Bike a advice

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Looking for a decent, all round mountain or gravel bike. Mainly for flat and canal riding.

After having many bikes down the years (some more expensive than others) and usually ending up with some scrote nicking them or damaging them when chained up. Looking for something decent but not bank breaking.

As above. Won’t be doing the Tour de France.

Looked at Scott aspect which look excellent bikes for the price. And never been let down by higher end Scott bikes before.

A friend also recommended this although never heard of them. https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15901415/c ... e-15901415

Not looking to spend a huge sum this time out. But also want something that will last and equally importantly be comfortable. Thanks in advance.

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Also. Don’t have the option of cycle to work.

[Barry_Chuckle]

I have a Specialized Diverge E5 Elite Gravel bike for sale.
I bought it for £1800 in 2021, it's never been been ridden or had pedals on it. I was offered £1100 for it in May by a buiseness who buy and sell bikes, i didnt follow it up as i had to package and courier to them, or take it to Derby in person. I'm looking for £1000 for it.

SPECIFICATION
Brand Specialized
Frame Specialized Diverge E5 Premium Aluminum, threaded BB, internal routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, flat-mount disc
Fork
FACT carbon, full carbon steerer, 12×100 mm thru-axle, flat-mount
Stem
Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise
Handle Bars
Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp
Tape Grips
Specialized S-Wrap
Brakes
Shimano GRX RX400, hydraulic disc Rear Derailleur
Shimano GRX RX400, 10-speed
Shift Levers
Shimano GRX RX400 hydraulic brake levers, 2×10 speed mechanical shifting
Cassette
Shimano CS-HG50-10, 10-Speed 11-36t
Chainset
Shimano GRX RX600, 46/30T
Pedals No - Click here to see our pedals »
Wheels
Axis Elite Disc, 21mm internal width, alloy rim, 23mm depth, 14g spokes
Front Tyre
Specialized RoadSport, Flak Jacket protection, 700x35mm
Rear Tyre
Specialized RoadSport, Flak Jacket protection, 700x35mm
Saddle
Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails
Seat Post
Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware
Material
Aluminium

DESCRIPTION
Whether your goal is to escape on gravel back roads, far from cars and crowds, toe the start line at your first gravel race, or simply get the most versatile bike on the road or dirt, no bike is better than the new Diverge. It’s quite simply the fastest, most capable – and just maybe the most fun – alloy bike we’ve ever made, delivering a ride that’s quick and lively, but stable and confidence inspiring when the terrain gets rough. With all-new gravel geometry and category leading tire clearance, the new Diverge represents everything we’ve learned over more than 40 years of riding road, gravel and dirt. The Diverge writes an entirely new chapter in the gravel bike category, so you can dream up entirely new rides. It’s the ultimate getaway vehicle.
The Diverge Elite E5 utilizes our premium E5 alloy frame and a full carbon FACT fork for a fast, confident and comfortable ride on road, in the dirt, and over thick gravel. Shimano’s gravel inspired GRX 400 group shifts 2×10 gears smoothly on any terrain and Axis Elite alloy wheels with Road Sport 35mm tires provide an efficient ride on pavement with the versatility for hard pack dirt riding.

Our Premium E5 Aluminum frame provides a stiff, light, and durable platform. When mated to our full carbon FACT fork, the Diverge Elite E5 becomes a light, lively and versatile bike ready to attack any surface.
We tossed gravel geometry ‘status-quo’ out the window. The new Diverge has the most progressive geometry we’ve ever created for a drop bar bike, giving riders a capable and stable bike in the dirt, that still feels responsive and nimble on the road. We’ve increased the frame’s reach, introduced a slacker head tube and a longer offset fork. All this creates incredible confidence with a planted feeling in the dirt, while spec’ing shorter stems keeps the overall cockpit length the same and the steering lively. We’ve kept the bike’s BB low to increase stability, but high enough to utilize with 650b wheels if that’s your jam.
We’ve given the Diverge plenty of rack mounts, including fork and top tube mounts, to ensure you can take what you need, no matter how far you plan to go, or how long you plan to stay out.
Nothing unlocks a bike’s capability like tire clearance, so we gave the new Diverge a whopping 47mm of tire clearance with a 700c wheel and 2.1” with a 650b wheel. Thanks to a drive side chain stay utilizing a machined alloy beam behind the chain rings we’ve created clearance without using a fragile dropped chain stay design or increasing chain stay length.

