Budget Road or hybrid?? Sorry probably been asked a few times!!

[Andy Wright]

Hi. Me and my wife are newish to road cycling. We are biking from london to Paris in September for Charity and both need bikes. Bad bit is our budget. Cant really spend much more then £250 each. I know you get what youu pay for. Just a couple of makes I've found just wondering if anyone can give advise. i have seen a Tenman road and hybrid on the web they look great and are under £200 but I cant find any reviews. Also same goes for Viking and coyote are they any good? Am I just best to by a Carrera from Halford, there half price? Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards
Andy (Newby)

 

[goody]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html
Worth stretching the budget for, gets good reviews from everywhere.

 

[Andy Wright]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html
Worth stretching the budget for, gets good reviews from everywhere.

Ok cheers I'll check it out.

 

[vickster]

The Subways from Halfords are very well regarded - make sure they are set up right (and get one with rigid not springy forks).

These two will leave you money to spare for kit - 09 models but at 50% off
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551203_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551281_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

Or get yourself the drops and your wife the Carrera. If you want drops,the Decathlon is a very good budget choice

 

[Andy Wright]

[QUOTE 1666420, member: 45"]I think it depends what you want to do afterwards. London-Paris is easily do-able on a flat-barred hybrid. If, after the charity ride you're only going to be doing sociable pootling then I'd go for the hybrid. If however you think you might end up being regular high-milers then a road bike might be a better option.

As to which bike, most of the main names (Specialized, Trek, Giant etc) do hybrids starting around your budget. You'll get the bottom of the range, but it will be decent. Or you could just go to Halfords and get a Carrera Subway each, which are generally seen as the mainstay for starting commuters.[/quote]
Thanks for the advice I'll check into the other brands. Looking forward to getting on the road!

 

[Andy Wright]

The Subways from Halfords are very well regarded - make sure they are set up right (and get one with rigid not springy forks).

These two will leave you money to spare for kit - 09 models but at 50% off
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551203_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551281_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

Or get yourself the drops and your wife the Carrera. If you want drops,the Decathlon is a very good budget choice

Cheers for the advice and links, just been on the Decathlon website they do look good!

 

[Monkspeed]

Well I am biased but I would say the Btwin Triban 3 goody linked to above is cracking value, but I would advise that you get to a decathlon store to try it out and see if you can get on with it. I have had to change the stem to a shorter model and with a 30 degree rise. My fault as I think I should have got a bigger frame I suppose (I got a 60cm frame).

But it all depends what you and the wife truly want to ride? Only you can answer this.

Deacthlon also do some nice hybrid bikes but the rockrider 5.0 was not so great, my wife couldn't get on with the gear shifters.

She has since bought a Raleigh Urban 1 Womens specific bike for £140 from wiggle and she loves it. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-urban-1-ladies-2010/

I had a close look at the Carrera TDF in halfords and personally did not like it, but by all means you should go and have a look. The Carrera subway looked like a good bike though, my wife wasn't so sure but I thought it ticked all the right boxes.

But since I changed the stem on mine I am more than happy with it.

good luck

 

[Andy Wright]

Finally got some bikes. Went for a couple Carrera crossfire 2's Unfortantly they do have front suspension but they are still light and have preload on the forks. Only done 7 miles on them so far. Clock up a few more once I get some lights. Halfords did mess up the order telling us that they were £228 each then when they called to say they ready found out that was just for the frames!!!! The bikes were actually £300 managed to get £80 knocked of so not to bad. Ill let you know how we get on once we put a few miles on them. Only thing I can see I might have to do is stick a small/thinner seat and some slighty slicker tyres.
Cheers for all the advise!!

 

[david k]

The Subways from Halfords are very well regarded - make sure they are set up right (and get one with rigid not springy forks).

These two will leave you money to spare for kit - 09 models but at 50% off
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551203_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551281_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

Or get yourself the drops and your wife the Carrera. If you want drops,the Decathlon is a very good budget choice

+1
bargain

 

[BC BOOTLE]

Changed my cheap road to a hybrid,just posted some pics on the photo gallery,amazing bike for the money,although I have upgraded for my own choice....Viking Roma

 

[kishan]

road bikes -
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/raleigh-race-road-bike-p181140
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/airlite-100-p152963
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/airlite-200-p152994
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/criterium-road-bike-p181094

hybrid bikes -
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/urban-200-sport-mens-p181112
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/explorer-400-mens-p181116