Bike Advice

[CP 0 3 BHA]

Some help with buying a new bike would be appreciated from those of you who know something of the subject.....

I'm late 40s and have spent the past 25 years or so plodding round on a heavy old Raleigh Mountain Bike. Most of my cycling is on country lanes with occasional forays onto bike paths round reservoirs and on Sustrans paths etc. I'd like something quicker and lighter to exercise on - and possibly graduate onto longer tours - but don't fancy an out and out road bike, partly as my aging back struggles with a fully horizontal riding position.

The two bike shops I've visited have recommended

1. Specialized Tri-cross
2. Whyte Kings Cross

They both look great bikes and I've no idea which to choose. To complicate matters, comment on-line also brings the Broadman CX-Team into the equation! This also looks great but is only available via Halfords (I'd prefer to support a proper bike shop) and at £899 is a bit pricier.

So, any views on these three bikes would be appreciated - and is it worth spending a bit more for the disc brakes on the Tr-cross compared to the base model?

Thanks (assuming someone answers!)

 

[Pat McCrotch]

The Spesh looks decent enough.

I'd throw a few extra quid at it and go for one of these though...

Genesis Croix De Fer - Overview - Genesis Bikes

 

[Stat Brother]

As I'd never heard of it, I had a look at a review, not great reading:-

Review: Whyte Kings Cross | road.cc | Road cycling news, Bike reviews, Commuting, Leisure riding, Sportives and more

I'm not entirely sure the geometry is so different between road & cross.

Have you thought about a hybrid?

Any bike will be 'better' than an old Rayleigh, that isn't suited for the riding you're doing.
The Boardman range is regarded as the best specced on the market but you'll be dealing with Halfords.

We are now just entering the traditional sale time, for bikes, although Le Tour & Team GB may keep prices high.
But your local bike shop will be keen to make space for the new stock that'll be arriving in the next few months.

All manufacturers have a full and high quality hybrid range.
As a rule of thumb they are cheaper than out and out roadies, which are normally a little cheaper than like for like cross bikes.

 

[GreersElbow]

I was an employee of halfords, the boardmans are hands down the best specced at the price, obviously though, you're buying from halfrauds...

 

[queens park pete]

I am with Stat brother- and I am a similar age to CP 0 3.
An aluminium hybrid will give you the best of both worlds- fast enough on road and able to hit a few bumps too.

Buy from a local indy bike shop if you have one. They will have far more chance of being run by local cyclists who know what is needed for Northants conditions! They will also be far more use afterwards than someone at Halfords whos main interest is the sound system in his Nova.

I got a excellent Ridgeback hybrid 10 years ago and never looked back- Specialised also have a good name for these types of bikes. For £500 you should be able to get something better than mine, yet not so pricey you daren't leave it outside the pub. Don't get sucked in with people trying to flog you a Rolls Royce bike unless it is going to get used everyday of the year.

If you are cycling more regularly, but not racing, consider a decent set of mudguards- not for mud, but to keep road spray off your clothes. I can never understand why people cycle round Brighton with half the gunk off the Lewes Road sprayed up their back! Disc brakes wasted unless you are going to be permanently cycling through a foot of muddy water or hitting 50 going down Ditchling Beacon. Well maintained good quality rim brakes will be fine.

Halfords- GE obviously excepted!

 

[Stat Brother]

Oh and the general rules of thumb, for bike purchasing:-

1) Try as many as you can.
As similar as they look they are all tweaked slightly differently, very important if you're mindful of your back.

2) Buy the bike you 'luuurrrvvveee'.
You'll ride it more, honest. When you've nailed down your options spend the extra cash (if you need to) for THE bike.

3) Get a decent pump, and use it.

 

[BHA Swiifty]

i'll debating whether or not get a mountain bike or a road bike, splashed out £50 on a new helmet yesterday.

 

[perseus]

I would go for a bike with 7 speed hub gears. I do the same sort of cycling and the poor quality bikes cannot take the strain. I would like a light bike to lift over stiles. I have no idea what the best bike is.

Experts out there might like to recommend a value for money front light which enables me to see where I am going on a moonless night.

