Help required on new bike purchase

[Holsy]

Hi All,

I was hoping to get some advice as I know nothing really about bikes but I would like to take advantage of the cyclescheme and get myself a bike to travel to work on twice a week.

I will travel about 13 miles each way to and from work and there will be a little bit of road but mainly the canal towpath which is nice and flat but it is off road terrain (there are some areas that are smooth and others that are a little rough). I have been to visit my local bike shop and they have said that they know the route well and they feel a hybrid bike is probably the best option, they have said that they also feel that I should look at a bike without suspension as it is unnecessary for the riding I will do, they also said that disk brakes are a must. I understand that my budget is limited at about £500 but I have narrowed my search down to a few bikes but I would like some advice on which one would be the best option. The options are:

Ridgeback Vanteo 2015
Saracen Urban Studio 74 2015
Cannondale Bad Boy 4 2015

Please can you let me know your thoughts on each of these bikes?

Cheers

Steve

 

[Pale Rider]

Sound advice from the bike shop.

As a new cyclist, having the shop 'on side' will be invaluable in the coming weeks and months.

You don't say if they sell the bikes on your short list, but you would be wise to buy the bike from the shop you've been to.

I'm not familiar with the bikes you are looking at, but anything costing £500 from Cannondale or Ridgeback will be fine.

Looks like the Ridgeback has hydraulic discs, they are better than the cable ones on the Cannondale.

You should allow a few quid extra for mudguards and some means of carrying stuff.

In a month or two, you will also need lights.

Modern LED ones are cheap and do the job well.