Bike Selection

[Boggo]

Just wondering if there are any bike enthusiasts on here.

I am looking at getting a new all round (hybrid) bike, currently looking at both the Merida Crossway S21 and Orbea ravel26.

Looking at spending $450 to $750.

Any suggestions, recommendations, avoid etc.

Ta

Mike

 

[robots]

hello,

i have a giant mountain bike with road tyres on now, stick with the main brands and a lot of 08' specials on now

i have disc brakes and like them over other brake types as easier to maintain and also getting wheels on and off is hassle free,

also if looking at only reasonably flat riding look at single speed

cost me $1300 about 9yrs ago, I would spend as much as you can and you will get a bicycle that will last you for life,

check for suitable rack attachments if want to carry things

thankyou
robots

 

[Boggo]

Thanks robots, Giant sedona was one that was suggested by a friend, about $1000 for the 09 model.

 

[robots]

hello,

is this the one?

http://www.ivanhoecycles.com.au/bik...a-lx-2009-comfort-mountain-bike/prod_217.html

looks like a couple of Sedona's to choose from, this one has good gears and brakes

thankyou
robots

 

[tech/a]

Have both Road and Mountain bike.

Road is an Orbea Onix
Off Road Merida Matts SE.

Had a Giant years ago.

For a hybrid (What are you doing?) I'd go Orbea but for your investment would be a basic bike--that maybe all you need.
Have a look at gear change and ease of manipulation. Number of gears and ratios. If your more road then higher gearing.
Cleats are important as well it must be very easy to dislodge.I use KEO with Sidi shoes.A great combo.
Buy a chain lube kit as well.Tyre pressures make for an enjoyable ride ask your dealer and get a good Piston upright pump.
Dont know about hybrid pressures but I run 120 on road and 50 off.
Service the bike regularly.

Agree with Bots on $$ investment.
If you compare a Giant with any of the above you'll immediately see the difference---but the price difference is appreciable.

Nothing better than a long ride on a wind free day.

 

[Boggo]

Have both Road and Mountain bike.

For a hybrid (What are you doing?) I'd go Orbea but for your investment would be a basic bike--that maybe all you need.

Sheesh, you're a man of many talents tech/a, excellent, thanks for all that info.

Basically, I used to play golf weekly, comps on Saturdays etc, lots of walking/jogging while trying to keep up with the other half, treadmill if raining etc.

Somewhere in there I have stuffed my right knee and had an op on that two weeks ago, ligament damage, bits chopped out etc.
Currently two visits per week to the physio and I need to rebuild leg muscles.

Looking at a combination of muscle rebuild, fitness and relaxation.
I live 2 km from the Belair national park and intend riding around there and on the Torrens bike path between city and beach.

Thanks All
Mike

 

[tech/a]

Good track done it a few times to the Modbury interchange starting at Henley beach. Living South I ride the bike trails around the Southern Vales,the Southern Expressway if your a little masochistic. Seacliff to Outer Harbor is a good ride. My son and I do a few events nothing competitive just to be in it and some quality Father Son time.

Love Bike riding my Marathon days left me with dikki knees as well. while nothing operated on (Dad who is still alive has just had a complete knee replacement at 86!--number 2--hes not happy).
Ive found the more I use the knees the less problems I have--currently none except you can feel the grinding if you place your hand on the kneecaps!).

I hate age!

If your looking for good advice and want to see and perhaps invest in a great bike go to Mega Bike in King William road (There is one at Blackwood) and take a look.

 

[Boggo]

If your looking for good advice and want to see and perhaps invest in a great bike go to Mega Bike in King William road (There is one at Blackwood) and take a look.

I am actually going to see them at Blackwood tomorrow, you are the second person to recommend them.

The specialist that did the op did say that the secret to maintaining any joint (especially the knee) is the muscle strength as it absorbs loads and stresses.

Mike

 

[tech/a]

Oh and Bike carriers.
I bought the latest its Black and Blue very heavy plasic extrusion and clip type action.
Mega Bike have them a dream compared to the old metal carriers.

Good to see your going along.
Bet you invest a little more!
Just dont tell the wife---they dont understand--its a man thing!

 

[Boggo]

hello,

is this the one?

http://www.ivanhoecycles.com.au/bik...a-lx-2009-comfort-mountain-bike/prod_217.html

thankyou
robots

Yep, that's it, and $100 cheaper than quoted locally.

Ta robots

Bet you invest a little more!
Just dont tell the wife---they dont understand--its a man thing!

I probably will tech.

Re the wife, I drive a Honda and she drives a Hyundai, I always use that as a comparison of you get what you pay for, bloody unfair but you get that

 

[jonojpsg]

Good track done it a few times to the Modbury interchange starting at Henley beach. Living South I ride the bike trails around the Southern Vales,the Southern Expressway if your a little masochistic. Seacliff to Outer Harbor is a good ride. My son and I do a few events nothing competitive just to be in it and some quality Father Son time.

Love Bike riding my Marathon days left me with dikki knees as well. while nothing operated on (Dad who is still alive has just had a complete knee replacement at 86!--number 2--hes not happy).
Ive found the more I use the knees the less problems I have--currently none except you can feel the grinding if you place your hand on the kneecaps!).

I hate age!

