out the makes most
other people have and get one of those. For example:

Car = VW Golf Washing Machine = Zanussi TV = Sony or Panasonic PC = Dell

And so on. This policy works well for me. I mean - all those other people are seldom wrong.

However, there are not many mountain bikers hereabouts and the only bike names I remember from
childhood are RALEIGH, DAWES & HERCULES and. So does this mean I should buy one of these (if
they're still making them) OR are there other brands I should be looking at?

I've tried a friend's MB and have decided I need the following:

1. At least 21 gears
2. Lightweight frame. Cos I'm not very big.
3. Suitable for round town cycle routes and minimal off-road
4. Won't be used much - so I don't want to spend a fortune.

Can I get something good for up to £250?

Also - when a manufacturer states '7005 Alloy Frame' does this mean the frame is made from
Aluminium?

Are disk brakes important (recommended)?

Are 24 gears overkill?

Come on guys. What should I buy? You must know. Most of the sites on the Net seem to deal with
bikes for (rich?) enthusiasts, which is unhelpful to me who hasn't been on a bike since about age
13 and just wants one for occasional cycling with friends.

TIA for any and all advice received.

Sheila

I truly am no expert but I went through exactly the same thought process 2 weeks ago and ended up
with Stealth Vex (pause for gasps of incredulity from rest of newsgroup audience, knowing looks,
pitying expressions etc.). Had it modified with quick release front wheel so I could get it in the
back of the RAV4, and with slicks for road use. £139. Alloy frame. Why pay nearly double?

The best advice I got was that a cheaper bike might be less durable - but if I'm not using it for a
daily commute, so what?

Simon

Simon said:

I truly am no expert but I went through exactly the same thought process 2 weeks ago and ended up
with Stealth Vex (pause for gasps of incredulity from rest of newsgroup audience, knowing looks,
pitying expressions etc.).

You aren't going to get knowing looks for something you can't find on Google.

--
Jim Price

jimprice.dsl.pipex.comjimprice.dsl.pipex.comOpen ↗

Conscientious objection is hard work in an economic war.

I got a Dawes Tamarak for under £200 (only a quid under, but under) in January this year. This got
10/10 for value from What MTB when priced at £280. I betcha can find a reasonably priced one
knocking around somewhere if you google as hard as you can.

For that price, you may be better off getting one second hand. Mountain bikes seem to have become
something of a fashion item. Instead of keeping a much-loved bike for many years, some people are
changing them every couple of years for one with more shiny gadgets, most of which are not important
for the average rider. For £200, you should easily pick up a good quality bike from a major
manufacturer that cost £500+ a couple of years ago

"MeMyselfI" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:264f8e5f20a059d5ae1a9f9ffc56c775@TeraNews...

Quoted message said:

I want an inexpensive mountain bike - but where do I start?

When buying most other items I know nothing about it's quite easy. I just find out the makes most
other people have and get one of those. For example:

Car = VW Golf Washing Machine = Zanussi TV = Sony or Panasonic PC = Dell

And so on. This policy works well for me. I mean - all those other people are seldom wrong.

However, there are not many mountain bikers hereabouts and the only bike names I remember from
childhood are RALEIGH, DAWES & HERCULES and. So does this mean I should buy one of these (if
they're still making them) OR are there other brands I should be looking at?

I've tried a friend's MB and have decided I need the following:

1. At least 21 gears
2. Lightweight frame. Cos I'm not very big.
3. Suitable for round town cycle routes and minimal off-road
4. Won't be used much - so I don't want to spend a fortune.

Can I get something good for up to £250?

Also - when a manufacturer states '7005 Alloy Frame' does this mean the frame is made from
Aluminium?

Are disk brakes important (recommended)?

Are 24 gears overkill?

Come on guys. What should I buy? You must know. Most of the sites on the Net seem to deal with
bikes for (rich?) enthusiasts, which is unhelpful to me who hasn't been on a bike since about age
13 and just wants one for occasional cycling with friends.

TIA for any and all advice received.

Sheila

"Jim Price" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Simon said:

I truly am no expert but I went through exactly the same thought process

2

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

weeks ago and ended up with Stealth Vex (pause for gasps of incredulity from rest of newsgroup
audience, knowing looks, pitying expressions

etc.).

Quoted message said:

You aren't going to get knowing looks for something you can't find on Google.

--
Jim Price

jimprice.dsl.pipex.comjimprice.dsl.pipex.comOpen ↗

Conscientious objection is hard work in an economic war.

Ooops! I mean "Saracen Vex".

MeMyselfI said:

3. Suitable for round town cycle routes and minimal off-road

Then the question really is, do you really want a Mountain Bike. You=20 can get a hybrid style bike
with a similar layout and riding position=20 but with tyres better suited to the above (knobbly off
road tyres fitted =

as standard to MTBs are *hard work* on roads, and only really useful off =

it in very soft conditions (though in those conditions they're the only=20 thing worth having)) and
quite possibly more suitable gearing. MTBs=20 almost all have front suspension designed to soak up
big impacts these=20 days, and these will soak up power on the road and add to the weight you =

wanted to keep down.

Quoted message said:

4. Won't be used much - so I don't want to spend a fortune.

Get a reasonable bike that's good for the intended use and you'll=20 probably want to use it more...

