spec me a bike

[burtie]

Could one of you please recommend me a bike please. Due to a knee problem I've got to switch from running to biking. I'm looking at a Claud Butler range of bikes and I've a max budget of £300.

Many thanks, one i have in mind is this...... http://www.bikesandprams.co.uk/produ...d=369&xSec=156

burtie

[iranu]

Need a bit more info from you really. What sort of cycling are you thinking of? Mainly road with the ability to go off-road, off-road, serious or just pootling about for fun and exercise?

Secondly I noticed the bike you linked to is a size 22". This is a very big frame for a mountain bike. Some one who is 6' tall would usually ride a 19" bike, but be mindful that not all bike frames are measured from the same points so one manufacturers 19" can actually be taller than someone else's. How tall are you? My best advice for bike buying is to actually swing your leg over the model you are thinking of buying that way you'll at least get the size correct. For mountain bikes a 4" clearance between the top-tube (crossbar) and your family jewels (assuming you are male) is a must so don't go on inside leg only. Also remember that reach is important too, so a big bike is going to have a longer top-tube and this will affect your comfort. I speak from a past experience where I bought something mail order and it was too big. No point in buying something you won't ride cos it's uncomfortable.

Most bikes don't really change much from one year to the next and because you are on a budget it would be best to by a last years model, that way you'll get a much better bike for the money. Shop around. I'll have to look up where Horncastle is to see if there are any shops close.

[Lowe]

As above really - consider looking 2nd hand since you'll get a lot more bang for buck. If you must go new, look at last years model.

Another way is to see if where you work is part of the Cycle to Work Scheme. This is another way of getting roughly twice as much bike for your money!

[burtie]

Well as you can see I'm a big noob to all this as I've just been into running but it looks like my knees don't like the roads. I want to get into it as serious as i can, and I'm 6ft tall. I was going by the inside leg which mine is 32in. Halfords is the only bike shop around 20miles and i want a bike just for the road no off roading thanks for you help.

burtie

[Lowe]

Ok, well the bike that you've picked is a pretty basic off roader. Gears will be suited to climbing and as you can see it's got off road tyres. Off road tyres on the road can be a bit dodgy on tarmac in the wet at speed, not to mention it's hugely inefficient since the rolling resistance is significantly higher than a road tyre. Of course, if you're training for fitness, this isn't really an issue in my eyes - I commute on an offroad bike with off road tyres and whilst it does slow me down, I enjoy having to work that bit harder.

If road stuff really is your thing then you're looking at either a full on road style bike or a 'city' bike which is kinda inbetween a road bike and an MTB. £300 will get you a pretty basic bike in either form but personally I'd be leaning towards an urban bike rather than a road bike. Personally I prefer straight bars and there's also the road condition aspect - around where I live a full on road bike wouldn't last 5 mins, and you'd be forever getting the wheels straightened!

Funnily enough I was looking at a £300 urban bike the other day. Probably not suited to you since it's a single speed (no gears!) but I just love the look of it!

Charge's Plug

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego.../plug-07-20542

[burtie]

I do like the look of that Lowe, i also like the look of this http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...sport-08-28151 But with them being single speed and me living in the lincolnshire wolds I'd say i need first gear lol. Confused now humm may have to raise the cash a little. Thanks for all your help.

[Lowe]

The one thing I found is that buying a cheap bike for what I was doing was a waste of money. I was doing a fair bit of trail riding with my friends who all had decent (1k upwards) bikes and I was forever having to spend money on fixing it, be it wheels straightened, new brakes etc. I worked out I was having to fork out a lot more than need be - if I'd spent it in the first place!

Obviously this wouldn't be such an issue in your case, and there is an argument for spending a moderate sensible sum first to make sure that you actually enjoy it before blowing silly amounts on something you intend to keep!

[Konan555]

Using the Claud Butler range as a guide, you'd probably want to be looking at Either the Chinook or Urban 200/300 for your needs. I'd stay well clear of a mountain bike if you don't intend to go mountain biking.

The Chinook, being a flat bar roadbike, would represent a good sports/speed/fitness bike so long as you don't intend to show it too much in the way of the rough stuff.

The Urbans are a softer hybrid, pretty quick on road and more than at home on light trails.

[burtie]

Well I've changed my mind and I've gone the first one i linked to but a smaller frame. There seems to be loads off roading going on around here i may as well have a go. If I'm no good then It'll do for riding about on as i don't drive. Thanks all for your advice.

[merdat]

Hi Burtie, I tore my knee ligaments about 10 years ago . Healing process was ok but never perfect and has now come back to haunt me . Walk the dog a lot exercise for both of us and love the bike as well but weather has been very poor lately-lots of rain. Managed out on bike for an hour yesterday and it was great. Had to stop and let a tractor pass so took a quick pic of the assembled audience.


[IMG][/IMG]

[burtie]

Nice, I should have some pics up of my new one next week all being well. I've been out and about on my old bike and now I'm even more keen. The weather must improve soon as I've been looking at loads of on road to off road tracks around here i can't wait to get started.