spally

iTrader: (1)

Right,

i know there are a few of you that do the off roading mountain biking thing, but i need to get some training in for the 60mile london - southend bike ride.

My new bike should be here middle of next week, so anyone up for doing some training with me?

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Where are u M8???

spally

iTrader: (1)

i'm in benfleet, not far from basildon.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

We have a group that goes out 2-3 times a week but it's around Colchester. Bit of a trek (excuse the pun) for u

spally

iTrader: (1)

to be honest i havent been on a bike for years and my stamina is probably shot to pieces at the mo. So am just gonna start with a few miles a couple times a week then slowly build up.

Dont have a bike rack for the car yet either, but once i have that sorted and have some fitness back will defo be interested in popping up. It's only about 40mins drive to colchester.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Nice one your more than welcome

SirFozzalot

Might be up for that Spally, been trying to get out on mine for a while now.

spally

iTrader: (1)

cool fozzy, i know what i am like if i dont have someone else to come along i wont go!!! lol

will give you a shout once i have all me bits and see what we can sort out

spally

iTrader: (1)

if i dont have other people to make me do it i wont!!! lol

cheers

customdanioc

PM sent

yellowvanman

Paul, i'm exactly the same, bought a new mtb just after xmas, have used it twice!

Are you planning to train on the road, or off? If off i'll join you, but can't be doing riding on the road - car drivers can be blind / inconsiderate to bikes.

vega

Paul, get over to Hadleigh downs some great routes over there, hence being the Olympic site for 2012. Theres an entrance right by Benfleet station.

If it wasn't for torn cartelidge in my knee I'd be up for some mtb'ing

customdanioc

What bikes you guys using then ??

Was thinkin road race bike, but mybe MTB ?

Need to get fit lol

spally

iTrader: (1)

dan, will reply to you in the morning matey

Neil, Vega.....am buying a hybrid bike which is to be mainly used on roads but is capable of a bit of off roading, but not complete mountain bike tracks....well until i buy some bigger wheels anyway.

Vega, yeah know about hadleigh downs, my back garden used to lead onto there, however with having to do 60 miles think i need to do more road/distance riding rather than up and down hills.

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Spally just get a Mountain bike and put slicks on it, i've had it with Road bikes, all sold, they are a bunch of miserable ******* at the best of times.

At least with a mountain bike your covered u can have slicks for road use then swap back and have a bike thats tough enough to cope with offroad work, unlike a Hybrid which are generally ridgid and would be a right royal pain in the **** offroad

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Get a hardtail mountain bike witha good light frame. Also look out for one with a lockout on the front forks as this really helps when riding on the road.

I too... time depending would be up for a few sessions out

customdanioc

looking at specialised rockhoppers etc

cheers for help Boyd

SirFozzalot

A couple of other makes worth a look (in my opinion ) :

Marin

SCOTT

frayz

iTrader: (7)

Whatever you do.. make sure you go and ride them all first.

I really wanted a Specialized till i rode it... also liked the Marins but didnt like the way they rode either. All quality bikes but all feel totally different. I bought a Scott in the end. Love it

SirFozzalot

Yep, totally agree with Frayz.

I rode them all and ended up liking the Marin the best. Amazing how different bikes can be to ride and how different people prefer different set-ups.

Try before you buy!

spally

iTrader: (1)

i'm trying out one of these:

Evans Cycles | Ridgeback Storm 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop

didnt want to spend silly money on a bike so this was within my price range. The guy at shop was really helpful and said, seeing as this is going to be used to commute in london as well, hybrid was the way forward.

Road bikes would get a battering from the pot holes etc. and he said the mountain bikes with lockable suspension weren't really worth it for road use.

but hey ho just like cars am sure everyone has a different opinion!! lol

PHAT C

iTrader: (1)

u need somethin to off road with so much more fun over hadleigh downs rather than boring roads, get ridding up bread & cheese hill once a day that will help ya out! lol i spent £90 on my bike from halfords but it does what i need, it might be heavy but if i can ride that up bread & cheese and for miles & miles more im sure there's nothin wrong with it and if i did ride a lighter bike it wld just make it feel so easy

Tiny

Yup yeah i'll 3rd that

I'm also up for a bit of mtb time dependant

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

No worrys Dan

And don't forget whichever bike you get you can always alter the way it feels and rides simply by changing stem length, saddle layback, high rise bars etc etc.

I've owned over 15 bikes in my time, both Mountain bikes and Road bikes and you'd be amazed the difference a simple change of setup can make.

Still say we should have a ESC trip to North Wales and show u lot what real mounatin biking is like

spally

iTrader: (1)

that's the good thing about this scheme we are doing, i get to test run the bike before i buy. Got 2 different size frames coming for me to try so hopefully will get the set up that best suits me

Tiny

Got the bike then Spally ?

I'm just back from a little 5 miler along the sea wall in mayland & around the village , Just popping the bike back over to Les's cycles in Canvey for a service & overhaul ready for the summer riding meets

SirFozzalot

spally

iTrader: (1)

yep, picked the bike up wednesday and it looks an awesome bit of kit just gotta get out now.

kiting or biking today???? no wind so may well go a bike session

spally

iTrader: (1)

PHAT C

iTrader: (1)

im up for a bike ride today to show u how its done, great wakering and back? as there s no wind but we cant go off road