[Pearcey]

I’d say buy secondhand. You get a better bike for less money.

[Longsider]

I've got a specialized Crux. It's the newer version Crux so leans more towards a gravel bike than the older style Crux which was more aggressive cyclo cross. I use it for everything. Gravel, road, cyclo cross. It is hands down the best bike I have ever had. It wasn't cheap but you might see one come up second hand and save a load. Agree with the comments above about looking for second hand but make sure you are sure on your size and see if you can try for size before buying.

[BurnleyFC]

Specialized make really good bikes that cater for most budgets.

[Goalkeeper]

Have a look at a Boardman Comp on pre loved sites. You can pick one up for around £200. I had mine for 11 years and it was still in excellent condition when it was stolen last year. I did thousands of miles and it was so comfortable and well made. In fact, I'm looking for one myself!

[Bow]

I’d avoid a fat-bike like the one in the link - will be too heavy for the type of riding you describe. Calibre bikes are well thought of at that price point though.

A gravel bike or rigid mtb will be your best bet.

[Sutton-Claret]

Some bargains on Facebook marketplace or ebay. I've never bought brand new. I currently have a Specialised Levo electric full suspension which is great but a little heavy and unnecessary for your needs. Specialised and Canondale are the 2 brands I can recommend

[Sutton-Claret]

I’d avoid a fat-bike like the one in the link - will be too heavy for the type of riding you describe. Calibre bikes are well thought of at that price point though.

A gravel bike or rigid mtb will be your best bet.

Agree with this - took a mate round Dalby forest who had just bought one. He was blowing like a chimney at the end after we'd stopped several times to let him catch up. He sold it just after. They're difficult to handle on anything twisty.

[pompeyclaret]

If buying second hand I'd check for whatever it is that you can mark it to check isn't stolen.

Bikes got soo expensive, and loads are stolen and easy to sell on.

I know the police can scan them, but probably a way to check.

Also if you aren't using one currently, do you want to spend £1k plus and it becomes a dust collector in the garage. Maybe a cheaper one first to trial it

[bobinho]

Don’t rule out the Voodoo range at Halfords. Yeah, it’s Halfords I get it. Read the reviews on bikeradar for the Bizango 29’er. A few hundred gets you a superb frame and geometry - the other bits like groupsets and brakes can be upgraded as and when you want/need. Voodoo are designed by the MTB legend Joe Murray. He ain’t gonna link up with any old rubbish.

[SirBob]

Canyon do some great gravel bikes, you can only buy direct from them as far as I know, pretty sure this time of year their sale kick in

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Yes on and off been riding for years including some semi serious bike rides / events. But havent had a bike for 5+ years and literally just want to use it for commuting now and riding on the canal than anything more serious. Will read above reviews. No objection to second hand.

[Inchy]

Decathlon do some good bikes at reasonable prices with good spec


I’d avoid a hybrid bike. It’s does a bit of everything but nothing well.

Go for a road/gravel bike or a mountain bike. Both suitable for canal rides but also give you the option to do something different in the future if you wish

[wadeswondergoal]

Don’t go paintballing.

[karatekid]

Raleigh Grifter.

[ClaretLoup]

Three years ago I bought a Giant Roam for about £650 including some very neat disc brakes. It's quite slow as the tyres are quite wide but it's ideal for a lot of the off road cycleways on the old Waggonways of which there are many in the north east. I haven't had a puncture yet, I used to get loads Road biking and the wheels are still true, so no fiddling about with spoke adjustments.

I am thinking about cycling the Leeds Liverpool canal on it maybe this summer.

It's got disc br

[TheFamilyCat]

I'd get one like Tadej Pogacar's