I know this is perhaps the most repeated question on here - the old, 'what bike should I get' line. Ive seen it on here whilst doing my research and have been looking through brands and bikes that people have been suggesting.
Im also aware that this is going to be like joining a car enthusiasts club and saying to them "hey, I'm thinking about taking up driving, any views on the Nissan Micra?" However.....
Cost is the only thing (as with anything) that is motivating my decision making process. Ive set myself an upper limit of £300 as I know I just wont appreciate the benefit of anything more costly. Sure, Id go out and spend £999 on a Boardman for my 6 mile round trip to work and back each day but considering thats the only use Im going to be putting my bike (plus id like to start getting out on a weekend a bit I guess) then there really isnt much point in spending much more till I know its money well spent.
So.....Ive seen a few models, for something cheap but light and sturdy that I can use to get to work and back each day (plus I have a real downer on suspension at the moment - my last bike had it and it was like riding a float). They are : GT Transeo 5 (2009) - which is on offer for £250 at Evans, Kona Dew Plus (2009) which I've found for £299 on winstanleysbikes.co.uk or the Dawes Discovery 301 which I spotted for £237.99 at bikes2udirect.com. I have also however spotted a Raleigh Venture http://www.mailorderbikes.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s269p1898 which seems a steal at £159.95. I tend to think that cheap = rubbish but I always had a bit of a soft spot for Raleigh (wasnt informed or anything, just a soft spot!) so if this is a genuinely OK bike to start me off then I might be tempted to take the risk on a rather dubious looking website. Alternatively, I'm strongly edging towards the GT from Evans....
Penny for your thoughts?
EDIT - Just noticed the Raleigh's made of Steel. Big downer. It'll be heavier than my chocolate cake...
EDIT II - Also dont have a LBS other than one that sells quite frankly really expensive bikes that are just WAY to expensive for what I want.
Im also aware that this is going to be like joining a car enthusiasts club and saying to them "hey, I'm thinking about taking up driving, any views on the Nissan Micra?" However.....
Cost is the only thing (as with anything) that is motivating my decision making process. Ive set myself an upper limit of £300 as I know I just wont appreciate the benefit of anything more costly. Sure, Id go out and spend £999 on a Boardman for my 6 mile round trip to work and back each day but considering thats the only use Im going to be putting my bike (plus id like to start getting out on a weekend a bit I guess) then there really isnt much point in spending much more till I know its money well spent.
So.....Ive seen a few models, for something cheap but light and sturdy that I can use to get to work and back each day (plus I have a real downer on suspension at the moment - my last bike had it and it was like riding a float). They are : GT Transeo 5 (2009) - which is on offer for £250 at Evans, Kona Dew Plus (2009) which I've found for £299 on winstanleysbikes.co.uk or the Dawes Discovery 301 which I spotted for £237.99 at bikes2udirect.com. I have also however spotted a Raleigh Venture http://www.mailorderbikes.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s269p1898 which seems a steal at £159.95. I tend to think that cheap = rubbish but I always had a bit of a soft spot for Raleigh (wasnt informed or anything, just a soft spot!) so if this is a genuinely OK bike to start me off then I might be tempted to take the risk on a rather dubious looking website. Alternatively, I'm strongly edging towards the GT from Evans....
Penny for your thoughts?
EDIT - Just noticed the Raleigh's made of Steel. Big downer. It'll be heavier than my chocolate cake...
EDIT II - Also dont have a LBS other than one that sells quite frankly really expensive bikes that are just WAY to expensive for what I want.