[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Please can I have some further bike advice.

Five years ago nsc’ers recommended the Specialized Pitch hard tail MTB, duly bought from Rayment at £600, turned out to be a great buy for my son. Sadly it’s come to end of its economic life, South Coast Bikes are quoting £380 for a long list of vital repairs, not even touching the seized up front suspension.

Any ideas for a hard tail replacement please?

He cycles a lot of miles, in Brighton, on the under-cliff to Saltdean, on the Downs a little. Prone to punctures.

Nothing flash or expensive, he parks it Brighton in the open sometimes overnight , albeit with brilliant locks. Just another hard tail for a few years slog. Not a cheapo, in haste we bought a cheapo from Halfords last week, it was crap and returned the next day.

The Vitus gets consistently good reviews:
https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/the-best-mountain-bikes-under-500/

Thanks as ever.

The Marin Bobcat gets my thumbs up...iconic brand

I know I bang on about them whenever someone asks about new bikes - but it really is worth having a look at Decathlons own brand bikes. In the MTB range its the Rockrider series. Always get great reviews and dont cost the earth.

 

[Weststander]

The Marin Bobcat gets my thumbs up...iconic brand

I know I bang on about them whenever someone asks about new bikes - but it really is worth having a look at Decathlons own brand bikes. In the MTB range its the Rockrider series. Always get great reviews and dont cost the earth.

Thanks as ever.

Can I tap your knowledge on MTB bike sizing? My son hates a relatively ‘small’ bike. With MTB riding he doesn’t use it for trails, mud, steep ascents and descents of scarp slopes. It’s more a town bike.

On paper his height/inside leg metrics are just below the minimum for the L size of a particular MTB we like online.

In your experience, is the L still a feasible choice.

[I was on the cusp of L and XL Trek hybrid, when buying online, I went for the XL and it’s perfect].

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Thanks as ever.

Can I tap your knowledge on MTB bike sizing? My son hates a relatively ‘small’ bike. With MTB riding he doesn’t use it for trails, mud, steep ascents and descents of scarp slopes. It’s more a town bike.

On paper his height/inside leg metrics are just below the minimum for the L size of a particular MTB we like online.

In your experience, is the L still a feasible choice.

[I was on the cusp of L and XL Trek hybrid, when buying online, I went for the XL and it’s perfect].

Very much a personal thing tbh - but if hes on the cusp of a L then it should be fine I would've thought...especially if he doesn't like a smaller frame & will only be using it around town (get him out on the trails though!!!)

Here is some of the Decathlon range....You could always pop in somewhere like this to get him measured up, and try a couple of sizes to get a feel for whats best?

The 29" Explore series looks a fantastic deal for around 500/600 quid. They have a big sale on right now as well by the looks of it.

Mountain Bikes | Adult & Kids MTB's | Decathlon UK

Unleash your inner adventurer & conquer rugged terrains with our exceptional selection of mountain bikes. Explore our wide range of high-performance…

www.decathlon.co.uk

This one even comes in Albion colours...perfect!

29" Touring Mountain Bike Expl 520 - Blue/Orange ROCKRIDER | Decathlon

The fork, equipped with a hydraulic cartridge, improves sensitivity to small impacts when mountain biking

www.decathlon.co.uk

 

[Weststander]

Very much a personal thing tbh - but if hes on the cusp of a L then it should be fine I would've thought...especially if he doesn't like a smaller frame & will only be using it around town (get him out on the trails though!!!)

Here is some of the Decathlon range....You could always pop in somewhere like this to get him measured up, and try a couple of sizes to get a feel for whats best?

The 29" Explore series looks a fantastic deal for around 500/600 quid. They have a big sale on right now as well by the looks of it.

Mountain Bikes | Adult & Kids MTB's | Decathlon UK

Unleash your inner adventurer & conquer rugged terrains with our exceptional selection of mountain bikes. Explore our wide range of high-performance…

www.decathlon.co.uk

This one even comes in Albion colours...perfect!

29" Touring Mountain Bike Expl 520 - Blue/Orange ROCKRIDER | Decathlon

The fork, equipped with a hydraulic cartridge, improves sensitivity to small impacts when mountain biking

www.decathlon.co.uk

Cheers, we’ll do that. It wasn’t bike snobbery on our part against Decathlon , I forgot that they sell bikes.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Cheers, we’ll do that. It wasn’t bike snobbery on our part against Decathlon , I forgot that they sell bikes.

