About 2 years ago I bought a mountain bike. It was an impulse purchase and I've hardly used it at all since I bought it, but this summer I'm going to try getting into mountain biking.

I bought a little known make, a Merida CMX. It cost £400, and from what my cousin has told me (he's into bikes) it is a pretty good bike for what I paid.

I'm looking to buy a few accessories such as padded shorts and cycling jacket as well as a few things to fit onto the bike.

Are there any good biking internet sites where I can buy such accessories?

Thanks!

Andy.

 

 

Thanks for your help Charlie!

I'm doing a 26 miles race/charity run in 2 weeks and so padded shorts are a must! Thin seats without padded shorts...ooh...can't bear thinking about it!

Andy.

 

will second the vote on Leisure Lakes !!! excellent service !

 

I went for a pedal the other day and reminded myself just how unfit I am, then to top it all off I spooned it riding across a field and went straight over the handlebars, luckily nothing important was damaged as I landed on my head!

Definately go for the padded shorts, also get a little speedo thingy, you can calibrate it wrongly so you think you've done 10 miles and realize you've only done 5 and it gives you something to play with if you get bored.
Mini pump and repair kit also a must.
Happy peddaling!

Dave

 

You can buy stuff online at

 

It's well worthwhile getting a decent helmet. If you cycle off road you WILL come off from time to time!

LOL

JD

(ageing Klein Pulse Comp in Deep Blue Mica!)

 

Try

 

Try

 

If you're serious about getting back into it, buy a heart rate monitor too.

Protects form the bonk - nothing more embarassing when out with others

And remember; if you ain't fallen off, you ain't found the right single-track yet

Richard

 

Are there any good mountain bike holidays available?

Andy.

 

see the problem with padded shorts is, you just KNOW your bum looks big in them...

 

Try these guys, I've used them in the past.

 

I cannot stress this strongly enough.

GET A GOOD HELMET AND WEAR IT ALL THE TIME

Literally saved my life on a couple of occasions. Guy I know died after being hit by a car on a "round the block test". Hit his head off the kerb - NO other injuries.

Other essentials:-

Good padded shorts
Sunglasses if its bright
Padded cycle gloves - better grip and saves the skin on your hands if you fall off
Appropriate footwear
Toe clips or the right pedals if you aint already got them
Drinks bottle (full )
Pump and repair kit
Small spanner and allen key set

Have fun

D

Ps - for all those new cyclists who are doing long runs, get out as often as you can to acclimiatise your backside to the saddle or you WILL regret it!!!

LOL

 

Don't want too many people laughing at me in padded lycra shorts so I've decided to eat more McDonalds and less salad

 

Diablo

You forgot glasses when it's wet/muddy and you're out with friends too

Depends what you're into, but SPD's are good if you're a proficient XC'er and don't take your DH's in full-monty-battle-sideways mode.....too often

Richard

 

Hello,

Just to join in the preaching

GET A HELMET!!!!

IF you dont fall off you aint trying hard enough. When I did a lot of biking if I wasnt wearing a helmet I would now be dead, simple as that.

The padded shorts make a big difference as well.

An odometer is nice to seee how far you go and how quick so you can see yourself getting better.

Dont forget a pump/gas, spare tube (better than a patch) and a multi-tool for those on the go repairs.

Have fun.

 

Phew.........just got in from a blast on my bike......and yes....realised how unfit I am

Oh yeah, we've got some excellent single tracks up my way

And if you don't fall off you ain't trying hard enuff

David (Trek Y3-modified of course )

 

My Rockhopper has arrived [and helmet].
So now I can look forward to a life of active unemployment. If I can find some padded shorts ...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diablo:

GET A GOOD HELMET AND WEAR IT ALL THE TIME

Diablo - is it ok to take it off when you've finished your ride?

