Help me find a bike for a philistine

[jay clock]

Compromise on the suspension and get a Carrera Subway. He wants speed and suspension is going to slow him down

But if he is that good a friend he will listen to your advice about compromise. If not, then agreed, WALK AWAY

oh yes, and you can post it

 

[vickster]

Thanks everyone. I take on-board what many say about not getting involved but he's my best friend & I know a bit more about bikes than he does. He helps me out with things I don't understand; it's what friends are for.

Anyway, I'm also struggling to find something and the biggest problem is budget. Just €100 more would make all the difference. I know Boardman's get a good rep around here but that's Halfords and my friend's in Holland so that's not going to work. Decathlon is definitely an option as I think their bikes seem to give a lot for the money. Decathlon are in Holland too so that's definitely an option. I'm not interested in blanket dissing of Decathlon (or Halfords for that matter) as it's down to the individual staff members and I could show you LBS's around here who have zero concept of customer service.

I found this..

http://www.wiggle.com/gt-avalanche-comp-2016/

It's over-budget too but it seems to tick all the boxes and I believe GT are a respectable make.

If it's the right size which it might be as a women's bike? http://www.wiggle.com/gt-avalanche-disc-w-2016-shop-soiled/

He'd just need to swap the saddle, not like it's a very girly colour or design (maybe the pink bits would peel off)

Got this one too, a men's large, maybe too big

http://www.wiggle.com/gt-avalanche-sport-2016/

 

[shouldbeinbed]

That's cool, it's probably just one of those things where some of their shops are better than others. Like, the Evans Cycles in my area is fantastic but I've heard others have had bad experiences in their shops in other areas.
I do still buy cycling gear from Decathlon, like gloves and locks. Very decent prices.

Yes, you get good and bad everywhere, The Evans near me at M/cr velodrome is great, friendly &helpful staff, The one in Manchester centre, I'm a lot less keen on.

Hello & welome to the forum BTW

 

[Goggs]

If it's the right size which it might be as a women's bike? http://www.wiggle.com/gt-avalanche-disc-w-2016-shop-soiled/

He'd just need to swap the saddle, not like it's a very girly colour or design (maybe the pink bits would peel off)

Got this one too, a men's large, maybe too big

http://www.wiggle.com/gt-avalanche-sport-2016/

The first one's no longer available and I suspect the second would be too big but I think GT's might well be in the running. Thanks.

 

[vickster]

The first one's no longer available and I suspect the second would be too big but I think GT's might well be in the running. Thanks.

says there's one in stock?

Tredz have a fair few MTB's around the £300 mark

 

[I like Skol]

I found this..

http://www.wiggle.com/gt-avalanche-comp-2016/

It's over-budget too but it seems to tick all the boxes and I believe GT are a respectable make.

Now you are talking. I have two Avalanches in my household, an elite and an expert but the comp spec looks pretty good. Only unknown would be the hydraulic brakes but if they ever started to give any trouble they could easily be binned and replaced with some Shimano Deore replacements quite easily.

 

[Kestevan]

Now you are talking. I have two Avalanches in my household, an elite and an expert but the comp spec looks pretty good. Only unknown would be the hydraulic brakes but if they ever started to give any trouble they could easily be binned and replaced with some Shimano Deore replacements quite easily.

+Lots for the GT.
Cracking bikes for the money.

 

[steveindenmark]

He is your best mate now. But when you get him a crap bike, he wont be.

Now is his big chance to learn something.

I wouldnt help him on so many levels.

He is in Holland and he cant find a bike to suit him. Isnt that a bit of a give away?

 

[Goggs]

He is your best mate now. But when you get him a crap bike, he wont be.

Now is his big chance to learn something.

I wouldnt help him on so many levels.

He is in Holland and he cant find a bike to suit him. Isnt that a bit of a give away?

You're lovely. Piss off!

 

[steveindenmark]

Moderator......I am as offended as an offended man can be;0)

It looks like he has found a good friend in you. Why dont you buy him a tandem and then you can do everything for him, including pedalling. It seems as though he is incapabable of doing anything else for himself.

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

Be careful with Decathlon, I was an idiot that allowed them to sell me a completely innapropriate, too small mountain bike with crunchy gears and inner tubes that perished in a day.

Of all the Retail Park bike brands ,Btwin are the bottom of the pile.
Beating Carrera's by a whisker to the bottom.
£300 is not a lot of money,never mind €300 ,if you want a bike that will last you.
As has been said,the GT is the best option though.
I would go for that and maybe some trails could be doable.

 

[bonsaibilly]

Maybe it was my fault? I don't know. But, the front tyre was getting squishy when I was riding it home, took off the tyre, found a hole, patched it up but it still was deflating rapidly when riding it.

Hummm, that just sounds like a puncture!

bb