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23-07-09, 12:57 PM

Can anyone give me some guidance?

I want to start cycling again after getting on the doctors scales today and being horriffied, I loved cycling but sold my last Bike to fund the Tuono.

Any way, I Like both road riding and sodding of onto fields etc and doing some single track.

I cannot get work to sign up to the cycle to work scheme despite my best efforts, So I either need a good off road bike that if need be I can sling some road tyres on, or a road bike and forget the off road aspect?

So,

Is road riding better for fitness?
At what point should I pay the extra and get full suspension for off road? (I live quite rurally)
What's the better brands of gear these days, Shimano XT used to be the best but that was years ago?
At what point is it worth spending the extra to get a better bike? £500 £1000 £1500, I see little point in spending not enough and buying something that will break?
It has to be robust as I am a big lad and "not gentle" (I crash a lot) with them.

There is so much and so many to choose from.

I like Kona and GT but more have cropped up since then?

In a word... HELP!

23-07-09, 12:57 PM	#1
454697819 Guest Posts: n/a	New Push Bike Help Can anyone give me some guidance? I want to start cycling again after getting on the doctors scales today and being horriffied, I loved cycling but sold my last Bike to fund the Tuono. Any way, I Like both road riding and sodding of onto fields etc and doing some single track. I cannot get work to sign up to the cycle to work scheme despite my best efforts, So I either need a good off road bike that if need be I can sling some road tyres on, or a road bike and forget the off road aspect? So, Is road riding better for fitness? At what point should I pay the extra and get full suspension for off road? (I live quite rurally) What's the better brands of gear these days, Shimano XT used to be the best but that was years ago? At what point is it worth spending the extra to get a better bike? £500 £1000 £1500, I see little point in spending not enough and buying something that will break? It has to be robust as I am a big lad and "not gentle" (I crash a lot) with them. There is so much and so many to choose from. I like Kona and GT but more have cropped up since then? In a word... HELP!