First bike for 10 years - advice needed

[iamrcb]

I've not had a bike since university over 10 years ago; now I'm considering a hybrid bike or a mountain bike (no suspension).

It'll be used for leisure cycling, tarmac paths and roads, no off road stuff. Say, a couple of times a month.

I've been put off VERY cheap bikes (£100) because of reports of early failures, crappy gears etc. I don't want to be put off cycling by a shoddy bike with ongoing niggles.

My budget is still very small at £200 tops (edit - was £160). It makes sense to get something cheap to start off with, rather than spend more now and it languish in the shed.

Any advice or specific makes/models for this small budget?

I'm a bit wary of second hand. Any minor faults are unlikely to be declared. The repairs/replacement of parts doesn't put me off, but the additonal cost does.

Edited by iamrcb on Wednesday 28th March 19:57

[Kermit power]

You're really not going to find anything new for £160 that isn't going to make you hate cycling for life!

Either go second hand or wait a month or two and save even a little bit more if you can. If you can get up to £200 the Carrera Subway Limited Edition from Halfords seems to be pretty well thought of, and should meet your needs.

[iamrcb]

Thanks for the advice. Regarding the budget, I thought that would be the case.

I did spot these on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLAUD-BUTLER-COMPETITION...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marin-Retro-Mountainbike...

Is this the sort of thing available for the budget that would be reliable?

There's a good second-hand bike shop near me. I'll call in on the weekend

[nammynake]

As above, £160 is very unlikely to get you anything worthwhile new. Either buy second hand, or if you can up your budget to £275 then this is a good option.

http://www.vitusbikes.com/urban/vee-1-2012

My mate has one, and uses it for commuting. A very sturdy bike, pretty light and good handling with those wide bars.

[iamrcb]

Very nice. but £275 is way above what I can spend. Maybe if I get a lot of use out of it then it would be worth it.

[paranoid airbag]

if you're not sure, second hand makes even more sense. How much is a bike worth £160 new going to be worth used? A damn sight less than one worth £160 used I expect.

[gradeA]

Head on over to www.retrobike.co.uk and post an ad in the MTB Wanted section - for £160 someone there will sort you out with a perfectly good and (hopefully) fully serviced bike that you shouldn't have any trouble with. They're generally nice like that

[iamrcb]

As suggested above, probably the cheapest ok-ish bike, £200 Carrera Subway Limited Edition Hybrid Bike 2012

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

On the cheapo side, but looks ok. £150 Apollo Veho Hybrid Bike

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[iamrcb]

Kermit power said:

You're really not going to find anything new for £160 that isn't going to make you hate cycling for life!

Either go second hand or wait a month or two and save even a little bit more if you can. If you can get up to £200 the Carrera Subway Limited Edition from Halfords seems to be pretty well thought of, and should meet your needs.

I'll go and take a look at this tomorrow

[gradeA]

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/34630/Halcyon-Raven-... ?

[iamrcb]

I went into Halfords (and online) to buy the Carrera Subway for £200 but every store and online has sold out. I'm gutted because it looked like a good one for the price. A few people recommended it too.

I've now upped my budget to £200, including delivery.

I'm going to look at a few bike shops and online to see what they've got.

Any other suggestions for a new reliable, hybrid bike for £200 max?

[nammynake]

Does it have to be brand new?

[iamrcb]

nammynake said:

Does it have to be brand new?

I'd rather a new one but it doesn't have to be brand new, providing it is in good condition and within the South Wales area, so I can pick it up.

[iamrcb]

After a quick search the common makes are as follows; any of these regarded as good for cheap, but reliable bikes?

- Dawes
- Mongoose
- Probike
- Raleigh
- Falcon
- Claud Butler
- Halcyon

A few in my price range that I've seen so far:

Mongoose Crossway 125 2011
http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/mongoose-cross...

Dawes 700C Discovery Trail
http://www.bdpricebikes.co.uk/general-town-bikes/d...

Claud Butler Explorer 100
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B4155.html?mv_pc=gp1

Dawes Discovery 101 2011
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Dawes-Discovery-101-2011-H...

Halcyon Camino Hybrid Bike
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info...

Raleigh Pioneer Urban 1 2010
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info...

Halcyon Albany
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/product_info...

Saracen Urban Esc Bike (2011)
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/38716/Sa...

[Deluded]

Just bought this from Rutland Cycles..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250910512196?ssPageName=...

Already got a mountain bike with front suspension (fuji Nevada) but needs work on a few bits and bobs and I decided that by the time I'm fixed it all. I would only have to put a little bit more money in and could get a new bike.

Went with a fixed frame hybrid as whilst I mostly ride on the road, I like to go off road on occasion so didn't want to go for a full on road bike but didn't want to go for anything with suspension as it's more efficient for the road. As with the Fuji, I would generally keep it on slicks but easy enough to swap to a/t tyres if I know I'm going to be going on tracks etc.

My budget was also £200 and the halcyon seemed like a good bet. Should turn up tomorrow Can't wait to get back on the road. Fuji has been laid up since late last year...

Edited by Deluded on Wednesday 28th March 21:25

[iamrcb]

Deluded said:

Just bought this from Rutland Cycles..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250910512196?ssPageName=...

Already got a mountain bike with front suspension (fuji Nevada) but needs work on a few bits and bobs and I decided that by the time I'm fixed it all. I would only have to put a little bit more money in and could get a new bike.

Went with a fixed frame hybrid as whilst I mostly ride on the road, I like to go off road on occasion so didn't want to go for a full on road bike but didn't want to go for anything with suspension as it's more efficient for the road.

My budget was also £200 and the halcyon seemed like a good bet.

That looks good. Does it come assembled?

Are disc brakes considered reliable for cheaper bikes?

Edited by iamrcb on Wednesday 28th March 22:00

[Deluded]

I imagine it will be part assembled, as in need the front wheel putting on and handle bars straigtening etc. Just the general setup most bikes in a box need. Gears/brakes and such will be setup from factory/shop.

I converted the fuji from v-brakes to disc and found no advantage over the v brakes. Just as much stopping power with the Vs compared to the discs. I did use very cheap components though. Never had any issues with them.

Always heard the advantage came when riding through water etc as the brakes wouldnt get as dirty and should, in theory, continue to operate where a v/caliper would get bogged down. Probably not a concern unless your going off road.

Edited by Deluded on Wednesday 28th March 22:14

[iamrcb]

Thanks for the advice.

I'd like to get another opinion on the Halcyon Sonoma and I'll probably call Rutland Cycles tomorrow .

[Deluded]

I'll let you know what I think tonight as it came today. Will be out on it tomorrow without fail!

[Flat White]

I'm in a similar situation, haven't had a bike for over 10 years and fancy getting a hybrid to commute to work.

I just saw this one on the Halfords site. £139.99 (down from £319.99, apparently)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Does that look any good?