Getting back in the saddle

[TwoCee]

Hi,

Want to get back into cycling having been out of the habit for the last 10 years and would like some advice on if my current line-up of purchases is suitable...

Been looking lovingly at the http://www.konaworld.com/08_jake_w.htm (Kona Jake) - looks ideal for mostly road riding with some light trails. As the primary use will be for commuting the high gearing is well suited.

But I also want to use it to lug my son around on the back around town/on-road or smooth trail rides. To that end this http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Hamax_Plus_Childseat_With_Basic_Carrier/5360036823/ has made the short list (thanks to Essexman/CycleDad for the review ). The Kona's 2 lower 2 chainrings will certainly come into play here, hopefully giving me the torque to get up the hills without a dismount!

So my direct questions are
1. Is the bike suitable?
2. Is it capable of taking the weight of a 30lb+ child on the back? Principle concern is the 700mm wheels ...

Please feel free to point out the blindingly obvious as I have probably over looked it ...

TIA,
2c

 

[Keith Oates]

Welcome to the forum, 2C, and the bike looks very good but I'll have to leave it to more experienced members to comment on the suitability of fitting the child seat onto the bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Soltydog]

I'm looking at a new bike soon & the kona jake is on my options list, but i'm not sure about fitting mudguards to it.May be worth checking b4 buying, cause if you are planning on wet weather cycling you'll miss mudguards
Another to consider is Specialised Tricross, similar kind of machine. I've already got 2 spesh bike & impressed with them.
Or possibly look at a touring type bike like the Dawes Galaxy which would be more than upto the job.

 

[TwoCee]

Thanks for the replies and the warm welcome B)

My understanding is the basic Jake has the lugs (or whatever they are called) to take the carrier and rear mudguards. Looking at the bigger pic of the Kona, it has the fork mounts for fronts. But, yes, check before purchase is a must! Tricky part will be tracking one down to test ride ...

Thanks for the Tricross - didnt know about those - more research requried!
Would a tourer be upto doing trails then?

Current budget for the bike only can stretch to 800 ukp if that helps ...

Primary concern is carrying my heavy son on the back - don't want to be pinging spokes every ride. Would a mountain bike base be more suitable?

Thanks again

2c

 

[Willow]

I know nothing other than from my own experience. I had a seat on my giant coldrock mountain bike for carrying the children when small and it was excellent. What you do have to remember that baby on back and rucksack don't go sadly and rather awfully I resorted to a basket on the front for mine to shove stuff in. Bike survived, and we survived though they are now happily riding their own and I have changed to a mongoose 450. Balancing is the key with someone on the rear particularly if you are pushing the bike and when getting on so I do wonder whether the wider wheels are more helpful in this respect - I expect someone else will know.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

I'm sure your wheels will be fine with the extra weight. If they could support someone weighing 2 stone more than you, they'll be able to support the extra weight of your son. Also, remember that with your son on the back you won't be pelting over speed humps at 20mph so the back wheel will probably suffer less with him on anyway.

I have a Copilot Limo child seat on my bike, but I do sometime regret not getting the Hamax Plus, as it:

a) Has a bit of suspension so the child doesn't get jolted too badly on rough road surfaces
Is built to allow you to clip in one of their panniers as well as the seat at the same time.

B) Would be very useful. Normally when I drop my son off to nursery in the morning I clip my pannier to a lowrider rack on the front wheel, but it's not nice on the bike handling. Also, once he's dropped off I have to strap the pannier in the seat rather than having it clipped to the rack, which is also not optimal for the ride (the centre of gravity is higher up).

 

[beanzontoast]

If you can find the bikes you're looking at in a bike shop, it would be worth seeing them, explaining to someone knowledgeable there what you're planning to do and hearing what they say about the strength of the bikes. OK, you may not buy the bike from them, but if your return to cycling goes well, chances are you will be calling on them pretty often for spares and accessories, so they shouldn't begrudge you the advice.

 

[Andy in Sig]

If you're considering that kind of bike, why not look at tourers as they will meet all your requirements but are specifically designed to carry weight so a 30 lb kid, either carried or towed, present no problems whatsoever. You should be able to get a fully racked and mudguarded Dawes Galaxy within budget. Have a look at Edinburgh Bicycles website:

www.edinburghbicycle.com

Revolution Country Explorer for 599 quid
Dawes Galaxy 899 quid

 

[peanut]

might be worth looking at SJS cycles they specialise in this sort of thing. Very helpful family run mail order company in Bridgewater.

The wheels on the kona have 36 spokes on rear with triple crossover they will be absolutly bomb proof. I have ridden something similar for over 6 years and I weigh 17+ stone !

if you are going to do a little light off roading sounds like it might be worth considering a `cross bike' or just use some 28c tyres on the kona

 

[TwoCee]

Excellent replies, very helpful, thanks all. Given me some further avenues of investigation

One last question; has anyone ever put front shocks on a CX? I realise this is probably a stupid idea, but with lockouts the only real different would be weight? Then unlock them when going over anything a bit more challenging!

Its just that portions of the ridgeway on a CX would be very, er, bumpy and I doubt I can get the wife to agree to 2 bikes

2c

 

[longers]

and I doubt I can get the wife to agree to 2 bikes

2c

Be patient

 

[vernon]

Excellent replies, very helpful, thanks all. Given me some further avenues of investigation

One last question; has anyone ever put front shocks on a CX? I realise this is probably a stupid idea, but with lockouts the only real different would be weight? Then unlock them when going over anything a bit more challenging!

Its just that portions of the ridgeway on a CX would be very, er, bumpy and I doubt I can get the wife to agree to 2 bikes

2c

A Dawes Galaxy will do the job with capacity to spare. I'm no lightweight at around 22 stone and my Galaxy has survived punishing rides over less than than smooth tow paths, forestry trails and coastal paths often fully laden with camping gear. It's only when you want to try to cycle in a quagmire when forward progress is dimished through lack of traction.

I've never felt that fron suspension was a desirable addition to the Galaxy and although I have a half decent Trek Mountain bike with front suspension, I do not feel that it overs much of an advantage over my rigid hybrid bike - now that's three of my five bikes mentioned

With fully reasoned arguments you might find that your wife might reluctantly agree to you having two bikes. I currently have a mint touring frame stashed away for which I have no reasonable excuse for owning apart from the fact that its retina searing orange finish was nearly as alluring as its 33% of list price.

 

[RedBike]

I had a set of sid forks on a CX bike. To be honest they didn't really help. On the sort of terrain where suspension is necessary the cross bike really began to struggle (well with me at the helm it did).

I belive specialized CX bike (can't think of the name of it) has some sort of vibration inserts in the forks. A sort of short travel suspension system.

Another option is a 29ner MTB. Because of the larger volume tyres these often don't require suspension forks.