Andrew

 

I went on a 15 mile ride today across mostly rocky/muddy terrain...my **** is killing!!!
Padded shorts are a must for my next bike ride!
My wrists are also quite sore so I might invest in some good front suspension forks.

It was pretty enjoyable though, even when we were being chased by a ranger (we were cycling in a no cycle zone)

Andy.

 

Can anyone reccomend a good MTB?

I have been toying with the idea of getting into this for a while, but new house/scooby has drained all my money!

I am thinking of spending about £400 - e.g. Trek 4500, is this a good bike and can anyone reccomend a good make with bikes in this price bracket? I definitely want front suspension, but technology seems to have moved on since I last thought about this...

Cheers

Richard

 

Buy this months Mountain Biking UL magazine as they have a section on page 140 about entry level bikes £300-£350 and a quick review on a few others up to about £400 (You also get a halfords catalogue with 20% of all bike parts and accessories) Hope this helps Oh yes "GET A HELMET" a friend of mine died a few years ago while popping out to the shops, got hit by a car at a junction and head went straight through the windscreen

Charlie

 

Hi Richard

Take a close look at the 2nd hand market -there's loads of ads in MBUK and similar mags. People think biking is going to be for them and find out it isn't (not sure why) or they buy a frame which is way too big for them. Either way, they're forced to sell at a price way below what they paid for it. Just make sure it hasn't been nicked or trashed. Ask for receipts etc and you should be able to tell just by looking at it whether or not it's been looked after.

Another option is to buy last year's model which is what I did. Paid £799 for a bike which was originally priced at £1200.

Cheers
Kav

 

Hi Richard

Take a close look at the 2nd hand market -there's loads of ads in MBUK and similar mags. People think biking is going to be for them and find out it isn't (not sure why) or they buy a frame which is way too big for them. Either way, they're forced to sell at a price way below what they paid for it. Just make sure it hasn't been nicked or trashed. Ask for receipts etc and you should be able to tell just by looking at it whether or not it's been looked after.

Another option is to buy last year's model which is what I did. Paid £799 for a bike which was originally priced at £1200.

Cheers
Kav

 

Doh!

[This message has been edited by Tom Evans (edited 05 June 2001).]

 

I would also look at 2nd hand bikes. Can get a good bike for around £400. Also not too hard to see what's wrong with a bike when have a look at it (e.g. if pedals creek then likely bearings have gone, etc), unlike a car.

I would suggest that you look around and see what the magazines, like MBUK, are saying about what they think are good bikes.

Haven't bought bike mag. in months, but they used to test three bikes head-to-head in most issues.

Also, bikes have come down in value a fair bit, I think?? I bought my Orange P7 just over 2 years ago for £880 and saw it a few months back going for circa £600. Was quite surprised as was the 1st time I picked up bike mag. in quite a while and didn't know that they had come down in price - esp. by so much.

Also, I would personally buy a rigid framed bike to begin with. They feel great and if you get a good one then you get a lot of feedback from it. You can always buy some susp. forks for it at a later date.

Cheers,
Tom

 

Full bouncy's the way to go!

If you get an air rear unit you can lock it out to stop bob uphill - a quick flick will give you a nice plush downhill run.....straight past your hard-tailed mates over bumpy sections

Also helps traction on technical uphill stuff too.

And the extra weight will *make-you-fitter*, lol!

I bought a 'last years' model and saved 400 quid. Just make sure the components are good - Shimano LX should be entry level for the shifters, derailieurs (sp!), brakes, etc. and are a safe bet if you're new to the scene. However, a *good* bike shop is a godsend; it will be able to let you try a few different frames and geometries to find what's comfortable for your riding style and intended use.

Richard (just about to go back to spd's; extreme gravel-rash coming up!)

 

Thanks for the help guys, I may have a look at the 2nd hand market as well. Being a bit of a gadget freak I quite fancy all the trick suspension bits, but I guess to get a good set up it will cost a bit more than I want to spend....

Cheers

Richard