Bike Advice

[Region3]

We're getting our daughter her first 'big' bike this Christmas, and I'm thinking it might be nice for me to get one too so we can take rides together.

I used to ride a bit, including work and back for about 4 years, but also the occasional ride for fun and I used to like mucking about trying to hop up and down things.

This isn't a what bike to get thread, but what type would you advise?

My first thought was a hybrid with it being easier on the road, but then the longer wheelbase would make it harder to muck about on - and I was pretty rubbish on a 26" MTB.

I don't want a road bike as I'd like the option of going off road, but it isn't likely to be anything harder than singletrack.

At the moment I'm leaning towards an MTB with lockable forks, then get slimmer tyres if need be, but I'm open to all advice if anyone has experience of both.

Thanks.

 

[bluewolf]

You could take a look at the Cyclo-cross bikes. Like road bikes, but sturdier. Stick some bigger tyres on it and you're set for minor off road and road cycling.

Oh, and most, if not all MTB's will be 29'ers next year. Great big wheels that make anyone a singletrack god*

*Not strictly true, but they are damned easy to ride...

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Hybrid with some chunky tyres, I go off road on mine all of the time!

 

[Andy808]

KTM Duke 650. Great fun on and off road!
She will have to peddle hard to keep up but it will keep her fit.:thup:

 

[Rooter]

Key thing is budget!!

Your requirements sounded very similar to mine, i ended up buying a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc. It has 29" wheels, lockable forks. It is not a true off road MTB in my opinion, but can hold its own on light trails. on road its brill, i commuted on it most of last summer.Set me back £500 via the cycle to work scheme (so about £26 a month real cost!)

Specialized are getting rid of last years models at the minute too,

Plus, for the kiddies, my older 2 both have the specialized kids bikes, my daughter had a "cheap" thing from halfords before and it was awful, weighed a ton and was rubbish. They both have the hotrock kids now 16" for the boy and 20" for my older one.

Quality is fantastic, but you do pay more. think the kids ones were around £170 each, but when they grow out of them, the resale values are quite good, so longer term a better buy. Plus the specialized concept store threw in free helmets for them both!

 

[Rooter]

The kids ones...

 

[Region3]

This is a nightmare!

As far as getting mine goes, I went in to a bike shop today and 29ers look MASSIVE!!
I can't see me going for one of those. The good news is that lots of places seem to be selling 26" MTB's pretty cheaply, I just need to decide on one now.

I have also found out that my daughter is right in the middle of the switch from kids to adult sized bikes
Will only fit a 24" wheeled bike if it has a 15" frame (most are 13"), and needs a 13" frame in a 26" wheel. There aren't many of those stocked either, and they're bloody expensive for a Criggy present!