The best bike for me (advice please)

John_Rambo

Hello. I am thinking of getting back in the saddle for commuting and was wondering if you could help me.

I used to courier when the money was good in the mid nineties, so that was a long time ago. My favourite bike was the most popular one at the time, the Specialized Rock Hopper with a pair of slicks, it was light, took loads of abuse, robust, reliable and didn't stand out too much (theft)...

I want another one, the bike seems to have evolved, disc brakes, weird bend on the frame and it's expensive.

I don't mind spending the few bob, from experience, the durability is excellent. I will be sharing this bike with my wife, she wants to go for a spin every now and then, she's not much smaller than me, so it will be a case of just lowering the saddle. I may put a kids seat on the back at some stage in the next few years.

My commute will be part park, part (shyte) roads and then mostly cycle path, I intend to ride it with a degree of energy as I get cyclefitter.

Am I a nostalgic moron? Or am I going for an old reliable that will last me for years (Volvo of bikes if you like)?

Thanks a million in advance.

Vizzy

I'm the same as you- had a Rockhopper in the 90's-brilliant bike

Bought another last year-even better cos of the new gear system,brakes,suspension etc.
The are others out there also,depending on your budget e.g Cube or Trek and there is a nice second hand Giant XTC carbon for sale in the adverts section of boards.I was torn between an XTC and the Rockhopper when I was buying this time around but I found the geometry of the Giant didn't suit me.

Lumen

Expensive mountain bikes are thief magnets. I wouldn't leave one locked on the street for any length of time, regardless of the quality of the lock.

John_Rambo

Great stuff lads, thanks a million for that info. Do you use yours for a commute Vizzy?

Yeah, the theft issue is an important one to bring up. I won't be bringing it in to the city centre for now anyway Lumen, I'm in Dublin here, are things that bad? Even in a heavily pedestrianised area (top of Grafton St.) Weirdly, I have never had a bike taken on me from home (dogs:D) or locked up all over Dublin! (fluke)

Lumen

John_Rambo wrote: »

I'm in Dublin here, are things that bad?

Depends on location and time of day. Aside from the theft risk, there are scumbag-infested areas where people will damage your bike (e.g. taco the wheels) just for the hell of it.

Just get a reasonable (but not fancy) hybrid. You're sharing with your wife so fitting a proper road bike (e.g. with drop bars) to suit both of you will be difficult.

You only need a proper mountain bike for proper mountain biking.

John_Rambo

Lumen wrote: »

ust get a reasonable (but not fancy) hybrid

Thanks for your input, I have had two hybrids and I just didn't like them. I didn't like they way they rode or felt to be honest, I'm quiet short and they never suited me for some reason... but, could you stick up a link of what you are thinking of if you have the time? Cheers!

Lumen

John_Rambo wrote: »

Thanks for your input, I have had two hybrids and I just didn't like them. I didn't like they way they rode or felt to be honest, I'm quiet short and they never suited me for some reason... but, could you stick up a link of what you are thinking of if you have the time? Cheers!

On a budget:

Carrera Subway
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Splashing out:

Cube Hyde Team Bike '11
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=40347

John_Rambo

Thanks for the effort Lumen, that's food for thought. I will reconsider.

Vizzy

John_Rambo wrote: »

Great stuff lads, thanks a million for that info. Do you use yours for a commute Vizzy?

Yeah, the theft issue is an important one to bring up. I won't be bringing it in to the city centre for now anyway Lumen, I'm in Dublin here, are things that bad? Even in a heavily pedestrianised area (top of Grafton St.) Weirdly, I have never had a bike taken on me from home (dogs:D) or locked up all over Dublin! (fluke)

John, I do use mine on a short commute(about 3k each way to work and I am lucky enough to be able to get home at lunch) but the bike is generally used on mountain tracks/roads.
I agree with all the rest of the lads say about theft and I am currently in the process of rebuilding a 90's Peugeot MTB( no suspension,slicks etc) to commute on,and then use the Rockhopper for mountain use only.

John_Rambo

I hear what you are saying lads. I really appreciate the advice, again, thanks.