New all round bike

[Dmc]

Sadly my old mountain bike was stolen from the train station this weekend so i need a new bike.
I am looking for a good all rounder that i can use for fitness, in town, light touring and on tow paths as well as roads. I want a quick bike with flat handlebars and narrowish tyres.
I am looking at spending about £300-£500, and i am not a brand snob as my last bike from halfords lasted 8 years without fault until it was nicked! Any recommendations?

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Any recommendations?

Dont leave your new bike at the station.


Sorry , couldnt resist.

 

[Scoosh]

Sounds like the best thing would be a flat-barred cyclocross bike but they tend to come nearer the £600 starting point.

There's the Gary Fisher Katai, with spare cash for a decent lock ;
the Boardman Urban Team at £500;
the Focus Arriba at £379.

I don't know anything about these, other than the reports but they seem like the kind of thing you should look at.
HTH

 

[wafflycat]

If you got a folder you could take it with you..

 

[alecstilleyedye]

if you've had a bike nicked, i would go down the cheap, scruffy, but functional route.

 

[Maz]

Specialized Sirrus, but keep it away from the theft hot-spots.

 

[Mr Creosote]

What about the Carerra Crossfire or Subway models from Halfords then? I shortlisted them myself recently and for the price they seemed to be pretty sturdy bikes.

You don't mention the sort of distance or terrain that you cycle over to get to the station.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Mrs A has a ladies Crossfire. It's perfectly functional and does what she wants it to. Looking at it critically, there are some low rent parts (wheels and tyres aren't very inspiring) but for sub £200 it's certainly a notch above BSO level.

 

[wlc1]

Spec tricross fixed.

You will not go wrong. Brilliant

 

[Dmc]

I was advised at my LBS to go for a Specialized Globe Vienna. Any thoughts? can i get better spec for the money?

 

[Andy in Sig]

Get a tourer: they are designed to carry weight, are fast (essentially being heavy duty road bikes), comfortable and can cope with any kind of ground other than genuine rough off road stuff. Edinburgh cycles do one which may be in your price range.