Another one for the cyclists... Recommendations?

[northwind]

I've been commuting fairly regularily on my antique carrera, and though it suits me quite well it's on its last legs... It needs a load of little things bought, but even just the new tyres would cost more than it's worth, and with all the other stuff I'll end up paying enough to get a better used bike. Plus, some parts sizing is difficult now, it's more shim than bike in places.

So anyway, I've been perusing the classifieds for something a bit better... Not wanting to spend big, and it seems like it's quite easy to find last year's model cheap. I've got a budget of about £300, though I'd rather spend less if I can. It's for road use with some light trails- dirt and gravel topped cyclepaths mainly, canal paths, wee bit of mud... One very short stony decent daily but it's nothing really. But I want something that I can take further offroad if the mood takes me (on different tyres probably, I've suffered knobblies on a commuter before)

So, any recommendations for something new in this budget? I've got no real preconceptions, I'm generally a hardtail fan but that's more because most bikes I've ridden with rear suspension have just been bad It doesn't have to be flashy, I'm not afraid of rim brakes either, but it does need a good high top gear for my downhill commute.

Also, I've seen this part-built bike in my local gumtree...

http://edinburgh.gumtree.com/edinburgh/94/27242494.html

Which interests me... obviously I'm a tweaker, and it'd amuse me to finish it myself... it seems like a decent collection of parts. The forks are just old Air Z5s, about 2001 he thinks... I've not seen the bike but in the first email he offered to knock it down to £200, and it's been on sale for a while, so I'm sure it's got more wriggle. Anything obviously bad going on there? The forks don't have a very good crit but mostly because of problems on big drops. I don't do big drops

Obviously, it's not exactly the mainly-road-bit-of-offroad bike I described above... But it balances this out by being cool looking. What do you reckon?

Have you thought about Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op?

They have a great sale on at the moment, and I think that their Courier bike is in the sale, which is a brilliant bike for the money. It is a commuter cycle though - that's a compromise on your requirements.

I've just done a similar thing for a 2nd bike to the folding brompton for work - I have got a Cannondale 600SL, got it second hand in top conditon, and I'm just switching the tyres over to slicks for road use - I didn't have enough cash for a really high-end bike, but by buying 2nd hand can still get a decent bike for the money.

Check out the sale at Edinburgh though - www.edinburghbicycle.com really great prices on accessories and bits.

What about a Giant Fcr?

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productD...productID=9885

I know a few guys from work who have just bought these and are very impressed, especially for 270 quid, a great deal and should do what you want, but won't be great on mud!

EDIT: Just re-read your post and saw the off road bit, ignore my advice above!!

Northy, look on Ebay for Spec Rockhoppers. Ive seen 08 ones (yes the same as what I have which I paid £600 for) go for about £350 as it was an unwanted gift.

07 bikes are good buys too, I would certainly recommend 2nd hand if theyre in good nick.

[northwind]

Ah, so Revolution is Edinburgh Bicycle? I didn't know that, I've not seen one of their own-brands for ages, just thought they'd stopped doing it. I had a contour 100 when i was at school I think it was made of lead. My brother has a revolution courier, nice bike but not for me. But, they do have a couple of other sale bikes in the price range, that's got to be worth looking at, cheers!

I'll keep an eye out for those rockhoppers, I always wanted a specialised back in the day. Good hint.

I used to do 20 miles a day for a laff on my rockhopper, didn't miss a beat over any terrain.

hey!!!! a mountain cycle rumble!! ive got meself one of those! if its going cheap get it, as they are pretty rare. ive only seen one other on my travells. very sturdy frame, very stiff, but i would suggest getting stiffer wheels, and get some decent tyres, i have some tioga park tyres on mine, which are purely briliant. smooth rolling, and still perform pretty well off road.

[Viney]

Verna, thats BBC to you lot, has a Spec. Hardrock. The little sister of the Rockhopper. Thats a great bike and only £300 new from Wheelies direct.

Sale season must be around about now so some great bargains to be had if you dont mind mail order and the hassle that can go with it.

I got a Giant SCR 1.0, RRP £900 for £489 last year, ok its a road bike but the same applies.

Speshes dont usually get discounted that much new, but brands like Giant and Kona's do.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Viney

Verna, thats BBC to you lot, has a Spec. Hardrock. The little sister of the Rockhopper. Thats a great bike and only £300 new from Wheelies direct.

Ooh... They're doing those for £200 in Edinburgh bike right now.