Buying my husband a bike

[dinky73]

Hi, I was hoping for some advice re buying my husband a bike for xmas. To give you an idea of what our family is like as bike riders here is some info that may help.
None of us are mad keen bikers, in fact I am 37 and only learnt to ride this summer

My daughter (nearly 8) is not a bike rider yet, she is trying hard but due to some special needs affecting balance/co-ordination etc she is struggling. She has a fab lightweight Islabike and has had professional coaching but I fear confidence is the problem there. So we are persevereing with that one.

As I said I learnt in the summer (by the same lovely people that were teaching my daughter) but haven't ridden since then. I am not confident enough to ride on the roads but we are hoping that if my daughter learns and my husband gets a bike we can go riding as a family. Just country parks, cycle trails etc nothing too strenuous.

My husband has been able to ride a bike since a child so is confident but has not had a bike for a number of years. In fact before this summer he was the only one in the house who could ride a bike but the only one who didn't actually own one

Anyway, now I am riding he wants a bike but he really isn't too fussed on what (he just wants a bike). He will not be mountain biking over rough terrain or anything or even riding it everday to work so he just needs an all round bike to use for leisure purposes. Nothing too fancy (my budget is probably in the £100-£200 region, could go a little higher if necessary).

I know he should probably be involved in the buying process but he really isn't that fussed and so has left it up to me to choose (I know his inside leg for choosing size etc and will make sure I can return if not right).

So, what kind of bike should I go for? I just need some ideas to steer me in the right direction so I can make an informed choice.

Many thanks
dinks

 

[scouserinlondon]

Tbh with your budget in that kind of range you may be best trying to pick up a decent second hand bike, please don't be tempted to buy a bike from the supermarket or Argos, as they're crap. My wife has a Carerra Subway from Halfords which is a perfect 'do anything' bikeand was pretty cheap.

No matter what bike you buy, you need to cadjole him to the shop to try it out, as it's impossible to know whether a bike fits until you've straddled the beast.

 

[Mike!]

At that kind of prce range i don't think you can go wrong with a Carrera subway from Halfords, a little above your budget £250 but a good solid bike.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

At that kind of prce range i don't think you can go wrong with a Carrera subway from Halfords, a little above your budget £250 but a good solid bike.

I'd second that. Mine has been going for about 5 years now (IIRC) and gets dragged out in the Winter time and/or when we do "family outings" to Tatton Park/Centre Parcs. Reliable beast which will cope well with tow paths/trails as well as roads if required. Sod's Law - I had an email from Halfords on Sunday in which they informed me that they had a 1 day sale which included a Special Edition Subway 1 for £199.99 instead of it's usual £449 (I think). Missed it but it's still for sale at £249 today.

 

[sheddy]

as I've said before it's essential that he rides it before buying. Tis a very personal thing

 

[ian turner]

Always dubious about recommending second hand bikes to those who lack the experience to ignore bike shaped objects.
What about one of the decathlon b'twin hybrids ? Fits the budget.

 

[Berlinbybike]

Where can I find a woman who wants to buy me a bike for Christmas?!!!

 

[rusky]

What about the Kona Smoke? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/smoke-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021820

 

[subaqua]

[QUOTE 1262798"]
There are several decent bikes in Decathlon which would suit, below £200. Check www.decathlon.co.uk
[/quote]


agreed, and if the OP was hoping to surprise she could make a voucher for a bike from decathlon to the value of £xxx. ( what i am doing for SWMBOs spa day )

as somebody also said, it is fairly essential he test rides 1st.

avoid supermarket bikes, and most f the tosh in Argos. Evans are expensive for what they sell. (JFR it would have cost me over £1600 for a bike with an equivalent spec from evans when i paid £500 at decathlon)

 

[dinky73]

Thank you for all your replies. It seems from all your replies a hybrid bike is what I sould be looking at for him. I think maybe I will do the voucher thing and let him choose his own (although I got the distinct impression he just wanted me to buy one)!

I will have a look at all the links suggested and see if I can encourage him down to Halfords or Decathlon to try some out. At least I now know what type of bike I am after, narrows things down a bit!

Thanks a lot.

dinks

 

[Rezillo]

I'll second the Halfords Subway, because it is what I started with five years and several stones ago.

It's fine for all-round use and not so pricy that it is any barrier to changing later to a more specialist mountain or road bike if he picks up the bug big time (said he several bikes on).

John