Buying a new bike from Halfords...

[Chiefrick]

Hi,

I have recently won quite a lot of gift vouchers for Halfords, and I want to put some of it towards a decent bike. Looking up to about £400 - £500.

I bought a mountain bike a couple of years ago (again from Halfords - Trax model) but only rode it a couple of times, just didn't like it so it is sat in the garage not doing anything...

I am thinking more a hybrid or a road bike, what would be best for a beginner to start on? I have seen a couple of Carrera ones (Subway £279 - reduced from £399) & (Crossfire 3 £399 - reduced from £429), but my local store (Biggleswade) only had a small selection compared to the website...

I would appreciate any advice, I don't want to spend all this money (albeit for free) and then not use the bike again! I need to lose a bit of weight and get fit, and this should be the perfect opportunity for me.

Thanks

Rick

 

[Mapster5]

Get the whatever boardman is near that price

 

[Saluki]

Get the whatever boardman is near that price

+1

If you decide that cycling is not for you, selling a Boardman for a good price won't be a problem. Anyway, if you get a good bike, you will like cycling a lot more than if you get a cheap bike.

 

[vickster]

Lucky you

I think the cheapest Boardman hybrid is around £550 (you could save 10% by joining British Cycling, assume this works with vouchers). http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_777843_langId_-1_categoryId_165534



If not the Subways are popular and bomb proof, I'd avoid anything with suspension.

I think the Carrera entry level roadbike is around £350-400?

Presumably you can get any model delivered to store from the website and be under no obligation to buy?
Assuming you are not going to ride hundreds of miles in December, I would wait until after Christmas, bound to be some sale deals

 

[Lance Jack]

I just bought a Carrera Subway. Great bike, I used forums like this to see what reviews it was getting and they where, mostly, good. Now I have it I can understand the postive reviews. Not going to turn this into a review itself, just to say I think it's worth looking at.

 

[akb]

Have a look at the Bedford or Stevenage stores. Much better selection.

 

[BristolScouse]

Ive currently looking at getting a Boardman. My bike at the moment is a Subway, but as stated above if you get a Boardman n dont enjoy cycling it will be snapped. Selling a 2nd hand Subway will be much harder

 

[DooDah]

Buy a Boardman

 

[Chiefrick]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I may take a trip over to Stevenage this week, and possibly wait until post Xmas sales.....Seems the overwelming choice is to get the Boardman

Rick

 

[MrsDangermouse]

Looking at the Halfords website, the new 2013 Boardman Hybrid Race is £430 (quite a bit cheaper than the 2012 hybrids, but I'm guessing that the spec is probably lower). Hubby has just got himself a 2012 Hybrid Comp and he absolutely loves it (his average speed has also jumped by several MPH). Just make sure its built properly as it seems that Halfords staff can vary in quality from store to store. We got hubby's from the Guildford store and although when he rode it around the car park to check it seemed fine, the first time he took it out on a proper ride he found the gears didn't work properly and that there were lots of rattles. He got the LBS to check it over - the gears are now working and it runs almost silently

 

[Chiefrick]

Thanks MDM, I looked at them and they're not available yet, so presume either sold out or not released for sale yet?

Will try to stop at Stevenage store on Wednesday or Thursday and have a look round...