If your looking for good advice and want to see and perhaps invest in a great bike go to Mega Bike in King William road (There is one at Blackwood) and take a look.

Hey tech,
This is great - I'm starting to feel right at home here on ASF!! My dad was a marathon runner, although don't think he's ended up with dikki knees? I've heard that new knees only last about 10-15 years so if you're going to do it leave it as long as you can

Totally agree on the muscle strength though, I stuffed my left knee falling off a wall completely pissed after my last engi exam at uni I was planning on aiming for the Sydney Olympics for 1500-5000m too after being totally slack for college/uni with my running Since then though I have done 3 sets of 30 single leg squats on each leg every two days (13 years and still going strong and it's only when I miss a week that my knee gets sore!

Anyway I'm only 35 so don't stress about the age thing I love riding now too and have pipe dreams of riding competitively (hangover from stuffing my chances with running earlier in life) but agree again on the long ride on a windless day (not that we get many of those here in Hobart)

Keep up the great work people and keep on riding!

 

[chops_a_must]

The specialist that did the op did say that the secret to maintaining any joint (especially the knee) is the muscle strength as it absorbs loads and stresses.

Mike

Yes, and also mild load bearing activity will stimulate cartilage regeneration apparently... which is the opposite thought to many years of conventional wisdom. Depending on which ligament you've done, you'll need to be careful on the cycle eventually, because it will over develop the muscles that put more pressure on your ACL.

Took up cycling after breaking my ankle earlier this year.

Have an Orbea Aspin, which has been great. Good quality welds and everything. Can't fault the quality of it at this stage. Can't wait for this semester to be over to get out more again.

 

[refined silver]

Depending on which ligament you've done, you'll need to be careful on the cycle eventually, because it will over develop the muscles that put more pressure on your ACL.

Not sure who gave you that info, but I completely tore my ACL at 16 and part of the medial carteledge, and was told couldn't play any twisting sport from then on, but straight line sports were ok (cycling, swimming, running). I was a full-time road cyclist for quite a few years racing in Europe, all without an ACL, and never had a problem.

Eventually played in a high school student/staff soccer game with the bodgy knee, (The ACL gives stability) went over on it again, and did the cartledge again) ended up having a knee reconstruction where they take some hamstring and build a new ACL, by a top doc who looks after the Broncos among others, and was told I could now play soccer etc again, and after a proper rehab with a sports physio, they said I had as much chance of doing my other knee than the one operated on. That was a few years ago and have played soccer etc without problems. What couldn't be operated on and improved 20 yrs ago, now can be.

But cycling should be good for any ACL problem. There is just certain rare cartledge and knee cap problems where too heavy a cycling load can cause RSI injuries.

And on the thread topic, go for the better bike if you can comfortably afford it!

 

[chops_a_must]

Not sure who gave you that info, but I completely tore my ACL at 16 and part of the medial carteledge, and was told couldn't play any twisting sport from then on, but straight line sports were ok (cycling, swimming, running). I was a full-time road cyclist for quite a few years racing in Europe, all without an ACL, and never had a problem.

The problem isn't when you are on the bike, it's when you then go and try and do something else. Because the mechanics are much different in cycling than running etc.

 

[Boggo]

Got some new wheels and stayed within budget, the fun police will be happy but she hasn't seen it yet

Bought a 09 Scott Sportster P5 from Mega Bike at Blackwood (professional service there tech/a )

Description here... http://www.bikesbecause.com.au/product-details.aspx?sc=211999

I will probably get the bug and then the upgrades will start

Thanks everyone for your input
Mike

 

[Boggo]

I will probably get the bug and then the upgrades will start

Just thought I would update this thread.

The updates did start, this my new baby, and the third one since the last post above

Figured out how to get them past the domestique, just keep paying for her gym membership and then comment that this is my gym

 

[Dowdy]

Just thought I would update this thread.

The updates did start, this my new baby, and the third one since the last post above

Figured out how to get them past the domestique, just keep paying for her gym membership and then comment that this is my gym

Nice bike. How many k's you travel a week?

 

[Boggo]

Nice bike. How many k's you travel a week?

Varies depending on days off etc which vary, also a lot less in winter (I don't like getting wet ).

Usually a couple of trips a week from Brighton to McLaren Vale or similar with a few shorter rides fitted in so probably around 200 km's per week average.

 

[Dowdy]

Varies depending on days off etc which vary, also a lot less in winter (I don't like getting wet ).

Usually a couple of trips a week from Brighton to McLaren Vale or similar with a few shorter rides fitted in so probably around 200 km's per week average.

That's a nice amount. I'm doing 100km around the bay in a day ride this year. Melbourne to Frankston route. Should be a good ride

 

[tech/a]

Varies depending on days off etc which vary, also a lot less in winter (I don't like getting wet ).

Usually a couple of trips a week from Brighton to McLaren Vale or similar with a few shorter rides fitted in so probably around 200 km's per week average.

Hmm

We must pass.
Living at Moana
The Brighton Willunga track and Aldinga circuit are my haunts.
Often do Seacliff/Outer Harbour.Doing 100-150k a week
but running a bit for City Bay---about the speed of Cliffy Young (And he's dead!).
Looking at High 70s for City Bay. Best was when 30 (48 min) -- can just remember it!

Boggo you doing Ami's ride?
I'm doing 65K. Might do the 100K if I get the time to train.