Comfortable urban bike that doesn't make me look like Miss Marple?

[coffeejo]

See this recent thread for some of the differences between what's known as a BSO (bike-shaped object) and something quality.

 

[coffeejo]

By the way, if you're never going off road, why do you want suspension? To my mind that will just add extra weight and "bits" (technical term) to look after without giving you any benefit. None of my bikes have suspension and they've all done a good deal of off-roading, even the "posh" road bike.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I understand where you are coming from but I'm currently doing my cycling in a city where nearly everyone rides Miss Marple bikes even when the riders themselves are probably Danish supermodels!

 

[Pompeydave]

Ok, can see now with a bit of research that Muddyfox arent up to much. And also that suspension adds weight. One I have stumbled across that looks good is a Gary Fisher Monona. Good choice? Dont know how easy they are to find though as long out of production. Still looking at other recommendations too.

 

[Julia9054]

I understand where you are coming from but I'm currently doing my cycling in a city where nearly everyone rides Miss Marple bikes even when the riders themselves are probably Danish supermodels!

It's a pity about the Miss Marple thing. I'm selling my Specialized Arial Sport with disc brakes and a step through frame - a perfect modern Miss Marple bike if ever there was one! It even has a basket on the front.

 

[vickster]

Look at Dawes, ridgeback, Claud Butler, Raleigh, carrera from halfords which are decent budget brands unlike muddy fox, Apollo, Trax and anything from a supermarket! Also older giant, specialized, trek models if well maintained and/or lightly used

I have the perfect bike for sale for not too far beyond your budget at around £300 but I think it'll be too small as it is for me

 

[Profpointy]

Ok, thanks. I'm being greedy now, but I'd like suspension if poss- are Muddyfox Tempo200's any good? Sportsdirect.com have them at £169.99, which seems very good value.

You really don't want suspension ! Completely useless on the road; well, worse than useless as it makes the bike heavier and bounciness wastes pedalling energy. Your budget is pretty tight already, so wasting money on suspension will rob much needed money from other parts of the bike - which will already be on the cheap side so there's no margin to skimp elsewhere. You don't even want suspension for the forestry tracks / canal tow path type of off-road to be honest.

Regarding "bone hard seat" - even if that seat doesn't suit you, don't make the mistake of getting a padded seat. You need a fairly hard seat - albeit one that suits you personally. I like Brooks leather saddles myself, but they don't suit everyone, and are expensive - but they are hard, not soft.

Dunno the model you mention, but from price alone, I'd be doubtful. Much under £300 (or whatever) it's going to be marginal. This isn't just being snobby, there's just a price you can't really make an OK bike for.

2ndhand maybe? but you have to know what your doing, or bring someone along. And it still has to fit.

From your "don't like drop bars" comment - it's possible that your bike isn't set up right for you, or doesn't fit.
But that said, not everyone gets on with drop bars it must be admitted although I'd not have a bike without - even my (semi-)mountain bike has drops.

 

[Rykard]

the carerra subway from Halfords was the £200 hybrid to go for, they were on sale., worth a look, but get it checked out by someone who knows bikes as the stores are a little hit and miss, Decathlon have a nice looking flatbar road bike for £260 - FB500?

 

[Pompeydave]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think the Carrera Subway 1 at £250 new from Halfords could be the way to go for a starter bike. Amazed that anything from Halfords gets a recommendation, but they do seem to be a good bike for the money.

 

[vickster]

If you join British Cycling for £33 you get 10% off at Halfords for the year as well as indispensable benefits like legal cover and 3rd party indemnity. A no brainer IMO if you are getting a bike there

 

[Pompeydave]

Ok, thanks for the tip. Looking further at hopefully better bikes out there, can anyone give an opinion on the Trek Soho 1 2008 Hybrid with 21 Gears, and the Boardman Hybrid Comp please? Both are available locally to me for a reasonable price.

 

[Pompeydave]

Any opinions at all? Like the Boardman hybrid Comp particularly. Looks like the hybrid Pro is out of my league though sadly. The Comp I could afford used.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Ok, thanks. I'm being greedy now, but I'd like suspension if poss- are Muddyfox Tempo200's any good? Sportsdirect.com have them at £169.99, which seems very good value.

Suspension at this price will be awful, avoid it unless you're going for second hand.

Agree with looking at Decathlon, Edinburgh Bikes too do excellent VFM own brand Revolution bikes. Muddy Fox now are not the quality of Muddy Fox of the 80/90s

 

[Pompeydave]

Ok, thanks. Agree that having researched this a bit more, suspension is not what I need. Edinburgh bikes are too far away from me- I'm on the south coast, and Sheffield is my nearest branch. I've looked also at Decathlon and their range was quite small. I have decided that I want hydraulic disc brakes, which again with ducking and diving into the used market, I can find. To include hydraulic, I've had to up my budget to circa £300 however. Like the look of Boardman Comp and Pro bikes, and one is available near me but with a 21" frame. I'm concerned as I'm 5' 10" with an inside leg of 30". Any Boardman owners out there that can advise as to whether I'm too short for a 21" frame?

 

[mcshroom]

Both of those would be decent if the right size and in decent nick. I'd also suggest the Carrera Gryphon and the Specialized Sirrus if you can find them at the right price.

I'm 5'10" with a similar inside leg and ride a 56cm or 21" on my bikes, so doesn't sound like a bad fit