Help RE New Bike Needed !!!

[Bilbo Biggin]

Hi All,​

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I am returning to cycling after some time and need advice as things have changed since last I rode.​

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Am after a new bike for my wife.​

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We want to ride on road and some off road places like, the Cuckoo Trail and Seven Sisters County Park in Eat Sussex, which seem to be concrete or similar.​

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We would also like to do some “Off-road” stuff.​

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Nothing too much but maybe over the South Downs in Sussex and such.​

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I have a Ridgeback 503 Hybrid which I am told would do that sort of stuff, but which for my wife.​

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Think we have narrowed it down to three makes which are:​

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1) Dawes Kalachari or Tanami​

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2) Ridgeback Meteor Open Frame or Momentum Open Frame​

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3) Trek Neko SL​

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We are told that all the above will do what we want, but I look at the tyres and think “They won’t go off-road at all” !!​

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Now my wife has some arthritis in her back and shoulders so would a suspension fork be good or not.​

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ANY help would be GREAT.​

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Thanks.​

 

[Peteaud]

Depends on what you call "off road"

Stuff like the cuckoo trail will be no problem at all, in fact i would take my hybrid round mountain bike blue runs without any problem.

Front sus forks, well its personal choice, most hate them on anything other than mountain bikes, again my hybrid had them with lockouts and i love the fact i have the best of all worlds, and they are comfortable.

For me, or rather my wife, i would have gone for the trek.

 

[derrick]

Out of what you have chosen, i'd go for the trek,

 

[Bilbo Biggin]

Thanks for your replys, but why would you go for the Trek

What makes the Trek better, and do you own a Trek?

Thanks

 

[derrick]

I like the look of it, check out reveiws below.

http://www.bicycling.com/gearfinderproductdetail?gfid=57001

 

[Bilbo Biggin]

Thanks Derrick

Have got that review and my wife when she read it said, "That is the one for me". But is it.

It sounds GREAT but is it a good bike with the equipment it has, or are the others better.

Remember I "Know 'nofin" when it comes to bikes, only what the salesman tells me.

Good luck with the 100 miles in a day.

Thanks

 

[Peteaud]

Thanks for your replys, but why would you go for the Trek

What makes the Trek better, and do you own a Trek?

Thanks

I own 2 and the wife owns 1

But go with what "feels" right.

 

[derrick]

I know a few people with treks, and they are happy with them, there is always better out there but you have to start someware,
My mtb is a specialized and i think they are really good, but it's a lot more than you need.
Don't know much about the others, some one on here will.

 

[Piemaster]

Specialized Ariel probably worth a look too. My daughter has one and really likes it, good for pavement and disused rail track territory. Sorry, not exactly arrowing your choice down am I.

 

[rusky]

Have a look at the Decathlon offerings too. The Rockrider 5 or 5.1 if you fancy front suspension are very good buys.

 

[Bilbo Biggin]

Thanks to you all for help/comments.

My wife is now the proud owner of a Trek Neko SL purchaed today.

Also purchased other "goodys" to go with it.

Now, just have to work out how the bike rack fits onto the car !!!

Thanks again

Cheers

 

[rusky]

What bike rack did you get?

 

[Bilbo Biggin]

What bike rack did you get?

Hi Rusky

Sorry for the delay in the reply.

Halfords High Bike Mount, Strap fitting.

Tis good as the bikes are above the car/number plate so no lights required.

Don't go too fast yet due to the straps. When I get used to 'em I will go faster...

Cheers