new to cycling and need advice

[cazzyd]

Hi Im very new to cycling if you discount the Raleigh Budgie I used to ride at the age of 5

Anyway I got a cheap bike from Halfords last summer Raleigh Carolina. Its a 17 inch Frame 18 gear and a lovely white and purple colour......

It was ok up and down the canal.towpath but Im wanting something a bit easier to pedal and keep up with my friend who has an oldish Barracuda Nevada. We took both bikes into halfords to ask them advice and was told the Carrera Crossfire 2 hybrid was the nearest like for like and mentioned gear ratio. My friend seems to pedal less and gets better speed for less effort. Im not entering the tour de france anytime soon and im on a budget so for me £300 is a lot to pay at the moment, but will be well spent if its anything as good as her bike. Any advice will be greatfully received thankyou

 

[Cycleops]

Good advice there from Halfords, the crossfire is a good budget bike and will a lot faster than your current mount. The factors that make the difference will be narrower, therefore quicker tyres and reduced weight. If I were you I would go for a bike without front suspension, it won't be any more comfortable, cost more and be heavier. Trust me, I have a Marin so equipped and it just doesn't justify the extra weight. Have a look at the Carrera Subway. Don't be afraid to try another bike shop so you can compare models.. Buying secondhand could be another option but you have to know what you are looking at, so if you don't have experience best buy new, then you have a guarantee and some sort of backup. Good luck.

PS. Th Subway has had good reports on here.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810731_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

 

[Pale Rider]

As @Cycleops says, you appear to have a sensible Halfords branch and the Crossfire and Subway are both good bikes for the money.

A bike without suspension forks would be significantly lighter and therefore easier to pedal a bit faster.

If you don't fancy the Subway, Edinburgh Bike Coop has a Specialised Crossroads which might suit.

Looks like it has narrower tyres which will roll even easier if kept inflated to a decent pressure.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-crossroads-14