claud butler mountain bikes web page

Cycle choice these days is vast and can be very confusing
There is no substitute to going in to an independent cycle shop with experienced and knowledgeable staff
who can guide you through the array of options and unlike internet or mail order you can road test different models before you make your choice.

What Style of bike. Racer, Hybrid, Mountain, Touring ?
Which frame material. Alloy, Steel or Carbon fiber?
Will you benefit from suspension?
What size is correct for you?
How many gears will suit your use?

We can answer all of these questions and many more when you visit us but our guide will assist you in understanding some of the options available to you.

Cycle Guide

Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bikes are the fastest growing and latest style of bicycles, they started life as the name suggests as a mix of different cycle styles
The early hybrids were drop bar road bikes fitted with flat bars to give a mix of comfort and performance.
The hybrid range then developed with specific components which now give hybrids an identity of their own.

Hybrid cycles have 700c ( 28") wheels giving a lower rolling resistance than mountain bike 26" wheels, the larger wheel also increases
the high gears making them a faster bike than a mountain bike.

	RACING HYBRIDS These bikes are the closest relation to the original hybrid bikes they are in essence a road racing bike with a flat bar and in most cases a triple chain set from a mountain bike giving a high performance ride with the advantage of a more comfortable riding position than a drop bar and the low hill climbing gears of a mountain bike. USAGE 100% road use with no off road capability Fast commuting bike Good entry lever Triathlon bike PRO's Light weight Moderate comfort Fast ride CON's No off road use
	SPORT HYBRIDS Sport hybrids are the first move towards comfort and strength The wider wheels & tyres allow for low level off road use such as canal tow paths and light woodland use but are still relatively fast on the road. Most sport hybrids use the "A" Head steering system giving more strength than the conventional head set although the "A" head generally means you are still in a sporty riding position. They offer a mix of front suspension or rigid forks depending on your usage and many have the stronger double wall rims. USAGE Road or light off road use Great commuting bike with stronger wheels than the race hybrids General leisure cycling PRO's On & Off road use Faster than a mountain bike Suspension option More powerful brakes than road bikes CON's Limited to canal tow path & road type riding
	CROSS OVER HYBRIDS Cross overs are a mixture of Sport & Comfort / Commuting hybrids closer related to the sport hybrids they still offer both on road and light off road use but rarely have double wall rims. The main feature is the rake adjustable handlebar stem offering the rider the option of adjusting the bars both up and down as well as closer of further away from the rider giving a huge range of riding positions including almost totally upright. USAGE On road & light off road Commuting in a more relaxed position General leisure cycling PRO's Fully adjustable ride position CON's Less off road use than sport hybrid More basic steering & wheels than sport hybrids.
	COMFORT / COMMUTING / TOURING HYBRIDS These hybrids have a vast range of options such as Rake adjustable stems, Suspension or rigid forks, Suspension or rigid seat post, Comfort saddles, Wing comfort grips and many more. Equipped with mudguards and carriers and on some models prop stands these bikes are ready for a huge range of usage from comfortable leisure riding to cycle touring. USAGE Road, commute, leisure & light off road. PRO's Mudguards & Rack as standard full comfort options CON's Heavier bikes due to the level of kit fitted

Mountain / All Terrain Bikes

Mountain bikes have now been around for years but are still evolving and despite the growth in the hybrid market
mountain bikes are still very popular and suitable for a wide range of usage.

One reason mountain bikes are still so popular is that they can cope with such a wide range of terrain so unlike
hybrids you have no worries about how rough the terrain or how soft the mud may be.

Mountain bikes can be fitted with a huge variety of tyres as narrow as 1" wide for road riding to huge knobby tyres for riding in mud.
From full slicks through cross country & duel surface to full off road or even snow tyres mountain bikes are the most adaptable bikes available.

On the down side standard mountain bikes have 26" wheels which give lower top end speed than hybrids and if fitted with standard off road tyres also have a much higher rolling resistance.

To sum up Mountain bikes are strong, go any where bikes but are slower to ride than hybrids due to smaller & wider wheels.

	RIGID MOUNTAIN BIKES Rigid mountain bikes are generally the most basic type of mountain bikes most will have steel frame and forks and are only designed for road use and very low level off road use. USAGE mainly road and light off road PRO's Our entry level price bikes CON's Basic components Harsh ride due to no suspension
	HARD TAIL "front suspension" MOUNTAIN BIKES By far the most popular mountain bike style the range is huge a simple rule of thumb is the more you pay the stronger, lighter, and better equipped they are. Alloy or Carbon fiber frames dictate the weight "V" or disc brakes give an option of braking power Lock out forks can improve road riding 18, 21, 24, 27 & now 30 gears give you a fighting chance on those hard hill climbs. PRO's Huge price range for all budgets Good on road & Great off road CON's Not many just lower geared and more drag on the road than hybrids.
	COMFORT MOUNTAIN BIKES Comfort mountain bikes are a cross between a Hard Tail mountain bike and a Hybrid. They have all the advantages of a hard tail mountain bike so they can be used more off road than a hybrid but are fitted with a Rake Adjustable handlebar stem so you can sit upright if you want to. They are also fitted with suspension seat posts and front forks so you get the comfort with out the extra weight of a full suspension bike. USAGE Just at home on road as off road although lower performance than a hard tail off road and slower than a hybrid on road but with full comfort equipment it is an ideal leisure bike for on / off road use. PRO's Comfort, adjustable upright ride position, great leisure bike, on & off road use. CON's Lacks performance of a hard tail due to upright ride position
	FULL SUSPENSION MOUNTAIN BIKES Unless you are looking at high quality, top of the range bikes full suspension bikes will be heavy, basic quality and hard work to ride. AVOID AT ALL COST THE BICYCLE SHAPE OBJECTS SOLD IN SPORTS SHOPS & SUPERMARKETS, THEY ARE THE WORST QUALITY BIKE YOU CAN BUY. On the plus side buy a good quality full sus and you have the most comfortable off road ride you can get with unparalleled grip on rough terrain. All the same options as a hard tail but at a higher price tag for a quality bike USAGE Off road only PRO's Great off road ride especially for down hill riding CON's Heavy & hard work to ride unless you buy high quality or are only doing down hill.
	DIRT JUMP MOUNTAIN BIKES Dirt jump bikes are tough bikes with long travel front suspension, extra wide tyres and high ground clearance. Built to get the biggest air over jumps. Dirt Jumpers have 14" frames on 26" wheels, One advantage of this is that children as young as 10 years old can ride a full size wheel bike Dirt jump style bikes are also available with a lower specification suitable for younger riders USAGE Dirt Jumping or Getting younger riders on to 26" wheels PRO's Strong construction CON's Low gearing and heavy "Top of range" Basic Dirt style bikes are not suitable to Dirt Jump.

