New Tyres or New Bike? Looking for advice please.

[Rick1486]

Hi all,

a few years back I bought a hybrid Carrera (26" wheels, disc brakes, lockable front forks) from Halfords. Unfortunately, soon afterwards I had an operation and the bike got stowed away, having only been used a few times since. Perhaps predictably, it's great across the fields, but a complete pain on the roads/footpaths!

I'm seriously considering my commute as lately it's only been a couple of miles each way & with the nice weather I'd like to use the bike, but past experience is off putting to say the least. I'd also like to use my bike for longer distance pleasure use as well & so my question to you experienced gurus is this; -
Do you recommend I try changing the tyres to road types (if possible) & locking the front suspension so the forkds don't move or should I look to the CycleScheme my company runs (although it does seem to have a bad reputation on here) to purchase a new road bike?

All constructive advice is very much appreciated.
Thanks very much in advance.

Rick

 

[vickster]

Yes, unless you want a new bike. If funds are tight, try the free or cheap fixes first. The bike should be more than capable for a few miles

I think Schwalbe City jet tyres are a popular slick option to replace mtb knobblies

There's nothing wrong with c2w per se but not all schemes are the same, you may be restricted to certain shops, brands, full price bikes. Then consider the debt aspect, the need to insure, saving depends on your tax band etc. do your homework, talk to hr
Then you'd need to decide how much to spend and on what type of bike

 

[Justinslow]

As @vickster says city jets are a good cheap road based tyre and improve road riding no end on a mtb, much higher pressure and fairly slick so no good off road. However it will still be a mtb and the gearing is not really suitable for the road, something I find now when switching back to my mtb from my "racer" - I run out of gears pretty quickly on the road. Depends how fast you ride I guess, and what you can afford.

 

[Milkfloat]

Personally I would start with the tyres first and see how you get on. It is a small investment to make to see if you actually enjoy cycling

 

[ScotiaLass]

Tyres will make quite a difference.
Having ridden my hybrid for the last few weeks, instead of the MTB, I do notice a difference! It's so much quicker and I'm faster on it.

Change the tyres and ride with the suspension locked out, it'll make some difference.
If you can't get on with the bike like that, then maybe consider something just for commuting.

 

[Rick1486]

Sound advice everyone and much appreciated, thank you very much.

I'll go with the tyre option I think to see how I get on / how much cycling I actually do (I really want my kids out more on their bikes as well so I need to get my a**e into gear so to speak).

Having looked at our C2W scheme and spoken with different shops about it, it seems to vary quite wildly I'd say from a set charge of £100 but no cost to build or ship at UBYK Oxford (on sale bikes - no extra charge on rrp bikes), to 10% + either £30 sub £1000 or £50 £1000+ to build at BROADRIBB cycles Banbury (as above this is for sale bikes - just the build charge on rrp bikes) or even Banbury (Trinders) Cycles, Broad Street Banbury where it's 10% on sale bikes and nothing on rrp bikes. In addition to this they don't all sell the same models so that just adds to the beginners' confusion I'm suffering!!!

Thanks again for your help, and in the words of Arnie "I'll be back" for more advice, especially if I do go down the new bike route.

Cheers
Rick

 

[Milkfloat]

Just to double check, Broadribb's are asking you to pay a build charge on RRP bikes? If so I would be running away as fast as I could.

 

[Rick1486]

Correct Milkfloat. I've just bought two city jets from Halfords for just under 16 quid (they price matched the Internet) but forgot the inner tubes d'oh!
I'll get hold of some and fit them & try it. Hopefully that'll be me sorted for about twenty quid!
I did think it was odd being charged as it's free at Halfords but put it down it being a small shop.

 

[Justinslow]

Correct Milkfloat. I've just bought two city jets from Halfords for just under 16 quid (they price matched the Internet) but forgot the inner tubes d'oh!
I'll get hold of some and fit them & try it. Hopefully that'll be me sorted for about twenty quid!
I did think it was odd being charged as it's free at Halfords but put it down it being a small shop.

Your old tubes may be ok if they are within "range", it should be printed on the tube somewhere, I needed one for mine but the other wheel had a suitable tube inside.

 

[Rick1486]

Your old tubes may be ok if they are within "range", it should be printed on the tube somewhere, I needed one for mine but the other wheel had a suitable tube inside.

I'll have a look Justinslow, could save me a bit of money - result!!

 

[Rick1486]

In fact, the more i think about it, the more I'm thinking that Broadribb are trying to pull a bit of a rip off with their build charges in addition to the 10% fee on sale bikes!!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and @Rick1486

I see you've already had good advice about going for the tyres.

What I'll add after reading your description of the bike being off-putting is to ask whether it is set up right for you? I see loads of new cyclists riding round with the saddle much too low which makes the bike slow and hard work to ride. Just something to consider.

 

[Milkfloat]

I would vote with your feet. Most of the shops I have spoken too will put no premium on non-sale bikes and will also throw in a certain percentage back in free accessories, plus the usual free service. To actually add on to RRP is to me a blatant con. As I understand it the bike shops pay about 8-10% to the various schemes for the benefit of using them, so I fully understand a 'fee' for a sale bike. I was ok with paying this fee on my last bike. But on current year bikes they should be charging RRP at maximum because their margin is high enough (except for the likes of Ribble / PlanetX who are deep discounters already).

 

[ScotiaLass]

My local bike shop is brilliant.
Bought my MTB from them; built up free, free 6 week service, free gear adjustments on the couple of times I've taken it in, and 10% off any future purchases or work done.

 

[Rick1486]

I would vote with your feet. Most of the shops I have spoken too will put no premium on non-sale bikes and will also throw in a certain percentage back in free accessories, plus the usual free service. To actually add on to RRP is to me a blatant con. As I understand it the bike shops pay about 8-10% to the various schemes for the benefit of using them, so I fully understand a 'fee' for a sale bike. I was ok with paying this fee on my last bike. But on current year bikes they should be charging RRP at maximum because their margin is high enough (except for the likes of Ribble / PlanetX who are deep discounters already).

Sorry mate, just to clear any confusion up. Broadribb don't put 10% on top of rrp they put it on to sale bikes. What they do though is charge either £30 or £50 build fee dependant on the price of the bike being either below or above £1000. They also don't honour any of the web offers for £xx of free accessories which are shown alongside certain bikes on their website www.discountcycles.co.uk when using C2W instead of paying another way (eg cash, credit or card).