The MTB thread

[northwind]

Today, I decided to see what happens if I do my 10-mile training loop on my downhill bike. Shockingly enough, the answer is it takes a very long time, and afterwards my entire body feels like it's on fire. Quite a good workout I suppose...

Inspirational video of Tom Wheeler chatting about the modifications needed like steering dampeners and MotoGP thumb brakes to his bike with so he could keep riding after paralysing his right arm in a crash. I'm in awe that he still wants to ride.



Part 1 and 2 about where talks about he started riding, the crash, injuries, surgery and progress since.

[Nobbylad]

Are these any good (for the price)?

For the wife=>

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...-blank-_-blank


For me =>

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...k&iozone=PDPz1

[Luckypants]

Be fine for town and gravel cycle paths and the like. They would struggle off-road or on anything other than blue/green routes at trail centres. I would recommend going and having a sit on them to get an idea of fit, weight and comfort before buying off the net - nothing worse than buying a bike and it not been used because the saddle cuts you in half or something.

[Nobbylad]

Cheers Mike - tbh they'd most likely only ever be used on road, with the odd grassy knoll/campsite every now and then. We both had MTB's until hers went missing. My eldest lad uses my (pretty carp) MTB and we wanted to get bikes again last year but couldn't stretch to 2 at once.

With the reductions at Halfrauds, I was tempted, but really wanted an idea as to whether they're worth the sale price, or if I'd get bigger bang for the same buck somewhere else.

There's a Halfrauds 2 mins away so trying them out is no bother.

[JamesMio]

If they're 99% for the road, I personally wouldn't bother with a mountain bike. For £200 you should be able to pick up a half-decent budget/mid spec used road bike which will be MUCH easier to ride on tarmac.

Seriously, my everyday hack is an old aluminium mountain bike, with a half-road tyre (big centre line in the tread), and even that is hard work compared to a road bike.

I got rid of my road bike due to the roads being so crap these days (some roads round here need 140mm fork!).
Hybrid is the best of both worlds for a general pooter round and can be used on canal paths, rough tracks as well.

[Drew Carey]

I used Lily's Hybrid to commute to work for a couple of weeks.....that was bad enough on the roads!!! I ended up going back to my single speed hardtail MTB as much more comfier on the roads. I actually prefer my 10 mile commute more with 1 gear than with a whole load to chose from!!!

If it was me, I would look at seeing if you can get ok-ish MTB on the cheap and then buy Hybrid or road tyres for it. More comfier and if you do want to take it offroad - swap tyres, job done. Just my 2p's worth anyhow.

[Nobbylad]

Originally Posted by JamesMio

If they're 99% for the road, I personally wouldn't bother with a mountain bike. For £200 you should be able to pick up a half-decent budget/mid spec used road bike which will be MUCH easier to ride on tarmac.

Seriously, my everyday hack is an old aluminium mountain bike, with a half-road tyre (big centre line in the tread), and even that is hard work compared to a road bike.

But the links I posted were to Hybrids, not MTBs

For the price, am I getting good spec kit, or am I better going to eBay?

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by Nobbylad

But the links I posted were to Hybrids, not MTBs

For the price, am I getting good spec kit, or am I better going to eBay?

But this IS the MTB thread

For £200, they look like good vfm - discs would be nice, but not necessary for road only use. For what you want to use them for they will be fine.