Buying a bike

PostBuying a bike by **Curls** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:00 pm

Hi everyone..

I'm looking to buy a bike.

Now I have no idea about cycling, but I've moved to lincolnshire and it's dead flat and I'm bored.

So should I get a road bike or a hybrid? I want it to be comfortable and generally of a good quality but I am absolutely clueless about brands and where to get it from and so on.

my Budget is £500-600 Wiling to buy a cheaper bike as well if its of good quality?

Also, where should I shop for bikes? Halfords? Independent shops?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated....

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Errkal** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:05 pm

Where are you planning on cycling?

Will it be only on roads or are there parks / lakes you want to cycle round that are not fully paved.

If you are planning to go on and off pavements or on cycle tracks and things I would o for a more hybrid bike, if you will only be riding on roads then a road bike is the way to go. As for makes I have had Carrera and GT bikes, both have been fantastic.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Curls** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:07 pm

Yes I would like to go on country trials and things as well. But no mountain biking....so maybe a hybrid then?

PostRe: Buying a bike by **bigcheez2k3** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:13 pm

Specialized. I have a Hardrock which I just refreshed and it's pretty good. I was looking at the hybrid ones but went with a mountain bike in the end as I realised I would end up jumping up and down curbs and doing silly things.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Errkal** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:15 pm

Yeah I would go Hybrid or Mountain Bike for it.

If you are planning on cycling to the trails I would go something like this:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -bike-2015
or
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -bike-2015

If you are going to get a car rack and drive then cycle on trails it is probably easier to get a "proper" mountain bike as it will handle mud and gravel trails better, something like this:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-2015
or
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -bike-2015

If you do buy from Halfords I would recommend the service cover stuff, if it pretty cheap and means you get a yearly service and any parts you need changing etc. you dont need to pay labour / do it yourself.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **bigcheez2k3** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:20 pm

I've heard you should avoid Carrera from multiple people. I think my cousin got one last year, went back a few times before Halfords finally decided to refund him.

Try your local bike shop, or maybe used? I got mine from ebay.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Errkal** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:21 pm

bigcheez2k3 wrote:I've heard you should avoid Carrera from multiple people. I think my cousin got one last year, went back a few times before Halfords finally decided to refund him.

Try your local bike shop, or maybe used? I got mine from ebay.

Odd. I've had 2 of then and never had any issues (other than stuff of my own doing).

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Curls** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:22 pm

When I say trials...i Meannnnnn flatish trials around lakes and gooseberry fool like you said on your first post. Not downhill muddy Dan Hart trials.

But thanks for the tips.

So halfords are generally a good option? They're not the curry's of the biking world.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Errkal** » Sat May 30, 2015 5:27 pm

I've personally never had any issues with them. I have heard of people having issues at the smaller "in town" stores as they don't have bike people there all the time they come in once or twice a month so are hugely over worked, but at the bigger retail park types stores they are good.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Pancake** » Sat May 30, 2015 10:21 pm

It doesn't natter where you buy the bike. A retailer is a retailer, they have nothing to do with the quality of product. The only thing I've noticed is that Halfords stores around where I live are full of Boardman bikes which are mainly road focused.

Sounds to me like you need a hybrid but bear in mind that hybrids come in different forms. Some are totally unsuitable for trails, others are pretty shoddy on roads.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **LewisD** » Sun May 31, 2015 12:15 am

I rode one of these around Toys-r-us the other day.
if I had the money I'd have it.

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/toys/26-mammoth-bike/0138048

PostRe: Buying a bike by **OnlyShallow** » Sun May 31, 2015 12:15 am

Have you thought of buying something online from an independent dealer? They usually have good deals on previous years models. Have a look at http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com

At the price your looking at it is a trade off between a medium range frame with downgraded kit or a budget frame with good kit.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Curls** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 10:08 pm

Been looking at this....its top end of my budget but seems good.

Anyone know much about these bikes or the website?

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Cro ... _72128.htm

PostRe: Buying a bike by **bigcheez2k3** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 10:12 pm

Same brand as my bike which I'm very happy with. Make sure you get the right size, something I didn't know about until I was looking for mine.

Can't comment on the website though.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **D_C** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 7:20 am

Yep, I can vouch for specialised also. I've got a hybrid which is more designed for roads, so no suspension, but the cost saved from that results in better kit elsewhere on the bike. If you're wanting to do trails, you'd probably want the front suspension.

I'd personally steer clear of halfords bikes (the Carrera & Apollo ones anyway).

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Return_of_the_STAR** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:53 pm

Just been on an electric bike for the first time. Amazing fun. Would make me very lazy if I had one though.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Zerudaaaaa!** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 4:38 pm

I always go for a Dutch-style bike, usually second-hand. The most comfortable kind of bike out there.

PostRe: Buying a bike by **abcd** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 4:47 pm

I intend to buy a mountain bike soon. I've got my eye on a Trek Marlin 7.

It's had good reviews in the mountain bike magazines, and it's only £500.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec066115

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Preezy** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 5:03 pm

I've got a Trek Xcalibre 9 (where do they come up with these names?) and that's a very nice bike, their entire range seem pretty decent so you probably won't go wrong with that Marlin one.

I'm also hankering after a road bike but with a new house being built and a baby imminent I just can't justify it at the moment

PostRe: Buying a bike by **Bunni** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 5:07 pm

I've got a vintage Raleigh pioneer. Got it for £25 off some refurb place. I want a new one but I've given up on getting a cycle to work scheme sorted before I do a tour in September. Currently looking at the upgraded new pioneer that looks slick as in matte black/navy.

Buying a bike

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