Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a new bike. I've been using my 25 year old Ridgeback hybrid but it's now feeling very tired and small, even though it's an 21 inch frame. The handlebars have always felt extremely narrow.
I'm 6' 4" and 17 stone. My commutes are for leisure where I cycle 10-20 (max) miles on road and cycle paths.
My cycling experience is with this old Ridgeback, a £700 Be-One hydraulic disc mountain bike, and a £500 Giant Defy 5 road bike.
I purchased the mountain bike as I felt it would provide stability for my large frame. It did, however it was heavy and penny farthings were overtaking me. I then went in the opposite direction and purchased, online, the road bike. It was light but I had no confidence that I would be safe with cars zipping past me on the roads. I wouldn't use the drop-bars either. So I then went to the trusty Ridgebike. For me, it is a middle ground between the mountain bike and the road bike.
I'm on the lookout for a new bike and would like your suggestions. To help with things, I think I have narrowed it down to the following two bikes:
Marin Muirwoods 29er (2018 model) - Size XXL:
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/4310/bargain-hybrid-bikes-marin-muirwoods-review
Giant Escape 1 (2019 model) - Size XL:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/escape-1-disc-2019
They both have big wheels (the Marin has wider tyres).
The Marin is steel framed, but the Giant is Aluminium with a Carbon folk.
Both have hydraulic disc breaks (but the Marin has Shimano which I understand are good, where the Giant has Tektro which I understand is lesser quality).
Both have wider handlebars than I currently have (which isn't hard) but the Marin's bars seem to be extra wide.
The Giant has internal cabling, the Marin doesn't.
The Giant has tubeless tyres, but Marin doesn't (not sure which is better).
The Marin is XXL and the Giant is XL.
I can get either for £300 second-hand. The Marin has been ridden for around 10 miles (so it's new), the Giant for 400 miles (but looks in great shape still).
With my frame (height and weight) and my intended use (leisure cycling on roads and maybe across grass parks) - which would you suggest?
Which is the better 'bang for buck'?
Is the Giant, having done 400 road miles, going to need many replacements, or is 400 miles nothing for a Giant bike?
Is £300 for either bike a good price (there are no marks on either bike)?
If you can suggest another bike then that'll be great.
I appreciate test riding them is the best thing to do but if this isn't an option, which would you suggest?
Thanks.
I'm looking to purchase a new bike. I've been using my 25 year old Ridgeback hybrid but it's now feeling very tired and small, even though it's an 21 inch frame. The handlebars have always felt extremely narrow.
I'm 6' 4" and 17 stone. My commutes are for leisure where I cycle 10-20 (max) miles on road and cycle paths.
My cycling experience is with this old Ridgeback, a £700 Be-One hydraulic disc mountain bike, and a £500 Giant Defy 5 road bike.
I purchased the mountain bike as I felt it would provide stability for my large frame. It did, however it was heavy and penny farthings were overtaking me. I then went in the opposite direction and purchased, online, the road bike. It was light but I had no confidence that I would be safe with cars zipping past me on the roads. I wouldn't use the drop-bars either. So I then went to the trusty Ridgebike. For me, it is a middle ground between the mountain bike and the road bike.
I'm on the lookout for a new bike and would like your suggestions. To help with things, I think I have narrowed it down to the following two bikes:
Marin Muirwoods 29er (2018 model) - Size XXL:
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/reviews/4310/bargain-hybrid-bikes-marin-muirwoods-review
Giant Escape 1 (2019 model) - Size XL:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/escape-1-disc-2019
They both have big wheels (the Marin has wider tyres).
The Marin is steel framed, but the Giant is Aluminium with a Carbon folk.
Both have hydraulic disc breaks (but the Marin has Shimano which I understand are good, where the Giant has Tektro which I understand is lesser quality).
Both have wider handlebars than I currently have (which isn't hard) but the Marin's bars seem to be extra wide.
The Giant has internal cabling, the Marin doesn't.
The Giant has tubeless tyres, but Marin doesn't (not sure which is better).
The Marin is XXL and the Giant is XL.
I can get either for £300 second-hand. The Marin has been ridden for around 10 miles (so it's new), the Giant for 400 miles (but looks in great shape still).
With my frame (height and weight) and my intended use (leisure cycling on roads and maybe across grass parks) - which would you suggest?
Which is the better 'bang for buck'?
Is the Giant, having done 400 road miles, going to need many replacements, or is 400 miles nothing for a Giant bike?
Is £300 for either bike a good price (there are no marks on either bike)?
If you can suggest another bike then that'll be great.
I appreciate test riding them is the best thing to do but if this isn't an option, which would you suggest?
Thanks.
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