Caught the bug...now need some advice...

[stampz]

Morning all,

I am hoping you can help me.

I am a complete novice who has recently been given a bike and can feel myself getting addicted

Currently I ride a pretty old GT Frame mountain bike with some Manitou front forks…but obviously this is far from ideal on the road…..the cycle scheme is coming back round at work and I am looking for a bike that can “do it all”….from my commute (9 miles each way all road), to riding around a park with the kids or canal tow paths, when looking online for this kind of bike I came across Cyclocross, and I really like the idea.

I have also considered "hybrid" bikes, but like the idea of drop handlebars…and the looks of the cyclocross bikes. I am thinking of getting the Boardman CX Comp from Halfords…however, Halfords is not my preference (I have heard some horror stories)..and I would much rather go to a local shop, I live in Warwickshire just FYI.

I am looking to spend £600 (or under)…this is my top budget, would like to spend less if possible.

As I say at the moment I am looking at the CX Comp but am looking for general advice...

Is cyclocross the way to go
Should I look at hybrids
Are flat bars worse than drop bars
Is £600 too much for my first "proper" bike
Basically I need help

If people could give me some help and guidance...maybe reccomend some models that might be suitable for my needs I would be REALLY grateful, I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all my options at the moment

 

[biggs682]

@stampz imho i would always say £600 is a lot to spend on something you have never tried .

like i always say if local to me in Wellingborough Northamptonshire you are more than welcome to come and have a go one of my many mainly retro fleet if it helps

 

[raleighnut]

I'm a hybrid fan, but if you want drops there are quite a few people on here who ride them.

 

[vickster]

Go to Evans, test ride some bikes, buy the one you like in your budget

 

[Specialeyes]

The Boardman CX Comp is a cracking bike. You could join British Cycling, use the 10% discount they offer at Halfords and put the 10% towards a service at a local bike shop (LBS round here). You definitely wouldn't be the first to do it.

As for the choice of a cyclocross bike as a do-it-all machine, my experience is that they cover a wider range of applications more comfortably than any other single style of bike.

I have a Specialized Tricross and use it for year-round commutes, blasting through the woods with the kids, guilt-free road rides, towpaths, nipping to the shops the lot. It's not as light or fast as my road bike, but I wouldn't take my Tarmac through the woods, and it's just as comfortable overall as my hybrid. Somewhat counter-intuitively, I spend more time on the drops on the Tricross than I do on the road bike, due to the more relaxed geometry and higher headset on the Tricross (and yes, I had them both fitted)!

A CX bike is not as fast as a pure road bike, will not climb a muddy singletrack as well as a pure MTB and will crumple your suit more than an upright hybrid, but it will have a bloody good go at being all of those things in one bike, and is thus a very good place to start as it will make building cycling into your daily routines a lot easier.