A bike recommendation for me please...

[dac]

Hi all,
Firstly apologies if this should be in the 'Beginners' section, or if becomes a similar post to another.

I've been advised to get my heart and lungs healthy, so I am looking to purchase a bicycle and do some mileage (I'm expecting around 10 miles to start with moving up to 20, 30 miles).
I have read into the different bike types and brand reputations. Maybe I've read too much but now I'm alittle lost.

MY REQUIREMENTS:
I'm 6' 4" and 17 stone so I will need a bike that is big and strong. I expect to drop to 15 & half stone in the near future.
I like to ride in an upright position so a mountain bike type frame is what I require.
My riding will be 80% on country roads with 20% being on grass banks along rivers.
I do not wish to have grip-shifts gears, and I would like a tyre to be wide-ish like a mountain bike tyre but have less tred so it is smooth on the road.
I think my budget is £300, so I could purchase a £600 second hand for £300, or get a £400 bike for £300 in a sale. I'm not sure which is best.
I did see the Carrera Subway 1 & 2 in Halfords and they looked nice (the tyre I like too) but I've heard mixed reviews about Halfords bikes (except the Boardmans). Should I get V-brakes or Discs? I do not believe I require Front Suspension for what I intend the use to be. Some of the bikes I've reviewed seem to have different versions of Shimano gears so I do not know which versions are better and will it make a difference for my use. I think you can see now how I'm confused.

Here are just a few of the links:
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/browse..._and_trekking_bikes/tag/22in/23in/23.5in.html

Halfords

I could also buy a Claud Butler Rock (does have front suspension) second hand for £120.

Can you advise which will be a good buy for my requirements and which sites I will get a good price, or if there any good sales on at the moment? Your help will be VERY much appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

 

[vickster]

The subway is a very good bike for the money, carrera are decent, just avoid trax and Apollo from halfords . Just check they have a frame size big enough for your height

You don't need suspension unless riding off road proper. Just adds weight and makes the ride more bouncy and harder work

Disc brakes are a good does if riding in all weathers in traffic, but the mechanical ones do need more maintenance but they don't wear the rims out like V brakes can with heavy use

Join british cycling for £30 odd for ride membership, get 10% off at halfords and other indispensable benefits

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Have you tried Decathlon ? Or what about the mail order companies such as Rose ?

 

[dac]

Thank you both for your replies.
If I'm buying brand new I think I've wittled it down to these (below) that are currently available. Some have disc brakes and some don't, some have suspension too (not sure if they are lock-out though - or even if lock-out is a gimmick). Please have a view and let me know which is the best value for money. Obviously the cheaper the better (especially as I'm a newbie to it all) but if I'm going to invest I will invest properly. Please remember I'm 6' 4" and 17 stone, and also some of the bikes below may have thin tyres which I worry wouldn't be robust enough for grass cycling. Open to other suggested bike too. Thanks!!
Eastway FB3.0 2014
Ridgeback Comet (23 inch frame)
Viking Camden
Dawes Discovery Sport 2
Viking Notting Hill
Claud Butler Cape Wrath 03

 

[vickster]

I don't think Rose do bikes for £300?

 

[dac]

I have viewed the Decathlon and Rose websites, plus EvansCycles, Halfords, EdinburghCycles, Wiggle, AW Cycles, DiscountCycles, Bikes2uDirect, etc...
All the above bikes are 22 inch frames with the Ridgeback being 23 inch. Unless anyone does suggest a bike I haven't thought of it will probably be one of the above (see bike links in previous post). Thanks.

 

[Turdus philomelos]

Buying a brand new bike can be, is a big investment. There are many folk just like myself who have bikes stored that never get used so ask about. If you were local you could have come and taken a look. Too many folk by the wrong bike for them and get a scunner and never get to realise the amazing enjoyment and benefits of cycling.

Independent shops can also give you great advice. Oor local weekend bike shop is brilliant for that.

As stated previously don't go near suspension unless like my son, you want to hurl yirself doon that Black Run awt Glentress.

Oh by the way.

 

[Apollonius]

The most important thing to remember, and apologies if this is too obvious, is that you will only benefit from a bike if you ride it. You will get more benefit from a second hand bike you ride than a top machine that is a permanent shed dweller. Maybe you need to test your commitment. I suggest you have a good look at the second hand Claude you have been offered and try it out.

You are right to start gently. Choose a nice day (there have got to be some coming soon, please!) and set off for a nice, gentle flat 5km or so. Stop to look at the view from time to time.
If you find you like the experience, build up gradually to greater distances and a range of weather. You will be learning a lot about yourself and what the bike is good for. You will also start to find that bike-specific clothes have advantages.
What you don't want is to find that you have spent hundreds on a nice bike that you don't ride. There are so many sheds in this land full of unused bikes, golf clubs, fitness machines etc.
I guess we all hope that you will get the bug and find the joys of increasing fitness, better health and the pleasure of discovery that cycling brings, but do it slowly to start with.

