Multipurpose

[Jmetz]

in the main by offroad i mean the general toe path as you mention, however i wouldnt mind the potential to go for something a little more vigorous every now and again.

One bike is my max at the mo with many a pound to be spent on my post grad studies

 

[Debian]

in the main by offroad i mean the general toe path as you mention, however i wouldnt mind the potential to go for something a little more vigorous every now and again.

One bike is my max at the mo with many a pound to be spent on my post grad studies

I happily cycle canal tow paths on my trusty old aggressor with Big Apples fitted. I've even cycled across a soft, squidgy, muddy field on those tyres but I wouldn't recommend it as a regular experience!

So, IMHO for commuting plus light off-tarmac any full rigid or hardtail MTB with decent road or semi-road tyres will be fine. The actual bike is personal preference.

The Big Apple tyres do soak up the bumps on the road and make for a comfortable ride but you might also want to consider Schwalbe Landcruiser tyres; these are more chunky treaded with a smooth band around the centre - on road the smooth bit is mainly used so pedalling is easier but you still have chunky tread bits on the sidewalls if you do hit a muddier off-road section. I was deciding between these and the Big Apples and only went for the latter because I also have a dedicated mountain bike for the serious stuff. If I only had the one bike then I think the Landcruisers would be a good bet.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24622

 

[Debian]

massive thanks to all those helping me out,

my budget is around £300 give or take, as im weary of the knowledge that there will be more money to be spent on all the other essentials.

currently from what i see my options are?...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-2010-mountain-bike-ec019401

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_512511_langId_-1_categoryId_229915#dtab

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chris-Boardma...UK_Bikes_GL?hash=item20b05aa662#ht_818wt_1062

this kind of range...

likingg this one too

http://www.buyabikedeals.co.uk/store/mountain/hardtail/2010-hardrock-disc-white.html

altho due to my limited knowledge mainly due to its looks

Very difficult for a stranger to advise about which bike to get.

From what you've said, and if you were me I'd definitely go for this one:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-2010-mountain-bike-ec019401

You really don't need disc brakes for the riding you describe, they're just extra weight and more maintenance and expense. Decent rim brakes are perfectly fine. I managed quite serious off-road riding for years with rim brakes, I only got my first disc-equipped bike a few months ago and I really wish it had rim brakes, discs are an overhyped PITA IMHO.

Specialized are a very good make and I've recently got myself one.

I do like GTs though. My Aggressor II has been heavily used for several years, off and on road and the frame has proved to be rock solid. I've only ever changed the chain, cassette and rings and bottom bracket once each in six years of heavy use.

 

[Jmetz]

im inclined to lean towards the specialised bike definately, with two sets of tyres being a likely idea, the vast majority will be done on road, but on odd occassionas some riding requiring knobby tyres may occur

im going to go look at the GTs at halfords and the specialised at charnock richards buy a bike, which seems to be very reputable and see what the outcome is.

I need a bike soon as i have agreed to a trip at the end of may!

 

[RedBike]

Even with slick tyres MTBs are pretty rubbish on the road and you will soon get sick of switching tyres / wheels.

You'd arguably be better off trying to find an old racer for £50 and leaving the MTB set up for off-road use.

 

[Jmetz]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/transeo-50-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016398


how about this?

or this?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/transeo-40-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016396

I AM SO LOST haah

 

[Cyclist33]

Transeos have 700c wheels so better for road but if you want to hit trail, get the Zum.

 

[thanos]

The Transeo 5 is a great value and the only GT I considered as a hybrid (you see when you cross the 290 barrier you should really up the ante on what you expect from a bike - Id want a light frame / double butted / great quality brakes - not necessarily cheapo discs - alivio if not deore mech etc). A medium fit me pretty well (suitable for up to 5'10 i would think) . From a resale point of view Im not sure how its fairing, as i think its being substituted by another model.

From an mtb standpoint I dont think you can do better than a specialized for the money (quality of build and resale value), however those chainrings will hurt you some on long strictly road commutes . At 285 you can possibly pricematch a trek 7.2 2009 if you want to consider a brand name hybrid.

 

[jay clock]

Carerra Subway 1 from Halfords would do the job

 

[Jmetz]

, however those chainrings will hurt you some on long strictly road commutes . .

I'm embarassed to ask, chainrings will hurt me? in what way?

 

[thanos]

didnt come out right did it..
mtb's usually sacrifice tempo speed for torque generation by having less teeth/diameter on the chairings, which would mean you have to compensate with more revolutions.

42t x 32t x 22t chainrings on the hardrock (an mtb)
vs 42/32/22T (hah) on the subway (...the halfords hybrid)
vs 48/38/28 on the 7.2 trek (a brand name hybrid)
vs 50 x 39 x 30T on a road bike (like the secteur)

im sure you can stay on the outer ring and lower gears and be fine, but nevertheless it gear ratios on an mtb arent spec'd for speed now are they? And the tires may hinder you a bit, however they are more resistant to punctures and such (the tyres on the hard rock dont look to be especially bumpy..so they might be acceptable by your standards for road use).

 

[Jmetz]

ah i understand more now, much appreciated.

 

[mcshroom]

Just to be more annoying and suggest another. If you are anywhere near a Decathlon have a look at the rockrider 5.2. I've got it's cheaper little brother (5.1) and it's a very good bike for the price.

 

[lukesdad]

Scrap the sus. forks you dont need them. A good rigid will handle everything you want to do. Rim brakes will be fine. I still race XC with carbon rigid forks and avid rim brakes. They ll keep your bike lighter and give you more for your bucks.

 

[Jmetz]

thanks for all the advice... ended up with a trek 7.3 fx 2010 in the end