Which bike?

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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sarahm
Posts: 74
Joined: 11 Feb 2008, 9:06pm

Which bike?

Post by sarahm »

Hi everyone
I'm just about to buy a new bike but am torn between 3. I have just joined the local ctc group, brilliant they are too. I do mainly on road but with some off road, I ride about 20 miles a day and training to build up to 50 - 60miles a day.
The bikes I'm torn between are the Trek 7200, Trek 7.3 FX WSD and the Marin Kentfield.
Please can someone help me. If you have any other suggestions of bikes you prefer for this type of riding they will be gratefully received.
Sarah
hamster
Posts: 4220
Joined: 2 Feb 2007, 12:42pm

Post by hamster »

Sarah:

Seeming as nobody has replied, I'll wade in.

It all depends on what kind of compromise you want to make. Personally, I would but a bike with good space round the wheels (i.e. enough to take mudguards. Anything with 32mm tyres and up(1 1/4 in MTB land) is fairly useful for gravel paths. You might have to take the guards off on something a bit racier to get the fat tyres to fit, but that's the compromise. I have happily toured and pulled kids in a trailer on gravel with a tourer and 32mm tyres. Most ATB tyres are overkill so don't worry too much about it.

After that I would just recommend that you try plenty of bikes out. Avoid bike shops that don't want to help.
reohn2

Post by reohn2 »

Sarah
Sorry I've only just seen this post.I would go for any of those bikes as a guide the more you spent the better level of equipement fitted the frames are all the same quality so its which one you prefere,but make sure you get the right size!
Edwards
Posts: 5986
Joined: 16 Mar 2007, 10:09pm
Location: Birmingham

Post by Edwards »

Sarah I checked the bike you said and the only thing that stuck in my mind was that the Treck bikes had the threads for mudguards are a rear rack. I could not see if they were there on the Marin.
Personaly I would want mudguards and I like to have a rear rack.
If the shop does not want to spend time checking and fitting the bike as to the size in a reply in your other post, I would say find another shop. Also ask questions as to why they say a particular size.
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