Should I buy a new MTB?

[Asian Boss]

I was happy with my old (2014) Charge Cooker.

I cycle a fair bit, maybe one 15 mile ride every two days. Just for fun / exercise. Light off road / cross country with some road and hard paths. The Charge is fine. I know it's not fancy but it does the job well.

I bought a cheap-ish (just under £300) second hand hard tail of a similar age for my son and g/f to use when they're here (one bike for both of them saves garage space). I had a try on it yesterday and it feels lovely, way better than my Charge. It's a medium and a bit small for me.

Is it worth buying a new, similar one for me? I think they're only about £700. Or should I consider a more expensive bike? I didn't see the need until I realised my current bike isn't as good as I thought it was, if that makes sense!

[Taff]

The answer to this question is always yes. N+1 and all that.

[weeksy]

What's the £300 bike and what feels better ? is it a 29er too ? is it similar geometry ? What tyres on both and what pressures ? What forks ?

Nowt wrong with a Charge Cooker, but they're very much an XC race sort of feel rather than a comfy bouncer

What's the budget ?

[Mr Moofo]

Rule 1 - wot you going to ride on it

If it is towpaths , keep what you have

[Asian Boss]

Cheers chaps. Some good points.

The £300 bike is a Cannondale. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondale-m ... 4709818106

I rode it properly today. It does feel nice but it's clearly too small for me to go far on (it's a medium).

Tyre pressures are an interesting point. I know my Charge is currently 60psi and the Cannondale is currently 40psi. I bet that makes a big difference. Tyres look similar on both bikes but it's hammering down so I'm not going out to the garage to check. Ditto forks. The Charge is on it's original tyres (and forks!) although the rear tyre is getting quite worn now.

I suspect there's a strong argument for sticking with the Charge. It's a good bike for what it is and does what I want very well. I should try it with lower tyre pressures. The man in the local bike shop is always very complimentary about it when I take it in.


That said this looks good value: https://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes ... ack__40802

[weeksy]

60psi ? 40psi ? wowsers.

Tubeless we run 18F/R lol. Tubed i'd run 26-27psi

NOwt wrong with the 'Dale at all... it's nice enough.

[Asian Boss]

Haha. Ok, I will try the Charge at those tube pressures. I put them at 60 as I have a mate who's a very good competition cyclist and he said put them as high as you can - but he races road bikes.

[weeksy]

Haha. Ok, I will try the Charge at those tube pressures. I put them at 60 as I have a mate who's a very good competition cyclist and he said put them as high as you can - but he races road bikes.

Well yes... it comes down to comfort vs speed. Lower pressures arguably give slightly less speed... but more grip and more comfort.

[Mr Moofo]

AsianBoss - how tall are you?

[Asian Boss]

AsianBoss - how tall are you?

6' 2".

[Mr Moofo]

AsianBoss - how tall are you?

6' 2".

And standing up ?

Well, you don't want a M framed anything! No matter what you do with it , it won't fit.

If you are heading off for a hardtail Gnar-fest then you would be on a large
But for extreme tow-path and fire road riding you probably want an XL.

Trust me!

[DefTrap]

Your homies will rip the piss out of you on that.

You need a vintage Grifter to show off your Air Jordans down the precinct

[Asian Boss]

Well, you don't want a M framed anything! No matter what you do with it , it won't fit.

If you are heading off for a hardtail Gnar-fest then you would be on a large
But for extreme tow-path and fire road riding you probably want an XL.

Trust me!

It did feel small. I think I'll stick with the Charge which feels fine.

[Asian Boss]

Your homies will rip the piss out of you on that.

You need a vintage Grifter to show off your Air Jordans down the precinct

I think the peng wheels of choice these days are those wank electric scooters.

[Mussels]

The reach can differ greatly on two frames labelled as the same size, I don't trust frame sizes much.
For road and canal path riding I found lower pressures more comfortable but more prone to punctures. Worn tyres always got more punctures as well so if you find you start getting them then it might not be just the low pressure to blame.
I tried low pressures a few times but never liked it so always ended up back at 60psi on balloon slicks, I wasn't riding for fun so speed was always important. I tried higher pressures as well but they caused things to break more often due to the lack of vibration damping.
The tyres themselves can also make a noticeable difference, Continentals always seemed stronger and a tighter fit on the rim but Shwalbe were more comfortable to ride.

[Mr Moofo]

60 PSI !!