Newbie - help!
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Newbie - help!
Hi guys
I've recently starting riding. I've been borrowing my brother in law's mountain bike and have really enjoyed my experiences so I now wish to purchase my first bike in years. The main problem I'm encountering is the vast amount of options out there! I've tried researching and reading threads but after 3 days my head is hurting so thought I'd get some advice. The following variables are to be considered..
1. Road and off road - lots of cycle paths but also lots of forest areas where I live which I would really enjoy riding through. One of my main drivers is to get my fitness back up since recently giving up squash.
2. Will not be commuting as I work from a home office so strictly leisure.
3. Max budget of $1200 (Circa £800)
4. I'm 5ft 8 and 71 kilos (156 lbs)
5. I have limited technical ability and patience so low maintenance would help. No tyre changing etc preferred but not discounted if it not too hard a process for me to do.
Any help would be much appreciated. Most of the big brands are sold here so there is plenty of choice.
Many thanks
Costa
I've recently starting riding. I've been borrowing my brother in law's mountain bike and have really enjoyed my experiences so I now wish to purchase my first bike in years. The main problem I'm encountering is the vast amount of options out there! I've tried researching and reading threads but after 3 days my head is hurting so thought I'd get some advice. The following variables are to be considered..
1. Road and off road - lots of cycle paths but also lots of forest areas where I live which I would really enjoy riding through. One of my main drivers is to get my fitness back up since recently giving up squash.
2. Will not be commuting as I work from a home office so strictly leisure.
3. Max budget of $1200 (Circa £800)
4. I'm 5ft 8 and 71 kilos (156 lbs)
5. I have limited technical ability and patience so low maintenance would help. No tyre changing etc preferred but not discounted if it not too hard a process for me to do.
Any help would be much appreciated. Most of the big brands are sold here so there is plenty of choice.
Many thanks
Costa
#2
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Welcome. I'm not an off road guy so can't help but maybe something like a Trek dual sport, like the DS4. Since you're in the UK (I guess, currency symbol) you can also ask the folks that live across the pond. Here's the UK subforum. Good luck.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
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Not that I am much more advanced than a newbie, but I was in your exact shoes at one point. Just go to a few of the shops in your area and figure out which one seems like the best, and tell them what you are looking for. All of the big brands will have models that fit your needs in your price range, and they will all pretty much be the same quality. If you aren't tool proficient you are going to want to buy from a bike shop, not only for them putting your bike together for you, but also free tune ups that usually come with a new bike. You are going to want to know how to change a tire though.
I would think about the off road v. road though. I thought I would do both but don't really do any off roading, just the idea sounded cool. A lot of road bike offerings take wider tires now, depending on the trails you are talking about that may be all that's needed vs. paying for something like a cyclocross bike.
I would think about the off road v. road though. I thought I would do both but don't really do any off roading, just the idea sounded cool. A lot of road bike offerings take wider tires now, depending on the trails you are talking about that may be all that's needed vs. paying for something like a cyclocross bike.
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Thanks guys.
I think I'm veering towards a mountain bike and a set of spare intermediate tyres maybe. I've recently moved to Poland from the UK and there are a lot more rural areas here so I do want the option.
Now to decide on the model, fun and games...
Thanks again
I think I'm veering towards a mountain bike and a set of spare intermediate tyres maybe. I've recently moved to Poland from the UK and there are a lot more rural areas here so I do want the option.
Now to decide on the model, fun and games...
Thanks again
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I second northtexasbiker-----ride some bikes at local shops. You be counting on those shops if you don't like maintenance, so you need to know which ones have the right people.
You can laways sell the bike and by another in a season or two if it doesn't work out---you might love what you bought and keep it for three decades, may decide to go further in that direction, might decide to try a different direction. Whatever, you first year of riding, learning the new bike, the local trails, and how to make you and the bike and the trails all play nicely together ... will be so much fun you won't think much about this who process once it is over.
You can laways sell the bike and by another in a season or two if it doesn't work out---you might love what you bought and keep it for three decades, may decide to go further in that direction, might decide to try a different direction. Whatever, you first year of riding, learning the new bike, the local trails, and how to make you and the bike and the trails all play nicely together ... will be so much fun you won't think much about this who process once it is over.
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Be very careful with that advice above. Bike shops aren't in it for the love of bikes - they're in it for money. The vast majority of bike shops have a sales quota to meet with every brand they sell. And they won't stop short of selling you something which is overkill or you don't need. Depend on yourself and knowledgeable friends only. Talk to the bike shops, but you determine what you should believe and what not to! Otherwise, you will get screwed.
And a bike owner who who shys away from changing a tire isn't a cyclist.
And a bike owner who who shys away from changing a tire isn't a cyclist.

