Hi,
I am new to the forum and am looking for a bit of advice with regards to chosing a bike as part of a Cycle to Work scheme. I have had a search through the forum without much luck, so I thought I'd ask a question!
I have been cycling (on and off) for many years, mainly on muddy rutted paths etc. using a mountain bike I had built by a friend (Built in 2000, Shimano Acera gears, Custom frame, Front suspension [suntour I seem to remember]). I will be keeping this bike for these purposes, with a new bike for Road Riding.
Work have offered a Cycle2Work scheme through Halfords which seems good value for money. I have decided that I would like another Road bike (I used to have an old Dawes Shadow which was great), but the reviews of the halfords bikes don't come out well. There is the option to get a 'special order' bike in if none of their bikes meet my needs, but I'm assuming this would have to be a readily available branded bike for them to do it.
I am 6'4 and 20 Stone and will be cycling on both Roads and Cycle Tracks on the Isle of Wight. The cycle tracks are a mixture of Concrete, Tarmac and Shallow Gravel (great choice there...) and the roads are fairly heavily potholed in places.
I am not too woried about what style of bike I get, but I would like something that I am able to get up a decent speed on, I'm quite strong in my legs but can't make them go round _that_ fast!! I have been thinking that something similar to the old Dawes Shadow, but with better gearing selection would be a good option, but I have also noticed that 'Town and Trail' bikes seem to be coming in to fashion.
The questions:
What is the difference between a Hard Tail Mountain Bike and a Town and Trail bike (my assumptions are that gearing is the main difference)?
Would a racing bike cope with my Weight and the Cycle Tracks?
Are there any bikes under £550(ish) that people can recommend?
Many thanks,
Chris.
I am new to the forum and am looking for a bit of advice with regards to chosing a bike as part of a Cycle to Work scheme. I have had a search through the forum without much luck, so I thought I'd ask a question!
I have been cycling (on and off) for many years, mainly on muddy rutted paths etc. using a mountain bike I had built by a friend (Built in 2000, Shimano Acera gears, Custom frame, Front suspension [suntour I seem to remember]). I will be keeping this bike for these purposes, with a new bike for Road Riding.
Work have offered a Cycle2Work scheme through Halfords which seems good value for money. I have decided that I would like another Road bike (I used to have an old Dawes Shadow which was great), but the reviews of the halfords bikes don't come out well. There is the option to get a 'special order' bike in if none of their bikes meet my needs, but I'm assuming this would have to be a readily available branded bike for them to do it.
I am 6'4 and 20 Stone and will be cycling on both Roads and Cycle Tracks on the Isle of Wight. The cycle tracks are a mixture of Concrete, Tarmac and Shallow Gravel (great choice there...) and the roads are fairly heavily potholed in places.
I am not too woried about what style of bike I get, but I would like something that I am able to get up a decent speed on, I'm quite strong in my legs but can't make them go round _that_ fast!! I have been thinking that something similar to the old Dawes Shadow, but with better gearing selection would be a good option, but I have also noticed that 'Town and Trail' bikes seem to be coming in to fashion.
The questions:
What is the difference between a Hard Tail Mountain Bike and a Town and Trail bike (my assumptions are that gearing is the main difference)?
Would a racing bike cope with my Weight and the Cycle Tracks?
Are there any bikes under £550(ish) that people can recommend?
Many thanks,
Chris.
