Buying bikes (bicycles, not loose women)

[Paul]

Mrs Paul and I have asked for contributions towards bikes as Christmas pressies this year and I'm after some advice, please. We want mountain bike style ones and will probably have six or seven hundred quid to spend on them (possibly more, but deffo no more than £800). The criteria are as follows:

• ideally the lighter the better.
  
• some way of putting our three year old daughter on the back of Mrs Paul's.
  
• a towing option for mine in order to allow the non-bike riding, but massive and very heavy six year old to come with us.
  
• something to put him in, or preferably on, while he's towed.
  
• some way of fixing the bikes to the car (a Volvo V40, if that's relevant).
  
• the possibility of attaching a bag of some sort to one or both of the bikes for supplies of food and assorted child-related paraphernalia.
  
• recommended local shops or websites.
  

 

Cheers.

[Dirk]

I'm into road bikes not mountain bikes. What I did was, go into a shop, take some advice, see what recommendations they made and then I went home to find if I could get the same bike on the internet cheaper.

[Paul]

I'm into road bikes not mountain bikes. What I did was, go into a shop, take some advice, see what recommendations they made and then I went home to find if I could get the same bike on the internet cheaper.

 

When I say mountain bike, I just mean aesthetically. They'll get used on paths and tracks and the like, but not really in serious off-road terrain. What I'm not interested in is something that looks like what we used to call racers when we were kids. After all, I've got to keep it real, yo.

[RJ Fan club]

I bought a Gary Fisher, never regretted it.

 

http://www.fisherbikes.com/

 

decent spec for decent cash too.

[Paul]

I bought a Gary Fisher, never regretted it.

 

http://www.fisherbikes.com/

 

decent spec for decent cash too.

 

How much is "decent cash"?

[RJ Fan club]

How much is "decent cash"?

 

I bought one for about £350 but got a 10% discount, Its been great ever since.

 

They do a range right through from £200 - £000's.

[Unrighteous]

I am a mountain biker, Paul. What sort of trails do you plan to ride?

 

edit: Oh? Just farting around? Try to get a rigid XC bike. They'll be the lightest and good climbers. It's important that you look for a "Cross Country" bike because they are built for long rides, climbing, etc.

 

If you purchase a bike with the wrong geometry you can make your life hell.

[Dirk]

When I say mountain bike, I just mean aesthetically. They'll get used on paths and tracks and the like, but not really in serious off-road terrain. What I'm not interested in is something that looks like what we used to call racers when we were kids. After all, I've got to keep it real, yo.

 

 

Aye, a racer is a road bike.

[Unrighteous]

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com

 

They have a shop in Manchester. I'd suggest getting the six year old a bike and work on said child to not be 'very heavy'.

[She Knows It]

You can get a tandem thingy like this

 

 

or a buggy trailer like this

 

 

The buggy is designed for two small kids, but I'm not sure it'd fit a 6 yr old.

[Paul]

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com

 

They have a shop in Manchester. I'd suggest getting the six year old a bike and work on said child to not be 'very heavy'.

 

How? There's no fat on him. He's just massive for his age and has a huge frame. I'm working on the assumption that we will get him a bike, but it needs to be one that I can tow (I believe they have such things these days). Otherwise we'll be cycling at a six year old's pace and where's the fun (or progress) in that?

[Unrighteous]

Ah... Took what I know of english diets and took 'very heavy' to mean quite fat.

[Paul]

Ah... Took what I know of english diets and took 'very heavy' to mean quite fat.

 

No chance. He's a fruit and veg monster who loves his karate and running around like a lunatic.

[Unrighteous]

No chance. He's a fruit and veg monster who loves his karate and running around like a lunatic.

 

Good man. I haven't felt so strongly against parents since I left the USA. Does my head in watching obese mother with fat children and bangs full of pre-made meals.

[jacco maccaco]

I have a Mongoose Tyax Super on its way for Christmas.

 

Cracking deal from John Geddes Cycles in Whiston

 

Its an MTB, and this particular model always seems to win when reviewed ( In its price category )

 

RRP about £399 I paid a fair bit less.

[Paul]

Just ridden my brand new Marin Nail Trail home from Birkenhead Cycles. I used the government's cycle to work scheme which offsets the cost against tax. I got an £800 bike, car rack, helmet, lock, pump and seat pack for £43 a month for 12 months. £950 worth of stuff for about half price. Woo-fucking-hoo!!!

[Remmie]

Have a fucking cookie.

 

I spent £200 on my bike and I travel every day to work on it. There's no need to spend that much, but when you are moneybags Nattonicci (name amended to protect the somewhat innocent), forever Sky plussing I guess that's no considerations.

[Paul]

Have a fucking cookie.

 

I spent £200 on my bike and I travel every day to work on it. There's no need to spend that much, but when you are moneybags Nattonicci (name amended to protect the somewhat innocent), forever Sky plussing I guess that's no considerations.

 

Oh fucking hell. Yet another one with piss-on-chips-itis. I wanted something that was very light, good quality and will last for years. I thought Lord Remminton McBargain could at least appreciate a £400 saving at the taxman's expense.

[hamstrung]

Flog the bike for retail price, buy one for less than your repayments and you start making money.

 

He who dares wins.

[Paul]

Oh fucking hell. Yet another one with piss-on-chips-itis. I wanted something that was very light, good quality and will last for years. I thought Lord Remminton McBargain could at least appreciate a £400 saving at the taxman's expense.

 

I'm cancelling the gym membership to pay for the bike, but I've actually saved up the money to buy it anyway.

 

*Mumbles to self*

 

"Fucking Remmie. How the fuck can someone with the toff-est name in he world ever have so many hang ups about money?"

[G Richards]

Nice one Paul. If you have the means, you should. Besides, you are getting a great deal with the tax break.

 

Come on Remmie, be happy for your friend!

[G Richards]

PS - just sold my bike tonight on ebay. Raleigh something or other. Did the job, but it had to go as part of our 'everything must go' sale!

 

House sold yesterday too. Poor market, but the clincher was a snooker/diner we bought when we moved to Northampton. Nice piece of furniture, great slate bed snooker table underneath. Bit big for a suitcae though. They offered £2,500 more than the last offer we accepted (which fell through) so I didn't mind letting them have the table.

[bri]

evanscycles.com are pretty good.

 

you might consider a hybrid, cross between road and mountain.

 

If you go mountain bike you can always put slick tiers on it when you want.

 

For around £550 you can get a decent piece of kit.

 

Also check out wiggle.co.uk and the focus range of bikes. They are an online shop so you'll need to go get sized up and then buy online.

 

Specialized are pretty decent and for hat money you'd be looking at the rockhopper.

 

Also look at the ride to work scheme and the discount available.

[hamstrung]

 

House sold yesterday too. Poor market, but the clincher was a snooker/diner we bought when we moved to Northampton. Nice piece of furniture, great slate bed snooker table underneath. Bit big for a suitcae though. They offered £2,500 more than the last offer we accepted (which fell through) so I didn't mind letting them have the table.

 

Mine has been on 5 weeks, and we've had 3 viewings. Its a damn fine house, doesn't need any work, all "house doctored" etc.

 

Proof indeed, that there is a God.

[Mr.SB]

Good buy Paul, Marin was my first bike, super lightweight frame lasted me for ages.