General Cycling Discussion - Choosing a bike

Hi,

I have only recently gotten into cycling since injuring my shoulder and was looking to buy a bike which was suitable for both road and trail use (probably edging more towards road use), and was looking to see if anyone had any suggestions as to good manufacturers, models etc.

I apologise how vague the question is but i must admit i'm a bit confused by the sheer number or options there are on the market. I don't really want to spend much over £1000 ($1600-$1700), so that will hopfully narrow my options somewhat.

Thanks in advance for any replies and sorry if you get asked this sort of question all the time.

Does anyone have an opintion on Trek bikes? More speciafically Trek 7700FX and if it would be suitable for road and trail use? Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated.

Does anyone have an opintion on Trek bikes? More speciafically Trek 7700FX and if it would be suitable for road and trail use? Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated.
Hybrids are ok for very light trail use.

Hi,
you might look into touring and Audax bikes. The big tires can handle dirt fine if you keep the speed down. These sorts of bikes are actually more common over there than they are in the States. You have a number of brands to consider besides the megacorporations. Thorn, Dawes, come to mind. Take your time, test ride a lot of bikes, ask a lot of questions. Oh, and welcome.

You might just get a cheap mtb and a better road bike.

You could consider a cyclocross bike.

Bianchi, Trek, Surly and Fuji are good starting points here. A cyclocross bike looks a lot like a roadbike, but is able to use wider knobbed tires and handle some rougher terrain. By fitting a set of 700x23 road tires, you'd still have an awesome road bike too.

Fuji Cross (http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.asp?category_short_name=road&myArray=87,88,89,90,91,92,93,102,94,95,96,103,97,104,106,99,98,100,105,101,107,108,109,112,110,111,1 13,114&myArrayID=16&yr=2004)
Bianchi Axis (http://www.bianchiusa.com/axis.html)
Trek XO1 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/road/xo1.jsp)

Or you could get, as shokhead suggested, a decent road bike and an entry level mountain bike.

A cyclo-cross bike, or a tourer will do the job.
Light touring/Audax models are too lightweight (really too tight clearance) for off-road, but a std or expedition tourers can handle anything.

Thanks alot for all the replies, really appreciate it. It think i'm going to have a ride at the weekend on a couple of road bikes and a couple of cyclocross bikes and that will hopefully help me decide which would be more suited to my needs. I must admit that buying two bikes never even occured to me, but having two new toys instead of one is appealing! (though the better half might not think so :rolleyes: ).

Thanks again.

True that!


(though the better half might not think so :rolleyes: ).

I think i've got my mind set on buying a Trek XO 1 and using as a road bike due to the simple fact that the roads around where i live (and anywhere in Scotland for that matter), are pretty cr*p and i think a straight road bike would struggle a bit.

In addition to this i was looking to buy an entry level mountain bike as some of you suggested but again i am unsure where to start. My budget will likely be the determining factor in this case as i only really want to spend £1000 ($1700), in total on the two bikes and the Trek XO 1 will set me back around £750 ($1275) which would leave only about £250 ($450ish).

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what models or makes would be reasonable for that kind of money?

Also if anyone has any other suggestions i'd be more than happy to listen!

Thanks alot.

i had a mtb that i use to ride but i wanted something a little more road capable but something i could take on gravel/a little dirt. i just got a trek xo 1 and i love it. from what you have described, you won't be sorry if you get the trek cyclo. it's an incredible bike.