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pr22

New Member
I am just about to invest ebetween £500 - £1000 in a Cycle to Work Scheme.

I dont have a clue whether I need a MTB or a Hybrid.

I will be cycling on a gravel / stoney canal path every day.

Hi to everyone.
 

Noodley

Guest
Moved to the Bikes and Accessories forum by the admin team.
 
Afternoon Pr22 and welcome to the forum. :smile:
Either a MTB or Hybrid will do the job, but if you get a MTB, you have the added bonus of being able to thrash round the woods on a Sunday.

£1000 is a lot to spend on your first bike, I'd go for something a lot cheaper in order to see if you stick with it etc.

I'm a roadie, so I don't know much about the MTB side of things, so I can't recommend any specific bikes, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along soon with some more specific advice. But one thing I must stress is that you have to try bikes before you buy them, to see if you like the feel of them and they fit you.
 
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pr22

New Member
Afternoon Pr22 and welcome to the forum. :smile:
Either a MTB or Hybrid will do the job, but if you get a MTB, you have the added bonus of being able to thrash round the woods on a Sunday.

£1000 is a lot to spend on your first bike, I'd go for something a lot cheaper in order to see if you stick with it etc.

I'm a roadie, so I don't know much about the MTB side of things, so I can't recommend any specific bikes, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along soon with some more specific advice. But one thing I must stress is that you have to try bikes before you buy them, to see if you like the feel of them and they fit you.

Thanks very much.

I am currently caught between a Boardman Comp or Pro Hybrid.

I dont know whether it is worth spending the extra £300 on the Pro.

Thanks again.

Edit - My work scheme is restricted to Halfords, hence my swithering between the 2 Boardman Bikes. I will gratefully accept any advice on alternatives available at Halfords :smile:
 
Hello pr, I have my eye on a Boardman Comp Mtb! They are a popular bike, well specified, with good write-ups and, as iAdam mentions, you can commute and then have a thrash around in the woods too:smile: Of course, you don't have to - it just offers more variety to the cycling game...
Obviously, if your commute is all, then something with a tough tyre (Marathon+ :tongue:) will do - on a Hybrid or X bike (do Boardman make CycloCross bikes?) Then it's down to handlebar choice! Halfords are regularly discounting these bikes too.

Then comes the ummm...ahhh.....ooooh "I could do with something a bit er faster for the Summer..." n+1 kicks in, and you find yourself with two bikes, three, et seq :rolleyes:

Have fun.
 
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pr22

New Member
Hello pr, I have my eye on a Boardman Comp Mtb! They are a popular bike, well specified, with good write-ups and, as iAdam mentions, you can commute and then have a thrash around in the woods too:smile: Of course, you don't have to - it just offers more variety to the cycling game...
Obviously, if your commute is all, then something with a tough tyre (Marathon+ :tongue:) will do - on a Hybrid or X bike (do Boardman make CycloCross bikes?) Then it's down to handlebar choice! Halfords are regularly discounting these bikes too.

Then comes the ummm...ahhh.....ooooh "I could do with something a bit er faster for the Summer..." n+1 kicks in, and you find yourself with two bikes, three, et seq :rolleyes:

Have fun.

Haha, thsnks apertif and everyone else for the welcome, but i am having difficulty justifying spending all this cash as just had a baby and bought a new house!

I am so fickle - i will look at the mountain bike although it is £700. The Comp Hybrid is £450.
 

som3blok3

New Member
Location
Cobham, Surrey.
Hi and welcome!

I'm a bit new here as well, great place so far though. If its any use I've had the Hybrid Comp for the past 2 and a bit months and it's amazing, theres no way I'd spend the extra to get carbon forks and squeaky high maintenance hydraulic brakes, especially as it £50 cheaper at the moment (thats only because the 2011 model will be out soon though). Thats only my pennies worth though.

If I were you I'd spend the £450 on the bike, another £50-£60 on a good lock and then some good lights as well. All of this is covered on the C2W scheme so you'll be laughing.

Whatever you get, ENJOY!! :thumbsup:
 

som3blok3

New Member
Location
Cobham, Surrey.
Oh, and a new saddle and some puncture resistant tyres, I had two punctures within the first couple of weeks. Have had Armadillos ever since and not a puncture in sight!

Not such a great thing to write an hour before the 10 mile trip home.......;)
 

PaulSecteur

No longer a Specialized fanboy
Just something else to consider, how a bout a cycle-cross style bike?
They are like a road bike with drop bars, but have chunkier tyres and can do moderatley rough ground - though not proper mountain biking. The advantage is that if you do decide you like cycling with just a change of tyres you can have a very competant road bike.

Names to look for are Specialized tricross and Kona jake.

Have a look on youtube for cycle cross to see what the bike can do.
 

newb

New Member
PR22 (is that a type of baton?). IMO a mountain bike would definately do you at the minute. Its the safer choice. If you get a roadbike and cant ride over the rough stuff what do you do?
If you get a mountain bike and its not fast enough on the road change the tyres!

For a first bike I would get a MTB.

Good luck anyway and welcome!
 
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pr22

New Member
Thanks again folks, will consider all of this. I am restricted to halfords with my work scheme therefore will have to buy from there.

But all of the comments are helpful - thanks!

EDIT - pr is initials, 22 is the only email address i could find! so taken from my email address. :thumbsup:
 
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pr22

New Member
Folks

Ive decided on the Carrera Fury. It is cheaper than the equivalent Boardman and I have decided to get a MTB.

I will check it out in the shop before buying buying, but thanks for the help :thumbsup:
 
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