My Raleigh mountain bike is a much better ride than my Claud Butler which is rigid and feels the bumps. The Raleigh is falling to bits though.

The hard wearing hybrid books look very good and a very heavy. It is important to try the lighter bikes up a steepish hill.

 

[Stat Brother]

i'll debating whether or not get a mountain bike or a road bike, splashed out £50 on a new helmet yesterday.

It's not much of a debate, will you be riding on mountains or roads.

I'd hazard a guess as you won't be riding it off road, (if you were you wouldn't be having the debate), you're in the market for a road or hybrid bike.

 

[queens park pete]

I would go for a bike with 7 speed hub gears. I do the same sort of cycling and the poor quality bikes cannot take the strain. I would like a light bike to lift over stiles. I have no idea what the best bike is.

Experts out there might like to recommend a value for money front light which enables me to see where I am going on a moonless night.

My Raleigh mountain bike is a much better ride than my Claud Butler which is rigid and feels the bumps. The Raleigh is falling to bits though.

The hard wearing hybrid books look very good and a very heavy. It is important to try the lighter bikes up a steepish hill.

If you are lifting your bike over stiles, you are on a footpath you should not be riding on!

 

[And Smith Did Score]

Just a thought here. If you are working your company can sign up to the cycle to work scheme. I "blagged" a £700 GT bike for the missus and only paid £370 for it as you are not taxed on the purchase. There are loads of excellent bikes on the scheme to suIt every need. Worth a look and just my opinion! Google "cycle to work scheme"

 

[Binney on acid]

I bought a Scott sub 35 hybrid recently. I would recommend it. Evans cycles Air street £399.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

My advice would be get one with a engine in it.

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

Just a thought here. If you are working your company can sign up to the cycle to work scheme. I "blagged" a £700 GT bike for the missus and only paid £370 for it as you are not taxed on the purchase. There are loads of excellent bikes on the scheme to suIt every need. Worth a look and just my opinion! Google "cycle to work scheme"

Interesting stuff but unfortunately I'm self employed. If I was still in corporate life I'd have leapt at this.

As I'd never heard of it, I had a look at a review, not great reading:-

Review: Whyte Kings Cross | road.cc | Road cycling news, Bike reviews, Commuting, Leisure riding, Sportives and more

I'd read that as well - amazingly it's linked from the Company's own website! To be fair I've also seen more positive comments elsewhere and I did enjoy riding it when I had a go earlier. Another plus for me is that it is an English manufacturer.

The Spesh looks decent enough.

I'd throw a few extra quid at it and go for one of these though...

Genesis Croix De Fer - Overview - Genesis Bikes

Oh God - more choices! This does look to be a great bike with an excellent pedigree. I might struggle to justify the extra money though.


Thanks for everyone's input - I think what I need to do now is go and get a proper trial of the Specialized Tri-Cross so that I can make a proper comparison before committing.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Do yourself a favour and wear something bright-too many idiot drivers out there,only beaten to the the title of Mr Idiot of the year,by cyclists that think they look an idiot wearing anything that makes them stand out-

Oh and some lights-front and back-
Better to look like a fool,than die being one.

Disclaimer-if you have any future accidents on the roads and was not appropriately dressed for the occasion,you only have yourself to blame.

 

[public school boy]

Scott, Giant, Trex, Jamis Allegro Sport 2010 at £329 from Evans or go for a Marin Kentfield. You mentioned that you have a few aches and pains but don't worry you can get extension on the handle bar stem which is what I've done on my Scott due to having arthritis in my neck.

 

[BadFish]

Oh and the general rules of thumb, for bike purchasing:-

1) Try as many as you can.
As similar as they look they are all tweaked slightly differently, very important if you're mindful of your back.

2) Buy the bike you 'luuurrrvvveee'.
You'll ride it more, honest. When you've nailed down your options spend the extra cash (if you need to) for THE bike.

3) Get a decent pump, and use it.

I was given this advice. Almost exactly. I ended up with a marin bear valley (i think). Absolutely love it. Sometimes wish i'd got a hybrid though as most of my riding is on the road!