Mountain Bike Chain Replacement
Which bike should I get?
I want to start cycling to work, but don’t know where to start when it comes to buying a bike.
I need something tough, reliable and comfortable for a hilly urban commute, but I’m willing to sacrifice some road performance for something I can use off road, because I’d like to get into mountain biking too (and lets be honest, all terrain bikes look cool).
Can anyone recommend a good bike? I’d like to spend about £800 To £1200, £1500 at the very most.
Another thing I should mention is that I’m a big guy, six foot three and, while not fat, quite heavy set. A similarly-built guy I work with cycles to work every day, but spends a small fortune on replacements for parts he’s broken (pedals, chains, gear teeth). What sort of kit should I choose (or not) to avoid this expense?
If you are going to definitely get into off road use, get a mountain bike. You can easily set it up with slicks or semi-slicks for fast rolling, and with a quick release saddle you can easily adjust the saddle height on the fly depending on the terrain. Bear in mind that if you commute with a QR saddle, its liable to get stolen…
For that money you’re going to get a very good hardtail. I wouldn’t go for a full susser for the simple fact that the bike’s main use is for your commute, and unless you start hucking down steep rocking slopes the rear shock is just another maintenance cost.
Any bike in that range is going to serve you very well, however they’re all different beasts, so you should try out a couple of different ones that catch your eye.
As for components, again at that price you’re going to get something of quality. For pedals I use flats, and I prefer DMR V12s. Whilst they cost double the price of V8s, they have replaceable bearings, which I go through about 3 or 4 times before the pedals are done. So, look for pedals with replaceable bearings.
I’m a big chap myself, and thats not really going to have much affect on the chain and gears etc – really the only extra stresses from it (asides from on your cardio vascular system!) are on the pedals and cranks, and the seat tube. Even so, any decent bike is built to handle people throwing themselves around, and should therefore be strong enough for you!
Just head down the local shop, let them know you have access to a decent amount of cash, and get some accessories thrown into the deal!
Bicycle Chain Replacement
