Help for a new rider

[ArronP91]

Hi all

I'm looking for a bike for a little road work to and from work and on the weekends I'd like to take her along muddy tracks and down some hills etc. The problem is I'm an underpaid medical researcher with other hobbies pulling on the purse strings so I'm only looking to spend about £300. I guess my first question is about advice on precisely which type of bike I should go for and secondly I'd really appreciate recommendations in terms of what bike to get.

Cheers

 

[Racing roadkill]

If you can stretch your budget by about 50 quid, and a medium frame is okay

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-900-hybrid-bike-id_8379018.html

This takes some beating at the moment.

 

[Thorn Sherpa]

I think you'd struggle to find a new bike with a better spec than that B Twin for the money. If you don't mind 2nd hand have a look on ebay

 

[RoubaixCube]

If you can stretch your budget by about 50 quid, and a medium frame is okay

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-900-hybrid-bike-id_8379018.html

This takes some beating at the moment.

Just having a laff with the description here...

"This Riverside 900 hybrid bike is built around a high quality, lightweight lifetime warranty alloy frame"

But the bike is 13.1kg... Either those wheels are almost the same weight as two large bags of rice or someone is telling porkies.

 

[Cycleops]

As usual I'll pull out the popular alternative on here the Carrera Subway2
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike
You won't get a lightweight at this price point but the Riverside saves you a kilo on the Subway which is odd as the Riverside has suspension forks which you really don't need. I think Decathlon do a version with cro-mo forks which would a better cheaper alternative.
The Subway has a triple front chainset giving you a wider gear range for steeper hills. Best idea is to get down to a Halfords/Cycle Republic or Decathlon, you're bound to have one nearby, and swing a leg over.
Edit: This might be a good alternative to the Riverside or Subway and below your budget:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-flat-bar-road-bike-black-id_8322664.html
Also much lighter at 11.4kg.

 

[stalagmike]

You could get something quite decent second hand with 350 to spend. E.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253157124026

 

[Cycleops]

He'll be slipping and sliding about a bit on mud on a flat barred road bike dont you think? I've taken my tourer on muddy tracks and off road and in the wet you have a job on.
I'd get the new Subway.

Thanks! True, I missed that but the budget price would allow him to swap the tyres out for something more grippy and it would feel more sprightly on the road.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Just having a laff with the description here...



But the bike is 13.1kg... Either those wheels are almost the same weight as two large bags of rice or someone is telling porkies.

It's the suspension and brakes that weigh a ton, the frame is very light.

 

[Racing roadkill]

As usual I'll pull out the popular alternative on here the Carrera Subway2
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike
You won't get a lightweight at this price point but the Riverside saves you a kilo on the Subway which is odd as the Riverside has suspension forks which you really don't need. I think Decathlon do a version with cro-mo forks which would a better cheaper alternative.
The Subway has a triple front chainset giving you a wider gear range for steeper hills. Best idea is to get down to a Halfords/Cycle Republic or Decathlon, you're bound to have one nearby, and swing a leg over.
Edit: This might be a good alternative to the Riverside or Subway and below your budget:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-flat-bar-road-bike-black-id_8322664.html
Also much lighter at 11.4kg.

The Triban is a fine bike, but it's very skittish / twitchy as a flat bar.

 

[cyberknight]

Subway had a good review in a certain mamil fodder mag,good bike but I'm biased

 

[NorthernDave]

+1 for the Subway. Cracking bike at the price.