29ers Mountain Bikes
With out a doubt the future of mountain biking
29ers are high quality mountain bikes fitted with 29" wheels instead of the usual 26"
The advantage is a bike that carries speed well down hill, the larger wheel rides over tree roots and bumps better than a 26" wheel
The wheel has a greater area on the ground giving better grip and the bikes also climb well.

Another advantage is the wheels will take a Hybrid 700c Tyre so you can have a full on Mountain bike OR
A Top quality Sport Hybrid just by changing the tyres.

Merida Big 29 - 3000D

Racing & Road Bikes
Road & Racing bikes are built for one thing "SPEED"
whether for long distance, Racing, Triathlon, Time trial or just fitness road bikes are fast growing in popularity.

RACING HYBRIDS

These bikes are the closest relation to the original hybrid bikes
they are in essence a road racing bike with a flat bar and in most cases a triple chain set
from a mountain bike giving a high performance ride with the advantage of a more comfortable
riding position than a drop bar and the low hill climbing gears of a mountain bike.

USAGE
100% road use with no off road capability
Fast commuting bike
Good entry lever Triathlon bike

PRO's
Light weight
Moderate comfort
Fast ride

CON's
A more relaxed ride so less stream line than a drop bar

JULIET LADIES RIDE ROAD BIKES

Lady Ride bikes are a slightly more relaxed ride position than a full race bike
a higher head tube, shallow drop bars, curved top tube and longer rear stays give
ride bikes a more comfortable and more stable ride with very little drop in performance from a full road bike.

USAGE
100% road use with no off road capability
Fast commuting bike
Good entry lever Triathlon bike
Good entry level road race bike
Great for club riding & long days in the saddle.

PRO's
Light weight
Moderate comfort
Fast ride

CON's
A more relaxed ride so less stream line than a full race bike.

RIDE ROAD BIKES

Ride bikes are a slightly more relaxed ride position than a full race bike
a higher head tube, shallow drop bars, curved top tube and longer rear stays give
ride bikes a more comfortable and more stable ride with very little drop in performance from a full road bike.

USAGE
100% road use with no off road capability
Fast commuting bike
Good entry lever Triathlon bike
Good entry level road race bike
Great for club riding & long days in the saddle.

PRO's
Light weight
Moderate comfort
Fast ride

CON's
A more relaxed ride so less stream line than a full race bike.

RACE ROAD BIKES

Road race bikes are a full race bikes built for maximum speed and performance.
a lower head tube, deep drop bars, flat top tube and shorter rear stays give
race bikes a more stream line and responsive ride with maximum performance.

USAGE
100% road use with no off road capability
Good Triathlon bike
Good road race bike
Fast rides

PRO's
Light weight
High performance full race spec
Fast ride

CON's
Not as comfortable as a Ride bike for long days riding.

TRIATHLON & TIME TRIAL

Triathlon bikes are built to be ultra aero dynamic
light, fast & high performance for full on competition.

USAGE
100% road use with no off road capability
Great Triathlon bike & Time trial

PRO's
Light weight
Full aero dynamic
Fast ride

CON's
Racing use only.

SHOPPING STYLE BIKES

	LARGE WHEEL SHOPPERS Large wheel shoppers have a faster more stable ride with lower rolling resistance but less stability when fully loaded. Fully equipped with Baskets, Racks, Mudguards, Chain guards Etc Ideal for local shopping trips and general exercise. PRO'S Fully equipped & comfortable CON's Between 3 & 7 gears limits distance & hill climbing
	SMALL WHEEL SHOPPERS Small wheel shoppers have a slower less stable ride with higher rolling resistance so require more effort to pedal but are more stable when fully loaded. Fully equipped with Baskets, Racks, Mudguards, Chain guards Etc Ideal for local shopping trips and general exercise. PRO'S Fully equipped & comfortable CON's Between 3 & 7 gears limits distance & hill climbing

FOLDING BIKES

	SMALL WHEEL FOLDERS PRO's Fold smaller than large wheel folders. CON's Low number of gears less stable ride
	LARGE WHEEL FOLDERS PRO's Faster ride with more gears. More off road use More stable ride Suspension fork CON's Larger when folded than a small wheel folder.

CLASSIC BIKES
Ideal for local rides and pure style, a classic design that is timeless.
vntage

Northwood Cycle Depot

Cycle Guide