Been shopping....none the wiser!

[Andrius.B]

At such a low price point, I wouldn't worry too much about the bike you buy, as long as it is made by a known manufacturer. They all will have almost the same components anyway (low end shimano EZ-fire shifters + shimano tourney/2300 mech etc...).
However, carrera bikes might be 20% cheaper for the same component bike of more famous brands like Dawes, Giant, Specialized, trek..

So again, if I was you, I would go for one of the carrera bikes, like the gryphon.

 

[vickster]

I've just test ridden the Dawes Discovery. £300. Very comfortable and quite light. Any views?

Decent make - will have the same kit as similar-priced new bikes - if YOU like it and it does what you want, then that should be adequate. Spending another £100 on a Specialised or Trek probably won't get you a better bike, just better brand marketing (and potentially resale when you wnat to upgrade in 6 months) - it'll still be entry level

 

[lejogger]

Presuming you work, does your employer offer a Cycle to Work scheme? It's the easiest way to upgrade the specification of bike you can afford in relation to your budget.

If not, a quick look on ebay shows that for less than £350 you'll be able to pick up an almost brand new Boardman Team Comp. There's loads of bikes like this that cost £500+ new, that were bought on a whim, got used once or twice (if at all) and then for one reason or another get sold on.
Maybe someone has done a charity ride, so the bike probably hasn't covered 1000 miles its whole life and now the owner never wants to see it again. There's even a 2012 hybrid pro RRP £900-£1000 going for £430 at the minute!

IMO a bike costing £500+ new will have a much improved spec than something bought new for £350-400 - i.e. much more improved than the relative difference you'd get between bikes costing £800 and £1000.

The Boardman bikes are about as good value as you can find, and if you decide that it's something you're going to stick at, it will last you longer before you start to think about an upgrade.

 

[mickle]

Canull??

 

[davidjm81]

Thanks for all of your responses. Ended up getting the Dawes Discovery 201 in a dark/graphite grey colour.

Very pleased. Thanks for tips etc, but opted to buy from a LBS as opposed to a big chain store.

I'll see you on here again soon guys! Thanks all!

 

[mickle]

Thanks for all of your responses. Ended up getting the Dawes Discovery 201 in a dark/graphite grey colour.

Very pleased. Thanks for tips etc, but opted to buy from a LBS as opposed to a big chain store.

I'll see you on here again soon guys! Thanks all!

A Dawes from a bike shop. Good decisions.

 

[Biglad82]

Good luck, I went for carrera subway, best move I ever made

 

[Deanno1dad]

What part of essex are you..I'm romford and know a lot of the local bike stores..I may have a 8 month old Scott hybrid for sale shortly as i'm looking to upgrade to a roadie..Pm me if interested etc

 

[vickster]

Looks like the OP found his bike ^^

 

[lillyof thevalley]

Thanks for all of your responses. Ended up getting the Dawes Discovery 201 in a dark/graphite grey colour.

Very pleased. Thanks for tips etc, but opted to buy from a LBS as opposed to a big chain store.

I'll see you on here again soon guys! Thanks all!

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to come on here and defend Canull bikes! I have been cycling on mine for nearly 2 years now-done commuting, city riding and did C2C on it. My bike does what it says on the tin- it's solid, reliable and I have had no problems at all with any of the parts. I too had never heard of it before I got one, but I did know enough to recognise decent gears and brakes on it and I have kept it for my winter hybrid now that I have got a Specialised road bike. Happy cycling everyone- whatever brand you are riding!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Viking are cheap and cheerful. Another mail order only special. Not bad, but there's better out there for the money.

Don't get hung up on budget comments, I'm simply referring to what you will get for that sort of money. If you ask me to recommend a bike for £1500 I'll use the same phrase. You spend what you can afford, but in terms of value for money the components on a £350 Carrera will be far better than a £350 Trek. You need to recognise that tht money won't buy you a top spec bike, but it will buy you a robust and competent workhorse or leisure bike.

Pretend I said "at that price point".

I got a Viking Tourino, well I got it in 2008, but not sure what model year, I have done 2000+ miles on it since June this year, though to be fair its took me all that time to get comfy on it, whats more I got it from Bill Hargreaves in Dewsbury.