Purchase Advice ..

[Osgoodwosgood]

Hello

Let me know if I'm in the wrong place please..

My wife is doing a London to Paris ride over 3 days and wants to get a new bike to cope with that and also to prepare.. we've had a look and the choice is bewildering. We have a budget of up to £400 and any tips or recommendations would be really welcome.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[Banjo]

Need to narrow it down a bit, does she want a bike with drop handlebars or flat handlebars ?
I would consider a Specialized Allez for the first or a Specialized Sirrus for the second.

Both would probably be over budget unless you strike lucky in the after XMas sales.

 

[Osgoodwosgood]

Yes - good point. Flat handlebars definitely... and mud guards.

Thanks

 

[Banjo]

Im sure I have seen Sirrus with mud guards and a light luggage rack. Trek do some good hybrid bikes that could fit the bill. I have used one daily for about 4 years for my work commute and for light touring.

Bit over budget but looks a usefull bike. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/72-fx-disc-2013-hybrid-bike-ec040355#features Quite similar to mine which has been very reliable and fun to ride.The Sirrus has narrower tyres which may be slightly better for a 3 day road ride.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized...aign=Adwords&gclid=CIKd4dCKyrQCFaTMtAodcmAAdw

Some women prefer a woman specific bike but many will be happy on any bike.Important thing is to get right size frame and one she feels comfortable on.

 

[steveindenmark]

I know it has not got flat bars but I am sure they could change that for you. This is a bike I am considering. It is in your price range and gets really good reviews. The company has nothing to do with me as I am in Denmark.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...raveller-12?bct=browse/bicycles/touring-bikes

Steve

 

[Brains]

At £400 I'd be inclined to look at 2nd hand.

Four hundred quid will not get you much new, but would get you a decent 2nd hand bike, just ensure its the right size and in good nick

remember to budget for the other gear, the clothing, the panniers, the lights, the lock etc, for many people that lot would come to over £400 before you even start on the bike

 

[steveindenmark]

Brains, did you look at the link I posted? It is now under £400 and is getting good reviews on the internet and there is a choice of sizes.

Steve

 

[jim55]

thats a great bike for the money ,for me id keep the drops though

 

[xilios]

I'd second a trek bike like the FX 7.2 WSD. My wife has been touring on one since 2006 without any problems and the price is right at 425.

 

[Falwheeler]

Have a look at this http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-vita-13?bct=browse/bicycles/womens-bikes

 

[CopperBrompton]

I'd second Brains' advice. Spending less than £500 will always be a compromise new, but you can get a really good secondhand bike for £400, and as a bonus you don't have to worry about that first scratch as hopefully the previous owner did it for you. :-)

You'll often get various accessories included when buying used too.

 

[MarkF]

I've had Trek FX's and Sirrus's and IMO they are of a very much inferior build quality, particularly small component quality, to the Dawes Discovery, I would confidently recommend the latter of which various models have taken me on many tours. However, just because bits and bobs of the FX & Sirrus jazzed me off, they are fundamentally sound bikes that will do the job. £400 should get your suitable new (maybe old stock) or, an "as new" higher end model that somebody has given up on, these are very easy bikes to pick up.

I bought the below, it was an emergency purchase after some git nicked my Discovery just prior to a tour. I rode in maybe 25 miles before changing the tyres, packing it up and riding it across Spain for 1000 miles, where it performed faultlessly. It cost £200, inc the Blackburn Rack.

 

[Muddyfox]

Keep an eye on the various cycling forums for some bargains, i got my Dawes Karakum for £350.00 on the CTC forum .. bike was in excellent condition and is a joy to ride

 

[Osgoodwosgood]

Morning

Thanks to all for the advice. Lots to get on with.

Best Regards

 

[Alex11]

Sirrus!