Chap at work has asked me for bike advice...

[pjd57]

Subway 2 has done me for years. I try to avoid bumping into kerbs as much as possible.
Voodoo Limba sounds like a good suggestion as well.
I've got to say that, I'm getting mine on Wednesday.

 

[bonzobanana]

Strong wheels would seem to be the order of the day together with fatter rubber. Wouldn't fancy his chances with cheaper Halfords wheels.

The Carrera and Voodoo models wheels are very good the Apollo models are entry level and pretty weak. The Voodoo Limba wheels are pretty decent formula hubs with 32 spokes and double wall rims certainly better than most of the competition at that price point. Although the Calibre Lost Lad CX bike admittedly looks equally good. Doesn't look like Decathlon offer a similar model. I tend to look at those 3 retailers who seem to offer the best value for bikes even though I couldn't get a Btwin bike myself because of their low weight limits.

 

[bonzobanana]

A Carrera Subway 2 from Halfords is the obvious choice.
It's under budget too, which will leave plenty of money for new tyres.

There is also the Voodoo Marasa which is a bit cheaper currently and you lose the hydraulic disc brakes but is also based on a high strength cassette based drivetrain unlike some of halfords cheaper hybrid bikes which are freewheel based and not of the same reliability and strength. I find mechanical disc brakes fine on a road bike.

Actually my mistake it looks like the Marasa brakes are hydraulic too so a great bargain for £300 currently although back up to £400 soon.

 

[MichaelW2]

A Carrera Subway 2 from Halfords is the obvious choice.
It's under budget too, which will leave plenty of money for new tyres.

Last time I check, Halfords don't sell decent commuter tyres for their decent commuter bike. It used to have 26" wheels with a vast selection of rubber but now it is 27.5"/650B and road tyres are not an item you find in any old bike shop.

 

[bonzobanana]

Last time I check, Halfords don't sell decent commuter tyres for their decent commuter bike. It used to have 26" wheels with a vast selection of rubber but now it is 27.5"/650B and road tyres are not an item you find in any old bike shop.

It comes with decent Kenda commuting/urban tyres even if they don't stock alternative tyres of the same type. I bought a Carrera Subway 8 many years ago, fantastic bike but got my spares from discount supplier's online be it on ebay, amazon etc. I've no shop loyalty at all just whoever offers the best products at the keenest prices really.

 

[Sixmile]

I didn't pay much more than £400 for my Specialized Crosstrail Disc Hybrid. I use it for a 12.4mile commute which involves the occasional kerb and very occasional rough surface. If I was buying again, I'd go for the one without front suspension and probably just rim brakes.

 

[T4tomo]

For a £400 quid limit I would go rim brake, unless he finds a bargain with hydro discs. A lot of mechanical discs don't offer any better braking than decent rim brakes and are a pain to get set up correctly, and kerb crashed doesn't sound like patient home mechanic.