First bike advice....

[Cyclist33]

"Emma" - I would pick the bike that appeals to your aesthetic sense the most, as the sort of models you've been looking at will all be fine for general riding so the important thing is, get one that you like looking at, cherishing, talking to and above all, taking out for a ride!

Stu

 

[vickster]

Athough no suspension, the Carrera Subways are pretty chunky as rigid 'hybrids' go and are commonly reduced to £300 at Halfords - bombproof bikes, popular for commuting (London roads for example, can be as rough as most paths)

This one is down to £200 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_892919_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

I had a Crosstrail, nice and comfy to ride, but slow on roads compared to a rigid hybrid

 

[Emmaroid]

Thanks...

Just seen this on Ebay, any thoughts?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-10-s...1171723104?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item337edcab60

 

[vickster]

It's a hardtail mountain bike. It'll be rather hard work on roads over any distance

Looks well used. I'd rather have a £200 Carrera Subway for mixed use

 

[Falwheeler]

Thanks...

Just seen this on Ebay, any thoughts?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-10-s...1171723104?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item337edcab60

You can of course get some great bargains second hand, but you need to be careful. If the drive train on that was shot it could cost a lot of money for chainring, cassette and chain. Have a look at Edinburgh Cycles http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes?sort=price

 

[MattHB]

Well done Emma buy what really lights your fire.. It'll make you more likely to go out on it and keep us up to date!

I made the same choice October 2011 and I've lost 3.5 stone since then.

Good luck!

 

[Emmaroid]

Tis a shame I dont know what I am onnabout as I quite like this too although I cant see if it has locking front forks lol!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specializ...1205678117?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a7d067425

 

[Falwheeler]

Tis a shame I dont know what I am onnabout as I quite like this too although I cant see if it has locking front forks lol!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specializ...1205678117?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a7d067425

Collection only from London. Could you do that?

 

[Emmaroid]

Yeah I'm not bothered too much about travelling if it meant saving me a bit of money on a new bike lol!

 

[Falwheeler]

Did you look at Edinburgh Cycles, they do interest free credit on bikes over £500

 

[DCLane]

Edinburgh also have a decent sale on atm.

Halfords also got their Carrera bikes discounted; the Centaur was down to £350 near me. That's got suspension rather than the Subway.

 

[Muddyfox]

Well done Emma buy what really lights your fire.. It'll make you more likely to go out on it and keep us up to date!

Emma, this is great advice from Matt

Dont get to hooked up on suspension lock out and wheel sizes .. on a leisurely ride niether will make a massive difference .. i have a slicked up mountain bike that i enjoy riding on the road and quite often i dont even realise i have'nt locked the suspension out, and its the same with the gearing, mountain bike gearing is plenty high enough for a leisurely ride out and nice and low for the steeper hills and some off roading, and 26" wheels with a set of slicks on will feel pretty quick as well

Have a look on the Bike Radar Forum for some good secondhand bargains .. i got this bike for £350, it had done less than 50 road miles and with a couple of upgrades that it had, it cost over £1000

Good Luck

Simon

 

[Emmaroid]

Thanks guys....!

I'm trying to take everything in...

Alas I doubt I can get bike credit so will have to be a deposit an pay in bits job! Evans and other places do interest free for over about £250 but I can't take advantage.... Only other option is the C2W(?) thingy. Will have to ask work on Wednesday!

 

[DCLane]

Cycle 2 Work is good because a) it comes out of your salary monthly, with a small fee at the end and b) you don't pay tax/NI/pension on the bit you've paid for.

 

[Cycleops]

I should go for the secondhand Scott on ebay. For £150 it looks good. You can always upgrade to a better bike later and sell the Scott. Or look for another, there are loads about. A lot of people buy MTB's and hardly use them so there are bargains to be had.