Advice

[swampyseifer]

So once again looking for advice....the amount of times I've bought a bike you'd think I'd know!

So my budget is somewhat unlimited (cycle2work scheme is a max of £3000). Although to be honest I'm looking to spend no more than say £700 - unless it's worth the extra.

I would prefer a hybrid bike as I've had a full on off-roader and it weighed the same as a small elephant! Similarly I don't want a pure road bike as it will get used off-road...gravel, grass, but if mud etc

The main restriction is it has to be bought from EvansCycles

My instant thoughts were solid staples like Trex FX and cannondale CX but they do quite a range if bikes!

 

[vickster]

Do they still sell Whyte? CX a good call but £700 really is entry level for one, especially the big US brands. To get a better frame and groupset, disc brakes etc, £1000-1200 is perhaps more realistic.

The advantage of Evans is they are very accommodating on test rides

I am going to chuck the Genesis Croix de Fer in from left field

 

[Kies]

Yes - pay your penny, hand over your credit card and say drivers licence which they put in a locking wallet (you keep the key) and try a few bikes out.

A hybrid is the obvious shout for your needs, but which end of the hybrid scale you decide on will depend on just how offroad you intend to go. Some have 700 x 35c offroad tyres, others come with little mudguard clearance and 700 x 25c road slick rubber

 

[swampyseifer]

Thanks for suggestions. My local Evans is in the middle if a shopping centre so I don't know if testing is really on the cards much - not that I care too much about finding the perfect fit, just a good bike for the money. I'm not a connoisseur and I never will be...like my wine, I don't care what it is so long it's not rancid grape juice or carefully pressed angels tears.

For the scale of hybrid, probably 70/30 road to off-road!

 

[vickster]

Get the right fit...myriad of issues possible if not (I know and have the scar to show it ). You can wheel it out of the shopping centre. My experience is you can have as long as you want

Look at the Pinnacle Arkose, Evans own, decent spec for the money, decent reviews

http://www.evanscycles.com/search?query=arkose

Of course, as you'll be cycling to work, you'll want to consider the ability to fit mudguards and a rack

How off road are you planning on going?

 

[Kies]

Fit is everything - a bike to big or small will not be comfortable on longer rides, and you can damage yourself by being cramped or overstretched!!!!
If your doing 70% road, and 30% offroad (gravel,towpaths,parks) then something towards the road end of hybrids will fot the bill.
I use my specialized on the roads in the summer with 23c slicks, and 28c all terrain tyres in the parks,trails during the winter

 

[swampyseifer]

Well I know what size frame to get, surely then it's a matter of tweaking the fit of the bike by altering the seat angle and handlebars?

Anyway, suggesting I would ride it to work is stretching it a little...well completely actually. I have no intention of riding it to work, this is purely recreational!

 

[Kies]

Yes the frame should be in the right ball park, finer tuning is done by tweaking. Ride as many bikes as you can, BEFORE pulling the trigger on your final choice. Pick the one that feels right

 

[vickster]

Anyway, suggesting I would ride it to work is stretching it a little...well completely actually. I have no intention of riding it to work, this is purely recreational!

Just don't tell anyone that as you'll be in breach of C2W rules and HMRC will be after you

Do you want flat bars or drops - that will be the ultimate decision, something with a solid carbon fork and perhaps disc brakes

 

[StuUngar]

Based on what you have said and having a £700 I'd go second hand all the way. For £300 you can pick up some very decent bikes.

Not many bikes are Jack of all Trades and disc brakes are, IMO pretty redundant unless you are actually going off rioad.

 

[vickster]

Second hand doesn't work so well when using C2W though

Is the budget £700 as the amiount you will pay given the tax benefit, i.e. you could go to £900ish?

He does say he is off road for 30% of the time

 

[StuUngar]

Second hand doesn't work so well when using C2W though

Is the budget £700 as the amiount you will pay given the tax benefit, i.e. you could go to £900ish?

He does say he is off road for 30% of the time

I know - I'm just saying it would make more sense to go 2nd hand if that's the budget - I am not sure how much CRW give you. Unfortunately we are not really sure about his road /off ratio and what it consists of. Most hybrids can be ridden well on country track, gravel & grass etc

 

[vickster]

He has been riding a while I think so not a complete newbie
He says he can get 3k from C2W

 

[swampyseifer]

I've been riding probably in total for maybe 8 hours...ever. If you don't know from my time here before, I only learned to ride in the last year or so. Bike got stolen, bought another, that was stolen, bought another and that was stolen.

Second hand is not possible. As I'm only doing this through C2W.

I don't actually know what the handlebar question means butI assume it's do I want ones that are flat bars or do I want those curly ones that look like a C shape. I've only ever had the flat bars and they seemed fine to me.

I could probably go upto £1000 based on what I would be paying per month. I just would rather not spend a huge amount as it's not like I'm looking for something to deal with lots of miles and not am I looking for the Porsche of the bike world. Just want a decent well made run around that mostly will be for roads and paths with an ability to be ridden on gravel, grass, the occasional muddy route etc

 

[goody]

Probably doesn't matter what you buy, from the sound of things you won't have it very long.