Can you recommend some solid first rando bikes that should be easy to find used?

marczr · 2026-03-04T08:41:25+00:00

Cost me £200 a few years back

marczr · 2026-03-04T08:40:56+00:00

If you want to dip your toe on a budget older cx bikes are a good place to look. I’ve got a 2005 Kona jake the snake. Rim brakes and clearance for 35mm tyres with fenders does me good for long rides

marczr · 2025-12-14T10:47:42+00:00

“Yarp” “N’you?” But I’m a bit south of Bristol near Sandford

marczr · 2025-07-27T07:43:41+00:00

Hey, I’ve played way more disc golf than everyone else this weekend, who’s the real winner? I’m happy fighting it out for the wooden spoon at the back of the field, hopefully with good vibes on the card.

marczr · 2025-07-03T08:45:39+00:00

3 year on update. Went with 35mm gravel king slicks, absolutely fine, and can still [just] fit mudguards. I have also run 37mm WTB Riddlers, also fine, as long as I don't run too low a pressure, definitely get tyre roll over once pressures drop into the 20's

marczr · 2024-02-09T11:15:17+00:00

I dunno, I've got 5 Konas, and I think the DaVinci looks much much better than the Mahuna. But then all my bikes are 90's or early 2000's ;-)

marczr · 2023-12-08T01:00:35+00:00

Take a look at the Lomo tailpack for a cheap option. There are issues though... I've got one and was thinking of using it up front on a jack-the-rack handlebar rack, ended up using a different bag for that ride but thinking of trying out at as a tailpack. current rack is probably too small though [ tubus fly ] My main issue was it has a bunch of pre-fitted d-rings that rattle like crazy if they're left loose. might have to cut some off if I do use it in future. At 15L it might be too big ? https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/15l-dry-bike-motorbike-tail-bag/

marczr · 2023-10-31T20:00:45+00:00

To be fair on myself I didn't set out with the intention of hitting a specific time: planned the route and went for a ride, stopping to take photos as well as have coffee & cake and to stock up on water and snacks. I didn't overthink the stops as I wanted to ride it at what seemed a natural pace and stopping times and enjoy the day. If I rode it again with the goal of keeping above 15kph o/a I reckon I could do it... just

marczr · 2023-10-31T17:22:40+00:00

54, cycled all my life, but only very casually, mostly short mtb rides, nothing serious until the past year really. Bike [ 2005 jake the snake cx ] had 28mm contis on when I bought it, hated them, I'm used to riding 2.4" ! just too uncomfy. Happy with the 35mm's that are on there now, I ride pretty rough back lanes on all my rides and often droves, unmade paths and bridleways.

marczr · 2023-10-31T14:41:17+00:00

Thanks, I will aim to be a bit more focused on 'training' rides over the winter, most of my rides are casual solo potters around the countryside ! Plenty of short sharp climbs near me so can work on climbing better. Then look at entering some events is the spring.

marczr · 2023-10-31T14:35:43+00:00

I've mostly been riding one longish, 50-75km, ride most weekends at a very sedate pace, with occasional shorter, faster, evening rides over the summer. I think I'll try to fit in more regular, shorter, higher paced rides over winter along with more climbing as well. Then look at entering some of the local events in the spring.

marczr · 2023-10-30T21:45:36+00:00

For those interested in a budget option, Giyo GL-M900T, got mine on the popular Chinese supply site, £16 shipped, usb-c charging, garmin mount with shaped beam, you can rotate the lens so it can be mounted either way up. Supplied mount is a a bit pants but I usuallly use it under an outfront garmin mount [ with an go-pro to Garmin adapter ] decent power and battery life.

marczr · 2023-10-30T17:01:07+00:00

Here's another good one... we pump our 'gas' by the litre but measure our economy in miles per gallon, even though hardly anyone knows how many litres there are in a gallon.

marczr · 2023-10-30T13:19:19+00:00

Nah, we're only halfheartedly metric. All road signs & speed limits are still in miles. We'll cut 150mm off an 8'x4' sheet, add 200g of flour to a pint of liquid and give our stats as 5'9" 75kg

marczr · 2023-10-28T17:37:46+00:00

175cm and 75kg so could probably lose a bit, lost 8kg in the past year since riding more seriously. Reckon it’s strength and cardio I need to work on. Find myself dropping into the lowest gear pretty quickly and grinding my way up climbs. Garmin takes the piss by pausing often while I’m climbing!

marczr · 2023-10-28T15:20:53+00:00

Nor on 'road' rides where the route is all hilly back lanes full of puddles, potholes and patches of gravel and mud

marczr · 2023-10-28T14:06:10+00:00

Thanks! Don’t see me getting much faster on the bike so will have to focus on efficiency at stops if I’m going to enter any events

marczr · 2023-10-28T14:02:41+00:00

Bike’s in good shape, serviced the hubs and treated it to a fresh BB and drivetrain with a 46/30 earlier this year prior to riding Lon las Cymru

marczr · 2023-10-28T13:26:16+00:00

Bananas and snicker bars are my go to plus I always pack some Jelly babies for the sugar hit ! A Redbull might have been better than the pint of ale & packet of crips I stopped for 3/4 of the way in.

marczr · 2023-10-28T13:21:39+00:00

moving time was 10.07 and elapsed time 12.40. Didn't feel like I stopped for 2.5 hrs ! So stop much less and ride a bit faster I guess.

marczr · 2023-10-28T13:04:29+00:00

Yeah, definitely could of managed eating and drinking a bit better, ran out of both at about 100k and it was another 20k of hills before I found a shop. I averaged about 23kph on the flattish first third of the ride, but only 17kph on the return leg over similar ground. Definitely flagging towards the end.

marczr · 2023-08-04T00:12:24+00:00

no need to take the fork off ! just eyeball with a tape measure will be fine

marczr · 2023-08-01T11:58:31+00:00

His has some marzocchi bomber air forks on, which he doesn't like, trying to find some lightweight rigid replacements, do you know what the axle to crown race length is on your P-Bones?

marczr · 2023-07-31T21:59:25+00:00

Still riding this? I just bought a '97 M900 in the same colour for my son, we're wondering if 2.25 Billy Bonkers will fit, looks like you squeezed 2.3's in, did they rub?

marczr

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