Recommendations for a newbie

[Bonefish Blues]

A suggestion:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-3-2020-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV339942

A pair of these in Mens and Ladies flavour. They'll do everything you want, and more. And they have stock, I think.

 

[RoadRider400]

I know weight isnt the be all and end all but 14kg is just too heavy in my opinion. Thing is to get a bike thats good on both the roads and gravel you are really looking at something like a cyclocross and they are generally an expensive bike. In your situation I would probably knock the trails on the head for now and get whichever Triban roabike you can find in stock.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I know weight isnt the be all and end all but 14kg is just too heavy in my opinion. Thing is to get a bike thats good on both the roads and gravel you are really looking at something like a cyclocross and they are generally an expensive bike. In your situation I would probably knock the trails on the head for now and get whichever Triban roabike you can find in stock.

I'm sorry but I don't think that's good advice. A decent hybrid like the model I linked will do both of those things very happily. As a single bike for all eventualities, it's ideal.

 

[RoadRider400]

I'm sorry but I don't think that's good advice. A decent hybrid like the model I linked will do both of those things very happily. As a single bike for all eventualities, it's ideal.

If they have the money then imo get a great cyclocross bike. Whereas on a budget I think its a case of focussing on either on or offroad. A bog standard hybrid will not excel on one or the other, which is fine to serve a limited purpose, but for greater enjoyment and longevity of use I think its important to get a specialist road or offroad bike at the lower pricepoints.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

As a virtually new rider myself and similar in a lot of respects to what you want to achieve cycling wise, I'm going to throw a curved ball at you. I recently picked up a mid 90's mountain bike for next to nothing. It's in virtually new condition and only required a little fettling to get it to how I want it. There seem to be a lot of people clearing out sheds with a fair number of old, but relatively little used cycles appearing for sale.

My plan is to use that for a while until I know what I want from a cycle and upgrade from there at some point in the future. For now, it's doing everything I want and allowing me to maintain sensible average speeds for my ability. It probably won't be high on anyones list to be stolen either, so there may be a hidden bonus there. If you're cycling for fun and exercise, maybe that's an option for you too? Your local bike shop will appreciate the business to give it a once over for you, set it up correctly and want to look after you ready for when you want to upgrade later.

This post is far too sensible to be here

For the OP with two of ye getting bikes, maintenance costs will quickly add up. A cheaper bike now, a little investment in skills and next year, when a lot of new bikes bought now are on the market, hardly used, you'll be in clover!
I say this as someone who hasn't a mechanical brain cell in my head yet learned - YouTube is your friend.

Good luck! Riding a bike is great fun!

 

[Bonefish Blues]

If they have the money then imo get a great cyclocross bike. Whereas on a budget I think its a case of focussing on either on or offroad. A bog standard hybrid will not excel on one or the other, which is fine to serve a limited purpose, but for greater enjoyment and longevity of use I think its important to get a specialist road or offroad bike at the lower pricepoints.

I take a contrary view, and it's not, I think, coincidence that the big sellers for the general cyclist population are hybrid-shaped.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Whereas on a budget I think its a case of focussing on either on or offroad.

With the greatest of respect, suggesting someone starting off "specialise" is not advice I can agree with.

Go everywhere, try anything and when you've figured out what you like, then get the best bike for the job.

 

[SGG on a bike]

This post is far too sensible to be here

For the OP with two of ye getting bikes, maintenance costs will quickly add up. A cheaper bike now, a little investment in skills and next year, when a lot of new bikes bought now are on the market, hardly used, you'll be in clover!
I say this as someone who hasn't a mechanical brain cell in my head yet learned - YouTube is your friend.

Good luck! Riding a bike is great fun!

Deepest apologies. Once I've been here a little longer, I promise normal sarcastic/comedic responses will become the norm. :-)

 

[paul__w]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions people.

I think we still have a lot to look at and some of the suggestions have been a good bit above what we thought we would need to spend as beginners (was hoping £350-£400).

Some more research is on the cards.

 

[monkers]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions people.

I think we still have a lot to look at and some of the suggestions have been a good bit above what we thought we would need to spend as beginners (was hoping £350-£400).

Some more research is on the cards.

I just bought a Cube. I'm very pleased with it. I was lucky enough to have the time to shop around and get a good discount for no other reason than it is in last year's colours. It cost £40 for delivery by Parcelfarce, but as I'd saved £180 on the price I was very happy to pay it.

One thing to note is that not all new bikes come with pedals, that adds to the cost, and something well worth checking before ordering.

You might want to keep some budget back for things like helmets?

Perhaps if you could provide just a little more detail about sizes required, location, max budget for each, colours etc, a few of us might offer to help by checking local bike stores for potential bargains and let you know.

As far as recommendations go, I understand that Giant, Liv, Cube, Trek, and Whyte make good hybrid bikes - in last year's colours they might be more affordable.

 

[vickster]

Normally that budget would be fine for a decent starter bike but stocks are super low right now everywhere.

 

[paul__w]

I just bought a Cube. I'm very pleased with it. I was lucky enough to have the time to shop around and get a good discount for no other reason than it is in last year's colours. It cost £40 for delivery by Parcelfarce, but as I'd saved £180 on the price I was very happy to pay it.

One thing to note is that not all new bikes come with pedals, that adds to the cost, and something well worth checking before ordering.

You might want to keep some budget back for things like helmets?

Perhaps if you could provide just a little more detail about sizes required, location, max budget for each, colours etc, a few of us might offer to help by checking local bike stores for potential bargains and let you know.

As far as recommendations go, I understand that Giant, Liv, Cube, Trek, and Whyte make good hybrid bikes - in last year's colours they might be more affordable.

Was looking at about £350-ish per bike. We live in Glasgow. Black probably for colour. Open to a nice white or silver also. Size wise, well I'm about 6 foot 1 and my partner she is about 5 foot 9. Thanks for the help.

 

[vickster]

@Slick any shop recommendations for Glasgow?

 

[monkers]

Was looking at about £350-ish per bike. We live in Glasgow. Black probably for colour. Open to a nice white or silver also. Size wise, well I'm about 6 foot 1 and my partner she is about 5 foot 9. Thanks for the help.

I'm 5' 9'' too. I bought a 56 size Cube - size is just right for me. My LBS has this bike, looks just right for your partner, but £400. Go on, treat her

https://www.solent-cycles.co.uk/891...tagger-disc-womens-aluminium-hybrid-bike.aspx

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Deepest apologies. Once I've been here a little longer, I promise normal sarcastic/comedic responses will become the norm. :-)

What you've done, of course, if you've put slightly narrower tyres on it, is create a modern hybrid in all but name