New Cyclist, which bike?

[KirkStJohn]

As in the title, I'm a cycling and forum newb, and since I stopped doing TaeKwonDo because of a shoulder problem a couple of years ago I'm getting no serious exercise and being 48 now I need to rectify that.

I don't have a vast budget, £200 tops excluding safety hat etc., and looking in Halfords you don't get much for that, so I'm thinking used is a better option and I'm scouring Gumtree, Evilbay, Loot and Freeads for a Hybrid bike.

What I'm seeing a lot of is Carrera, which I gather is Halfords own brand, for instance Krakens for £90-100, a Vulcan for £140, Subways for £60 - £100. What is the general view on this make and these prices?

Other than that any advice is welcome, is there any particular make or model to look for or avoid.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KirkStJohn]

Here are a few more fairly local to me. I'd be grateful for any opinions


Felt QX65

Dawes Kalahari

Apollo Subway

Scott Sub30

GT Avalanche

I'm looking at 19" or 20" frames as I'm 6'1". Don't know if that's right and also are disc brakes better than rim blocks?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

As in the title, I'm a cycling and forum newb, and since I stopped doing TaeKwonDo because of a shoulder problem a couple of years ago I'm getting no serious exercise and being 48 now I need to rectify that.

I don't have a vast budget, £200 tops excluding safety hat etc., and looking in Halfords you don't get much for that, so I'm thinking used is a better option and I'm scouring Gumtree, Evilbay, Loot and Freeads for a Hybrid bike.

What I'm seeing a lot of is Carrera, which I gather is Halfords own brand, for instance Krakens for £90-100, a Vulcan for £140, Subways for £60 - £100. What is the general view on this make and these prices?

Other than that any advice is welcome, is there any particular make or model to look for or avoid.

Thanks in advance.

Before you look at a bike you need at ask and answer the question - What do I want the bike for.

If it is only for road roading, commuting then a road or hybrid is the answer.

If you are planning to go off-road a little then a more robust hybrid or Hard Tail MTB bike is what you will want.

All off road - A hard tail or full sus. The latter you will not get in your price range (not even 2nd hand).

As a rule sub £100 will get you a BSO (Bike Shaped Object) that will not engender a passion for cycling.

 

[KirkStJohn]

As a rule sub £100 will get you a BSO (Bike Shaped Object) that will not engender a passion for cycling.

This made me lol. Yeah, I've come to that conclusion myself. I've been trawling the classifieds and anything half decent at a good price gets snapped up straight away.

I got fed up with people not even bothering to reply so I bit the bullet and bought a new one this morning. It's a Scott hard tail hybrid. I'm going to be using it mostly on road with a bit of grassy hill and path cycling so it does the job fine.

The only problem I've got now is finding time to see my wife and little one cos I've been out on it all day. I'm gonna hurt in the morning.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

This made me lol. Yeah, I've come to that conclusion myself. I've been trawling the classifieds and anything half decent at a good price gets snapped up straight away.

I got fed up with people not even bothering to reply so I bit the bullet and bought a new one this morning. It's a Scott hard tail hybrid. I'm going to be using it mostly on road with a bit of grassy hill and path cycling so it does the job fine.

The only problem I've got now is finding time to see my wife and little one cos I've been out on it all day. I'm gonna hurt in the morning.

Doubt you will go wrong with a Scott. Which model did you get ooi?

 

[cyberknight]

Welcome to the forums, like you i got back into cycling after a shoulder injury meant i could not do wing chun anymore.

Enjoy your new addiction hobby

 

[Moodyman]

Here are a few more fairly local to me. I'd be grateful for any opinions


Felt QX65

Dawes Kalahari

Apollo Subway

Scott Sub30

GT Avalanche

I'm looking at 19" or 20" frames as I'm 6'1". Don't know if that's right and also are disc brakes better than rim blocks?

Don't.

I'm 6'1" and my MTBs are 21 inches. I'm probably closer to a 22" bike frame but there's not many of those around and I like the smaller size as it helps with handling. The 21" frame is perfectly acceptable for me - but only just - seatpost is fully protruded.

 

[KirkStJohn]

Doubt you will go wrong with a Scott. Which model did you get ooi?

It's a Sportster 55. Seems to have all the bells and whistles and is light (compared to the last bike I owned about 15 years ago) and it's fun to ride around on and it's great exercise, which was the whole point of getting it.

 

[KirkStJohn]

Don't.

I'm 6'1" and my MTBs are 21 inches. I'm probably closer to a 22" bike frame but there's not many of those around and I like the smaller size as it helps with handling. The 21" frame is perfectly acceptable for me - but only just - seatpost is fully protruded.

Yeah, I tried a couple in the shop and had to get a larger size than those.

 

[KirkStJohn]

Welcome to the forums, like you i got back into cycling after a shoulder injury meant i could not do wing chun anymore.

Enjoy your new addiction hobby

Addiction is more like it