Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => For Sale, Hire, Wanted, User Classifieds, Sale Bargains => Topic started by: Oisín on October 25, 2011
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I've been without a bike now for a few years, I was always on one as a kid etc.
Now I would like another bike so I can get out again.
I'd like to do some cycling on forest paths etc but nothing too strenous, just forest track.
But also something that I could cycle that isnt overly heavy for up and down into the town.
I think you get what I mean, basically a good all round bike.
Any suggestions?
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Call into McGarveys in king st Belfast, He is full of information and advice plus brings in a lot of second hand bikes at good prices in mint condition.
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Have a look at www.chainreactioncycles.com
massive range, some of the best prices around, though their kit is high end stuff, and delivery is really fast.
they even have a shop on Boucher Road.
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hi mate
I recently bought a giant mountain bike from mc conveys it's got all the extra's you need ,proper Suspension,disc breaks( don't try biking without these)and big tyres for grip it's great for forest trek's but terrible on the road's,ie you can nearly feel the road eating up the tyres!suppose you could buy a bike like mine then fit (city ride) smooth tyres to it,mine was £579 but i'am sure you could get one cheaper,try ebay or gumtree,again disc brakes for safety,good luck
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I have just bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme, a great way of getting a very good bike for a lot less than the ticket price, plus it can be paid off over 12 or 18 months interest free.
I wanted a good solid bike that could take some serious abuse with good components, that could attack a downhill section, be pedalled up it and also be good on the road too. After many weeks of contemplating and scrutinizing, I bought a Saracen Zen.
Ticks all the boxes and great value for money.
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Oisin, it's hard to get something good at everything, but your requirements are all moderate so I see about 3 options depending on your taste:
- a City Cross/Hybrid - like a hardtail mountain bike but with road bike size wheels. They tend to have a bit of front suspension, some have disc brakes, and the tyres are moderately wide. A good all-rounder.
- a Hardtail mountain bike - front suspension, wide 26" wheels, disc brakes. Some endurance racers are very light but pricy. More for steeper offroad.
- a Cyclocross bike - like a racing bike for offroad: smaller gearing, V or disc brakes, wider tyres... that's about it. Will handle all kinds of mud if you're hard enough :)
You can put grippy tyres or smooth road tyres on all of the above, or something that will handle both ok. There are some end of year bargains about, but unless you go second-hand you probably are looking around £400 for the start of the good stuff. There are plenty of bikes on Gumtree, but expect to put money into them for servicing and parts, and budget for accessories like lights, pump, puncture repair, helmet or whatever.
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i was in the same situation in this thread ;)
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2446.msg25688#msg25688