Cycling and bicycle racing discussion forums.   View New Forum Topics
Today's Forum Topics

Set as homepage


Go Back   Cycling Forums > Mountain Bikes > Tech Corner - Mountain Bike
User Name
Password
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Welcome to CyclingForums.com

You are currently viewing our website as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions. You will have to register before you can post to this thread.

By joining our free online community you will have access to post new topics, communicate privately with other cyclingforums.com members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos and access other special features like product reviews and classifieds.


help please! i want to get a bike

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 13-02.-2003, 06:01 PM   #1
helen
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Default help please! i want to get a bike

hi

i'm after some advice, i want to get a bike just to start off riding, not every day, just riding here and there - just recreationally to start off with - 2-3 times per week.

i've been recommended a giant boulder or a gitane rocks.

has anyone got any thoughts or advice on an ideal first bike please?

thanks!
helen is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 06:44 PM   #2
Vo2
ArchAngel
 
Vo2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Orion Nebula
Posts: 2,163
Default

Hi Helen

Why a mountainbike, if I may ask?
I know many people that buy mtb bikes and then use them on the road 80% of the time. If you would like to compete in road races around the country, I suggest you reconsider.
If you are a full blown cool mountain bike chicker, then please ignore the above.
__________________
Pain is inevitable...suffering is optional
Vo2 is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 06:55 PM   #3
RalleighOke
Addicted Cyclist
 
RalleighOke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fourways
Posts: 361
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by Vo2
Hi Helen

Why a mountainbike, if I may ask?


Welcome to the forum Helen.

I agree totally with Vo2. If you intent to ride on the road then it will be much better to get a road bike. Much more fun...you can beat all the MTBikers

Just kidding, MTBikers are really cool but if you are only going to ride on the road I would recommend it.

Another option you might look at is to get a Hybrid (mix between a mountain bike and road bike). Look around, try some bikes and choose whatever you prefer...as long as you start cycling..it's fun on any bike...
__________________
"pain is temporary, pride is forever"
RalleighOke is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 06:57 PM   #4
helen
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Default

i guess i want to be able to go where i want and my mum lives in the country, so there's plenty of unsealed roads and other places to ride...

plus i guess, i didn't even think about a road bike.......should i have?
helen is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 07:05 PM   #5
RalleighOke
Addicted Cyclist
 
RalleighOke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fourways
Posts: 361
Default

Quote:
i guess i want to be able to go where i want and my mum lives in the country, so there's plenty of unsealed roads and other places to ride...


From above I would then recommend you go for a Mountain Bike, you can go everywhere (oceans and lakes exlcuded). MTB however is not up my alley but there are plenty of MTBikers here on the forum and I'm sure they will give you some good advise.
__________________
"pain is temporary, pride is forever"
RalleighOke is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 07:09 PM   #6
helen
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Default

thanks for the welcome everyone

i am getting very excited about the cycling thing...i rode a lot when i was a kid and haven't really ridden for years....i rode over the weekend with my boyfriend which was great, managed to smash into a fence (yes, i'm a clutz) and get a great bruise on my arm, etc, etc - am very glad it was the fence and not the road though!

any thoughts from you guys about the ride sort of mountain bike to get please?
helen is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 07:20 PM   #7
Vo2
ArchAngel
 
Vo2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Orion Nebula
Posts: 2,163
Default

The Giant range is good.
__________________
Pain is inevitable...suffering is optional
Vo2 is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 13-02.-2003, 10:27 PM   #8
Mampara
Registered User
 
Mampara's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 233
Default

There is so may good and nice bikes. The Giant range is good value for money. How about the Giant Rainier. It will last you forever with the model of component fitted. How about Scott? Their "Y" series is good entry level bikes.
Mampara is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 15-02.-2003, 02:16 AM   #9
MtnBikerChk
Community Team
 
MtnBikerChk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 291
Send a message via AIM to MtnBikerChk
Default

Giants rock.

welcome to mountain biking. git yourself a nice entry level bike and if you want to road ride get a second set of wheels and some slick tires.
MtnBikerChk is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 15-02.-2003, 07:04 PM   #10
helen
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Default

Hi Everyone

Thanks for the great advice, went and test rode a Giant Boulder today and they're excellent!

They had a red and black one in my size, but I get everything in blue, so they're going to try and source a blue one - I'm picking up a blue one or a red one on Tuesday (apparently even Giant has run out of blue in this model and size!).

Thanks again, I can't wait til Tuesday night!

H
helen is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 16-02.-2003, 03:32 PM   #11
roKeMS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 176
Talking

"If you intent to ride on the road then it will be much better to get a road bike. Much more fun...you can beat all the MTBikers"
Haha - you're funny
I'll put some 700C slicks on my 30kg bike and kick your ass!

"How about Scott?"
Over-priced, over self promotion on frame
Sorry Mampara

'03 giant Boulders are a good entry level bike. The only dis is the rear shock. Very springy but you can fix the spring rate pretty easily and upgrade the rest as it breaks.
Good hoice.

oh yeah - g'day and welcome from Australia

www.mountainbikepark.com
roKeMS is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 18-02.-2003, 08:34 PM   #12
helen
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Default

Thanks Everyone,

I'm waiting on a blue Boulder, Giant have run out! So this rep is looking around for one that's already in a shop in my size (even in Perth which is at the other end of Australia to me - I'm in Melbourne).

At least they're holding a red and black one just in case.

I just want to get a bike home though!

Thanks

H
helen is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 20-02.-2003, 08:50 PM   #13
helen
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Default sorry - another question

still waiting on picking it up - i don't have a bike rack for my car yet, until then, do the wheels come off the giant boulders easily so that i can put the bike in the boot please?

thanks

helen
helen is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 20-02.-2003, 08:58 PM   #14
roKeMS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 176
Default

quick release wheels yes - no probs.
take the seat off as well - should also be qwik release (give yaself some leg room )
roKeMS is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 20-02.-2003, 08:59 PM   #15
Mampara
Registered User
 
Mampara's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 233
Default

You only need to remove the front wheel so that you can fit in on the back seat. That is what I'm currently doing. Remove the front wheel, turn the bike upside down and put it inbetween the rear seat and front seats. You have to do this from the right hand side of the car. Just remember your blanket or something so that you do not get oil on the seat.
Mampara is offline  
Reply With Quote

Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT +10. The time now is 07:44 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Copyright © 2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2001 - 2006 cyclingforums.com

Links to websites we like:
Pezcyclingnews | Cyclingnews.com | Wine Zone | iinet