Best Bike For Fitness & Fun??

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
Hey Guys,

Im a firm believer in getting the best item for the job at hand. Generally speaking something that is designed for say Road Riding , while being able to do it isnt going to be the best for Dirt riding, and vice versa. So my Question is what bike type & even model would you recommend for me?

Im about 192cm, and weigh 100kg. Im wanting to loose some weight and also look at getting into Bike riding to keep fit after reaching my goal weight. I have dodgy ankles, hence the reason for choosing an activity for that isnt strenuous on the ankles. I have a Custom FBM BMX that im trying to sell atm, because im not keen on doing jumps and tricks, as Im now 21, with a job and cant afford to hurt myself.

What are road bikes like?? I dont see too many larger people riding them. Is this for a reason? Or would i be better of getting a MB? I like the look of the hard tails.

Any information would be greatly appreciated, as well as let us know if your interested in buying my bike or you have one to sell in the Brisbane/Ipswich area.

Thanks
 

nastylilweed

Likes Dirt
You should never grow out of wanting to do jumps or tricks... /Endstory. Especially at 21 or because of work!

Think long and hard about what you want to use the bike for before going out and getting one. Are you going to ride it on the road only? Or are you going to use it to hit some trails and get out and about? There are a huge amount of locations around Brisbane and Ipswich to ride in both of these disciplines.

The next thing people are going to ask you is what kind of budget are you working with... That's probably the second most important question you need to ask yourself. Also if you are needing an entire setup (IE Shoes, Helmet, Pumps, Tubes, and basic tools etc)

Go do some reading on the different disciplines. Then work out where you want to go.
 

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
You should never grow out of wanting to do jumps or tricks... /Endstory. Especially at 21 or because of work!

Think long and hard about what you want to use the bike for before going out and getting one. Are you going to ride it on the road only? Or are you going to use it to hit some trails and get out and about? There are a huge amount of locations around Brisbane and Ipswich to ride in both of these disciplines.

The next thing people are going to ask you is what kind of budget are you working with... That's probably the second most important question you need to ask yourself. Also if you are needing an entire setup (IE Shoes, Helmet, Pumps, Tubes, and basic tools etc)

Go do some reading on the different disciplines. Then work out where you want to go.
Haha. I don't wanna completely give up tricks, but I really can't afford to hurt myself. So tricks aren't the main goal. I'd like to be able to ride around the streets comfortably, but also hit some of the local trails. Something about riding through the bush I enjoy. I'm a fairly big guy, tall, an build wise. Not necessarily fat, so I'm looking for something bigger than the bmx. What are hard tails mainly used for?

I have most of the things that I should need gear wise.

Price wise is be looking spending 500-600. More if i can sell my BMX.
 
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driftking

Wheel size expert
You need to define what bush and off road riding means to you. That can be anywhere from jumps, pump tracks, xc, downhill, all mountain. Etc lots.
When you said road bike I am a little confused, you mentioned road but also said you want to be able to go off road. A proper road bike won't go off road. Well it will but it's short of like taking a track car fourwheel driving. It's not going to go well nor perform.

A little more detail into what you want the bike for would be good.
It sounds like at the moment you need two bikes.

In terms of what hardtails are used for that depends on the Goal. Considering hardtails just refer to no rear supension you will find hardtails come In many types eg. XC, dirt jumps, 4x, park, then there are a few specialist dh hardtails.
 
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ozdavo

Likes Dirt
29er HT. Fast on & off the road.
2013 Giant Boulder 0 seems a bargain @ RRP$649 , but are harder to find than hens teeth. New Malvern Star Switch range also look good value too (RRPs $499, $599 & $799).
Most big brands now have 29ers that dip into your price range.
 

nastylilweed

Likes Dirt
Haha. I don't wanna completely give up tricks, but I really can't afford to hurt myself.
Neither can I, doesn't mean that I don't... haha anything to do with a bike will end badly given an infinite time frame.

I would definitely look towards selling the BMX and getting the extra cash to buy a bike.

To me it sounds like you should look at an XC or AM hardtail. It will allow you to do most things and if you find yourself wanting to get more serious about a specific discipline then look towards buying a more specialised bike.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?248456-Merida-Matts-TFS-500

That for example is in your price range and will do everything you want it to at this stage. You can even pick up some excellent value dual suspension bikes for around the 1000 dollar mark if you can find the extra cash.
 

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
You need to define what bush and off road riding means to you. That can be anywhere from jumps, pump tracks, xc, downhill, all mountain. Etc lots.
When you said road bike I am a little confused, you mentioned road but also said you want to be able to go off road. A proper road bike won't go off road. Well it will but it's short of like taking a track car fourwheel driving. It's not going to go well nor perform.

A little more detail into what you want the bike for would be good.
It sounds like at the moment you need two bikes.

