Bit of guidance for a biking noob...

[Sparta VAG]

In short, I'm after a new bike. The brief is as follows:

1) Main usage will be 10 mile urban commute, mostly flat with minor hills. Also the option for a bit of lazy holiday cycling, but nothing off-road.
2) Budget is absolutely a max of £200
3) Need it to be relatively light. My current 17-year old bike weighs 900 tonnes and has tyres like tank tracks.

I've had a nosey around at a few likely options from Halfords:

Trax T700:

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

Apollo Code Hybrid:

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

Apollo Veho:

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

And a few from elsewhere:

Halcyon Sonoma:

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/34711/Halcyon-Sonoma...

Dawes Discovery 2012:

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Dawes-Discovery-Trail-2012...

Halcyon Camino:

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

The Halfords ones are quite cheap but reading around they don't seem that highly thought of, even for a low-price model. I'm undecided between the other three, though I'm drawn more to the Sonoma. The Camino looks like it has slightly smaller tyres than the Sonoma so maybe a bit quicker, but not 100% sure on this.

Any advice before I part with my hard-earned cash would be most welcome.

[Bacon Is Proof]

Sparta VAG said:

2) Budget is absolutely a max of £200
3) Need it to be relatively light.

Houston we have a problem!
At £200 if the bike is light (it won't be) it will be weak.

Be prepared for an influx of replies all saying to buy 2nd hand, this one included.
Sub £200 bikes of any sort are chocolate teapots.

To the 'bay!

[mchammer89]

Specialized Langster. Bought a 2007 model in 2008 for £190, great condition. Gavve up road riding for a while and sold it then bought a 2010 model last year for £220.

Fantastic bikes, and for that money they're a bargain. Plus they weigh in at around 8.5 kilos or so.

[Sparta VAG]

Bacon Is Proof said:

Houston we have a problem!
At £200 if the bike is light (it won't be) it will be weak.

Be prepared for an influx of replies all saying to buy 2nd hand, this one included.
Sub £200 bikes of any sort are chocolate teapots.

To the 'bay!

I should clarify that I meant "light" relative to my current antique bike, which weighs the best part of 20kg. Will look over some secondhand ones on the net though.

[Bacon Is Proof]

I'm not sure a fixed gear bike is an ideal choice for a "biking noob"...

[Gizmo!]

Is this what spring is like?

Buy a secondhand bike, any secondhand bike, from Scott, Giant, Specialized (if you're lucky), Trek, GT, or another proper make. Do not under any circumstances buy a "bike shaped object"; google this.

[mchammer89]

Bacon Is Proof said:

I'm not sure a fixed gear bike is an ideal choice for a "biking noob"...

Langsters come with a flip-flop hub which allows you to ride fixed, or with a freewheel. Assuming the OP doesn't regularly cycle over mountains singlespeed should be fine. Also has the benefit of getting a lot more for your money, no derailleurs, shifters or cassettes usually means for the same money, you're getting a better bike. And they are great little bikes, unfortunately singlespeed or fixed bikes have become with daft hipsters who cycle like pillocks, but aside from that I can't see a problem with them.

[Sparta VAG]

Gizmo! said:

Is this what spring is like?

Buy a secondhand bike, any secondhand bike, from Scott, Giant, Specialized (if you're lucky), Trek, GT, or another proper make. Do not under any circumstances buy a "bike shaped object"; google this.

Most illuminating. Will certainly be trawling E-bay now...