What bicycle query

Author
Discussion

WinstonR

Original Poster:

130 posts

79 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
quotequote all
Hello all,

I need a bicycle with the main criteria being that it can take a thule child seat as per this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thule-Ridealong-Baby-Carr...

I would plan on cycling along cycle paths along a canal so some smooth surfaces and some gravel but generally flat.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't buy this:
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrer...

If anyone has any better suggestions then I'm all ears. Would like to keep at a similar price.

Thanks

Sarkmeister

1,664 posts

217 months

Wednesday 23rd June 2021
quotequote all
The Subway is a good choice, however, are you sure they have stock anywhere? Halford are really struggling to get bikes at the moment.

WinstonR

Original Poster:

130 posts

79 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Ah, good point. I didn't check and you're right, seems out of stock completely. That's a pain!

dvshannow

1,580 posts

135 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
The Tarmac Sworks SL7 it’s lightweight and aero one bike to rule them all the reviewers said

hyphen

26,262 posts

89 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Have a look to see if Decathlon you like have anything in stock.

Also if baby seat and gravel, consider purchasing tyres with some grip, as the ones that come with a hybrid might be more road orientated.

ApexCult

4,917 posts

152 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
dvshannow said:
The Tarmac Sworks SL7 it’s lightweight and aero one bike to rule them all the reviewers said
How do you get from a sub £400 bike from Halfords to one over £10,000??

Decathalon sell pretty good bikes too so worth a look in, but again they like everyone is having massive stock issues!

PeteinSQ

2,332 posts

209 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Just about any hybrid would do the job wouldn't it? Many, many years ago I had a specialized sirrus and that was a great bike.

dvshannow

1,580 posts

135 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Yep agree get a hybrid and maybe a halford brand at that price as specialized / trek start around 500

I have a trek hybrid which works well

Best not to get suspension at this price too will be better spending on the other bits and see what kind of terrain you will be going on and make sure tires will be sufficient

WinstonR

Original Poster:

130 posts

79 months

Thursday 24th June 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice all.

I have had a look at Decathlon but couldn't see anything that I wanted in budget. My impression is that I should get a bike with disk brakes because of the extra weight from having a child on the back. Although this may be unfounded and regular V brakes may be fine?

There doesn't appear to be many similar spec and price bikes to the Carrera Subway available.

I see there is a bike called a Barracuda Hydrus which is only £230 with disk brakes but I suspect at that price it may be a bit rubbish:
https://outlet.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/bikes/adult-bik...



hyphen

26,262 posts

89 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all
dvshannow said:
...Best not to get suspension at this price too will be better spending on the other bits and see what kind of terrain you will be going on and make sure tires will be sufficient
As said above, if terrain is rougher then perhaps choose a hybrid that can take a wider tyre

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all
ApexCult said:
dvshannow said:
The Tarmac Sworks SL7 it’s lightweight and aero one bike to rule them all the reviewers said
How do you get from a sub £400 bike from Halfords to one over £10,000??
laugh

Amazing.

lufbramatt

5,318 posts

133 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all
WinstonR said:
Thanks for the advice all.

I have had a look at Decathlon but couldn't see anything that I wanted in budget. My impression is that I should get a bike with disk brakes because of the extra weight from having a child on the back. Although this may be unfounded and regular V brakes may be fine?

There doesn't appear to be many similar spec and price bikes to the Carrera Subway available.

I see there is a bike called a Barracuda Hydrus which is only £230 with disk brakes but I suspect at that price it may be a bit rubbish:
https://outlet.e-bikesdirect.co.uk/bikes/adult-bik...
V brakes would be fine. It's not like you're going to be doing emergency stops from 40mph with a kiddie on the back. Would prefer a solid set of V brakes with decent pads to mechanical disk brakes, which are a bit crap tbh. Hydraulic disks are a different story but you wont be getting them on a £230 bike.

BoRED S2upid

19,643 posts

239 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all
Buy cheap buy twice. My last Halfords bike was only good for the bin after a couple of miles they are cheap for a reason. BTwin from Decathlon seem to have a better reputation but I’ve never owned one.

PeteinSQ

2,332 posts

209 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all
Not all Halfords bikes are poor quality. The carrera subway has long been regarded as a good, affordable commuting machine.

The btwin riverside bikes might also be worth a look from Decathlon.

hyphen

26,262 posts

89 months

Friday 25th June 2021
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
Buy cheap buy twice. My last Halfords bike was only good for the bin after a couple of miles they are cheap for a reason. BTwin from Decathlon seem to have a better reputation but I’ve never owned one.
How much was it?
What went wrong?

oddball1313

1,178 posts

122 months

Saturday 26th June 2021
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Rather than buy the cheapest thing going which will be guaranteed crap why not raise the budget a tad and go for a bike which will last more than 5 minutes and also not feel like a boat anchor with a set of wheels attached

Something like this might be worth considering

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/2022-kentfield...

ApexCult

4,917 posts

152 months

Saturday 26th June 2021
quotequote all
WinstonR said:
Thanks for the advice all.

I have had a look at Decathlon but couldn't see anything that I wanted in budget. My impression is that I should get a bike with disk brakes because of the extra weight from having a child on the back. Although this may be unfounded and regular V brakes may be fine?
Disc brakes are generally better in the wet, easier to adjusts and often have better stopping power. Rim brakes can have similar properties but can often be a pain in the rear to set up for the amateur mechanic and need adjusted as the brake pads wear down.

Therefore I'd always go with discs!

Have you been looking on Gumtree at all locally for a decent looking used bike? Might be some options even if you include taking it in for a service at your local bike shop. There might also a local used bike recycler/seller near you too with potentially good deals.