Considering buying a bike...

Considering buying a bike...

Author
Discussion

Heskey

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

195 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
quotequote all
Hey guys,

Could do with your expertise and advice if you don't mind!

I'm considering getting a bike, what with the sun deciding to show its face a little more often. I've never been much of one for exercise or sport, but out of all the things I've tried, going on a nice bike ride still sounds like fun rather than work...

I've had a fair few bikes in the past, mountain and town/country.

I live in a pretty hilly area of the North-West; it's a bit of a playground really if you use some imagination; plenty of scope for some off-roading adventures but mostly would be along the roads/pavement.

What advice can you offer me in choosing the right kind of bike? I don't have bags of cash and don't know the average price of a decent bike these days so I can't really give a budget; ball-park figure £100-400?

No idea on best gear/helmet to be wearing either. If it was down to me I'd be in some sweatpants or my everyday jeans... So I'm sure you can appreciate why I'm here first before reaching for my wallet hehe

Cheers in advance for any help you can offer!

Torquey

1,897 posts

230 months

Wednesday 16th March 2011
quotequote all
I really wouldn't want to spend less than £400 on a bike if you want it to last more than a few hundred miles offroad.
I think you need to set yourself a budget and go try a few in some good shops.

Bare in mind a £400 bike will probably last twice as long as a £200 bike, a £1000 bike twice as long as a £500 bike and so on.

A friend bought an equivalent to this 2 years ago and I do like it (Scott £400)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/aspect-4...

I've got a thing for specialized bike so would look at the entry rockhopper (£600) personally.

Once you have a bike there's no rush to buy extras. I would certainly look into a computer, pedals/shoes, gloves and some comfy shorts.

Edited by Torquey on Wednesday 16th March 23:54

Heskey

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

195 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
Appreciate the advice but maybe I've come on too strong in terms of of the off-roading; I meant literally like, dirt paths through fields and stuff not scaling rocky cliff edges hehe

I might be up North but mostly everywhere is tarmac'd still wink

Chicken Chaser

7,876 posts

226 months

Thursday 17th March 2011
quotequote all
Boardman Hybrid could serve you well. 2nd hand examples which are little used crop up on eBay regularly under your budget.