Newby here - Which bike would you choose?

[expandingmaan]

i was thinking similar to you. possibly the ridgeback for spec, v brakes and trigger gears

 

[RetroDavy]

Not sure of your budget or exactly what you have in mind, but over on the MTB for sale thread is a very nice yellow Specialized Rockhopper for collection in Hull. If I lived anywhere near, or could arrange a courier, and didn't have *way* too many bikes already I'd probably be looking at something like that.

 

[expandingmaan]

I saw the bike, and its lovely and it would have taken precedence over the ones on my list. But it seems a bit small for me.
its also a 3 hour drive which is a mission!

 

[Synthiaks]

Diamond Back or GT both get my vote......if just on looks the black GT.

As they are both pretty old a lot will also depend on how worn they are, maybe ask about BB & wheels to check theyre not too worn, although everything is fixable.

 

[eightyeight]

If you are going to ride it and not just clean it up and look at it then I would second that fit is by far the most important part of any bike (new or second hand). Bikes are like shoes, if they don't fit they don't get used.

 

[Tootyred]

I think ridgeback are underrated, they ride really well...and it looks a better spec.

 

[averagebiker]

I think ridgeback are underrated, they ride really well...and it looks a better spec.

It's the one I would go for too.