In terms of what hardtails are used for that depends on the Goal. Considering hardtails just refer to no rear supension you will find hardtails come In many types eg. XC, dirt jumps, 4x, park, then there are a few specialist dh hardtails.
Haha after reading my first post even to me i didn't get it lol. Basically what I was trying to say rather than buying a specialist bike to suit one thing, what type of bike would suit my type of riding.

I don't know what is available for me locally but this is what I imagine I would enjoy doing.

Riding on the road: Semi-Comfortably Going for a ride locally after work, for exercise. Being on the road, pathway, through the park. Going for a ride along the Brisbane river pathway walk.

Offroad Riding: Riding through bush on trails. I would like to try abit of downhill. Nothing crazy to start off with. I think we have a track in Ipswich for MTB, so give that a go. Basically offroad riding with the ability if I wanted to try a few little jumps my bike isn't going to break on me.

Tricks: Once again. Nothing to serious like 6foot drop-offs. But jumping little stairs while riding around the neighborhood, jumping of gutting. Hitting little jumps while trail riding.

Hopefully I haven't been to vague. Main key is I'm not going to do anything too extreme to this stage. Just want something I can loose weight on. Have some fun, and not something that looks like a 13yr old should ride like my current BMX looks when I'm on it. Lol
 

HimynameisMike

Likes Dirt
I'm 28 years old, 185cm tall, 95kg. I ride a Norco 2005 Team DH and a Giant 2008 Reign X1 (for all-mountain and cross country.) I'm in a similar position to you, I want to ride to get fit AND have fun. Thats what I use my Reign for.

Obviously I use my Norco for heavy riding, places like GMBC at You Yangs ie, proper downhill runs.

I use my Reign for nearly everything else - I use it at Lysterfield for running on 'all mountain' trails where I could be riding for upto 2-6 hours. I also use my Reign on tracks like Cressy Descent at You Yangs (check youtube for what these trails look like). I also use my Reign occasionaly (and I do stress OCCASIONALLY) for riding home from work which is a 25km ride one way.

The reign as far as:

Road - uuummm okay... definitly not designed for it, in fact, its borderline painful, but I can do it. The 25km ride home (uphills a fair bit, I live in South East Victoria) along footpaths/road usually leaves my feet kind of numb and I'm slightly exhausted. If I had a slightly thinner set of tyres and played with the rear suspension more I'm thinking it might be ok.

Trail/Offroad - hells yeah! my Reign might need some stronger wheels (currently running a Jet Black wheelset) but so far so good!

Tricks- dont get much air on this, I do drops like on Cressy Descent, but nothing 'gnarly'.

If you've read this far - basically look for an All-Mountain bike, like the Giant Reign, Trek Remedy, Santa Cruz Nomads, Intense Tracer.... of course, it all comes down to budget, but thats my suggestions anyways. Good luck mate.
 

redbruce

Eats Squid
I'm 28 years old, 185cm tall, 95kg. I ride a Norco 2005 Team DH and a Giant 2008 Reign X1 (for all-mountain and cross country.) I'm in a similar position to you, I want to ride to get fit AND have fun. Thats what I use my Reign for.

Obviously I use my Norco for heavy riding, places like GMBC at You Yangs ie, proper downhill runs.

I use my Reign for nearly everything else - I use it at Lysterfield for running on 'all mountain' trails where I could be riding for upto 2-6 hours. I also use my Reign on tracks like Cressy Descent at You Yangs (check youtube for what these trails look like). I also use my Reign occasionaly (and I do stress OCCASIONALLY) for riding home from work which is a 25km ride one way.

The reign as far as:

Road - uuummm okay... definitly not designed for it, in fact, its borderline painful, but I can do it. The 25km ride home (uphills a fair bit, I live in South East Victoria) along footpaths/road usually leaves my feet kind of numb and I'm slightly exhausted. If I had a slightly thinner set of tyres and played with the rear suspension more I'm thinking it might be ok.

Trail/Offroad - hells yeah! my Reign might need some stronger wheels (currently running a Jet Black wheelset) but so far so good!

Tricks- dont get much air on this, I do drops like on Cressy Descent, but nothing 'gnarly'.

If you've read this far - basically look for an All-Mountain bike, like the Giant Reign, Trek Remedy, Santa Cruz Nomads, Intense Tracer.... of course, it all comes down to budget, but thats my suggestions anyways. Good luck mate.
With the OP's budget of $500 - $600????????
 

dusty_nz

Likes Dirt
Look at MTB.

Better all over workout and better core strength and burning of calories per hour.

Safer than road riding, Funny I know but riding on the road has greater damage from speed, Harder impact and also pelotons going down.
MTBing tends to be a more predictable environment, softer impact and slower speed.

Pro of road riding is you can start at your front door. Don't have to drive anywhere.

Keep an eye out for both. I just picked up a Trek 4000 road bike complete for the wife for $50. Just needed a front tube.
 

