Calibre Two.Two V2 Alloy Hardtail Mountain Bike
I like to think I’m reasonably fit. Most people probably like to think they are, but this illusion can quickly be shattered by visiting Wales. Especially with my brother on a mountain bike. A mixture of cross country rides over the Black Mountains, as well as purpose built trails showed me that I needed a little more exercise, but also that after 15 years it was probably time for a new bike.
A little bit of online research showed that Go Outdoors were offering deals with a lot of bike for the money. I won’t pretend I know a huge amount about bikes, but with a lot of help and patience from my brother whilst I rode several different models around the shop, I settled on Go-Outdoors own branded Calibre Two.Two model.
A little bit of online research showed that Go Outdoors were offering deals with a lot of bike for the money. I won’t pretend I know a huge amount about bikes, but with a lot of help and patience from my brother whilst I rode several different models around the shop, I settled on Go-Outdoors own branded Calibre Two.Two model.
The bike came ready set up, and just needed a few parts putting together. Tech specs are available on the Go-Outdoors website, and the photographs should answer questions about which parts are used for the brakes, gears and shocks.
First impressions on the road were good, but the front derailleur was rubbing on the chain when I tried to go into very high or very low gearing ratios. Fortunately this was soon sorted by adjusting the high and low limit screws. The bike runs really smoothly off road, with the front forks handling most terrains well. It is also possible to lock the forks when your on the road. The brakes are very good, and are nicely balanced too which I liked. I did make the mistake of pressing the front brake lever without the font wheel in place which locked the pads together. It took a screw driver to carefully open them, so lesson learnt there! Finally though a little stiff the gear changes are positive, and it rarely has to be helped to change gear.
First impressions on the road were good, but the front derailleur was rubbing on the chain when I tried to go into very high or very low gearing ratios. Fortunately this was soon sorted by adjusting the high and low limit screws. The bike runs really smoothly off road, with the front forks handling most terrains well. It is also possible to lock the forks when your on the road. The brakes are very good, and are nicely balanced too which I liked. I did make the mistake of pressing the front brake lever without the font wheel in place which locked the pads together. It took a screw driver to carefully open them, so lesson learnt there! Finally though a little stiff the gear changes are positive, and it rarely has to be helped to change gear.
Out in the woods the bike is fantastic, and has massively boosted my confidence during my recent transition from cycling around East Anglian countryside to riding through trails. Whilst I don’t know enough bikes to do a ‘proper’ review, I do know enough to know that this is a good bike. Many reviews have the words like ‘great for the price’, which always seems to me like a backhanded compliment. I was a little worried on the way back from the shop that I should have spent a little more, but my worries have been well and truly put to rest. For someone like me who wants a decent upgrade to a modern bike, and is new to trails I would say it’s pretty much spot on.
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