The snow weather today inspired me to go and buy a cheap mountain bike from Halfords, which is just around the corner from where I lived. I was the only customer in the store, and I had to help push a motorist who had got stuck in the B&Q car park.
The one good thing about snow is that you don’t need a bike stand (scant consolation!)
This Apollo XC.26 cost me £89.99 reduced from £180. I went and bought a lock for £30, which was a bit stupid, given that is 30% of the cost of the bike!
I wanted a mountain bike to have a better chance on the snowy roads. But, to be honest even a mountain bike was pretty tough in this level of snow. I stayed at home and didn’t even try to go into work.
The Apollo XC 26 is really bottom of the barrel in terms of components and specification. But, I guessed I wouldn’t be using it very often. Plastic components, steel frame (though not excessively heavy) It does come with front wheel suspension which sounds good, though I fear it does little to improve performance for what I will be doing. But, it’s not in the category of ‘bicycle shaped objects’ from Asad It rides reasonably well (if you can actually test that in this heavy snow)
Sizing Mountain bikes – These mountain bikes came in three sizes 14 17 and 20. Being 6 foot 3, I bought the 20″ bike and had the saddle raised up quite a lot.
It’s kind of strange to be spending £90 on a complete bike, when I have on a number of occassions spent £500 on a back wheel or something. But, it might hopefully prove useful in the next few days.
View from my window this morning. Strangely enough I didn’t see any cyclists go past…
Nevertheless, I still fear the onset of some turbo training sessions.
Update After Twelve Months Use
After six months use, the bike is off to the scrap yard. Firstly, it frequently punctured (rear wheel). Secondly I lent it to a lodger who left it out in the rain. After a few months everything was rusting away so it became very difficult to change the gears. More worryingly the brakes start to feel very lose.
I decided against trying to repair the bike as it would have been cheaper to buy a new bike than get repaired what needed doing.
I really enjoyed having this bike for the few weeks of the snow. In that sense it was kind of worth it. However, I wouldn’t bother buying this kind of cheap bike again, the components seem so fragile compared to other bikes I’ve had.
I guess you pays your money and you get your choice.
- Apollo MTB at Halfords
- Mountain Bikes at Halfords
It irritates. I’ve spent the last hour trying to find a 24″/25″ frame bike.
Not a single site filters lists by frame-size. Possibly the most important thing to get right. ROSPA should be shooting these stockists!!!! (I’m 6 foot 6).
VERY CHEAP MOUNTAIN BIKE (frame)
6 foot 3 on a 20 inch frame? I respect that. Respect it a lot. I’ve had cycle sales people try to sell me 19 inch frame bikes in the past which I found a little ridiculous, considering you can find 24 inch frames so your knees aren’t bashing the handlebars.
At 6 foot 3 myself I won’t ride an MTB frame that isn’t less than 24 inches. My last frame snapped (Raleigh Yukon about 9 years old) and as I’d already had a segment replaced and re-welded (the link between the bottom of the seat stay post and straight tube to the crank) I managed to find a bankrupt bike / component online shop and bought a 24 inch frame for a tenner. Score! And it’s still going 18 months later. Who are you calling cheap?? C’mon I was on a budget! haha.
Matt black with no decals so it must have been 90% complete in the manufacturing stage. Lots of black and chrome parts exchanged to the new frame (as well as those I have to buy to keep it road worthy) and now it’s a one of a kind bike. I love to cycle. That’s the truth. I do 4000 miles a year just by commuting to work. I find that there is a meditative state achievable on the bike that I don’t get anywhere else.
Bob
That’s great value for a bike though, like it would do most people for the amount of cycling or commuting they do on it in a small town.
I paid 300 Euro for a Giant Rock MTB in 2008 with similar (if not exactly the same) features, and only wish this had been on sale then. Its 105 Euro in Halford’s over here, and people can always travel up to the North and get it for the 85 quid!
It’s my friend’s little yellow car behind your bike!
Glad to see it hasn’t move after her tuesday’s minor accident…
Beware on your road, I’ve heard it’s very slippery…
I am a Birmingham cyclist, not cycling at the moment as my fiance think I am crazy for even thinking about it…
No need to tell you he isn’t a cyclist..
I will also take the opportunity to thanks you for your blog. I really enjoy reading your letter.