Wanting to Buy First Bike and need advice

[AntoineUK]

Hey guys, I'm going to buy my first bike soon and I need a bit of advice. I have cycled for a long time but mostly casualy and on low end moutain bikes not paying to much attention on all the gear. I will be cycling through the french alps (on roads) up to the coast this summer with some friends so I need to buy a bike. I am also looking to use this bike for further touring in the future (so I need to consider off road/dirt tracks), doing long distance trips if this summer works out well. My budget is of about 425 +- 50£ for the bike only. I've been looking at touring bikes but they all seem quite expensive. Any advice? Thx

PS: I don't have any bikes I can upgrade

 

[bauldbairn]

I'm definately not an expert in these types of bike's, but have a look at the Edinburgh Bike Cooperative range of bikes for value / reliability.

They have a Revolution Cross 09 Bike (Road/Cross Country) at £449.99, this bike gets very good reviews and the Revolution Country Explorer 09 (Road / Cross Country) at £649.99 with disc brakes, full mudguards and a rear rack already fitted.

I know your budget was £425 ish but I'd expect both bikes to be reduced by 15% in the next EBC sale(probably January). There are EBC's in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester or buy via the net.

Hopefully other more experienced members could also advise you.

 

[LazyLoki]

Touring bikes generally are expensive because they have good quality steel frames and it's a fairly small market. Another option you could look at is a cyclocross but make sure you get one with rack/mudguard eyelets as not all models have these.

 

[bauldbairn]

As mentioned in my previous post the Edinburgh Bike Coop sale is on now - the Revolution Cross 09 is down from £449.99 to £349.99 - the Revolution Country Explorer 09 is down from £649 to £499 - and there's a hundred pounds off a Cannondale Badboy 09 £499 to £399.

Hope there is something there that takes your fancy.