What bike to get

[Stantheman]

Hi all, due to losing access to a car I am thinking of getting a bike. I have not cycled for over 15 years or so, but am a keen hill walker so have a reasonable level of fitness and am looking for a bike for mainly road use but also for use on forest tracks and trails. Budget is not great maybe up to £200. A carrea subway from halfords has been suggested to me on a walking forum I use, as was joining this one to annoy you good folk.

So the question is, what make and type of bike should I go for? New or second and is there any thing else I should consider?

I know this has probably been asked countless times but the choice out there is bewildering.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi @Stantheman and .

The suggestion of the Carrera Subway is a good one on that budget. Looking second hand you'd get more bike for your money and may get a bit more choice. Any flat bar bike with wider tyres (say 32mm or wider) will cope with forest roads and hardpack trails or perhaps consider a cyclocross bike (drop bar, off-road racer), although you may struggle to find one at this budget.

I personally would avoid suspension for mainly road use as it doesn't make a great deal of difference on-road and adds to the weight of the bike.

I hope this is of some use. More opinions will follow.

 

[Stantheman]

Thank you for your reply, I might go to my local halfords and have a look tomorrow. Evans cycles seem to have a few around my price bracket so I may pay them a visit as well.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Looking at the Evans website, they currently have models from Ridgeback, Specialized and Jamis (which are all decent makes) in the £200-£300 range. This is quite a good time of year to be looking really as many shops have last year's models at a discount.

 

[DooDah]

2nd hand would be my opinion, but you need to know a thing or two about bikes to do that. As Phil says, I would forget an MTB as you will not find them good on the road, and suspension just makes riding harder. A good hybrid or cyclocross might suit you. The Boardman range is good if you can find one in your budget (used that is).

 

[Old Plodder]

I would point you towards a hybrid, second hand is an option for you, if it looks like new.
Some people buy bikes with good intent but don't ride them after a couple of outings.

 

[Stantheman]

2nd hand would be my opinion, but you need to know a thing or two about bikes to do that. As Phil says, I would forget an MTB as you will not find them good on the road, and suspension just makes riding harder. A good hybrid or cyclocross might suit you. The Boardman range is good if you can find one in your budget (used that is).

My worry about buying second hand would be buying a stolen bike.

 

[Cyclist33]

If buying second hand, workshop your potentials with a cycling-obsessed buddy, and take them with you if you go out purchasing..!

 

[DooDah]

My worry about buying second hand would be buying a stolen bike.

As old plodder says, many people buy bikes and then lose interest or don't have the time etc. if buying second hand, ask for receipts, proof of purchase etc.

 

[Stantheman]

Just seen an ad on gumtree which has caught my eye, just waiting for the seller to reply. Look a bit to good to be true though.

 

[vickster]

Ask for proof of purchase, check for security marking by a prior owner (if this owner had it done, they should have some registration document)

If they get shifty. walk away. Go on gut feel. Meet the seller at his/her house ideally

 

[LutherB]

I bought a Giant Defy 5 2012 on Gumtree for £320, ask for the frame serial number if they have no receipts then check on Bike Register. Good idea to register yours on there when you get one .

I called one guy and asked if the bike was still for sale, he said 'Which one?'!! Sounded dodgy so left it.

 

[User16625]

Technically its illegal to be drunk while riding a bicycle on a public road too.
Anyway I would avoid Halfords, they are spectacularly crap regardless of what your budget is.

 

[AndyRM]

Technically its illegal to be drunk while riding a bicycle on a public road too.
Anyway I would avoid Halfords, they are spectacularly crap regardless of what your budget is.

Some Halfords have dreadful "mechanics" in their bike departments. Others do not.

The Subway line contains a decent range of hybrids, and the Carerra TDF is a pretty decent road bike for the money.

Evans and Decathlon will be able to provide similarly priced alternatives. Edinburgh Bicycles could also be worth considering, as might a local bike shop looking to get rid of old stock.

 

[Stantheman]

Some Halfords have dreadful "mechanics" in their bike departments. Others do not.

The Subway line contains a decent range of hybrids, and the Carerra TDF is a pretty decent road bike for the money.

Evans and Decathlon will be able to provide similarly priced alternatives. Edinburgh Bicycles could also be worth considering, as might a local bike shop looking to get rid of old stock.

Appreciate the advice guys, I have been away the past week and not been able to get on here, life changing events taking over my life. Marriage , who invented that crock of shoot.