Advice on a bike for myself and the mrs
Discussion
Hi
Probably been asked before but no harm seeing what the upto date view is.
Thinking of getting a couple of bikes, 300-450 ish each.
Want an all rounder so thinking a mountain bike. Mrs doesnt like idea of road bike with thin tyres.
Seen some Carreras and Boardmans etc.
Anyone point us in right direction woth brands and what we should be spending?
Cheers guys and girls
Probably been asked before but no harm seeing what the upto date view is.
Thinking of getting a couple of bikes, 300-450 ish each.
Want an all rounder so thinking a mountain bike. Mrs doesnt like idea of road bike with thin tyres.
Seen some Carreras and Boardmans etc.
Anyone point us in right direction woth brands and what we should be spending?
Cheers guys and girls
jonamv8 said:
Should have added - used or new?? Seems some nice bikes with lots of bits in mint condition on eBay for a few 100£ off list
Some are mint (although some are stolen/older thean claiemd, etc).I landed a 5 month old Trek Cobia 29er which had literally been to the shops and back a few times for £500 when it listed at £950 and sold for anything from £850 and up.
Still going strong 3000 miles of commuting later.
Try some of the discount cycles places, there are brand new 2014 and 15 bikes about in limited numbers for 50% of their original RRP, all brand new. And realistically, they're pretty similar to modern versions.
We had some Cannondale bikes from Paul Cycles and Evans, about 60% of retail price paid across the two, one is a 2016 and one a 2013, but brand new and ride great.
We had some Cannondale bikes from Paul Cycles and Evans, about 60% of retail price paid across the two, one is a 2016 and one a 2013, but brand new and ride great.
A mountain bike new at that price will be basic and heavy, and the tyres will likely be wide and knobbly, all things that will make progress along a road harder than necessary.
You have to decide how and where you are going to ride the bikes; if you never leave tarmac then a road bike is the way to go; the wheels and tyres might look skinny but they are designed to cope with roads (to a point; if you crash up and down every kerb, and bang over every drain/manhole/pothole you will break them) and will make riding a more pleasant experience.
If you are going down towpaths, or bridleways, then an MTB or gravel/cx/adventure bike might be more suitable.
I would look at Ebay, plenty of bargains to be had, and if there is anything suspicious about dealing with the seller, walk away. I would recommend a Trek/Specialised/Giant, any of the bigger brands. If you don't like riding, you'll be able to sell them on easier and loose less in depreciation. If you do like them, you can upgrade, or again sell on and splash out.
You have to decide how and where you are going to ride the bikes; if you never leave tarmac then a road bike is the way to go; the wheels and tyres might look skinny but they are designed to cope with roads (to a point; if you crash up and down every kerb, and bang over every drain/manhole/pothole you will break them) and will make riding a more pleasant experience.
If you are going down towpaths, or bridleways, then an MTB or gravel/cx/adventure bike might be more suitable.
I would look at Ebay, plenty of bargains to be had, and if there is anything suspicious about dealing with the seller, walk away. I would recommend a Trek/Specialised/Giant, any of the bigger brands. If you don't like riding, you'll be able to sell them on easier and loose less in depreciation. If you do like them, you can upgrade, or again sell on and splash out.
Do either of you qualify for the Cycle to work scheme? You have a limit of £1000 which you can top up at many places if you want, and you could use the voucher to get 2 bikes, after the tax deductions you end up paying about 670 back for 1000 worth of bikes.
Paul's Cycles has some 2015/16 bargains
Paul's Cycles has some 2015/16 bargains
Daveyraveygravey said:
A mountain bike new at that price will be basic and heavy, and the tyres will likely be wide and knobbly, all things that will make progress along a road harder than necessary.
You have to decide how and where you are going to ride the bikes; if you never leave tarmac then a road bike is the way to go; the wheels and tyres might look skinny but they are designed to cope with roads (to a point; if you crash up and down every kerb, and bang over every drain/manhole/pothole you will break them) and will make riding a more pleasant experience.
If you are going down towpaths, or bridleways, then an MTB or gravel/cx/adventure bike might be more suitable.
I would look at Ebay, plenty of bargains to be had, and if there is anything suspicious about dealing with the seller, walk away. I would recommend a Trek/Specialised/Giant, any of the bigger brands. If you don't like riding, you'll be able to sell them on easier and loose less in depreciation. If you do like them, you can upgrade, or again sell on and splash out.
Thanks to all the responses.You have to decide how and where you are going to ride the bikes; if you never leave tarmac then a road bike is the way to go; the wheels and tyres might look skinny but they are designed to cope with roads (to a point; if you crash up and down every kerb, and bang over every drain/manhole/pothole you will break them) and will make riding a more pleasant experience.
If you are going down towpaths, or bridleways, then an MTB or gravel/cx/adventure bike might be more suitable.
I would look at Ebay, plenty of bargains to be had, and if there is anything suspicious about dealing with the seller, walk away. I would recommend a Trek/Specialised/Giant, any of the bigger brands. If you don't like riding, you'll be able to sell them on easier and loose less in depreciation. If you do like them, you can upgrade, or again sell on and splash out.
Main use will be road, trails, fields when with the dog, a mixed bag really. I think a road bike is too focussed where a MTB will give me the option of all types of use.
Will look to pick something up from a main brand so I can sell on easily if we decide its not for us or aren't using them.
boyse7en said:
What are you going to use the bikes for? That's the important question.
Leisure rides? Commuting? Long days out touring the area?
Those will have a bigger impact on the type of bike you buy rather than price.
Purely leisure rides. The mrs wants a fitness related hobby and if we can tie that in with the dog then all good!Leisure rides? Commuting? Long days out touring the area?
Those will have a bigger impact on the type of bike you buy rather than price.
R1gtr said:
Do either of you qualify for the Cycle to work scheme? You have a limit of £1000 which you can top up at many places if you want, and you could use the voucher to get 2 bikes, after the tax deductions you end up paying about 670 back for 1000 worth of bikes.
Paul's Cycles has some 2015/16 bargains
Not sure really! We both run our own business so unsure if there is actually any real benefit to a new one thru CTW schemePaul's Cycles has some 2015/16 bargains
Most of the ones on this page http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m9b0s18p0/Leisure-Bik... should suit what you are after.
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