Newbie alert - bike recommendations
Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 9:06 am
Hi there bearbones community
I have a strong desire to explore the off road scene and the more I look into the bigger the minefield, MTB, hardtails, gravel, CX etc.
I completed my first ultra last year, the 2019 inaugural PCR and loved it, as I had the Audax I had been into the first couple of years. Loved the challenge and the distance, there was some gravel on the route as well.
I would like to explore multi day events, bikepacking etc but with more off road than on - ultimately and some way down the line I would like to get involved with things like The Silk Road or HT550.
In the meantime I need to find the happy balance for a bike, to enter bearbones rides and things like GBDuros.
Mt "road" bike is a Mason Resolution so for road and some gravel and easier off road, I am quite lucky as i can get at least 32s on that so that can be converted for some events.
But for the other stuff, I guess i need something more "versatile" something that can still move forwards on the road but will not limit me on the off road side.
Some suggestions I have seen (and liked) are the Sonder Camino which is more gravel and the Brother Big Bro which is ticking a lot of boxes I must admit. I am a fan of steel and at the right sort of price (around £1500).
I am tall 6'3 and circa 17 stone (just under) so need a sturdy bike if that is of any use.
I have friends who work at Specialised so if there are any recommendations for those then I may be able to get a deal but I want the right bike that is going to last and give me some fun and versatility.
Thanks for reading and look forward to any thoughts.
Paul
I have a strong desire to explore the off road scene and the more I look into the bigger the minefield, MTB, hardtails, gravel, CX etc.
I completed my first ultra last year, the 2019 inaugural PCR and loved it, as I had the Audax I had been into the first couple of years. Loved the challenge and the distance, there was some gravel on the route as well.
I would like to explore multi day events, bikepacking etc but with more off road than on - ultimately and some way down the line I would like to get involved with things like The Silk Road or HT550.
In the meantime I need to find the happy balance for a bike, to enter bearbones rides and things like GBDuros.
Mt "road" bike is a Mason Resolution so for road and some gravel and easier off road, I am quite lucky as i can get at least 32s on that so that can be converted for some events.
But for the other stuff, I guess i need something more "versatile" something that can still move forwards on the road but will not limit me on the off road side.
Some suggestions I have seen (and liked) are the Sonder Camino which is more gravel and the Brother Big Bro which is ticking a lot of boxes I must admit. I am a fan of steel and at the right sort of price (around £1500).
I am tall 6'3 and circa 17 stone (just under) so need a sturdy bike if that is of any use.
I have friends who work at Specialised so if there are any recommendations for those then I may be able to get a deal but I want the right bike that is going to last and give me some fun and versatility.
Thanks for reading and look forward to any thoughts.
Paul