Advice on buying a MTB bike/commuting to work

[dudleygb]

Hi all,
I'm looking to get into the cycling world. Looking to do some commuting to work and some off road stuff. Nothing serious, mainly for fun and fitness.
I was advised to purchase one of these. Please can I get some advice on these bikes. I know they not high-end, but I really need to know if this is either overkill or underpowered for my needs. Or maybe some other suggestions?

http://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polygon-cozmic29-cx3-0-29er-mountain-bike-shimano-deore-xt/
http://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polygon-cozmic29-cx2-0-29er-mountain-bike-shimano-deore/
http://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polygon-xtrada-5-0-mountain-bike-27-5-shimano-alivio-27-speed/

 

[alfeng]

FWIW. If you are taller than 175 cm (~5'9") then skip the 650b (¿27er?) bike ...

while there may be a really extraordinary future for that wheel size, the current tyre choice remains very limited ...

If you anticipate that your off-road excursions will only be along dirt or gravel roads OR modest, rolling pathways then you may want to see if there is a 29er option with a RIGID FORK.

Essentially, a 29er is a slightly more robust "Hybrid" which has a Rigid Fork & presumably has more tyre clearance ...

A 700x48 tyre may-or-may-not fit in a "Hybrid" bike frame ...

Heck, if a 700x52 (or, larger) tyre fits in a "Hybrid" bike with a Rigid Fork then THAT is what you may want to consider if you do not anticipate that the terrain & surface of your off road jaunts will be too taxing.
IF your budget allows, if it were MY choice, then of the two 29ers I would opt for the POLYGON COSMIC29 CX3.0 because if you plan on doing ANYTHING off-road beyond a gravel roadway, then you will want the better Suspension Fork sooner-rather-than-later ...

BTW. Regardless of the bike you choose, you will ideally have TWO sets of wheels ...

1. one with commuting tyres (700x28 to 700x42 ... 700x42 are classified as "Hybrid" tyres, BTW)
2. and, one with tyres for off road use (700x48 to 700x58)

 

[dudleygb]

Awesome thanx for the reply, very informative, this is the stuff I haven't even thought of yet. All excellent considerations. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk