hi a newbie in the north east :)

[stephyt]

hi im steph from cramlington,

im doin a charity bike ride up in kielder (26m) in july for Macmillan organised by wok so thought i would get a new bike n start training as i dont plan in bein left behind for dust by everyone else lol also want to keep on riding my bike to keep fit too and lose some weight

have been looking on here past few days and seems a good place to come for advice

oh have decided on a full suspension mountain as it was the best one in my price range and thinking the trail at kielder mite go between different surfaces

steph xx

 

[GetAGrip]

Hi Steph and

 

[addictfreak]

Hi and welcome

Not sure what your price range is, or what kind of cycling you intend to do. But a full suspension MTB may not be the right choice.
My advice would be to go to a good local bike shop and tell them what you intend doing in terms of cycling and take their advice.
So many people buy mountain bikes which are not entirely suited to the type of cycling they will be doing.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

 

[G-Zero]

Hi Steph from Cram

Already mentioned by AddictFreak - but don't rush in to a full suss, unless you're gonna be doing loadsa rough stuff.

A hardtail or a crosser will deal with a lot that Kielder can offer and give you the flexibility for future trips and you really need to think about what type of cycling you'll be doing longer term.

 

[guitarpete247]

Hi and .

+ another 1 for avoiding a full sus bike unless you are intending to do lots of rough riding. For 26 miles a hardtail would be perfect. If you can get a bike with front suspension you can lock all the better for when you ride on the roads.
What bike have you set your sights on, by the way?

 

[funk my fixie]

hey steph
I don't like to make like I know all about bikes, like some people, as I believe it is an individual's choice BUT on this occasion I must concur with the above posts. I don't know what bike is best for you BUT logic says that, if you are doing a charity ride, the course will not be too difficult as they want people to achieve something from the day and to come back next year and help raise more cash for them. Therefore, I would not go for a bike which weighs a lot but as light as you can afford to buy. My wife has just got into the sport herself and we purchased her a specialised hybrid bike. Well under £500 and with alloy quick release wheels, carbon forks etc etc so the thing only weighs 9.7 kg. For a bike, that is acceptable. It has a good range of gears for road, track, uphill or dirt riding. I am not trying to get you to buy a specialised bike but I am saying in the £4-500 range you can really work your body without feeling "what the hell have I let myself in for". Go see your local retailer and ask their advice. Don't buy full suspension, I had one once and you feel like you are on a see saw bouncing along a road. They are purpose built/designed machines. Hybrids are designed to be comfortable on all surfaces for the cyclist who just wants what you want, to get out and have fun.


THE ONLY PIECE OF ADVICE I WANT TO GIVE YOU AND ALL NEW CYCLISTS IS BUY REDUCED RISK PUNCTURE TYRES OR ANTI PUNCTURE TYRES OR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO CALL THEM ( OR INNER TUBES) AS WELL AS SOME IMMEDIATE STICK PUNCTURE PATCHES IN CASE YOU GET CAUGHT WITH A PUNCTURE MILES FROM HOME.

Enjoy your up coming ride

 

[BigTam]

Hi Steph amd , just along the road in North Shields, Kielder not that bad and you dont need a full suspension MTB to do it, a decent Hybrid with good tyres will suffice and then that gives you many more options.

 

[musa]

 

[The_Mountain_Goat]

Hi Steph, I also agree with the others about a full sus. It really can have a negative impact if you just want to ride NCN paths or on road. Good luck with the ride though, it sounds like fun

 

[stephyt]

hiya guys thanx for all ur comments sorry cudnt get on to reply over the weekend been busy working 9hr shifts everyday then sleeping lol i work for poundland and are raising money all yr round for macmillin usually doin non uniform days ect but for the first time (been there nearly 4yrs) this yr were doin the cycle ride which includes workers from other stores aswell even our area manager is doin the ride lmao

guess i have been abit naive (sp) bein a newbie n got a mtb as thats what i have been used to in the past and have rushed into buyin a bike... ( i know my bad please forgive me lol) lessons will b learned my budget was abt £100.. just wish i had found this forum earlier as i have ben looking through it and at ur comments n maybe i should have got a diff kind of bike..
im thinkin as i want to take cycling bit more serious im gunna save up for the right kind of bike i will mainly be riding on roads/pathways but my new mtb will have to do till i can save up for a new not sure where my LBS is here in cramlington ?!?

anyways thanx again and will b sticking around for advice n tips


steph xx

 

[BigTam]

Steph, CJ Performance Cycles, on Front Street, just before the East Cramlington turn off.

 

[stephyt]

Steph, CJ Performance Cycles, on Front Street, just before the East

Cramlington turn off.

aah I know where u mean I've just past it on the x5 heading to newcastle been goin past it all the time and never realised if was there lol ;0 plus it's just down the road from my house

 

[annedonnelly]

Hi Steph,

If you ever fancy someone to ride with I'm just down the road from you in Blyth. Shame you chose the wrong bike but I'm sure you'll have lots of fun on it anyway.

Do you work at Poundland in Cramlington? Should be easy for you to ride to work? That'll help with your practise for the charity ride.

Anne

 

[stephyt]

hi Ann wish I did work at that branch but I work in the Metrocentre lol only lived an cramlington a few month but luv it once I get the hang of riding again would luv a ride partner my pace will b gentle lol oh I'm gunna save up for the right bike once I've got me sittin room decorated haha but usin the mtb for time bein mite get some tyres another user on here recommended I try xx