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Mountain bike
I'd like to buy a mountain bike to ride in Foret de Soignes from time to time. Is there some place in Brussels/Belgium where I could rent/try a MTB first to understand whether I like it and what type to buy?
Basically I'd like to understand first whether I should buy a basic MTB (700-800) or an advanced one (>2000). Also, recommendations for any good bike shops are welcome.
Always basic to start. you need to find the frame size that suits you and your style. I have a smaller than recommended size as I have short legs.
€2000 is a lot to spend if you are not sure what you need.
There are may good brands, Orbea are very good but also very expensive.
I have always favoured Specialized, but each to their own.
For the Foret de Soignes you do not need a serious MTB at thousands, have a look through the MTB magazines online.
This might be a good place to start, for advice if they do not have anything suitable to hire.
Pro Velo
Address: Rue de Londres 15, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
: +32 2 502 73 55
There is a bike shop on Ave Georges Henri, RH side on the way up to rue Linthout. I hired a normal bike from there for 2 weeks. Maybe they can help.
Hi I don't know what they tent but there is a place that rents bikes out in Jesus eik Overijse sorry I don't know the name and maybe they only rent normal bikes. It's on the part of the road that has all the restaurants it's on the right as you would travel towards the motorway you could see if they have any
This is their website http://woudpoort.com/
Hope it helps does seem to say mountain bike
As you say the Vitus looks a good piece of kit without paying for Brand.
Still a serious wedge though, I would want a test ride before shelling out £2k !
Blimey, if you've got 2000 eur + to spend on a bike for occasional jaunts around the forest, I'd advise you to go to the Specialized centre in Auderghem. It's right next to the Foret de Soignes and they'll be able to sell you something that fits you like a glove - they do a professional fitting service.
Used bikes are hard to come by because everybody is buying bikes these days.
Cyclo (http://www.cyclo.org/en) is a great organization (see the website for what they are about) that has stores around Brussels but they sell used bikes at their rue de Flandre store only. The problem is that they sell out really quickly. After a couple of tries I finally found the perfect bike there on this past Wednesday (they open at noon and one needs to be there then or close thereafter.
I got a great bike completely refurbished, literally like new, for €185. If you're not sure how much you are going to use it this might be a good way to find out.
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I think CM has a very good idea. A bike tuned to your needs !
At the low end Specialized one pays for the name over kit, at the high they are quite good value, but that is very high. I have always bought somewhere in the middle.
The one really interesting point on the Vitus is the single chain ring and twelve piece cassette, should give very sharp smooth changes across a very usable range, also lesser maintenance.
