First Adult Bike for Commute

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Jaysc

New Member
Hello,
I'm thinking of buying a bike for going to University, so mainly it will be pavements and roads. The bike type should also be hybrid since I carry a heavy backpack. My price range is also around £300 pounds.

The bikes I've been thinking of getting are:
Carrera Subway 2011/2012:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810737_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#tab2
Quite a few threads I've read seem to recommend the subway 2 but that's out of production now.

City Bikes Men's NeWork 5 B'TWIN:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mens-nework-5-id_8222609.html#anchor_ComponentProductFeatures

Pinnacle Lithium 2 2013 Hybrid Bike:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-2-2013-hybrid-bike-ec044194#features

Any other recommendations will be helpful.
Thanks.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
The Carrera gets good press for the money. The Ltd edition red one is under budget. Make sure you budget around £80-100 for decent locks if you are going to be leaving it anywhere, especially around a university campus - a serious D lock (like an Abus Graniit X or Kryptonite NY Fahg) plus a chain, folding lock or good thick cable
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Sensible advice, I am also not convinced that carrying a very heavy load on one's back is wise, just in case you take a tumble off the bike. I came off wearing a backpack but luckily it was light and soft
 
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Jaysc

New Member
The Carrera gets good press for the money. The Ltd edition red one is under budget. Make sure you budget around £80-100 for decent locks if you are going to be leaving it anywhere, especially around a university campus - a serious D lock (like an Abus Graniit X or Kryptonite NY Fahg) plus a chain, folding lock or good thick cable

I've also been looking around for locks as well. Not sure if I should go for the really expensive ones or not though. I've been looking at the bikes around my campus and most of them just use a simple thick cable lock, but I'm willing to go for a D lock. Some comments I've read basically say that any bike lock is easily broken if you know what to do and also people keep mentioning to get a golden security one?


Buy a bike that can take a rack, and get some waterproof panniers. It isn't any fun carrying a heavy load in a rucksac. You don't notice the panniers but you do notice the rucksac.

Yeah, my brother just recently mention getting one. I used to carry a heavy load as well when I cycle to college but with a rack, it should be easier.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
On a University campus, use a heavy duty d lock and either a chain, or something like an Abus Bordo. They are target areas, and if you don't fancy a walk home, use good locks.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Walk home and £300 out of pocket. Also, look into insurance - adding to home contents policy with away from home cover usually less costly than specific bike insurance

Locks wise, make your bike much less desirable/harder to nick than others, or buy a beater for £50
 
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Jaysc

New Member
So I've been looking around for bike locks and I've decided to either get this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnum-ONGU...e=UTF8&qid=1381070948&sr=1-1&keywords=pitbull

or a kryptonite one:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/10924...ok-series-2-d-lock--and--1-2m-flex-cable.aspx
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-...TF8&qid=1381072126&sr=8-3&keywords=kryptonite
The NY version is suppose to be good but i'm not sure about spending that much.

Bike wise, I've been looking at "Leisure Lakes Bike". Some of them stands out: (Specialized, Scott, Trek). Just wondering though, is it a good idea to get a disk brake one?
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
So I've been looking around for bike locks and I've decided to either get this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnum-ONGU...e=UTF8&qid=1381070948&sr=1-1&keywords=pitbull

or a kryptonite one:
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/10924...ok-series-2-d-lock--and--1-2m-flex-cable.aspx
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-...TF8&qid=1381072126&sr=8-3&keywords=kryptonite
The NY version is suppose to be good but i'm not sure about spending that much.

Bike wise, I've been looking at "Leisure Lakes Bike". Some of them stands out: (Specialized, Scott, Trek). Just wondering though, is it a good idea to get a disk brake one?

If you value your bike, then get the best lock you can afford.
 
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Jaysc

New Member
Hey everyone, it's been a while. I've been busy with uni work.

I think i've nailed down a bike to buy, the only thing i'm concerned about is the tires size. It says: 26" x 1.95" . I saw it in real life and it doesn't look to bad and I found out it's actually the same size of my current old bike. My question is that will it effect my cycling a lot?
 
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