Need a commuter bike - needs to be Halfords

[w00tman]

Hi guys

My and bikes are not easy bedfellows..

My situation:

-Commute in all weathers, approx 4 miles each way, 3 times a week (so c. 25 miles a week, tops).

-Small amount of road cycle (less than a mile) then the rest is canal towpaths which are pretty good condition, small amount of cobblestones but no more than c.200 meters tops.

- Budget not super important, but ideally as value for money as possible and/or low maintenance as possible. However, must be available in Halfords (don't ask).

Absolutely no non-commuter mileage at all - nothing for pleasure, so outside of the above requirements, there really is nothing else.

I'm sure they must do something for me that suits this? I've been told their apollo stuff is cheap st, so presume the boardman stuff will be good enough, albeit maybe a bit pricy for what I need?

help!

[jjlynn27]

w00tman said:

Hi guys

My and bikes are not easy bedfellows..

My situation:

-Commute in all weathers, approx 4 miles each way, 3 times a week (so c. 25 miles a week, tops).

-Small amount of road cycle (less than a mile) then the rest is canal towpaths which are pretty good condition, small amount of cobblestones but no more than c.200 meters tops.

- Budget not super important, but ideally as value for money as possible and/or low maintenance as possible. However, must be available in Halfords (don't ask).

Absolutely no non-commuter mileage at all - nothing for pleasure, so outside of the above requirements, there really is nothing else.

I'm sure they must do something for me that suits this? I've been told their apollo stuff is cheap st, so presume the boardman stuff will be good enough, albeit maybe a bit pricy for what I need?

help!

I'd imagine that carrera range would be of interest, if it has to be Halfords because of c2w scheme they can source bikes from other sources too IIRC.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...

[w00tman]

jjlynn27 said:

I'd imagine that carrera range would be of interest, if it has to be Halfords because of c2w scheme they can source bikes from other sources too IIRC.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...

Thanks - worth a look.

No, not C2W sadly, just a load store credit for them completely mullering something epically up.

[Collectingbrass]

If you have to use store credit why not buy a heap of their tool sets and sell them on for cash / paypal vouchers? Thier pro range has a good reputation so you should keep your cash value.

[w00tman]

Collectingbrass said:

If you have to use store credit why not buy a heap of their tool sets and sell them on for cash / paypal vouchers? Thier pro range has a good reputation so you should keep your cash value.

I need a bike by the end of the week as my current commuting situation is about to radically change (i.e. - I have a parking spot, and next week onwards forevermore, will not!).

By the time I've flipped tools for cash, I will have worn a hole in my walking shoes. Plus, alongside store credit, I'm getting a mates-rates discount on any bike I fancy, so it makes sense to just buy it from their for my sins.

[jjlynn27]

w00tman said:

I need a bike by the end of the week as my current commuting situation is about to radically change (i.e. - I have a parking spot, and next week onwards forevermore, will not!).

By the time I've flipped tools for cash, I will have worn a hole in my walking shoes. Plus, alongside store credit, I'm getting a mates-rates discount on any bike I fancy, so it makes sense to just buy it from their for my sins.

In that case, I'd skip carrera and go straight for boardman, never had one, but they have good rep, and they are on 20% disc at the moment. That reselling tools sounds like way too much hassle.

[Nezquick]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...la-211147412164%7Ccrid:83789280484%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:15211074545102376424%7Cdvc:t%7Cadp:1o1&gclid=CPaDrPajv88CFegp0wodKH8PQw

Hardtail of the year for £600.

[CubanPete]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/1...

Budget?

[TwistingMyMelon]

kona Dew , £300 ish great solid bike for tow paths and road

Bought a sh one for £90 and hammered it to death comuteing on roads and gravel tracks , never missed a beat

Solid nice frame plus ok components

Halfords stock them

Get full mudguards and puncture proof tyres as well

[TwistingMyMelon]

kona Dew , £300 ish great solid bike for tow paths and road

Bought a sh one for £90 and hammered it to death comuteing on roads and gravel tracks , never missed a beat

Solid nice frame plus ok components

Halfords stock them

Get full mudguards and puncture proof tyres as well

[Wacky Racer]

Their Carerra range is pretty good, we have had a couple...they have been fine, no problems.

[williredale]

TwistingMyMelon said:

kona Dew , £300 ish great solid bike for tow paths and road

Bought a sh one for £90 and hammered it to death comuteing on roads and gravel tracks , never missed a beat

Solid nice frame plus ok components

Halfords stock them

Get full mudguards and puncture proof tyres as well

I bought one back in May and have put over a thousand miles on it since. Mudguards and tyres have been done on mine.

[w00tman]

thanks everyone - really useful

[AlunJ]

Voodoo Marasa? Not a bad bike, http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...

[Andy888]

I've been tempted a few times by a Voodoo Marasa. Good looking commuter bike. I've a Voodoo Bizango and love it. Also have a Boardman mtb. Might be worth looking at them - great spec for the money.

[AlunJ]

I've not long got a voodoo hoodoo and it's decent for halfords, well specced for the £400 I paid as well, think they've gone back up to £500 now though

[troc]

I don't understand how anyone can sell a commuter bike without mudguards (at least) and preferably a rack and lights. Otherwise just buy a CX bike - they tend to have fairly similar geometry and disc brakes.

In my opinion (other opinions are naturally available ) a commuter bike needs to be ridable in all conditions and in practically any clothing from full-on lycra "I commute 25 miles each way" to a suit and tie "I'm Dutch and commute 3 miles each way".

[pembo]

Money no object, commuter bike, must be Halfords..... it has to be this surely:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

[Usget]

pembo said:

Money no object, commuter bike, must be Halfords..... it has to be this surely:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/c...

Cable discs at that price point?! They can sod off.

[tr7v8]

I was looking at hybrids for reasonable money and ended up with a Carter's Crossfire 1. Very happy with it as a hybrid.