First "proper" bike

[razer17]

This is my first post here, so hi.

As the title states, I am looking for my first "proper" bike. But sadly I am constrained by a very tight budget. My last bike (or BSO as I've seen them called) has just been labelled a "death trap" by my dad. I could get a new rear wheel and fix it up, but I figure I'd rather get a new bike completely. That being said I only have a budget of around £200, which I know having looked into it for a couple of days is actually pretty low budget, but that's what I have to work with. My previous bike, if your wondering, was a Viking Targa, which had dual suspension and weighs almost as much as my motorbike.

The bikes I am looking at right now are the Carrera Subway LTD hybrid (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_892925_langId_-1_categoryId_165534)
The Claude Butler Stone River, which I can get half price for £215 till february 28th (http://www.richardsonsonline.co.uk/cycle_info.php?cycle=STONE_RIVER_(2012)&id=2344)
Or the Rockrider 5.2 (http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-52-mountain-bike-black-id_8156187.html)

I intend to use it daily for getting to work, as well as leisure riding for fitness, and eventually some off-roading, but probably not anything to strenuous in that regard. Any opinions on those bikes/brands or ideas for other bikes in my price range? Thanks

 

[rusky]

Nothing can compare to actually sitting on the bikes but here are my feelings: -

I would steer clear of the Claude Butler.

The Carrera isn't bad although it's heavy, I can't see the shifters they have used on this, but when I was looking a few months ago, they had the same shifters as the Rockrider & I don't like them! You won't be able to test ride it or even sit on it unless your local store has the right size.

The Rockrider isn't too bad either & is slightly lighter than the Carrera. I personally don't like the shifters on it. There's a good chance the store has your size & you can ride it around the store - if you're close enough to be able to get to one.

 

[razer17]

Well I have already arranged for a friend to give me a lift to Coventry (about an hour away) so that I can check the bike out in person. If my local Halfords doesn't have my size I can check Halfords in Coventry too, just so I can sit on it and check it for size.

 

[cyberknight]

I had a subway when i returned to cycling , bombproof and value for money !
Sold it to another forumite who then sold it to another member, so its been going a good few years .Only sold it when i moved to road bikes.

 

[razer17]

Well I have already arranged for a friend to give me a lift to Coventry (about an hour away) where the nearest Decathlon shop is, so that I can check the bike out in person. If my local Halfords doesn't have my size I can check Halfords in Coventry too, just so I can sit on it and check it for size.

Oh damn. I meant to edit my last post, not quote myself.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Out of those three I'd have the Claud Butler if it could be had for £215 as it is far better specced than the other two.

The suspension lockout means you wouldn't have issues with losing energy through bobbing using it on road so fit some slicks or touring tyres on and it'd work for road use.

 

[razer17]

Out of those three I'd have the Claud Butler if it could be had for £215 as it is far better specced than the other two.

The suspension lockout means you wouldn't have issues with losing energy through bobbing using it on road so fit some slicks or touring tyres on and it'd work for road use.

I would steer clear of the Claude Butler.

Interesting that there's two completely opposite reactions to this bike. any specifics about why it would/wouldn't be worth considering?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Assuming that the type of bike is what you want, I'd pick the Claud Butler because at the price you've quoted you're getting a lockout fork and decent disc brakes for only £15 extra.

The B'twin Rockrider would be second choice as the frame and gearing spec is similar to the CB, but with no lockout would be better suited to mainly off road use.

The Carrera is a worthy bike with a lot of fans on here and I'd seriously consider it but on this occasion you are not getting quite as much for your money as you would be with the other two. Bear in mind that Halfords are a bit cheeky with their pricing and the Carrera is not worth the claimed "usual" price of £399

That's my reasoning, I hope it helps.

 

[rusky]

Apologies, for some reason I got the CB mixed up with another model
A proper look & it looks to be a good buy I agree with Phil's reasoning.

 

[razer17]

Assuming that the type of bike is what you want, I'd pick the Claud Butler because at the price you've quoted you're getting a lockout fork and decent disc brakes for only £15 extra.

Apologies, for some reason I got the CB mixed up with another model
A proper look & it looks to be a good buy I agree with Phil's reasoning.

Alright, thanks very much. I'll go with the CB assuming it's still in stock on Friday or Saturday when I get paid. The other advantage of it is that Richardsons bikes is about 2 miles away from my house, whereas the nearest Decathlon is 60 miles up the M6, so I can get the bike set up and cycle home if I get the CB, and if anything goes wrong it's easy to pop back for maintenance.

 

[rovers1875]

Nothing wrong with Claude's. I've had mine for three years now, It has been thoroughly used and abused and still cleans up like new. I now own three others bikes and I still use the Claude most and it's never let me down.

 

[boybiker]

I cant help with the choices given above but have you asked your employer if they do the ride to work scheme? You can pay for the bike as a salary scarifies each month might be an option worth looking into.

 

[razer17]

Nothing wrong with Claude's. I've had mine for three years now, It has been thoroughly used and abused and still cleans up like new. I now own three others bikes and I still use the Claude most and it's never let me down.

Well it's good to get some feedback from someone who owns one. Quite excited to actually go out and get it, but sadly I have to wait till Friday.

I cant help with the choices given above but have you asked your employer if they do the ride to work scheme? You can pay for the bike as a salary scarifies each month might be an option worth looking into.

Sadly I work in a small business that has only 3 other emloyees, and a bad reputation of replacing paid staff with "work experiencers" from the job centre. Even if I could persuade them to join the scheme, there's a good chance that I would soon have to pay up the outstanding amount.

 

[Boon 51]

Had you thought of second hand.

 

[Kins]

You can get some real bargains in this category second hand and almost brand new as lots of people buy them with good intentions then never or hardly ever ride them. Gumtree your local area and go see a few.

You'll end up with more for your money.