Hybrid / Commuting Bike

[stevehull]

Hi all,

I have stumbled across this forum quite by accident, but am quite glad that I did!!

I am looking for a hybrid style bike for commuting to work (8 mile daily round trip).

I was originally looking at an Appollo bike from Halfords, but after reading a few reviews and comments on their build quality, I think I will scrap this idea.

I would welcome anyone's thoughts on this bike:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/triumph-convoy-100-gents-933005

To the untrained eye it looks to fit the bill, are Raleigh still a decent brand, anyone already got one, all comments welcome.

My maximum budget would be around the £150 mark ish.

Thanks in advance, Steve.

 

[Maz]

Hi/Welcome,

You might struggle a little bit at that price. £199 or so will get you a Carrera Subway, which (I believe) are decent bikes from Halfords.

See what others suggest.

 

[bicyclos]

I bought a Raleigh Detour for 149.99 delivered from Sports Direct as I needed a cheap emergency bike. I junked the original wheels on the bike as they were rubbish. Got a bargain pair of wheels for £36 which fit the bill. The frame is good but the other components like gear shifters/brake levers I am replacing with better ones I have in the garage.
In your case with the bike you are thinking of buying I think you will end up being dissaponted and it wont last long before it drops to bits. You could buy a decent second hand bike if £150 is your budget or save up some more hard earned cash and get something with better build quality......

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Hi
As with bicycles I would suggest a pre owned as you should get a decent 2-3 year old £500 bike for £175-£200.
Ok you get no guarantees but sites like eBay with local collection or gum tree should find you something you can get further advice on here first

Tony

 

[jamin100]

I got a boardman hybrid comp 2010 for £175 off eBay a few months ago, brilliant bike for that money

 

[CopperCyclist]

I agree that with your budget you are really looking for second hand bargains (a quick look on eBay shows a few Boardman hybrids for the 150-175 mark). If you buy new for 150 you are really only looking at buying a 'cheap bike' that will do something to disappoint you relatively quickly!

 

[400bhp]

Carrera Subway Limited Edition from Halfords - £199 at the moment (was another £25 off too if spent £200 but i think that offer has gone). Great VFM.

 

[cyberknight]

Another vote for Subway 1.
Although second hand bikes can be very good value for money you need to know what to look for to avoid getting a lemon , if you have just started riding then a new bike can make more sense.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

I've worked on a few Sportsdirect / Dunlop bikes. They're FAR FAR worse than Apollos. Everything is utter junk, threads strip if you more than glance at them, nothing can be adjusted properly and anything that moves breaks irreparably at the slightest provocation.

Apollo build quality is a lot better (I can't believe I just typed that), but I did many miles on an old CX10 hybrid without incident once I'd put it together properly - something some Halfords branches are incapable of.

The Subway is a whole lot better though, and actually has some resale value if you don't get on with it. There are also some decent bikes in the Edinburgh Bicycle sale at the moment. Decathlon are always worth a look at for cheap but not rubbish bikes as well.

Just don't buy that Sportsdirect pile o' cack.

 

[stevehull]

Thanks for all your input folks, much appreciated, what a great forum!

I have managed to pick up a second hand Carrera locally from an independent shop, good working order but not great cosmetically. This will do me whilst I save for a better model.

Will keep you informed/pick your brains further at a later date!

Steve.