Total Beginner

[lpjr]

Hello, Just after some tips on what bike to buy. I will be using the cycle to work scheme, using that I have a budget of £1000 to buy a bike and good lights as I will be using it on canals.

In short the bikes main purpose will be a commute once or twice a week. That will involve a short ride in the morning to the train station and on to work via the canal. Then a 28 mile ride home on road, canal and tracks. I will also give it the occasional outing around Rivington.

I have decide a cycle cross bike would be best. I have seen that there are about 20 different bikes in my budget and I have narrowed down to about 19. The last bike I bought was a Specialised Mountain bike about 13 years ago. To it's credit I still have it.

In short I have no idea, they all look the same. Parts mean nothing to me. Can someone point me at a good bike and I will buy it.

Cheers

 

[Dayvo]

Your best bet would be to go to your local bike shop and speak to the staff there, but NOT HALFORDS!

You should be able to try out a bike for size, or even have your fit taken.

Tell them what you want it for first, before telling them of your budget!

A grand will go a long way, but you don´t want/need a bike that is too advanced for your needs.

Doubtless you´ll get some good advice here about what to get!

Good luck and have fun!

Welcome, BTW, to CC!

 

[Dave5N]

Kinesis crosslight. I just bought a Focus which was fantastic value.

 

[jpembroke]

Kinesis Crosslight or Planet X Uncle John both have mounts for racks, guards, and bottle cages. Both excellent frames. You need to be aware that many cross frames have no mounts at all.

 

[lpjr]

Can find pictures of complete bikes of the above two. But not bikes for sale, frame only. Do not have the skill to build the bike up myself.

 

[jpembroke]

Can find pictures of complete bikes of the above two. But not bikes for sale, frame only. Do not have the skill to build the bike up myself.

Flat bar version here:

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Flat_Bar_Road_Bikes.html

Drop bar version here:

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/Kaffenback_and_Uncle_John_Drop_Bar_Builds.html

Considering your type of riding, I'd recommend the Kaffenback over the cross bike. Having owned both an Uncle John cross (current 'cross race bike) and a Kaffenback (previous commuter which I stupidly sold), I'd chose the Kaff for a Do-it-all bike anyday.

 

[Norm]

The last bike I bought was a Specialised Mountain bike about 13 years ago. To it's credit I still have it.

Other than taking advantage of the government paying for half of your bike, is there any reason not to use the current ride?

 

[lpjr]

My current specialised is a Rockhopper with front suspension. Not the best for the long commute home. I want to keep it as a mountain bike as I am thinking of doing one of those bike run races where you go to various compass points. Was looking at it the other day, not even rusty.

 

[Norm]

My current specialised is a Rockhopper with front suspension. Not the best for the long commute home.

Sorry, you mentioned that you would be riding canal path and tracks. The other suggestions seemed to be focussing on a road bike but I was thinking that front suspension and a hard tail might be just the job.

Depends what sort of surface you have on the canal path and the tracks, but something with suspension which has lock-outs might be a good solution.

 

[ed!]

Apologies for the hijack, but it seems as though I'm in a similar position...

I'm getting a Cycle 2 Work scheme voucher to the value of £1k that can be used in Halfords, On Your Bike, Actions Bikes, Pearsons, Condor.

I've had a look at a few bikes today, and have narrowed a list down to the following:

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=jakethesnake
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45904&eid=4670&menuItemId=8106
http://www.marin.co.uk/2010/bikepage.php?ModNo=10TO
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/croix-de-fer/croix-de-fer/specifications/

I was able to test ride the Specialized and the Marin, both felt quite nice, but the gear shift on the Marin felt a bit choppy - could be my inexperience

On paper the Kona sounds the best out of the lot, but was one I couldn't try out unless I asked them to order it in.

There is possibly a Condor alternative, but the website only shows a frameset price, and I'd need to check if I can get all the other parts to make a complete bike for under £1k.

Does anyone have any views on any of the above? Any others that I should look to consider?
I am looking to use it for short to medium distance rides with a friend who's just getting into cycling (has a hybrid), as well for keeping fair pace with my road bike friends on short rides.

Cheers!