No worries at all.

Just a thought, and Im jumping on something Stat would probably say here - but if most of the riding is around town, would a hybrid / Gravel bike be better? I know MTBs are cool for the kids - but get some slimmer tyres on there and no suspension, & he will be much more efficient around town.

This from Marin would ideal as a town bike. MTB based geometry / frame, with flat bars and nice rolling tyres. Much the same as my proper Marin Gravel drop bar bike, which is great. you could probably get some good deals on the 22/23 models as the 24 is out now

Buy the new Marin DSX 2025 Gravel Bike with free delivery - Freeborn Bikes

Buy the new Marin DSX 2025 Gravel Bike with free delivery

www.freeborn.co.uk

 

[Weststander]

No worries at all.

Just a thought, and Im jumping on something Stat would probably say here - but if most of the riding is around town, would a hybrid / Gravel bike be better? I know MTBs are cool for the kids - but get some slimmer tyres on there and no suspension, & he will be much more efficient around town.

This from Marin would ideal as a town bike. MTB based geometry / frame, with flat bars and nice rolling tyres. Much the same as my proper Marin Gravel drop bar bike, which is great. you could probably get some good deals on the 22/23 models as the 24 is out now

Buy the new Marin DSX 2025 Gravel Bike with free delivery - Freeborn Bikes

Buy the new Marin DSX 2025 Gravel Bike with free delivery

www.freeborn.co.uk

His tyres can be a magnet for punctures . Mainly I think from tiny flints on the under-cliff walk. Bearing in mind also (I'm guessing) hopping on-off kerbs ... would the gravel bike give equal protection to punctures and vigorous riding?

 

[1066familyman]

Sorry Stat. Needs must and all that, sadly. I have to confess though that I'm really enjoying the experience.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

His tyres can be a magnet for punctures . Mainly I think from tiny flints on the under-cliff walk. Bearing in mind also (I'm guessing) hopping on-off kerbs ... would the gravel bike give equal protection to punctures and vigorous riding?

With the standard of bikes these days, I honestly dont see it being a problem. I've ridden some pretty gnarly terrain on my gravel bike, and have had one puncture in 8 months. You can get tyres these days with extra protection built in, which are basically bomb proof too

 

[Blue&WhiteSea]

Looking at getting a halfway decent MTB for some off-road riding.

Will be mainly local bridleways and gravel tracks but if possible I do enjoy a bit of single-track and the occasional (probably couple of times a year) trip to trails like those at Swinley forest. There's also the possibility of the odd bike packing trip in future.

Budget around £1k, was originally looking at a Trek Roscoe as I've rented one at a trail centre previously and liked it but then while doing a bit of research realised that the Marlin 8 might be a bit more versatile due to rack mounting points.

Any tips?

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Looking at getting a halfway decent MTB for some off-road riding.

Will be mainly local bridleways and gravel tracks but if possible I do enjoy a bit of single-track and the occasional (probably couple of times a year) trip to trails like those at Swinley forest. There's also the possibility of the odd bike packing trip in future.

Budget around £1k, was originally looking at a Trek Roscoe as I've rented one at a trail centre previously and liked it but then while doing a bit of research realised that the Marlin 8 might be a bit more versatile due to rack mounting points.

Any tips?

The Marlins are a great bike - my son had one, and only sold it because he outgrew it. If you're looking at a bike packing trip at some point, the more mounts you have the better imo!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

This article is a good read for anyone interested:

What is the spirit of gravel biking?

There’s a great dichotomy in cycling. It’s part active transport, fundamental to achieving the common good of stalling the climate crisis, but it’s also a rare and valuable blend of mindfulness and outdoor activity. Are gravel bikes old-school mountain bikes? Gravel bike racing – everything you...

off.road.cc

"There are sound reasons why a broad spectrum of riders are gravel biking. Roads are dangerous. Gravel bikes are perhaps the purest reaction to a world with too much vehicular traffic."

