Biking noob in need of some advice

[geraldmiles]

I've really grown a passion for cycling lately. I've been cycling all over and just going round on my crappy mountain bike for fun. It's really keeping me fit and helping me loose weight. I've gotten as far as Rochdale at the moment (i'm in Huddersfield)

I'm looking to invest in a bike, but I haven't got money to blow at all as i'm a student at the moment on my second year. I don't want nothing too spectacular. How much should I spend as a noob on a secondhand bike on e.g. Gumtree or Ebay?

Also i'm aware i'm in cyclists hell as I live in Huddersfield at the moment, which is full of hills that are hell to even walk up sometimes so what bike would you reccomend I buy? A racer or a mountain bike? I'm mostly on roads if that helps.

Thanks in advance

 

[vickster]

Race bike with a triple groupset for hilly bits on road, mountain bike will kill you comparatively. If you can access a Decathlon, this bike is very good for £300 if that's not too much http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

Have a look in the classifieds as well as the other, Be aware that there are plenty of nicked bikes on ebay and gumtree, so if it looks to good to be true...

 

[tyred]

I would look at a steel framed tourer, something like a Dawes Galaxy. Much nicer to ride than an MTB, more practical and comfortable and probably built with lower gears than a race spec bike.