The biking thread

Neal
Personally I'd go for a mountain bike as it'll be tougher...and looks cooler ;)

I wouldn't class that Boss Stealth as a bike, it's more of a bike shaped object really (don't tell your mate this). Any bike you get from a catalogue or supermarket is going to be very poor quality and it would be a mistake to buy a bike with rear suspension at anything under £800 as it will be heavy, weak and ineffective. Best to stick with a hardtail as you'll have a significantly better bike for your money. I can't find anything brand new that I would confidently recommend for £150 I'm afraid but if you can find another hundred quid there are a couple of options I've seen.

The Carrera Valour (£249) is plenty good enough for messing about on and would easily cope with some fairly rough off road riding plus the components are good enough to last a decent length of time . http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810685_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

This GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc (£249) is a significantly better bike than the Carrera although is only available in small and x-small so it depends how tall you are and if you're happy buying mail order but as you've linked to a catalogue I'll assume you are > http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3345

If you are absolutely limited to £150 then Decathlon sell very good value bikes and they have the Rockrider 5.1 C1 2011 (£149) which is infinitely better than that Boss or anything else you'd get in a catalogue or supermarket > http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-51-c1-2011-id_8167116.html

Hopefully this gives you some ideas 👍
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Thanks for the reply, now i know why he is always having problems with gears skipping etc. :sly:

There is a local bike shop nearby, Hawk's Cycles the name, the have a website too. Went there today and they showed me an AMMACO EL DORADO for £135 http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/AMMACO-EL-DORADO-21-SPEED-DISC-BRAKE-5-9-product-230.html
Although it is was cheap I didn't want to rush into anything so decided to ask around, the price is going to go back to normal on Sunday; i'm in no rush because at the end of the day i can look elsewhere too.

My brother has also told me that at his workplace they offer a bike scheme, where you purchase a bike from Hawk's Cycles or Halfords and it comes at a discounted price which is paid for in monthly installments for 12-18months :)

So what do you think?

Thanks
 
mp10
My brother has also told me that at his workplace they offer a bike scheme, where you purchase a bike from Hawk's Cycles or Halfords and it comes at a discounted price which is paid for in monthly installments for 12-18months :)

So what do you think?
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Are they charging interest over the 12-18 months? If so, unless you have no other choice, wait until you have the cash in hand. You'll save yourself a bunch. 👍
 
TB
Are they charging interest over the 12-18 months? If so, unless you have no other choice, wait until you have the cash in hand. You'll save yourself a bunch. 👍
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Nope no interest is charged, if you want to check it out here is the link regarding the cycle scheme www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

I am also getting a Bursary from my education so thats £160 coming my way soon, and it will go to funding the bike. :)
 
mp10
Nope no interest is charged, if you want to check it out here is the link regarding the cycle scheme www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

I am also getting a Bursary from my education so thats £160 coming my way soon, and it will go to funding the bike. :)
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Arguably it's silly not to purchase through that scheme....I've got two or three that way:tup:
 
mp10
Nice! so at the end of the Hire period, can i buy the bike outright?
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Apparently so. However I've never had to pay extra at the end:)

Others might be more up to date with this than me as it's been over 3 years since my last one. I gather they were always supposed to "sell" you the bike, if you wanted it, at the end of the "hire" period but I don't think many places bothered with that as well used bikes tend to be worth very little so it wasn't worth the effort of chasing it up. Not sure if they have to chase it up now though....each year they seem to tighten the rules a little and make it not as good as it used to be.

The first time I did the bike to work scheme I got a £1500 bike on interest free credit for 3 years and they chucked in £300 worth of vouchers to spend on upgrading components. It would have been rude not to! That bike only ever went to work once and even then it was on the roof of an Audi S4 because we were heading up north to go biking straight after work :lol:
 
daft biker
Apparently so. However I've never had to pay extra at the end:)

Others might be more up to date with this than me as it's been over 3 years since my last one. I gather they were always supposed to "sell" you the bike, if you wanted it, at the end of the "hire" period but I don't think many places bothered with that as well used bikes tend to be worth very little so it wasn't worth the effort of chasing it up. Not sure if they have to chase it up now though....each year they seem to tighten the rules a little and make it not as good as it used to be.

The first time I did the bike to work scheme I got a £1500 bike on interest free credit for 3 years and they chucked in £300 worth of vouchers to spend on upgrading components. It would have been rude not to! That bike only ever went to work once and even then it was on the roof of an Audi S4 because we were heading up north to go biking straight after work :lol:
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:lol: sounds good, i think the scheme is still the same, my brother is going to find out tomorrow when he goes work. I think the budget now has been reduced to £1000 :( ...but still good enough for a good bike :)

will post again with updates soon. Thanks for the help.
 
mp10
Thanks for the reply, now i know why he is always having problems with gears skipping etc. :sly:

There is a local bike shop nearby, Hawk's Cycles the name, the have a website too. Went there today and they showed me an AMMACO EL DORADO for £135 http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/AMMACO-EL-DORADO-21-SPEED-DISC-BRAKE-5-9-product-230.html
Although it is was cheap I didn't want to rush into anything so decided to ask around, the price is going to go back to normal on Sunday; i'm in no rush because at the end of the day i can look elsewhere too.