Big JD

Wheel size expert
with your budget I would say a HT 26er. you should save another 500 so you can get into a much better price range - secondhand.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?247651-2010-Santa-Cruz-Chameleon-(MEDIUM) too small for you but the right type

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?248521-Niner-AIR9-XLarge
right size but too expensive

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?247288-2010-Kona-one20

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?246707-(QLD)-2009-Specialized-Enduro

there are some great deals out there secondhand mate. Too be honest - I would get the best allrounder I can for the money and ride it a f*ckload (for fitness). If you get some elcheapo/heavy/huffy your experience will be limited. Get a bike you can take off road and enjoy the bush. It also needs to be capable and able to handle your heft. I am 6.4 and 100kgs and 43yrs old - you never loose the need to jump and stunt mate - man up buddy and ride hard - life is short. You have so many places to ride SE QLD - get out there on a capable, purpose built off road rig and every now and then ride to the trail on the road. Clock up the KMs too reduce weight, ride often for fitness and ride hard and push yourself for happiness.
 

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
Hey guys,

Went to my local MTB store today an had a look at some new bikes. I'm now leaning towards buying new as I can pay it of weekly an get a better bike.

So I really like the Scott Aspect 630. Link here: click here

Basically it works out to be $13/week over 12 months or $899

Thoughts?
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
I cant comment on that bike as i dont have experience in lower end range stuff or xc.

Though I just wants to say that you noted you wanted to try some dh and I would have to advise against doing so on these cheaper bikes as it will just destroy the bike. Now if you mean xc type of dh like the ones you find in the national parks etc then that's perfectly fine. But I wouldn't suggest you go throw yourself down a proper dh trail. the bike and components wont handle it if your riding at speed and most the time to ride dh properly you need some speed.

I think for what you are talking about like off road fire trails/bike trails xc style stuff in the bush and on the road the type of bike design you are looking at is a good move, hardtail xc style more inclined for the firetrails/xc stuff. Hopefully someone will jump on in regards to that specific bike though sorry i cant offer too much input.
 

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
I cant comment on that bike as i dont have experience in lower end range stuff or xc.

Though I just wants to say that you noted you wanted to try some dh and I would have to advise against doing so on these cheaper bikes as it will just destroy the bike. Now if you mean xc type of dh like the ones you find in the national parks etc then that's perfectly fine. But I wouldn't suggest you go throw yourself down a proper dh trail. the bike and components wont handle it if your riding at speed and most the time to ride dh properly you need some speed.

I think for what you are talking about like off road fire trails/bike trails xc style stuff in the bush and on the road the type of bike design you are looking at is a good move, hardtail xc style more inclined for the firetrails/xc stuff. Hopefully someone will jump on in regards to that specific bike though sorry i cant offer too much input.
Yer I wouldn't expect it to handle proper dh, however at this stage I more wanting to try more fire trail/xc stuff. If in the future I wanted to try proper dh. I would proberly get a dedicated dh.

One thing I noticed and liked, was the fact that Scott has a lifetime warranty, which is reassuring.

Would be interested if someone could comment on the bike above or Scott bikes in general.

Thanks
 
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nastylilweed

Likes Dirt
Scott make nice bikes. Endstory.

However. You usually pay more for a Scott of the same spec as you would another brand.

May I suggest having a hunt around and seeing if there are any 2012 or even 2011 model bikes around that are discounted. You may find yourself a good deal.
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
Scott make nice bikes. Endstory.

However. You usually pay more for a Scott of the same spec as you would another brand.

May I suggest having a hunt around and seeing if there are any 2012 or even 2011 model bikes around that are discounted. You may find yourself a good deal.
This is a good suggestion buying on run out is a really good move. you tend to get around 30% off for a new bike with full warranty.
In terms of scott warranty just check the terms and conditions though they tend to have fairly substantial loop hols to get companies out of these situations. There tends to be a "proper use sort of clause where they dictate what use it covers.
 

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
What are cube bikes like?

Im currently tossing up between a

2013 Scott Aspect 630
or
2012 Cube Aim 2012
or
2013 Merida Matts TFS U900


Im still leaning towards the Scott Aspect

Anythoughts on the above?
 

nastylilweed

Likes Dirt
Cube also make nice bikes, I have a Cube roadie and it has never given me any issues.

They are big in the Europe etc and their high end stuff is very impressive. I have never had a problem with the roadie (it's a roadie? What can do wrong with it...) but apparently their after purchase service is excellent.

Their the Scott or the Cube, take them both for a ride and see which one feels better or has a better spec..
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
when looking at the build list don't worry too much about parts that will be replaced like cassettes and chain rings, chains due to wear and tear.
Small things like stems and bars should be considered but the best thing to base your decision on the frame, suspension and major components that don't get replaced due to wear. its better to get a slightly lower build with a better frame than a slightly better build with a lesser frame.
 

kl3ggy

Likes Dirt
Thanks for all the info guys. I have started a new topic of in the General Section as it isn't about fitness anymore.

If you have anymore info or comments please post them over here >>>> Click Here
 
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