Looking at buying a new bike to help with the exercise/weight loss. So far only looked in Half**ds, either cheap crap or specialist big money, no middle ground.
   Why does what is in essence a push bike need so many gears? I drive an artic that has less & they NEVER ALL work properly, you end up using 3 or 4 which is all you need for pottering about. Prices range from £70 to thousands.
    To sum up i'm after a large frame bike, front suspension only, no twist grip gearchange (pants) must be proper levers, not bothered about disc brakes or loads of gears.

    Any ideas?

:P Only one thing wrong with the concept; where`s the engine? ::)

Amigo MX5 wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:12:

Looking at buying a new bike to help with the exercise/weight loss. So far only looked in Half**ds, either cheap crap or specialist big money, no middle ground.    Why does what is in essence a push bike need so many gears? I drive an artic that has less & they NEVER ALL work properly, you end up using 3 or 4 which is all you need for pottering about. Prices range from £70 to thousands.     To sum up i'm after a large frame bike, front suspension only, no twist grip gearchange (pants) must be proper levers, not bothered about disc brakes or loads of gears.     Any ideas?

And your budget?

To be honest, if you want it to last, and be of any use at all, the Halfords own Carrera range is a base level for a reasonable spec, imho. Check the spec of those then you can go buy better at local bike shops depending on taste.

If you go off road you will need more gears the more off road you go. Mountain bike means exactly that. Sounds like you need a road bike or hybrid to me?

Also an honest self assessment of use level will help. No point spending if it stays in the shed after a week. Esp. with the weather at the moment.

If your road only, road bike or hybrid.
If your road and a little off road, hard tail Mb.
Mostly off road soft tail with lockable suspension or it will sap your strength when on road.
Personally i dont see the point of a hard tail, but each to their own.

Amigo MX5 wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:12:

Looking at buying a new bike to help with the exercise/weight loss. So far only looked in Half**ds, either cheap crap or specialist big money, no middle ground....

Tried that.. Didn't work. :( Then again, I think I've only ridden it 3 times in twice as many years..  :-[

Kevin

Debs. wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:15:

:P Only one thing wrong with the concept; where`s the engine? ::)

Having been to a few meets now, its fairly clear, we have an above average love of food and our cars, as a rule. :-(

Will try and get out on mine this weekend. Which means at will rain all weekend now i've said that......

Debs. wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:15:

:P Only one thing wrong with the concept; where`s the engine? ::)

Hear Hear Debs :D :D :D :D

im sure you would look good on a penny Flatulencehing :D ;D
eerm, word filter doind overtime again i think.
far th ing ;)

The Red Baron wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:06:

im sure you would look good on a penny Flatulencehing :D ;D

PMSL. Is that a bike with some sort of jet propulsion system?  :D

Kevin

Kevin Wood wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:07:

The Red Baron wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:06: im sure you would look good on a penny Flatulencehing :D ;D PMSL. Is that a bike with some sort of jet propulsion system?  :D Kevin

me too. summat gone amiss there i think. :o

Debs. wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:15:

:P Only one thing wrong with the concept; where`s the engine? ::)

I seem to remember someone made an electric motor hub that gave you an electric motor in a wheel for adding power to a push bike. Why don't you strap an old lawnmower engine onto the carrier and couple up to the rear wheel. 50CC drive on a push bike should be interesting  ;D ;D ;D

Ken

Ken T wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:14:

Debs. wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:15: :P Only one thing wrong with the concept; where`s the engine? ::) I seem to remember someone made an electric motor hub that gave you an electric motor in a wheel for adding power to a push bike. Why don't you strap an old lawnmower engine onto the carrier and couple up to the rear wheel. 50CC drive on a push bike should be interesting  ;D ;D ;D Ken

this may defeat the idea of getting fit dont you think. ::)

If only i could sell ya the bike we had bought us for work...Its sat ere in the office cause nobody will get the puncture fixed or use it....Too bloody cold for night shifts use....I`d rather walk the patrols now unless its raining then its use the car ::) ;D ;D

Amigo MX5 wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:12:

Looking at buying a new bike to help with the exercise/weight loss. So far only looked in Half**ds, either cheap crap or specialist big money, no middle ground.    Why does what is in essence a push bike need so many gears? I drive an artic that has less & they NEVER ALL work properly, you end up using 3 or 4 which is all you need for pottering about. Prices range from £70 to thousands.     To sum up i'm after a large frame bike, front suspension only, no twist grip gearchange (pants) must be proper levers, not bothered about disc brakes or loads of gears.     Any ideas?

