Help a Newbie Buy a Bike!!!

[fidel260759]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a decent bike primarily for use on roads but will no doubt also use off road as well as there are some decent off road tracks near me.

I will be using the bike mainly to avoid going road running so will probably be covering fairly long distances.

Can anyone suggest a bike(s) which I should consider?

I don't want to be spending £500 on something which will only be a hobby but equally do not want to buy somethign which will fall apart after 1 year.

My last mountain bike was a Rayleigh about 10 years ago!

Thanks

 

[Andy in Sig]

If you want a mixture of road and e.g. woodland tracks capability then you need a good alround bike. IMO the best general purpose bike there is is the tourer. They come equipped with everything and are robust, comfortable and fast. Have a look at Edinburgh Bikes websit for their own brand ones. The Dawes Galaxy also is very well thought of but might be just outside your price range.

 

[Arch]

Hi, and welcome.

I can't really offer any specific models, but I'd say you maybe want a hybrid, or perhaps a tourer. It depends how fast you want to cover those road miles - a road (racing) bike will be fast and sporty, but less good off road. From listening to other folk on here (I haven't bought a bike new since I got properly into cycling!), I'd say you could get something to suit you at £200-250. Someone will be along soon to give details... I think the Carrera Subways get a good press.

There's always second hand, if you know what you're looking for, you get more bike for your money, but of course, it'll maybe be a bit older - not that that's an issue really - the very up to date developments tend to be on high end bikes, and most of the 'old' stuff works just as well.

Also, bear in mind your budget needs to cover more than just the bike. There's a decent lock, a pump, multi-tool, maybe a waterproof jacket, padded shorts if you find you need them. So save a little bit back for stuff like that.

 

[fidel260759]

Thanks for the help

A friend in work has a Carrera Subway but complains about the lack of suspension on it??

My main concern when buying a bike is that I buy somethign which is completely over the top for what I require it for

 

[Arch]

Thanks for the help

A friend in work has a Carrera Subway but complains about the lack of suspension on it??

My main concern when buying a bike is that I buy somethign which is completely over the top for what I require it for

I'd say (not having a bike with it among my stable of 5) that you probably don't need suspension, esp if you are going to mainly be on the road.. There are other ways to achieve a smooth ride - the right tyres (Big Apples on my winter hack), the right saddle, padded shorts, padded mitts, maybe a suspension seatpost if you really find you need it. And just plain old good riding - avoiding the worst of the bumps by thinking ahead, rising out of the saddle a little to let the bike pivot under you. Buying a bike with suspension will cost more, (or the same, but be less good quality) and you may not need it, it'll add weight and sap some energy. The other things you can add later if you need them...

If you get the bug, you can always upgrade - take care of your bike and you can either sell it on, or maybe even part exchange it later. Or keep it as your hack, and get a nice shiny new steed best suited to whatever type of cycling you find you enjoy best.

 

[Andy in Sig]

Thanks for the help

A friend in work has a Carrera Subway but complains about the lack of suspension on it??

My main concern when buying a bike is that I buy somethign which is completely over the top for what I require it for

If you're going to get suspension and you should only get it after a while with the bike and you have convinced yourself you need it, then IMO it is sensible to get a seat post but only a high quality one like a Thudbuster (there is a lot of rubbish around). Suspension on the frame soaks up too much of your effort.

 

[fidel260759]

Thanks once again for the comments

The bikes which have caught my eye and seem to do the job are either the Specialized Globe 2008 or the Carrera Subway.

Are they both pretty much the same thing or is there any major difference between them?

 

[Sittingduck]

Subway has 26" wheels Globe has 700c. Subway is Gripshift but Globe has EF-50 triggers. Also Subway has double chainring whereas Globe has triple. I had a Subway reserved at Halfrauds but got a Globe 08 instead because of these 3 factors.

 

[crazyhorse]

Maybe a Hybrid. Most people i know using a Carrera Subway have been pleased with it.

 

[Cooperman]

Hi ...if you want to do fairly long distances (what distance are you thinking of?) and on the road I would recommend a road bike or hybrid. Suspension will just slow you down and add weight...it is a question of choice though ...i you want to try off road then it is a very different game to road......

I started back into cycling 12 years ago and love it .... many bikes on it is the best thing I have ever got into.....

Cooperman

 

[benno1uk]

Hi there. This is my first post as I have just re-taken up cycling after 10 years or so absence (is it really that long?!).

I ordered a Revolution Courier Classic hybrid bike from Edinburgh Bicycle Co. It only arrived last week, but I am really pleased with it so far. It looks good without being too flashy, it seems to be well put together (arrived assembled and serviced - just needed to screw on the pedals and twist handlebars - they give you tools to do this). It only has 8 gears, but I have been on 3 varying rides so far, from flat towpaths to undulating roads and find the gears ample for me.

It makes me feel like I am 12 again - I want to go everywhere on my bike!!

 

[fidel260759]

Carrera Subway 2 at £260 in Halfords vs the Specialised Globe at £200 in Evans.

Any views on which i should go for?

Mainly on the road but alos through parks etc but nothing to excessive.

 

[Sittingduck]

Got the Spesh Globe two months ago from the Evans Sale myself. V happy with it Infact I had a Subway on reserve and collect from Halfords but 3 days before I was due to pick it up the sale started and I wanted to got for a hybrid with 700 wheels and trigger shifters, so I went for the Globe instead.

 

[RedBike]

I am looking to buy a decent bike primarily for use on roads but will no doubt also use off road as well as there are some decent off road tracks near me.

It all depends on what you mean by off-road. Hybrids / touring bikes ride well on the road and can handle some fairly rough terrain. However, when the trail starts getting rough their no match for a dedicated MTB.

You could always 'roadie-fi' a MTB by fitting slick tyres?

 

[fidel260759]

It all depends on what you mean by off-road. Hybrids / touring bikes ride well on the road and can handle some fairly rough terrain. However, when the trail starts getting rough their no match for a dedicated MTB.

You could always 'roadie-fi' a MTB by fitting slick tyres?

Could that be buying a MTB like the Specialised Hardrock and fitting slicker tyres?

What would a reasonable budget for that be?