My brother has also told me that at his workplace they offer a bike scheme, where you purchase a bike from Hawk's Cycles or Halfords and it comes at a discounted price which is paid for in monthly installments for 12-18months :)

So what do you think?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I wouldn't get an Ammaco either, they look terrible TBH! Have a read of this > http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=17181535

Also I can't see anything at Hawks Cycles that looks very good.

If you can't stretch to a Carrera from Halfords this Apollo doesn't look too bad but it's £190 and I'd still strongly recommend getting a Carrera > http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_762369_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
 
Neal
I wouldn't get an Ammaco either, they look terrible TBH! Have a read of this > http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=17181535

Also I can't see anything at Hawks Cycles that looks very good.

If you can't stretch to a Carrera from Halfords this Apollo doesn't look too bad but it's £190 and I'd still strongly recommend getting a Carrera > http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_762369_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
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Thanks for the feedback, my friend just bought a Ammaco :lol: and you are right, when i went to look at the EL DORADO they do look weird. :yuck:

I think i'm going to get a bike thorugh the Bike Scheme, i'm going to look around, check out my local halfords too and there is also another Bike shop too, so i'll check that out too.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
Got the bike back - went for a quick ride and everything seems to be doing what it should be! Bike shop was well friendly; they will be my first port of call now onwards. 👍

The new pedal cages are pants though. I'll be removing them this weekend (cage, not pedals) as when my feet are in them, it is really uncomfortable to pedal. Feels like my knees are pointing/ bending inwards towards the frame. I chalk this up to my feet not being screwed on straight. :sly:
 
I think it was Neal that posted the video "Shoot (edited by SOPA) Mountain Bikers say". Some German girls did a video like it called "Shoot (edited by SOPA) Girl Mtbers say" or something to that effect...
Anyway: Watch this

Fairly obvious language warning but we're all big boys and girls (liking the individual mention, Neal? :) )here.

Loltastic. :D
 
madmike1986
That's the kind of jump I do, and infact did the other night, only difference is I landed on my face and broke my mech hanger and split the rear tube :ouch:
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Ouch:ouch: Any injuries worth posting pics of? :lol:

My first port of call for a new mech hanger is usually BETD.....dunno if they do one for your bike but if they do it's probably better than the original one. I just phone them up, tell them what bike I want a hanger for and they post it out.....nice and easy and they seem to really know their stuff:tup:

Oh aye, link for BETD: CLICKY.
 
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Hi guys i have decided on my bike, here's a link: http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p4045

I would advise anyone else who lives around Coventry to check this shop out, it's in Kenilworth. The staff are very friendly and helpful, they've been running the shop for quite a while so have a very good reputation.

I'll get some pictures up when it arrives, which does not look like it will be anytime soon as its snowing.
 
mp10
Hi guys i have decided on my bike, here's a link: http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p4045

I would advise anyone else who lives around Coventry to check this shop out, it's in Kenilworth. The staff are very friendly and helpful, they've been running the shop for quite a while so have a very good reputation.

I'll get some pictures up when it arrives, which does not look like it will be anytime soon as its snowing.
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Now we're talking....have fun on that bad boy....it'll fly:cool:

Snow here too and I'm off to Glentress again tomorrow:) Knee still a bit sore from last week though....big lump in the soft tissue above the kneecap. Was just a wee bump off the stem too:dunce:
 
Aldo
...Fairly obvious language warning but we're all big boys and girls (liking the individual mention, Neal? :) )here.
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I have scientific proof I am not a girl...see later in post. ;)

mp10
Hi guys i have decided on my bike, here's a link: http://www.mikevaughancycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p4045
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Nice one, that is a million times better than anything else you've been looking at 👍



So yesterday was my big day out to do The Marin Trail at Betws y Coed (in Wales...obviously!). The weather had been cold and dry all week but by yesterday it had changed to cold and wet, not torrential rain but enough to ensure I was was soaked through by the end of the ride :irked: Not that the weather dampened (lol) out moods as it was probably the best ride I've ever done, I definitely need to start doing bigger rides on more natural trails like this. (Llandegla is good but apart from the jumps it's not very technical) It was quite icy in places and I nearly fell off my bike laughing when my brother bunny hopped over the smallest puddle in the world landing right in the middle of a huge sheet of black ice, I've never seen anyone get so sideways on two wheels and not fall off!

I took a little while to get my confidence up to let the bike fly in the icy conditions but once I did I was laughing my ass off and getting some proper real air which is good for me as I've always been a both wheels on the ground kind of rider. I very very nearly came off big style after passing my brother's mate who was taking it a bit too easy on his brand new (but second hand) Stump FSR Carbon (:drool:).

Here are the stats from Strava

Distance 22.4 km
Elevation 685 m
Moving Time 1:55:31
Max Speed 48.6 km/h (and it was icy!)
Avg Speed 11.6 km/h

And now for the proof Aldo, I was 4th fastest out of 14 people on the final and utterly awesome decent on a hard tail bought from Halfords :D


And at the request of daft biker here are some snaps taken on my iPhone with very cold and shaky hands hence the rubbishness.

