Cycling newb

[Sycamore]

So, I'm 20, haven't ridden for a few years, and when I last did, it was mostly skateparks on a BMX..

I currently live around 8 miles from home to work, which mostly consists of 40 roads which aren't all too busy on a morning.

I've been toying with the idea of cycling to work for far too long and its time I actually did it.

I can't imagine i'll live and breathe cycling like many on here, but then again i still want to give it a go.

Id be looking at spending around £250, which I realise doesn't go too far, but are there any reccomendations on what would be a suitable bike ?

While the route is mostly road, I've been toying with the idea of using the paths alalong the canals to get to work, which may prove a little difficult on a road bike.

Any help is appreciated and sorry for being so naive

[PHmember]

Without being a bike snob, if you can afford a bit more than £250 the quality of your bike will be much better, even if it's only £150 more. Brakes & gears will be better & more robust & the bike will be a lot more durable - you will also enjoy riding it a lot more. This time of year is an excellent time to grab a bargain as shops make room for next year's models, so you could probably pick up something a bit better for your £250.

An MTB with semi-off road tyres will do you fine.

Try the bigger shops to see what offers are on, Cycle Surgery, Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles, even Halfords for example.

You can always link an advert on here & ask what people think of a certain bike.

[anonymous-user]

Sounds like your commute will be fairly flat if you will be using canal paths, in that case you could do a lot worse than a charge plug 1. I love mine, it's robust and great fun to ride. I paid 350 for it but you might get one a bit cheaper in the sales.

Single speed commuting makes loads to of sense, less faff and fewer things to need maintenance, even if it's not flat, you can adjust the gearing to suit the route. It has mud guard mounts too so you can see stay reasonably dry.

Because it's single speed, You don't have to worry about cheap gear systems going wrong or breaking, I wouldn't say the saving is completely invested in other parts on a single speed but it's better than a cheap road bike where everything is budget and prone to failure.

[Sycamore]

I can quite easily raise my budget, I'll do some man maths and eat pot noodles for a few weeks.

I'll take a look online for some deals, although I like the idea of a single speed. Even sticking to my regular route I take in the car, its fairly flat so it makes sense !

[richardxjr]

Singlespeeds are great But defo get mudguards!

Sycamore said:

I can't imagine i'll live and breathe cycling like many on here,

It can get a bit err addictive

[Sycamore]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ghost-se...

Any good ?!?!

I like the idea of a hard tail bike. I won't be doing all too much off road riding so the lack of full suspension doesn't matter all too much.

[lllnorrislll]

I've been looking at the Carrera Crixus Cyclocross at around this price break (look up British cycling discount). Although Halfords stir mixed feelings and rrp is bit hopeful.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

[ecsrobin]

Sycamore said:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ghost-se...

Any good ?!?!

I like the idea of a hard tail bike. I won't be doing all too much off road riding so the lack of full suspension doesn't matter all too much.

Full suspension I wouldn't touch until your over £1000 and closer to £1500

[m444ttb]

richardxjr said:

Singlespeeds are great But defo get mudguards!

Sycamore said:

I can't imagine i'll live and breathe cycling like many on here,

It can get a bit err addictive

Haha fastforward to December 2015 when he owns a minimum of 3 bikes and is quoting N+1 at the other half while wondering what S is in S-1.

[afrochicken]

m444ttb said:

Haha fastforward to December 2015 when he owns a minimum of 3 bikes and is quoting N+1 at the other half while wondering what S is in S-1.

and the £250 has become the budget for some bib shorts

[anonymous-user]

lllnorrislll said:

I've been looking at the Carrera Crixus Cyclocross at around this price break (look up British cycling discount). Although Halfords stir mixed feelings and rrp is bit hopeful.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

I reckon that looks pretty unbeatable. 2nd hand rubbish goes for more than that on auction sites!

[daddy cool]

Ive never noticed this before:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/1...
have been toying for ages about adding a 4th Boardman to the stable (a CX, for commuting duties) but £450 with BC discount (excluding the voucher trick on top) looks reasonable, non? In fact, it could potentially be had for £365 if they run a 10% off bikes event.

[Sycamore]

Jimboka said:

lllnorrislll said:

I've been looking at the Carrera Crixus Cyclocross at around this price break (look up British cycling discount). Although Halfords stir mixed feelings and rrp is bit hopeful.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

I reckon that looks pretty unbeatable. 2nd hand rubbish goes for more than that on auction sites!

I think you're right. I may have to reserve that one. New year's gift to myself

[TheLemming]

afrochicken said:

m444ttb said:

Haha fastforward to December 2015 when he owns a minimum of 3 bikes and is quoting N+1 at the other half while wondering what S is in S-1.

and the £250 has become the budget for some bib shorts

Happened to me... Also has to be pretty damn fun to get a lifelong couch potato hooked on a sport lol

[Sycamore]

Sycamore said:

Jimboka said:

lllnorrislll said:

I've been looking at the Carrera Crixus Cyclocross at around this price break (look up British cycling discount). Although Halfords stir mixed feelings and rrp is bit hopeful.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

I reckon that looks pretty unbeatable. 2nd hand rubbish goes for more than that on auction sites!

I think you're right. I may have to reserve that one. New year's gift to myself

How does the Halfords 10% British Cycling discount work? I've read you just show your membership card in store ?

Can I just pop into store and show them the bike I've found online for them to order in ?

Figure that if I sign up for membership I've more reason to get off my arse and do it !

[TheLemming]

daddy cool said:

Ive never noticed this before:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/1...
have been toying for ages about adding a 4th Boardman to the stable (a CX, for commuting duties) but £450 with BC discount (excluding the voucher trick on top) looks reasonable, non? In fact, it could potentially be had for £365 if they run a 10% off bikes event.

At 12.5kg its a sodding heavy CX bike though....

[TheLemming]

Sycamore said:

Sycamore said:

Jimboka said:

lllnorrislll said:

I've been looking at the Carrera Crixus Cyclocross at around this price break (look up British cycling discount). Although Halfords stir mixed feelings and rrp is bit hopeful.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

I reckon that looks pretty unbeatable. 2nd hand rubbish goes for more than that on auction sites!

I think you're right. I may have to reserve that one. New year's gift to myself

How does the Halfords 10% British Cycling discount work? I've read you just show your membership card in store ?

Can I just pop into store and show them the bike I've found online for them to order in ?

Figure that if I sign up for membership I've more reason to get off my arse and do it !

Reserve online for collection in store - using any online discounts in the process.
When collecting in store show your BC card and remind them its another 10% off (there's a barcode in the folder by the till for them to scan)