Best option for ~£300

[fantacruz]

Hey guys this is my first post on this forum, I am 18 years old and reasonably fit and live in the cycle friendly city of Cambridge. My current bike is a hybrid that is a good bike for getting from A to B, but I would like a bike that makes this process enjoyable and I could take out just for a ride. There are 3 bikes I like the look of (btw please don't suggest the Triban 3 it has been out of stock for around 3 months).
http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/b...tler_ventoux_road_bike_2013_bundle_59cm_frame
http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/b...o_300_road_bike_2013_58cm_frame_free_tool_kit
http://www.mangobikes.co.uk/bike-builder/ creating one of these with dropped handlebars and riding it as a freewheeler.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810675_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab3

Thanks for any help and I'm open to suggestions!

 

[martint235]

I just got my Mango bike yesterday and so far I'm very happy with it. Most of the issues I have with it are due to me being very used to riding a road bike so I expect they'll resolve themselves.

Points worth noting are the handlebar diameter is quite small so none of my lights fit (solved with lots of old innertube), the mudguards I bought from Mango (only our mudguards will fit our bikes) have since been removed from sale and mine seem to be missing a couple of important bits. Other than that it's a fun bike.

 

[Stephen C]

Have a look at Merlin cycles, I got their cheapest road bike, the S2200 (http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/merlin-road-bikes/merlin-s2200-road-bike.html) for £330 including delivery, and I'm still riding it after a year and a bit and 4,000 miles.

Obviously for the price there are some compromises, but it seems to be very light for the price (~10kg). I use it for commuting (also in Cambridge) so invested in a good set of bomb-proof tyres, I have also had to replace the back wheel, but that is probably more down to going too fast over pot-holes.

 

[Dan_h]

I have been in your position before and my advice would be to look for a used bike from a good manufacturer. Cheap bikes just don't ride as well and the parts tend to wear out quickly so a decent bike with a few miles will last just as long before anything needs replacing.

 

[HorTs]

Good advice from Dan.

I'm in your position now and decided just to save for longer.

If I had to though, I'd go for the Triban.