Bike Sale - Which one?!

[redcard]

As I said to Danny91,User had a Carrera for sale for £250 in the classifieds a lot of bike for the buck defo worth a look if your still after one redcard.

Made an offer earlier, just waiting on a response

 

[Aiden_23]

Good stuff mate

 

[Peteaud]

From tonight I am going to start my bike hunt now that I have this info. Will local bike shops stock Carreras and what type of bikes should I look for in local bike shops if they don't have Carreras? Or with a budget of £250 max would a Carerra from halfords be the best bet?

Halfords only.

 

[potsy]

A chap at work turned up with that last week when it was at its other "bargain" price of £69.00

A skip was driving past it and threw itself at it

It really is that bad

I too work with someone who has one of these 'bargains'
Strangely he loves his, won't have a word said against it

There again his other bike is a basic Decathlon racer that is so badly maintained it probably makes the Dunlop look good

 

[Danny91]

They (like all retailers) do this all the time they dont like running long term promotions as it puts customers off buying. However if they "slash" the price next month unaware customers think OMG what a great price. Simple but it is effective. Take a look at Tesco, buy products in massive bulk(lower cost per case from suppliers) then run a promotion in January then the same stock again in March but its BOGOF this time not half price.Hellfrauds use the same tact they will be down in the next month or so but instead of "20% off" it will be save £200 on this bike.

So is the Carrera Subway as I linked above a good price at £199? Comes with a free build and 6 weeks maintenence. Or shall I just look second hand for a higher end model for a similar price? I am checking out the classifieds for makes such as Scott, Trek and Carreras.

 

[Aiden_23]

It is still a good buy(saving 40 %) but is it a hybrid you are after? I have no experience with them and would always pick a Road Bike for my commute as it is 100 % Road all the way. If you are going to be flying down some tracks/trails or do some minor off road then a Hybrid would be better but if it is all Road, try and hold out for a Road Bike.If you have a limited budget then second hand is the best bet,some of the bikes on here are dynamite, little miles and major upgrades. I am not a fan of the Halfords "free build" with my Carrera MTB,my brakes literally exploded on first proper pull and my wheels may have well been put on sideways(they were rubbing against the side of the bike). Dont get me wrong they fixed it and appologized when I wheeled it in and spoke to the Manager.

 

[Danny91]

Well, seeing as I am only just getting into cycling 'properly' (I havent cycled since I was a kid) I just thought id get a versatile bike and see what happens.

I am mostly looking to go on rides on cycle paths, leisurely rides through scenic routes and whether these would be fully road or mostly road and a bit of grass is still unknown to me. From experience, would you say that you can go on such rides by staying fully on tarmac?

Also, I haven't any experience with bike maintenance as of yet, so any recommended websites to read up on this would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[HovR]

Well, seeing as I am only just getting into cycling 'properly' (I havent cycled since I was a kid) I just thought id get a versatile bike and see what happens.

I am mostly looking to go on rides on cycle paths, leisurely rides through scenic routes and whether these would be fully road or mostly road and a bit of grass is still unknown to me. From experience, would you say that you can go on such rides by staying fully on tarmac?

Also, I haven't any experience with bike maintenance as of yet, so any recommended websites to read up on this would be appreciated. Thanks

The Subway is a good choice for an all round bike, although I would recommend getting it built by your LBS, not Halfords. The Subway will easily handle cycle paths, tow paths, grass, gravel and some light off-road including dry hard pack. Saying that, you can very easily go on leisurely scenic rides without straying off the tarmac - Just find some nice narrow quiet country lanes.

 

[Aiden_23]

What HovR said +1, if it is your first bike and you are not commuting I would say the subway is the ideal choice. Youtube has hundreds of videos the Schwinn channel gives you some good tips, any major work I would take to your LBS. My maintenance is pretty low aswell Im sure if any of us became stuck some of the helpful and experienced members would help out.

 

[Danny91]

I am waiting for a response on the upgraded Carerra road bike from the classifieds - if that is still available I may consider getting that and sticking to roads, although if not I will get a new Subway hybrid - I think with all the upgrades the other carerra has I would be a bit scared of braking it! Is there anything that you guys would suggest modifying to a stock bike bought from halfords? I presume it would come road safe with lights etc.

 

[Aiden_23]

You will need to buy lights etc. I would wait for the Carrera on the classifieds as it is a mega bargain. Just remember if you have never had a Road Bike the riding position is a "unique" experience,but you will grow to love it. It all depends how serious you want to take cycling, if it is just for the enjoyment then you dont have to upgrade anything. However if you are going to commute or look into joining a cycling club then you could upgrade everything. I.E. my new bike I have bought Look clipless pedals,new commuting lights and a new saddle and it isnt even in my possesion yet. Pricey habbit but the old " We're using less petrol" works a treat!!!! What are you going to be using the bike for?

 

[Danny91]

Leisure mainly - to get myself out and about around the countryside, although possibly commuting in the future?

What happens if you use a road bike on the grass?

 

[Aiden_23]

If you are going to be commuting then you might want to upgrade either your bike or the usual parts on the bike to make it lighter,to increase performance thus making it faster. I have never took a Road Bike onto grass but would imagine it would be fine just very hard to cycle on and would increase your chances of falling over and getting a puncture(as you cant see what lurks beneath!!!).You could always get one just now for leisure and save all your pennies for when you do decide to start commuting and you will have enough for either a good entry level Road Bike or a decent spec Hybrid or CX.

 

[2wd]

This is over budget but you could consider something like this

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/cannondalequickcxroadbike2010-sale.aspx?&id=12018

 

[Danny91]

Thanks for the info guys, found a LBS website and are any of these contenders with the £200 Carerra Subway?

Land rover Torreon £169 - http://www.formbycycles.co.uk/product/207/Land_Rover_Torreon

OR

Any hybrids £300 or below from this page (Trek, Specialised, Land Rover, Giant): http://www.formbycycles.co.uk/category/184/HybridCommuting_Bikes