Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hi all

I've just about ridden mtb into the ground, and I'd like to upgrade it, but I'm not sure what to go to.

I cycle to work every day, not far, maybe 10k round trip, reasonably hilly. And to the gym a coupla times a week (25-30k round trip I guess). I'd like to do the occasional road ride, 30-40k's maybe. I'll occasionally go up/down gutters. I'm 6'4". Around 80kgs.

What I don't like about the mtb (which was nothing fancy, cost around the $400 mark):

• * gears aren't tall enough (spend 99% of the time in the top 3 or 4 gears [21 speed] another 2 or 3 "above that" would be great)
  * tyres could be thinner (am running slicks, but I'd like to go faster)

What I'd like in my next bike:

• * flat bar
  * reasonably tough
  * easy to look after
  * faster than my mtb (taller gearing/narrower tyres/whatever)
  * oh, must be able to attach mud guards (like to ride in the rain too)

Budget, I'd like to stay around the $1K mark, but if there's "enough value" (and I'm not exactly sure what I mean by that ^_^) maybe up to $2K.

ANy advice on what I'm looking for?? Thanks for any help.

Penno

I think you are looking for one of these (second bike down) once you get over wanting a flat bar

http://www.dirtworks.com.au/newsite/con ... w/195/143/

Are you actually after another mtb?....being 6foot4 if you are like me not many fit all that well.Even the xtra large models.
I have a xl raceline frame which still go new for $250.Super solid alloy frame,buying as a frame only meant I could put XT cranks on with 48 big ring instead of 44...made a big difference to me.All up with new bits it cost $1800 and weighed 12kg.
Bit of stuffing around but may be the way to go....

THanks guys. Wasn't looking to specifically stay with a mountain bike, was thinking of some kind of hybrid (altho maybe building a bike like you reckon is an option too). The bike that alchemist points out (Surly Crosscheck), is looking pretty good to me. I had no idea you could get a "tough as nails" racing style bike. I was thinking anything I got would be rather more fragile than my mtb.

Anyone got any experience / stories with one of these bikes?

Touring and Cyclocross bikes are built tough. The geometry is different and there is no suspension, so riding up big kerbs might not be as much fun - if your weight is over the front wheel the fork and wheel will not have the suspension to protect them. OTOH, even a touring bike would probably be lighter and faster than your MTB, and no bike that's decent on the road will be as good at kerb hopping as an MTB.

Touring bikes, there are the Trek 520 (which a forum resident owns), the Vivente World Radonneur, the Surly Long Haul Trucker, Fuji Touring, a couple of Cannondale models, and the older but maybe findable Mongoose Radonneur.

Cyclocross in Australia is pretty much limited to the Surly Cross Check mentioned, and the Trek XO1.

The Vivente even comes with very good full coverage fenders/mud guards.

The longer your rides get, the more you will appreciate a proper road geometry bike - as your hands get tired, you can shift them around between the drops, tops and hoods, you can be more aerodynamic and hence expend less energy over the distance.