Two weeks ago I pretty much had a full on panic attack while out on the Cinelli, purely because of the amount of close passes and utterly shambolic driving I witnessed. At one point I almost laid the bike down on the verge and considered calling my wife to come and collect me. I got home, packed away the road bike in the shed, and wont be returning to it any time soon while some of the British public are such horrendous drivers, with no consideration for bike users.

Loving life on the gravel bike though (even though there always seems to be a few short stretches of road to navigate between trails) and I cant see myself riding anything else for the foreseeable tbh...

 

[Blue&WhiteSea]

The Marlins are a great bike - my son had one, and only sold it because he outgrew it. If you're looking at a bike packing trip at some point, the more mounts you have the better imo!

Actually went for a 2022 X-Caliber 9 in the end as it was a bit lighter and had higher spec components. Really enjoyed my first outing at the weekend and just about to head out for the second ride.

 

[Motogull]

Right ho fellas. Bit of an update.

I wanted to do longer rolls than 15 minutes (restricted to save tyre malformation). I ruled out getting spare wheels etc and decided to go second hand, Halfords do 'used' but not in high volume or location. I saw a 2010? era Spesh Allez for £220 but the seller didn't reply. I then saw a Triban 210 SE for £160. It was well more used than advertised but that did not matter. New pedals and trainer tyres and I'm good to go. This winter should see me get much fitter.

 

[Motogull]

Arseholes.

Trainer tyres are fukken hard to get on.
The Triban had a fukken snug mudguard on, which combined with a snug fitting, made wheel removal almost impossible without pulling the skewer out.

I had planned to remove the guard anyway.

Today the tyre came off from the opposite side of the previous problem.

Fukken ages later with a guard free bike etc, no better - tyre keeps coming off. Maybe it is a 28 tube in the 23 tyre? I can't see a flimsy tube forcing a hard tyre off though.

Last roll of the dice: gonna fit 23 tubes to both and swap the trainer tyres over. My fingers are gonna hate me.

Again. Arseholes.

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Got back from 5 day cycling tour in Tuscany. It was described as moderate to challenging and I probably should have gone for something a bit easier and done more training before I went. We covered about 320 km in the 5 days and there were 3 road bikes (including me) and 5 ebikes. I alternated between last position and second and third from last and had to get off and walk up parts of the really steep hills a few times and did use the back up van for the final few kilometres on the day we covered 75 km. At the end there was a sense of achievement and it was a good group who were happy to wait for the 3 of us on road bikes bringing up the rear. Would I do it again - definitely, but with a bit more prep and physical conditioning before I went.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Got back from 5 day cycling tour in Tuscany. It was described as moderate to challenging and I probably should have gone for something a bit easier and done more training before I went. We covered about 320 km in the 5 days and there were 3 road bikes (including me) and 5 ebikes. I alternated between last position and second and third from last and had to get off and walk up parts of the really steep hills a few times and did use the back up van for the final few kilometres on the day we covered 75 km. At the end there was a sense of achievement and it was a good group who were happy to wait for the 3 of us on road bikes bringing up the rear. Would I do it again - definitely, but with a bit more prep and physical conditioning before I went.

Sounds great. No shame in being at the back - it’s all about getting there. Got any pics?

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

Sounds great. No shame in being at the back - it’s all about getting there. Got any pics?

Yeah a few, the uphill ride was worth the view !

 

[nickbrighton]

Today I have had to make the (for me) very hard decision to stop riding. Cycling has been a major part of my life for the past 15 years, and after 58 000 miles, has become part of who I am. Its my exercise, my thinking time, my "me" time. Its my social life in part, and it has kept me sane in some very hard times

Following a couple of years where I have been involved in two car accidents due entirley due to bad driving, and a crash two weeks ago that left me with a shattered femur, a week in hospital, and a right upper leg that is literally more metal and screws than bone, and will take up to 9 months to recover from, I have decided even if I am physically able to (likley but not 100% sure thing)enough is enough. I have used up my cats nine lives.

I have no idea what to do to fill the void that this will leave in my life.

To some it seems a no brainer, my physical health and well being have to take priority over a stupid bike ride, but for me its not that easy. I am getting emotional just writting this, but I need somehow to get it down, not for sympathy or likes, but somehow to see it written makes it feel more real.

So forgive me my indulgent post. Its part of me saying goodbye to something that helps define me. For those of you that I have ridden with occasionally, thank you for your company.