Quoted message said:

Can I get something good for up to =A3250?=20

Yes, very much so. Look at, amongst others, Dawes, Specialized and=20 Ridgeback for well specified
bikes without too many fashion victim extras=
=2E

Quoted message said:

Also - when a manufacturer states '7005 Alloy Frame' does this mean the frame is made from
Aluminium?

Technically it's an aluminium alloy, but as far as anyone's concerned=20 they're pretty
much synonyms.

Quoted message said:

Are disk brakes important (recommended)?

No. You need to spend Serious Money to get really worthwhile disc=20 brakes, and though they're
very, very good where you do get the Real=20 Thing, at your price point I'd say you'd be better off
with V brakes.

Quoted message said:

Are 24 gears overkill?

It depends. On a mountain bike going up Certificate Daft inclines on=20 marginal tracks you want
lots of gears that go down very low. On the=20 roads, as long as you have a fair spread that's all
you *need*, but more =

is nicer *as long as they're appropriate*. The lowest gears on a 27=20 speed MTB will move you
slower than walking pace, and you're (a)=20 unlikely to be on a hill steep enough to need them and
(b) might as well =

walk in most cases.

Quoted message said:

Come on guys. What should I buy?=20

For your intended uses and budget *I* would get a Dawes, Ridgeback or=20 Specialized hybrid with
rigid front forks (rather than suspension), road =

tyres rather than knobblies and V brakes rather than discs. I'd also=20 put mudguards on, and
probably a carrying rack on the back (rucksacks on =

bikes Suck Lots IMHO). YMMV, of course...

Pete. --=20 Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics,
Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

"MeMyselfI" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:264f8e5f20a059d5ae1a9f9ffc56c775@TeraNews...

Quoted message said:

I want an inexpensive mountain bike - but where do I start?

When buying most other items I know nothing about it's quite easy. I just find out the makes most
other people have and get one of those. For example:

Car = VW Golf Washing Machine = Zanussi TV = Sony or Panasonic PC = Dell

And so on. This policy works well for me. I mean - all those other people are seldom wrong.

However, there are not many mountain bikers hereabouts and the only bike names I remember from
childhood are RALEIGH, DAWES & HERCULES and. So does this mean I should buy one of these (if
they're still making them) OR are there other brands I should be looking at?

I've tried a friend's MB and have decided I need the following:

1. At least 21 gears
2. Lightweight frame. Cos I'm not very big.
3. Suitable for round town cycle routes and minimal off-road
4. Won't be used much - so I don't want to spend a fortune.

Can I get something good for up to £250?

Also - when a manufacturer states '7005 Alloy Frame' does this mean the frame is made from
Aluminium?

Are disk brakes important (recommended)?

Are 24 gears overkill?

Come on guys. What should I buy? You must know. Most of the sites on the Net seem to deal with
bikes for (rich?) enthusiasts, which is unhelpful to me who hasn't been on a bike since about age
13 and just wants one for occasional cycling with friends.

TIA for any and all advice received.

Sheila

Try Edinburgh Cycle Co-op (see links below). They are the only people I know who do a "value"
women's specific frame and boy does it make a difference. From the two links below you basically get
the same frame but slightly different set-up. For your defined usage the Coast looks a better buy as
the tyres are more suitable, you get a suspension seat-post and an adjustable stem (i.e. you can
change the height and angle of the handlebars easily). Mind you I bought a Contour 2 years ago and
my only complaint is they have improved the component spec since I bought it. In fact I am seriously
considering doing some component swapping off my number 1 mtb to make it the best because the frame
is such a good fit. I don't work for them, just a satisfied customer

Julia (5 ft 3" short!)

edinburgh-bicycle.co.ukdetail.cfmOpen ↗

edinburgh-bicycle.co.ukdetail.cfmOpen ↗

MeMyselfI said:

I want an inexpensive mountain bike - but where do I start?

Buy this months copy of 'What Mountain Bike' they have a review of some £200 - £300 bikes (the
Saracen Nzyme won). Also in this issue is a lot about women's specific things which might be useful.

Quoted message said:

Can I get something good for up to £250?

You can certainly get something acceptable at that price point.

Quoted message said:

Are disk brakes important (recommended)?

For serious off-road on technical trails they are fantastic, but at you price point & planned usage
they are not recommended

Quoted message said:

Are 24 gears overkill?

Nope (I've got 27!) That being said I make it a point of honour not to use the easiest 9 on tarmac.

Quoted message said:

Come on guys. What should I buy? You must know.

The best advice is to go to various shops and try the bikes out. many deals look good on paper but
the geometry is just all wrong when you ride them.

DO NOT under any circumstances buy a bike with rear suspension! Under about £1000 they are awful to
ride and add tons of weight. If you can I'd avoid front suspension as well at this price.

If it was me I push the envelope a bit and go for an Orange Gringo at £499 and then you'll never
have to upgrade (unless the bug bites seriously)

Look at Treks, Specialized, Dawes and even Carerra (sp?) at Halfords

Quoted message said:

Most of the sites on the Net seem to deal with bikes for (rich?) enthusiasts,

Yep - that's me :-)

Phil

Many thanks for all the helpful advice and info.

Now armed with this I am planning to visit some bike shops this week and get something suitable
by Saturday.

Just hope the wevver holds up.

Once again - much obliged to everyone for taking the trouble to help
me.

Sheila