A new bike

[Simon_73]

I am in the market for a new bike, I do a mixture of road and gravel these days and nothing too extreme. I suppose its a question of where to start. I know I don't need a full on racing bike or something with suspension. Whats a reasonable price to pay these days, I see you can pay all sorts, I know those £100 bikes in Tescos are only any good for building muscles as they weigh a ton. Budget is not a problem but I want to spend over the odds for something I don't need, I've seen things that look OK between £300 and £800. I'm going to use it regularly and build up some distance for days out on it so it needs to be comfortable. I've not bought new bike in over 15 years, any suggestions would be grateful.

 

[vickster]

That's a massive price range. Best advice, hit your local stores and try some out, especially as you need to be comfortable. Evans Pinnacle Arkose range could be worth a look, simple testride policy at Evans too

A gravel/adventure bike would probably fit the bill for road and light off road.
Where in the country are you?

Spending £800 will get you a lighter bike/frame, with higher level (lighter, potentially slicker) components, better wheels

Don't think you'd get a decent drop bar bike for off road for under £500, but you'd get a decent road bike at Decathlon and elsewhere

 

[Simon_73]

I'm in Kent, I know there is Decathlon at Thurrock so that could be a good place to look, I'm sure there is an Evans locally, a test ride would be good as it needs to be right.

 

[vickster]

I'm in Kent, I know there is Decathlon at Thurrock so that could be a good place to look, I'm sure there is an Evans locally, a test ride would be good as it needs to be right.

There's an Evans at Thurrock too I think, or potter round the M25 to their really big Gatwick store

Something like this might work if wanting something more suitable for gravel, the Decathlon bikes are more road oriented

https://www.evanscycles.com/gt-grade-sora-2016-adventure-road-bike-EV240493

Halfords have a CX bike in their Boardman range, worth a look too

Join British Cycling for £35 a year, get 10% off everything at Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-comp-bike

 

[Simon_73]

I had a GT Backwoods 20 years ago, was a lovely bike and I went everywhere on it. That could be well worth a look, thanks.

 

[raleighnut]

As posted in your welcome post stick 32-35mm tyres on the Galaxy and you've got a 'gravel bike'.

 

[Simon_73]

As posted in your welcome post stick 32-35mm tyres on the Galaxy and you've got a 'gravel bike'.

I quite like that idea, may give that a go.