The cycling community in all its guises is fantastic, I will miss it all so very much

 

[1066familyman]

Today I have had to make the (for me) very hard decision to stop riding. Cycling has been a major part of my life for the past 15 years, and after 58 000 miles, has become part of who I am. Its my exercise, my thinking time, my "me" time. Its my social life in part, and it has kept me sane in some very hard times

Following a couple of years where I have been involved in two car accidents due entirley due to bad driving, and a crash two weeks ago that left me with a shattered femur, a week in hospital, and a right upper leg that is literally more metal and screws than bone, and will take up to 9 months to recover from, I have decided even if I am physically able to (likley but not 100% sure thing)enough is enough. I have used up my cats nine lives.

I have no idea what to do to fill the void that this will leave in my life.

To some it seems a no brainer, my physical health and well being have to take priority over a stupid bike ride, but for me its not that easy. I am getting emotional just writting this, but I need somehow to get it down, not for sympathy or likes, but somehow to see it written makes it feel more real.

So forgive me my indulgent post. Its part of me saying goodbye to something that helps define me. For those of you that I have ridden with occasionally, thank you for your company.

The cycling community in all its guises is fantastic, I will miss it all so very much

I'm really sorry to hear that. I really hope you can make a full recovery and, maybe even eventually get back on the bike. Good for you posting about it too. This place can be incredibly supportive and so posting here is a positive first step.

I won't go into detail about my nearly 3 years off the bike and the affect it had on my mental health, but what I will share is a few things that helped me through it. I was lucky enough to still be able to go walking, relatively symptom free, so I got seriously into that, coupled with wildlife photography and birdwatching. As I knew it would in my case, the beauty of nature and being outdoors kept me sane, and more importantly, stopped me sinking into depression. Been there, done that, got the T shirt when it comes to depression, and it ain't pretty.

Thankfully, I'm now back on the bike, pretty much symptom free, albeit not on the bike of my choice. I've had to go for a much more upright position and more leisurely riding. Like you, I described myself as a cyclist, rather than someone who cycled. I was a regular club cyclist that cycled more miles than I drove in my car. Having that taken away was really tough, so I can sympathise with how you're feeling right now.

Hang in there. Find something to keep you occupied and happy while you're off the bike, and remember none of us knows what the future holds. I really hope in your case, just like mine, you can get back on that bike again and back to what you love doing most. Or, alternatively, that you can find something that makes you as happy as cycling clearly has over the past 15 years.
Take care, and feel free to PM me or post your feelings here if you have bad days during your recovery.

 

[nickbrighton]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I really hope you can make a full recovery and, maybe even eventually get back on the bike. Good for you posting about it too. This place can be incredibly supportive and so posting here is a positive first step.

I won't go into detail about my nearly 3 years off the bike and the affect it had on my mental health, but what I will share is a few things that helped me through it. I was lucky enough to still be able to go walking, relatively symptom free, so I got seriously into that, coupled with wildlife photography and birdwatching. As I knew it would in my case, the beauty of nature and being outdoors kept me sane, and more importantly, stopped me sinking into depression. Been there, done that, got the T shirt when it comes to depression, and it ain't pretty.

Thankfully, I'm now back on the bike, pretty much symptom free, albeit not on the bike of my choice. I've had to go for a much more upright position and more leisurely riding. Like you, I described myself as a cyclist, rather than someone who cycled. I was a regular club cyclist that cycled more miles than I drove in my car. Having that taken away was really tough, so I can sympathise with how you're feeling right now.

Hang in there. Find something to keep you occupied and happy while you're off the bike, and remember none of us knows what the future holds. I really hope in your case, just like mine, you can get back on that bike again and back to what you love doing most. Or, alternatively, that you can find something that makes you as happy as cycling clearly has over the past 15 years.
Take care, and feel free to PM me or post your feelings here if you have bad days during your recovery.

Thank you. I know the next couple weeks and month are going to be tough, so far I have been mostly positive with only a couple of days where its got to me. I have a great supportive husband and extended family and friends. I also have to think of them, Mr Nickbrighton in particular

I hope at some point to be able to ride with him up to the amex to see our beloved team, and the occasional leisure ride round stanmer park etc . But my days of solo, or distance riding, club rides are gone.