bike advice

[mark1974]

had a offer of a bike through work loads of different ones
one i like however is this
suggestions please ?

 

[compo]

Do you like it because of it's good looks or do you like it because after considering the type of cycling you want to do and looking at all the choices available this bike best suits your needs. I must admit though, it does look good.

 

[mark1974]

going to honest i liked the look of it thats all some bikes available to me are a hell of a lot more
think were i go riding i dont need a really expensive bike anyway

 

[oldfatfool]

If it's for commuting to work on the road, it might look good, but it also looks hard work.

 

[mark1974]

mainly leisure forest paths country lanes
why would it be hard work?

 

[compo]

I think he meant that it would be fairly heavy and the big tyres would have a fair old bit of rolling resistance which would make the bike harder to pedal than say a hybrid or a road bike. Many people commute on bikes like that one without problems so it's something you have to suck and see. For forest paths and the such like I would have thought it just the job.

 

[mark1974]

ahh got yer thanks

 

[oldfatfool]

Yup sorry should have stated, small wheels and fat tyres = lot of extra effort on the road compared to thin wheels large tyres. As compo says tho, off road should be very well suited.

 

[mark1974]

looking at some hybrid bikes and they look same as one i posted here are they ?

 

[compo]

Hybrid bikes, and some people take issue with the name, are a cross between the MTB and a road bike. Usually with bigger, more narrow wheels they roll along nicely. The flat bars can allow a more upright riding position like on an MTB, although some people have hybrids fitted out almost like a road bike. They are fine for road or light off road use, such as towpaths or fairly easy forest paths. Like MTB's there are a whole range of hybrids with different features offering the right bike for the right use. I think it is this huge potential variation in hybrid types that make some people question the title "hybrid". Don't worry about that controversy though. we actually know what me mean by the term. It is no different than "mountain bike" that never sees a mountain.

 

[mark1974]

ok 500 quid what brand should i look at guys?

 

[compo]

I would be reluctant to recommend a brand. Any of the major manufacturers will have suitable models, although at £500 you are looking at entry level bikes. Your best bet is to do a tour of some of your local bike shops and see what they have on offer. You could do a lot worse than a Carrera from Halfords as long as you know enough to check it over in case they haven't done a good assembly job.

 

[oldfatfool]

I would guess you would get a better quality 'Hybrid' for £500 than you would specific Mountain or road bike. I would probably avoid any sort of suspension bike at that budget as that is one area manufacturers will cut cost(quality) to hit a price point.

Something like this would be ok for paths and lanes without breaking the bank http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/125831.html

 

[david k]

check out these

i have a subway 2 and love it, nice balance for raods and tracks

 

[sabian92]

If you're riding exclusively on the road, avoid any sort of suspension as it is heavy, pointless and will make it hard work.