If you are buying a treader because you've decided it's time to firm up, trim up, lose weight, whatever....then does it really matter whether you buy cheap crap with a million gears (of which half won't work)...or if you buy cheap crap with 5 gears (of which half won't work).

It's odds on you'll get bored within 3 months, so go for the cheap crap and you won't lose so much (money that is) once it's been sat in the garage for 2 years.

wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:44:

Amigo MX5 wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:12: Looking at buying a new bike to help with the exercise/weight loss. So far only looked in Half**ds, either cheap crap or specialist big money, no middle ground.    Why does what is in essence a push bike need so many gears? I drive an artic that has less & they NEVER ALL work properly, you end up using 3 or 4 which is all you need for pottering about. Prices range from £70 to thousands.     To sum up i'm after a large frame bike, front suspension only, no twist grip gearchange (pants) must be proper levers, not bothered about disc brakes or loads of gears.     Any ideas? If you are buying a treader because you've decided it's time to firm up, trim up, lose weight, whatever....then does it really matter whether you buy cheap crap with a million gears (of which half won't work)...or if you buy cheap crap with 5 gears (of which half won't work). It's odds on you'll get bored within 3 months, so go for the cheap crap and you won't lose so much (money that is) once it's been sat in the garage for 2 years.

Oh how the truth hurts........ :-[ :-[
Got one in the summer for exercise, it would be fair to say that it has not had the use it was intended to do ::) So pleased that Miss Vamp and swmbo do not read this site... :-X

Vamps wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:50:

wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 23:44: Amigo MX5 wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:12: Looking at buying a new bike to help with the exercise/weight loss. So far only looked in Half**ds, either cheap crap or specialist big money, no middle ground.    Why does what is in essence a push bike need so many gears? I drive an artic that has less & they NEVER ALL work properly, you end up using 3 or 4 which is all you need for pottering about. Prices range from £70 to thousands.     To sum up i'm after a large frame bike, front suspension only, no twist grip gearchange (pants) must be proper levers, not bothered about disc brakes or loads of gears.     Any ideas? If you are buying a treader because you've decided it's time to firm up, trim up, lose weight, whatever....then does it really matter whether you buy cheap crap with a million gears (of which half won't work)...or if you buy cheap crap with 5 gears (of which half won't work). It's odds on you'll get bored within 3 months, so go for the cheap crap and you won't lose so much (money that is) once it's been sat in the garage for 2 years. Oh how the truth hurts........ :-[ :-[ Got one in the summer for exercise, it would be fair to say that it has not had the use it was intended to do ::) So pleased that Miss Vamp and swmbo do not read this site... :-X

Get an exercise bike. 

Pros:

• stay warm
  
• watch TV or read an improving book at same time
  
• unlikely to fall off
  
• cheaper
  
• no danger from traffic
  
• no exhaust fumes
  

Cons:

• none
  
  

Debs. wrote on 03. Dec 2009 at 22:15:

:P Only one thing wrong with the concept; where`s the engine? ::)

At least its rwd ::) :D

A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money!
If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y

Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 14:45:

A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money! If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y

Specialised xc pro. Not cheap, but faultless.
Not too quick steering either. Some are far too wobbly :-)

I used the term "mountain bike" loosely as i won't be going up or down any! Just after a solid large frame front susp only bike & NO twist gears.