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Used
Used cx bike under 500$wheels under 400 that can do tubless tires . or learn how to change tubes . tires like gator skins or cyclocross tires . cx means cyclocross. Its a type of bike that can basically go anywhere and do anything . maybe a 48 to 54 cm frame . you shoyld be good to go ..
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Hi guys
I've recently starting riding. I've been borrowing my brother in law's mountain bike and have really enjoyed my experiences so I now wish to purchase my first bike in years. The main problem I'm encountering is the vast amount of options out there! I've tried researching and reading threads but after 3 days my head is hurting so thought I'd get some advice. The following variables are to be considered..
1. Road and off road - lots of cycle paths but also lots of forest areas where I live which I would really enjoy riding through. One of my main drivers is to get my fitness back up since recently giving up squash.
2. Will not be commuting as I work from a home office so strictly leisure.
3. Max budget of $1200 (Circa £800)
4. I'm 5ft 8 and 71 kilos (156 lbs)
5. I have limited technical ability and patience so low maintenance would help. No tyre changing etc preferred but not discounted if it not too hard a process for me to do.
Any help would be much appreciated. Most of the big brands are sold here so there is plenty of choice.
Many thanks
Costa
I've recently starting riding. I've been borrowing my brother in law's mountain bike and have really enjoyed my experiences so I now wish to purchase my first bike in years. The main problem I'm encountering is the vast amount of options out there! I've tried researching and reading threads but after 3 days my head is hurting so thought I'd get some advice. The following variables are to be considered..
1. Road and off road - lots of cycle paths but also lots of forest areas where I live which I would really enjoy riding through. One of my main drivers is to get my fitness back up since recently giving up squash.
2. Will not be commuting as I work from a home office so strictly leisure.
3. Max budget of $1200 (Circa £800)
4. I'm 5ft 8 and 71 kilos (156 lbs)
5. I have limited technical ability and patience so low maintenance would help. No tyre changing etc preferred but not discounted if it not too hard a process for me to do.
Any help would be much appreciated. Most of the big brands are sold here so there is plenty of choice.
Many thanks
Costa
If the forest trails aren't too rough single track, I would suggest that a hardtail bike would be the better option for 2 reasons - 1) mechanically more simple so less maintenance and 2) a more capable all around bike for better roads.
Of course, if you aren't planning to ride any real single track then an "all surface"/gravel bike with no suspension could be even better. Better all rounder.
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Thanks for all the input!
Islandtime I agree with your advice. I've changed my mind on the mountain bike as the trails around here are not so arduous and my wife who is a keen cyclist is bending my arm a little. I'm looking at the following hybrid style bikes below. I anyone has any experiences with them please feedback. Yes I will learn how to change a tyre too!
I've been doing a little research and I think I'm keen on a bike with no front suspension.
1. Giant Revolt - current favourite.
2. Giant Escape
3. Specialized crosstrail
4. Trek DS3
Many thanks
Costa
Islandtime I agree with your advice. I've changed my mind on the mountain bike as the trails around here are not so arduous and my wife who is a keen cyclist is bending my arm a little. I'm looking at the following hybrid style bikes below. I anyone has any experiences with them please feedback. Yes I will learn how to change a tyre too!

I've been doing a little research and I think I'm keen on a bike with no front suspension.
1. Giant Revolt - current favourite.
2. Giant Escape
3. Specialized crosstrail
4. Trek DS3
Many thanks
Costa
#10
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I think I'm keen on a bike with no front suspension.
The others are not carried locally to me to know, but I expect similar from other brands,,
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Thanks for all the input!
Islandtime I agree with your advice. I've changed my mind on the mountain bike as the trails around here are not so arduous and my wife who is a keen cyclist is bending my arm a little. I'm looking at the following hybrid style bikes below. I anyone has any experiences with them please feedback. Yes I will learn how to change a tyre too!
I've been doing a little research and I think I'm keen on a bike with no front suspension.
1. Giant Revolt - current favourite.
2. Giant Escape
3. Specialized crosstrail
4. Trek DS3
Many thanks
Costa
Islandtime I agree with your advice. I've changed my mind on the mountain bike as the trails around here are not so arduous and my wife who is a keen cyclist is bending my arm a little. I'm looking at the following hybrid style bikes below. I anyone has any experiences with them please feedback. Yes I will learn how to change a tyre too!

I've been doing a little research and I think I'm keen on a bike with no front suspension.
1. Giant Revolt - current favourite.
2. Giant Escape
3. Specialized crosstrail
4. Trek DS3
Many thanks
Costa


2016 Giant Revolt 3
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Guys I'm still looking and have come across a Polish brand called Romet. The 3 gravel bikes they offer are below. I've highlighted the prices below. It seems the groupset is the only real variance, unless I'm missing something. Can I have opinions on whether the difference in price is worth it please.
Lowest end - £575
https://www.romet.pl/Rower,ASPRE,10,7...4834,2018.html
Mid - £670
https://www.romet.pl/Rower,BOREAS_1,1...4833,2018.html
Higher - £835
https://www.romet.pl/Rower,BOREAS_2,1...4832,2018.html
Many thanks!
Lowest end - £575
https://www.romet.pl/Rower,ASPRE,10,7...4834,2018.html
Mid - £670
https://www.romet.pl/Rower,BOREAS_1,1...4833,2018.html
Higher - £835
https://www.romet.pl/Rower,BOREAS_2,1...4832,2018.html
Many thanks!
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Choose the bike you want & I'll leave it to others to advise on that front. But you say, "No tyre changing etc preferred but not discounted if it not too hard a process for me to do."
Any advice I would offer would be, first thing you need to do is learn to fix a flat tire, or tyre, because if you ride bikes you WILL get a flat. Inability or ignorance on how to fix a flat could prove very, very inconvenient depending on where it happens. And no, it isn't too hard of a process for you to do.
Any advice I would offer would be, first thing you need to do is learn to fix a flat tire, or tyre, because if you ride bikes you WILL get a flat. Inability or ignorance on how to fix a flat could prove very, very inconvenient depending on where it happens. And no, it isn't too hard of a process for you to do.
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Oh, come on. Who gets flats riding gravel??