IMG_0838.JPG

Lake, hills, snow.

IMG_0839.JPG

Kris (Bro's mate), Paul (Bro), icy fireroad, snow.

IMG_0840.JPG

Icy single track, hills, snow.
 
Thanks Neal, I've enjoyed the bike so far although it's only 1 week 4 days!!!

I've already done nearly 80km on 4 rides, those seats REALLY are not comfortable!!!

Wrong size wheels? I don't think so, 29ers are the future...

Now I'm guessing you have either a GPS or GPS enabled cycle comp to do elevations?
 
Nice pics Neal 👍 Very picturesque. I could used to riding in that scenery.

Well, if I wasn't a girl's blouse, afraid of the weather :scared:
 
hellnback
Thanks Neal, I've enjoyed the bike so far although it's only 1 week 4 days!!!

I've already done nearly 80km on 4 rides, those seats REALLY are not comfortable!!!

Wrong size wheels? I don't think so, 29ers are the future...

Now I'm guessing you have either a GPS or GPS enabled cycle comp to do elevations?
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Padded shorts are essential IMO and a decent pair at that...also a rear mudguard or waterproof shorts when it's wet are good because...errrmm...nappy rash is bad :embarrassed:

Actually the word on the street is 650b wheels are the future, it's a world gone mad I tell ya ;)

As Submerged has said it's a GPS phone (iPhone) running the Strava app to track all my rides and elevation. It calculates elevation gain by taking altitudes from a database based on the co-ordinates rather than an altimeter in the device but it's accurate enough for my use.

Mike Rotch
Nice pics Neal 👍 Very picturesque. I could used to riding in that scenery.

Well, if I wasn't a girl's blouse, afraid of the weather :scared:
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I have to travel approx two hours to get to that spot so unfortunately I don't get to see it often enough. The weather is all part of the fun and you're working too hard to feel the cold much...it is better when it's sunny though!

Did you take the clips off your pedals or preserver with them?

Also if you get the chance to go for a ride at night when it's foggy do it, I think all the runners I was passing last night though the aliens had come to abduct them when 1000 lumen from my two torches came beaming out of the gloom :lol:

EDIT: You'll like this chief :D

 
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Neal
IMG_0840.JPG

Icy single track, hills, snow.
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Looks like a paradise to me:tup: Hopefully I'll get down there one of these days (possibly as a slight detour on route to visit friends and family down south.....or go down to Dorset to go spider hunting.....am sure I can figure out an excuse:sly:)

Plenty hills to play on in the background too:cool:

Sorry about the delayed response.....had to get one of those job thingies:yuck:
 
daft biker
Looks like a paradise to me:tup:
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Looks like Hell to me. :lol: That would destroy my little bike!

Nice ride, though, Neal, it seems? I know what you mean about ignoring the cold. I did my 13k to work today in 35 minutes at 5*C/ 41*F and arrived dripping with sweat and steaming! I had to strip off to my pants to cool down!

I have a question, about riding mainly, so here goes (and I'm aware that most of you are mountain bikers)....

What's your riding stance?​

I'll explain by giving my example.

When I'm on a straight or slight incline I'm sitting down with my hands resting on the centre of the bars.

Going down hill I need to be in the drops so that I have instant access to the brakes just in case (I ride on the road).

Up hill depends on how long the hill; long hill - sitting down, short hill - standing with hands in the drops pushing hard to maintain speed.

In traffic I have my hands on top of the drops so I can work the brakes and gears but will still being fairly upright so I can view the traffic movement. I alternate between standing and sitting depending on how fast I'm moving or the amount of space I have to manoeuvre in.


Hows about you guys?
 
Sitting down. I only stand when I need to get going quickly after being stopped. I try not to shift because my derailleurs are completely retarded and throw off the chain at times.

Uphill, I downshift until I'm going to slow and pedaling so fast that I might as well walk it.
 
I tend to stand to get away from the lights too. If I can get in front of the cars at the off then I can get in the right lane and sit back down.

I used to do like yourself, get into the lowest gear going up the hill, but my new bike has a low gear which isn't really hill friendly.
 
Pretty much sit down for most of my riding trying to select a gear that has my cadence in the 72-75 range... flat or downhill... uphill I try to keep the butt on the seat, for traction purposes, when you lift/stand off it, you lose alot of traction, and expells more energy that you realise.

I know MTB riding isn't TdF, but watch them going uphill, the true mountain climbers can 'dance' on their pedals, then accelerate, trying to break another mountain rat. Those who are still competent in the hills sit back, maintain a steady cadence and don't get themselves into the 'red zone' (and subsequently flame out) and slowly but surely catch the rats playing cat & mouse... of course this is all done on a high grip surface, dirt or gravel not so much...
 
I'm a fairly good uphill rider due to my low weight I'd imagine. I tend to sit down for the most part but if I'm riding on the same bit of mountain as another cyclist I will push hard and get stood up for that extra bit of force, although it smashes the energy clean out of me and gets my legs burning. It's worth it for that little bit of competition. :)
 

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