First bike non road
Discussion
I’m after a bike for myself to go on bike rides with my kids, will mainly be used for off road trails, so I think mountain bike would be the type to go for?
I don’t want to spend an awful lot for one, budget <£300, I’d also like one I can collect tommorow.
I’m 6 foot 1, I see the size guide says
large - 5 ft 9 - 6 ft 1
XL 5 ft 11 - 6 ft 4
I assume a XL would be best suited?
Is this one ok?
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carr...
I don’t want to spend an awful lot for one, budget <£300, I’d also like one I can collect tommorow.
I’m 6 foot 1, I see the size guide says
large - 5 ft 9 - 6 ft 1
XL 5 ft 11 - 6 ft 4
I assume a XL would be best suited?
Is this one ok?
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carr...
Edited by usn90 on Saturday 3rd May 22:09
Classic PH comment with this being £100 over budget but you get the simple 1x gears and hydraulic brakes.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...
Edited by Master Bean on Saturday 3rd May 23:40
Master Bean said:
Classic PH comment with this being £100 over budget but you get the simple 1x gears and hydraulic brakes.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...
This. Hydraulic discs are much better than cable. Better braking and less fiddling needed.https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/vood...
You might struggle to get a new bike today because it needs to come out of the box and be built up and they may well be busy.
I bought kids bikes from Halfords last year and couldn't walk out with them same day. I'd either be looking at something like Decathlon which are usually reasonable value or go second hand on Facebook marketplace.
If going second hand, go for something 3-5 years old that looks well looked after or lightly used and ideally from a big bike brand. You'll probably get some bargains from people who bought them during COVID and have not been used since.
Not everything used is a bargain though so be careful. I managed to sell a well used Carrera for £150 which cost me £500 in 2010. It worked well and was in decent condition but I wouldn't have paid that for one...
If going second hand, go for something 3-5 years old that looks well looked after or lightly used and ideally from a big bike brand. You'll probably get some bargains from people who bought them during COVID and have not been used since.
Not everything used is a bargain though so be careful. I managed to sell a well used Carrera for £150 which cost me £500 in 2010. It worked well and was in decent condition but I wouldn't have paid that for one...
Have a look on ebay, FB marketplace, gumtree, pinkbike.
Also some hire places sell off last year's hire bikes.
An indy bike shop near a popular bike trail might have some used bikes and might be open on a BH weekend?
If the OP is thinking 'trails' like old railway lines, e.g. Camel Trail, then any bike will do!
Also some hire places sell off last year's hire bikes.
An indy bike shop near a popular bike trail might have some used bikes and might be open on a BH weekend?
If the OP is thinking 'trails' like old railway lines, e.g. Camel Trail, then any bike will do!
Charity Bike Shop Manchester
There'll be others available.
Why don't you see if you can borrow a bike off a mate (many lurk unused)?
A bad idea to rush into a purchase.
Give you time to shop around for a used one.
Something like a Specialized Rockhopper hardtail will be more than adequate.
There'll be others available.
Why don't you see if you can borrow a bike off a mate (many lurk unused)?
A bad idea to rush into a purchase.
Give you time to shop around for a used one.
Something like a Specialized Rockhopper hardtail will be more than adequate.
usn90 said:
I’m after a bike for myself to go on bike rides with my kids, will mainly be used for off road trails, so I think mountain bike would be the type to go for?
I don’t want to spend an awful lot for one, budget <£300, I’d also like one I can collect tommorow.
I’m 6 foot 1, I see the size guide says
large - 5 ft 9 - 6 ft 1
XL 5 ft 11 - 6 ft 4
I assume a XL would be best suited?
Is this one ok?
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carr...
What did you end up getting? I don’t want to spend an awful lot for one, budget <£300, I’d also like one I can collect tommorow.
I’m 6 foot 1, I see the size guide says
large - 5 ft 9 - 6 ft 1
XL 5 ft 11 - 6 ft 4
I assume a XL would be best suited?
Is this one ok?
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/carr...
Edited by usn90 on Saturday 3rd May 22:09
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/catalog/product/vie...
At that price range I'd be looking at lightly used. If you can get a Trek Marlin 5 lightly used for £300 you'll have a decent bike for good money.
