I know, I know, go to the shop and find out. But I'm impatient and want to know now.

If i spend £400

That sounds ok?

I'm 6 foot and a bit, and find a 19inch frame most comfortable, in MTB set up, with 700C frames, you might want a bigger frame. Don't forget you can put on/off road tyres on 26inch wheels as well.

I thought the size bike you're supposed to get is exactly the right height that if you slip off the saddle, your feet hit the floor before your clackers hit the frame. So it matters less for women.

Also probably best if, when you adjust the seat so your legs are almost straight at the lowest point of your cycle, you don't have to then fuck about adjusting the handlebars to match.

I ride more in the arse up, head down style, though...

What I have broken and how do I fix it?

Bike people ahoy!

You remember a few weeks back I sorted out my front gears with much great success thanks to your wisdom? Well an odd thing has happened.

Last week I had to replace the inner tube on my rear wheel which meant I had to take the wheel off. Have done this many times with no issues. However since I put the wheel back on I've had issues with the rear gears "slipping" as it were. Ie the gear keeps on trying to change when you have heavy pressure on the peddle. Only with certain combinations mind when you are on the smallest cog on the front.

In front gears 2 and 3 there is a reluctance for mid range gears to change.

Have tried fiddling with no joy. What I have broken and how do I fix it?

Is it quick release? I imagine so, but I remember that I once managed to get my wheel back on my bike not centred, and it upset the gears.

Bike people ahoy!

You remember a few weeks back I sorted out my front gears with much great success thanks to your wisdom? Well an odd thing has happened.

Last week I had to replace the inner tube on my rear wheel which meant I had to take the wheel off. Have done this many times with no issues. However since I put the wheel back on I've had issues with the rear gears "slipping" as it were. Ie the gear keeps on trying to change when you have heavy pressure on the peddle. Only with certain combinations mind when you are on the smallest cog on the front.

In front gears 2 and 3 there is a reluctance for mid range gears to change.

Have tried fiddling with no joy. What I have broken and how do I fix it?

Wheel's probably not gone in just like it was. Lift the rear wheel, and turn the pedals whilst clicking through the gears. Adjust the tension of the gear cable at the shifter end. should sort it.

Take the current one to the shop and get it fixed, and keep it for off-road stuff. Then get a proper road one. I can't imagine doing all those miles on a heavier bike than you need!

If you ride a lot like I do, then a good bike is a necessity, not a luxury. That's a nice one you've got there, but I'd really put some road tyres on it (even the ones with smooth crowns and knobbly sides might be an idea) as you'll waste so much energy on the roads with those beasts.

You really do have to manhandle some tyres off the rim as they have kevlar beads which makes them very stiff when they're properly seated.

Disc rub can be annoying - most disc systems are self adjusting nowadays and should last a couple of years (less with the mileage you're doing, obv) without much need for touching. I suspect it's unlikely to be a poorly aligned disc as it would rub on every rotation. It could be a loose disc - grab the arms of the rotor - if there's any movement, tighten it obviously, but don't go mental with a cordless drill driver. If it's a duff caliper get them to change it under warranty - basically it could be a sticky piston that isn't returning properly which shouldn't be happening on a new bike.

I need a new bike, now my last two bikes have been hybrids, and that's what I was thinking of getting this time too, (Was thinking of something like this)

But then I thought, it might be nice to get a mountain bike, I mean I do live just a few miles south of Dartmoor now, I could use it properly and stuff, but I would hate not having the speed on the road (I used to 'spin out' on my previous hybrid on the flat, never mind going down hill) so that would mean I would need to get a hybrid at some point in the future too.

So what should I do? Buy two bikes or just stick with buying a hybrid?

And what do you guys think of that Dawes Discovery?

Malc

Ah but it does rub on every rotation. Once for each pad. Looks like its just not quite parallel to the pads so rubs 1 per side for each rotation. Or perhaps the pads aren't quite parallel.

That sounds wrong. Something must be moving - you can't have an alternate rub from each pad. Put the bike upside down and spin the offending wheel. It's unlikely to be the disc, but check it anyway. If it's the pads, then the caliper could be out of alignment and that's easy to adjust. If it's the pistons holding the pads then take it back to the shop. Bottom line is brake discs should work out of the box when new - if they don't get the shop to fix them.

That sounds wrong. Something must be moving - you can't have an alternate rub from each pad. Put the bike upside down and spin the offending wheel. It's unlikely to be the disc, but check it anyway. If it's the pads, then the caliper could be out of alignment and that's easy to adjust. If it's the pistons holding the pads then take it back to the shop. Bottom line is brake discs should work out of the box when new - if they don't get the shop to fix them.

I've ridden my mountain bike 90% on roads so far. I don't give a shit about any speed I may have lost — I enjoy myself and get a good workout. Mountain bikes can cope on the roads, but I wouldn't want to take a road bike off the tarmac.

I love the fact I don't have to weave around road imperfections and I can barrel down flights of steps if need be.

You sad mountain bike losers. I'd so pwn you on the roads.

I get totally pwnd by the racing bike riders, however.

Why do you have so many problems on the road where I have pretty much none?

The front brake on the new bike now has inconsistent braking. Almost like it slips slightly on braking. You so apply pressure and the braking is uneven.

100ft? You might as well jog that instead.

Heh. This is my favourite ride into chester:

Is the disc warped?