Newbie - advice needed please!

[WozzaTT]

Hi all and a Happy Christmas to you!

Complete newbie - will be having some time off next year and want to get fit so thought a bike might be the way to go.

I will be cycling 95% of the time on the road but want to have the option of possibly cycling on the odd trail, tow path etc, so my main question is would I be better off going for a hybrid or a MTB?

I've had a very quick look on the Halfords website (I'm aware using them requires a certain amount of caution!) and these three jumped out:-

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165499

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165499

Any of these any good for what I'm after?

Budget is £500 but would like to spend less if possible obviously. There is a bike shop in town and I'll certainly have a look in there and get some advice too but any initial wise words from the CycleChat forum faithful would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[Gerry Attrick]

From your list, and that you are going to be cycling mainly on the road, the Boardman seems the best bet, but do consider other bikes such as the Specialized Allez, the Genesis Day 01 immediately spring to mind.

Do you really want flat bars for mainly on road work? If you are prepared to go drop bars, then the world is your bi-valve filter feeder.

 

[PaulSecteur]

If you are 100% sure yu will be mainly on the road, I would certinly look at a proper road bike, but that will mean forgetting about any sort of trail, and probably only good condition towpaths.

If thats the case, then Specialized are doing some good deals on the Allez (Racer type) and secteur (Endurance road - designed to be more comfortable over distance that outright top speed).

Have a look towards the bottom of this page.

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=325

But out of the ones you suggested, I would go for the Boardman.

 

[WozzaTT]

Thanks fellas - will continue looking and getting advice but current favourite is the Boardman and then get it checked over at my LBS.

Don't much fancy cycling in either the snow or the fog so I'm in no rush to buy at the minute.