At that price range I'd be looking at lightly used. If you can get a Trek Marlin 5 lightly used for £300 you'll have a decent bike for good money.
Master Bean said:
What did you end up getting?
I didn’t end up buying one yesterday, after the advice I received regarding used bikes I had a look about and seen (like most things I suppose) the better value offered.I’m completely clueless as to what I decent brand of bike is, so I’ll look on Facebook /ebay and the adverts stating the make and model I’ll then google to see the new price to get some kind of idea.
I think it was the first suggestion on here, the bike they linked was hydraulic disc brakes and one main gear, which id like.
Anyway I messaged 5 sellers local to me, a couple were voodoo’s, only 1 replied but they wasn’t able to view as they were out for the day, I may try the shop suggested above, just thought I’d get better value for cutting out the middle man.
Oh and the original bikes I linked, I could have collected them yesterday unbuilt.
loskie said:
They will be cheap for a reason.
Main reason often being, that's what used pushbikes are worth.People buy new to get credit, have a warranty, know the bike's not had any wear or damage.
With C2W pushing people to new bikes, the best of 'run of the mill' used bikes are likely worth half of new price or less.
£150 should get a tidy working bike privately.
loskie said:
Sorry.
What I meant was the new ones that are cheap are cheap for a reason.
Often putting people off cycling and the joys/benefits that it can bring.
It's a lovely thing to do with your family OP make the most of it.
Certain popular brands from certain well known retailers have been labelled 'BSOs'.What I meant was the new ones that are cheap are cheap for a reason.
Often putting people off cycling and the joys/benefits that it can bring.
It's a lovely thing to do with your family OP make the most of it.
Bike shaped objects which are horrible to ride.
Particularly if you're riding with people who have semi decent bikes.
You don't really need a very good bike for pottering along a gravel road with your kids though.
During the covid era, some relatives bought fairly low price 'Calibre' bikes, because secondhand bikes were being fought over.
They've been fine and still get used.
OutInTheShed said:
Certain popular brands from certain well known retailers have been labelled 'BSOs'.
Bike shaped objects which are horrible to ride.
Particularly if you're riding with people who have semi decent bikes.
You don't really need a very good bike for pottering along a gravel road with your kids though.
During the covid era, some relatives bought fairly low price 'Calibre' bikes, because secondhand bikes were being fought over.
They've been fine and still get used.
I don't think the BSO tag could be applied to every bike from said retailers but certainly the ones at a few hundred pounds or less. My previous MTB was a 2010 Carrera Fury which was at the time very well regarded compared to some bigger brands so I agree not to disregard them completely.Bike shaped objects which are horrible to ride.
Particularly if you're riding with people who have semi decent bikes.
You don't really need a very good bike for pottering along a gravel road with your kids though.
During the covid era, some relatives bought fairly low price 'Calibre' bikes, because secondhand bikes were being fought over.
They've been fine and still get used.
At the moment the Voodoo Bizango and the higher end Boardmans are also very good, although appreciate they are out of the OPs budget.
I'm in a similar place in terms of looking to buy a new bike as I sold my MTB and road bikes in the last few months as they were barely used. Within the last few weeks my oldest has learned to ride her own bike and I can no longer keep up on foot. One thing I've been thinking about is whether it will stay restricted to paved cycle paths and local rides for the foreseeable or should I consider that in a year she may be wanting to go to a trail centre or similar. That will drive whether bikes at the cheaper end of the market will do, whether I should get a second hand decent bike or if I go balls out and spend a couple of grand on C2W.
Decisions decisions.....
Chicken Chaser said:
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/catalog/product/vie...
At that price range I'd be looking at lightly used. If you can get a Trek Marlin 5 lightly used for £300 you'll have a decent bike for good money.
Do this.At that price range I'd be looking at lightly used. If you can get a Trek Marlin 5 lightly used for £300 you'll have a decent bike for good money.
Pickled Piper said:
Chicken Chaser said:
https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/catalog/product/vie...
At that price range I'd be looking at lightly used. If you can get a Trek Marlin 5 lightly used for £300 you'll have a decent bike for good money.
Do this.At that price range I'd be looking at lightly used. If you can get a Trek Marlin 5 lightly used for £300 you'll have a decent bike for good money.
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