MTB or hybrid?

On reflection there are certain sections of Epping Forest where an almost totally smooth bridal path turns into a hoof-pocked surface, and a little suspension compliance is nice to have at this point.

How about something like a Scalpel if one can be found in the right size at the right price?

Extremely light, very strong, and has front and rear suspension to take the edge off, and whilst I cannot remember about the rear I know you can lock the front out, possibly so with the rear.

I cycled round the New Forest cycle tracks on my shitty raleigh beater with 28mm Randonneurs. No issues.

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thats the spirit^ this is turning into bike porn thread # 2

thats the spirit^ this is turning into bike porn thread # 2

...in that case I'd best remove the Cinelli Bootleg - ZZ Rats picture. I really hate that bike.

You can run a 29" front with a Lefty, not sure about the rear of the Scalpel, but it might well work:

29" rims and narrow tyres, that would fly down a bridal path/tow path.

scalpel got 6/10 in last MBUK review,vs orange ST4 -9/GF hi fi pro-8/Scott spark-9
Maybe its just me but every person I ever meet has problems with C-dale dirt bikes, then you have to get it sent back and cos its American goes via Holland pain- in- the- ass

Where are your bridalways? Suspension is very rarely necessary but more advantageous in some places than others. In the south east of the uk mos brialways are very easily done without suspension. The odd one is a little rocky but it rare and only for a short section.

scalpel got 6/10 in last MBUK review,vs orange ST4 -9/GF hi fi pro-8/Scott spark-9
Maybe its just me but every person I ever meet has problems with C-dale dirt bikes, then you have to get it sent back and cos its American goes via Holland pain- in- the- ass

Well, you've not met me but I've never had a problem with either Cannondale MTB's or road bikes.

I've not ridden a Scalpel but they looked very fast when I saw them in Athens in 2004.

dude, i roll my ss hardrock on canal paths, bridleways, roads, pavements, bus lanes, pedestrians toes, etc. i am running it 44/16 and put suspension adjusted rigid forks on her. tyre wise i am running 1.5" specialised and it runs sweet, only thing is taking fast corner on dusty tracks is a bit of an adventure... mtb always... the geometry is always nicer 'offroad'.

I'll bet a BMW Gansta Track could make a fun offroad bike!! Put some big tyres on it and some wide bars... The geometry would lend itself to having the saddle a little lower for chucking it around...

Whether you need suspension is down to how well your wrists and other body parts can take the vibration.
I live in the New Forest and use a singlespeed cross bike with 35mm tyres and there is nowhere I cannot ride and my average rides are 25 miles with about 80% off road.

I would be lying if I said it was always comfortable though!

Where are your bridalways? Suspension is very rarely necessary but more advantageous in some places than others. In the south east of the uk mos brialways are very easily done without suspension. The odd one is a little rocky but it rare and only for a short section.

SW coast... want to be able to take it most places when i get more adventurous...

I've done some MTBing in the SW (Devon & a little in Cornwalll) but by no means an extensive amount and could see that some people might need suspension but only in a few places and only when really razzing it.

Personally I'd go rigid and then buy a fork if you feel you need it later. As mentioned above something like an on one + two sets of tyres, you can even set it up single speed to start off with and add gears (and if you really need it suspension) as you get money.

I got some pics too...

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Whereabouts in the forest are you zed, my fokes live in Bransgore, I've ridden light off road on my fixed too around there. To be honest I tend to walk more around the forest than ride.

I went there with the missus for a dirty weekend.

We stayed in Lyndhurst and cycled all the way round the forest, Brockenhurst, Burley, Emery Down then back to Lyndhurst. 30ish miles nice relaxing pace.

My grandparents live in Lyndhurst, spent many a Sunday tramping around the forest