Cheap bike

[Andrew[MG]]

I'm looking to buy a really cheap mountain bike and was wondering if the lowest price ones on Halfrauds would be OK? I've not been out on a bike since I was about 10 so I don't need anything fancy. I'll probably be going off and on road so that's why I'm going for the mountain bike option. Any other places worth considering or will this be fine?

[anonymous-user]

to be honest its expectation managaement, a cheap bike (anything made by apoloo and <£200)from halfords will be pretty horrible, heavy, ride badly off road, have no redeeming features to speak of, very agricultural suspension and prone to transmission failures. it will be built to the lowest common denominator with poor components and if you can stomach all that, then buy one. the carrera stuff isnt bad but personally i would recommend spending about £300 and look at something like a specilzed hardrock and that will last you for years.

[eightseventhree]

If you want a cheep bike . . . have a look at Decathlon Rockrider 5.3 for £250

The decathlon bikes get good writeups in the mags due to the kit you get for the price due to the superstores buying power


http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-5-3-2010-1...

Edited by eightseventhree on Tuesday 13th July 14:25

[hullbilly]

Those decathlons are very cheap. Saw hundreds in France..

The 200 one could be a good base for a trails hack that can be upgraded as you go

[Andrew[MG]]

Would this be a good option? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CUBE-ANALOG-mountain-bike-18... I know I probably should go into a shop to try a few for size but I've just been browsing ebay for a good deal...

[subsea99]

yeah not too shabby if you get it for good price, cubes are good bikes and a lot of trail centres use them as hire bikes.

you could alway try an ex-rental bike from a trail centre, quite a few of my mates did that you get a lot more bike for your money and they will have been serviced regularly.

it will all depend on what price you get the bike for

[Mr Will]

Does your work do a cycle to work scheme? If so it'll save you 40/50% off the price of a new bike.

[a11y_m]

Andrew

You're not a million miles away from Glentress (Peebles - nice roads too as you probably know). They sell off their ex-hire fleet for cheap prices, I bought a Genesis Altitude at the end of last summer for £410 (RRP was £900). Something like that would be ideal I'd say. Not brand new, had been hired out 18 times apparently but had brand new tyres and chain. Very capable bike without being too much for a beginner. They sometimes list them on their website (Hub In The Forest) but not always, so worth a phone call or popping in to see them.

There's a Decathlon at the Glasgow Fort (just along from Eurocentral) that would be worth a look. Better cheap bikes than you'll get from Halfords IMO.

[djt100]

Don't buy a new one, look at used, you'll get a much better bike for silly money, A lot of people out there with £500 bike that have been sitting gathering dust for 6 months and then sold on for £200.

Guntree is a good place to start.

[subsea99]

just back from glentress tonight ..as ally m says give them a phone and see what they have,i checked the website but nothing on it at the moment here's the link anyway

http://www.thehubintheforest.co.uk/Bike/Bikes_For_...

cheers