Merida XC700 Mountain Bike
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I just bought myself a new mountain bike. I must admit, I am not a fantastic member of society in that I just do not consume enough, but I felt compelled to buy a new toy and for several reasons - most of which are health related.
Having just given up smoking ten weeks ago, after 36 years of solid heavy smoking, I discovered - as I had expected - that I had put some weight on. More than I had expected, but quitting smoking was my priority and I was not going to beat myself up if I put a few pounds on in the process.
Unfortunately - I put 25 pounds on so now I do need to beat myself up and the best way of doing that is cycling. I used to be a demon cyclist but I have not been on a bike in some years. So I did a little research and decided on a last years model rather than the latest, greatest, lightest mountain bike on the block. I don't really see the point in buying the lightest thing anyway - seeing as I am the wrong side of 250 lbs at the moment.
Merida vs Giant
The two bikes I ended up choosing between were the Merida XC700 and a Giant XTC3. The Merida was slightly heavier, but won out for me simply by being different. I don't think there is anything wrong with the Giant - other than the fact that I found it boring and the same as everything else on the market.
These things are now made in Taiwan, by and large and the Merida sports a proud sticker that says, "Robot Welded." I am not sure why this is something to crow about. I would actually have preferred that the welding had been done by a "reasoning being," but I guess that means mistakes and I really didn't want to spend ten times the price - which is what a mountain bike costs if it has been made by actual humans.
This is my new toy and after my inaugural ride have decided to name her “sexy beast” in honor of the film by the same name starring Ray Winstone and Ben Kingsley – If you have seen the film – it is a classic Bad boy turned Good film - and absolutely worth watching if you want to see Ben Kingsley in a whole different light. Still – now I need to get back in the saddle if I am to lose those pounds.
I will leave you with the trailer for Sexy Beast - although goodness knows why there is an American voice doing the voice over. Don't let that put you off - this is one of the best British gangster movies ever.
 | Amazon Price: $6.10 List Price: $14.98 |
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lol
What an odd comment. No - this is it. Why?
Great hub. Maybe you can tell us later how you lost weight cycling! Keep up the good work.- Carol
It must be fantastic to cycle. I was never taught because of bad times. I regret it but now I wouldn't like to risk open knees and elbows. This bike looks fantastic. Thank you for your hub .
Thanks guys - I certainly hope to writing a "how I lost XXX pounds" hub lol
I used to cycle A LOT and have been wanting to get back into it (need to loose some lbs, too!) but I can't seem to get the time, always having the kids in tow! Good luck losing and toning and CONGRATULATIONS on having the willpower to quit smoking - yay! I quit 10 years ago!
Thanks Lily _ I am getting back into it. Ten years huh? Good for you. How long till the cravings go away - I am in my third month and they are still pretty bad,. :(
Mark, Congratulations for quitting smoking. Gaining weight is so typical after years of smoking but you have chosen to do something about it. Sexy Beast sounds like a love affair with the bike. Sounds great!
Be better to write a hub on how to quit smoking . I made it for three days, then my mate bought me a pack. She said better the cigarettes kill me than her. LOL
A bike is a great way to exercise and do local travel. I actually used a bike as my primary mode of transportation about 30 years ago for about 3 months. In LA riding a bike can be risky so about 3 months was all I could risk before going back to a car. You can only be nearly run down so many times before you begin to wonder when your luck will run out.
First off congratulations on not smoking anymore and getting started on the weight loss. Let us know how that goes? How much was this bike and where did you get it from? I got a Schwinn couple of months back and I would love to start riding the bike again.
Thanks guys. The bike was E675 from a local dealer here in France.
Well done on the not smoking front. I frequently have to counsel clients on not smoking and they don't find it easy to say the least, so ya done good. If you're finding the cravings hard, do what the AA suggets with booze think to yourself 'I'm not having one just for now', then go and do something distracting (your choice!). Also, think to yourself where do I want to be in five years. (I guess sitting in an armchair with an oxygen tank doesn't figure in that picture). Ten weeks of not smoking is fantastic! I'm sure your new Sexy Beast will help things along - a half hour walk = 100 calories. 3,500 calories = 1lb fat. Good luck!
"robot welded" might be preferable to dollar-a-day-overworked-peasant welded. LOLOLOL
Sadly I think I have to agree with you for once.
And you know what - I am slowly deciding it is the fukin banks that make it this way. I looked at a few hand made bikes - 10 times the price to have it made by a human.
Hand-made is a selling point if the buyer has more money than sense. I have a Trek 5200 because I like the high-tech aspect of carbon fiber. No welds in the traditional sense.
These are great news Mark! I wish I could go for a ride with you right now.
But I want to remember you that riding bicycle won´t make you lose weight... what you eat is what can make you become lighter. The ridings will help you to get in shape and eventually lose some fat ;)
BTW, if you want to stop feeling those cravings you´ll want to start your days with a good healthy breakfast ;)
Checkout this hub: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Effectively-Loose-P
LOL
I know. But I have been doing no exercise and riding a bike instead of eating crap should help. . lol
Mark, I broke out the vintage Australian made Malvern star 2 weeks ago to go have a track ride with the HPV's, you know the things, you lie down in them behind a 10,000 dollar kevlar skin and pedal like hell!
Anyway long story short, the old thing goes well with super light Campagnolo wheels, so I thought I may stay up with them.
What a joke! I had the flu at the time as well, and got about 300 metres before I was exhausted with burning legs. I pulled up to get some oxygen back and realized what 6 months off the bike did to me! I also got a flat tire and have not found the 700c replacement at the supermarkets, so off to the bike shop to be stung! :) Great hub mate!
lol
I hear you. Got a bad tooth infection at the moment and being 25 pounds heavier and not having ridden a bike in years - I can manage about 45 minutes before I am toast. Got to get this weight off though. :(
my dad would love this hub and he takes good deal interest in mountains and caves. how about cave diving, have any piece of sharing! would love them too.
LOL Dude - you are not getting my fat ass down a hole in the ground.
v.sridhar36 2 years ago
I was just amazed by your short hub, you usually intend to write a bit more than this right? Probably you are editing this?