A tip, get a big soft saddle fitted in place of the original.... :D :D :y

chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 19:02:

Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 14:45: A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money! If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y Specialised xc pro. Not cheap, but faultless. Not too quick steering either. Some are far too wobbly :-)

Nice bike! Not ridden one since the days of the FSR pro though! Suspension was just taking off and was a tad wobbly!
Used to do warranty in a bike shop and Specialized stuff was great!

Quote:

I used the term "mountain bike" loosely as i won't be going up or down any! Just after a solid large frame front susp only bike & NO twist gears.

I would say if you're mostly going to be riding on the road a mountain bike will be more tiring to ride, probably a little low geared and less stable than a more road - orientated bike.

Then again, if you're riding for fun you'd be better off finding off-road routes to play because the roads are anything but fun to ride on these days, IMHO. Too many drivers who couldn't give a toss.

Kevin

Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:01:

chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 19:02: Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 14:45: A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money! If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y Specialised xc pro. Not cheap, but faultless. Not too quick steering either. Some are far too wobbly :-) Nice bike! Not ridden one since the days of the FSR pro though! Suspension was just taking off and was a tad wobbly! Used to do warranty in a bike shop and Specialized stuff was great!

base model? add 50 odd sobs for discs on the next model up
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-2010-mountain-bike-ec019401

also note, scroats love to nic em....... >:(

chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:28:

Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:01: chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 19:02: Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 14:45: A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money! If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y Specialised xc pro. Not cheap, but faultless. Not too quick steering either. Some are far too wobbly :-) Nice bike! Not ridden one since the days of the FSR pro though! Suspension was just taking off and was a tad wobbly! Used to do warranty in a bike shop and Specialized stuff was great! base model? add 50 odd sobs for discs on the next model up http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-2010-mountain-bike-ec019401 also note, scroats love to nic em....... >:(

Dunno if things have improved but v-brakes were a lot more reliable than discs, which were fab when they worked. They were a sod to set up and keep right though!

Suspect Guy would be better with a Hybrid to be honest, ride position can be a sod on a mountain bike if you aren't used to it!

Ljay wrote on 05. Dec 2009 at 10:49:

chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:28: Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:01: chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 19:02: Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 14:45: A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money! If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y Specialised xc pro. Not cheap, but faultless. Not too quick steering either. Some are far too wobbly :-) Nice bike! Not ridden one since the days of the FSR pro though! Suspension was just taking off and was a tad wobbly! Used to do warranty in a bike shop and Specialized stuff was great! base model? add 50 odd sobs for discs on the next model up http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-2010-mountain-bike-ec019401 also note, scroats love to nic em....... >:( Dunno if things have improved but v-brakes were a lot more reliable than discs, which were fab when they worked. They were a sod to set up and keep right though! Suspect Guy would be better with a Hybrid to be honest, ride position can be a sod on a mountain bike if you aren't used to it!

I agree re hybrid, but have mentioned it earlier in the thread and he's still saying Mb hard tail. No mention of budget either  :-/

chrisgixer wrote on 05. Dec 2009 at 11:40:

Ljay wrote on 05. Dec 2009 at 10:49: chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:28: Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 23:01: chrisgixer wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 19:02: Ljay wrote on 04. Dec 2009 at 14:45: A brand that I would recommend is 'Specialized' They are a good bit of kit for the money! If you're up this way on your travels I can recommend a shop! :y Specialised xc pro. Not cheap, but faultless. Not too quick steering either. Some are far too wobbly :-) Nice bike! Not ridden one since the days of the FSR pro though! Suspension was just taking off and was a tad wobbly! Used to do warranty in a bike shop and Specialized stuff was great! base model? add 50 odd sobs for discs on the next model up http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-2010-mountain-bike-ec019401 also note, scroats love to nic em....... >:( Dunno if things have improved but v-brakes were a lot more reliable than discs, which were fab when they worked. They were a sod to set up and keep right though! Suspect Guy would be better with a Hybrid to be honest, ride position can be a sod on a mountain bike if you aren't used to it! I agree re hybrid, but have mentioned it earlier in the thread and he's still saying Mb hard tail. No mention of budget either  :-/

I'd still go with Specialized though he may need a bigger budget! :y