HELP! The boyfriend wants a raleigh bike for christmas?!

[mickle]

I know zilch about bikes. Ive been looking on wheelies direct and halfords but don't actually know if they're any good. He's an avid cyclist and i would love to get him a bike that lasts longer than 6 months as per usual! No budget as yet! HELP!

[Parrot of Doom]

Road bike or mountain bike? Or something that can do both?

[snotrag]

Go to a proper bike shop!

Not Halfords, preferably an independent or small chain. See if anyone you know can reccomend one, or ask your partner about there favourite LBS (Its the male version of a LBD - everyone has an old favourite) Talk to the sales advisors.

As for it being a surprise - if your partner is a keen cyclist, I would suggest that getting them a bike as a surprise is not a good idea. Its not like buying a car, theres a lot of very personal things to think about such as geometry and fit.

Take him along if you can...

[Talksteer]

snotrag said:

Go to a proper bike shop!

Not Halfords, preferably an independent or small chain. See if anyone you know can reccomend one, or ask your partner about there favourite LBS (Its the male version of a LBD - everyone has an old favourite) Talk to the sales advisors.

I'm not sure how long it will be before Halfords becomes a "proper bike shop" they appear to be making a very determined effort and they now stock quality bikes not just £85 specials. You can actually buy the "Boardman Elite" bike from Halfords which is pretty much the same machine the UK track cyclists use.

May take a while before they manage to get the cycle geeks to work for them though.

[pdV6]

That's the problem, though. They may stock some decent kit but if they know FA about it they'll sell you the wrong stuff.

[M400 NBL]

mickle said:

I know zilch about bikes. Ive been looking on wheelies direct and halfords but don't actually know if they're any good. He's an avid cyclist and i would love to get him a bike that lasts longer than 6 months as per usual! No budget as yet! HELP!

What bike does he ride atm? No suspension, front suspension or full suspension?

What is it that causes him to change bikes so often? If it's any of the mechinical components, it's probably because they are cheap AND he has strong legs. In which case you should be looking at bikes with at least an XT groupset.

It's worth spending twice as much for a bike that will last 5 times longer. There's also the benefit of having a smoother, easier ride.

I'd suggest checking out mountain bike magazines to see if any of the shops advertising in them are offering 2007/2008 bikes at a discount. Or give a ball park figure (£300, £400, £500) and i'm sure we'll have some suggestions.

[Gazzab]

Have a look at the bikes in Decathlon.

Good quality and excellent value.

[mat205125]

pdV6 said:

That's the problem, though. They may stock some decent kit but if they know FA about it they'll sell you the wrong stuff.

Halfords products and shops are definitely improving, however their staff are rarely hit, mainly miss. Was in the upstairs bit in the Swindon branch on Saturday, just getting some supplies. Took supplies to the counter where the 2 spotty saturday oiks were thumbing through one of the mags they'd found that "fell out the wrapper". Upon handing my purchases to oik 1 to ring through the till he piped up with "Do you mind taking that to the main till to pay?" - Trigger sniggering from oik 2.

This got to me a little bit, and therefore I replied "Why? What the fk are you two doing that makes you so busy? Here! I'll take these please!!!"

There are a few genuine bike people in Halfords, but mainly little scrotes.