 

[Soltydog]

I'm a similar size & have done similar riding to what you are planning. My advice would be get a hybrid type bike with no suspension. Try before you buy to ensure it's comfy for you & if you can get a 2nd hand bargain go for it & if a bike has narrow tyres you can always go a little wider 28mm will probably fit most rims & be ok for grass banks
FWIW I had a Specialised Globe Sport & never had a minutes problem & did loads of miles, C2C twice as well as regular commutes, wish I'd never sold it.

 

[J1888]

Second hand Cannondale hybrid could be worth a look - mine was 480 quid new as it was 'last year's model' and is brilliant. It's a Quick 4.

 

[Pale Rider]

The Claud Butler in your list is more of a mountain bike, but is very good spec.

SLX/Deore gears and a Shmano external bottom bracket is good on a £389 bike.

Nothing wrong with the others, but I would avoid SRAM - at this price it's not as durable as Shimano.

You mention riding on grass a couple of times.

That will be very hard going which will get you fit quickly, but realistically you may want to rethink your routes to avoid the grass sections.

No problem if what your really mean is a hardpack path with grass either side.

 

[dac]

Again, thank you so much for all your input. I've read some great advice and tip and it is much appreciated. I live in an area with lots of rivers and I think it would be nice to cycle along those rivers on the grass banks - so I do think I will be cycling on the grass but 80% will be on roads.
Can I ask - is suspension lock-out a gimmick or do they really work - are they robust or will that break easily - are they worth having?
I've missed out on the Claud Butler Rock (it's now sold) but I am keeping my eye on Ebay.
I'm now wondering if I should be focusing on a 23 inch frame rather than a 22 inch frame, and also to totally rule out a 21 inch frame. All due to my height.
Plus, I see bikes with 29 inch wheels - should I be making this a must and not consider the 26 inch wheels.
I did spend half hour with a chap from Evans Cycles - very helpful. I could do with visitng again but this time actualy sit on the bikes but being out in the sticks it's not local.
Of the above bikes that I've provided links to, are there any that I should just rule out??!! The ridgeback seems cheapish and was originally £350. Is the Dawes bike any good, the same goes for the Viking bikes. I do not know bikes or their reputations so you advice is most welcome.
If I can find a second hand bike that is my size and local (due to collection) then great but I suspect I will have to order online new and I'm thinking a £200ish (after it being reduced) is cheap enough for me to learn what I need in a bike. I'm also thinking will I notice a difference between a £200 (down from £350) and a £600. Probably not. I just need strong enough and not to brake on me.
What I will say is the Claud Butler Wrath 03 is, supposedly, massively reduced (£8xx down to £389). Was it really £800 odd and if it was then surely that is worth a plunge but it is a mountain bike and not a hybrid, and is only a 22inch frame (is that enough for 6' 4").
Thank you.

 

[Pale Rider]

Be wary of 'reductions', focus on what you are getting for the price you are to pay.

Don't fall into the trap of buying a bargain not a bike.

I could sell you my £1,000 Cannondale for £500, but it would be useless to you as it's far too small.

Sizes vary a little from bike to bike, so that makes buying blind online chancy.

There are size tables on some sites which will give you a good idea.

You are a tall person, but bike size and fit will depend a bit where that length is - trunk or legs.

Generally, you can make a bike a bit bigger by tinkering, but you can't make a too big bike smaller, so you need to avoid that.

The hybrid wheels - 700c - are the same size as 29er wheels.

Next down is 27.5" and 26", usually on mountain bikes.

Does it matter?

The bigger wheels roll a bit better, but are more cumbersome.

When it comes down to it, they are all round and black with spokes in the middle.

You are spending just enough where it is possible to say there is no bad bike brand.

 

[biggs682]

Just be careful as others have said too many people buy on colour and price, try before you buy any decent shop should provide a test ride.
But do consider second hand if done wisely you can save some money.

Where are you based as their maybe a n other member local who might be able to help

 

[MichaelW2]

Regarding wheel size, for a 6'4" rider, ANY wheel size is going to be compact, relative to the frame size.
Using 29"/700c wheels in an XXL frame is like a M rider using 26".
Stick to 29"/700c
Avoid 27.5", you simply don't need this 'inbetweener" size and you can't buy a normal 27.5 (aka 650b) road tyre in a normal bike shop. Carrera Subway is now 27.5.

Suspension isn't needed for canal paths.
Disc brakes are really good in wet condition.
Look for a wheel with plenty of spokes to share the load. 36spoke is what you need, not 32.

You should look for the largest size you can find. Used XXL non-sus hybrids is a very small market.
Consider accessories: mudguards, lights, lock, helmet, luggage rack, puncture kit/pump. You can negotiate on free extras much more easily that trying to get cash off. £50 of accessories will cost halfords £10.

Kona Dew disk is worth a look if within your budget