What the difference

[Daisychaingirl]

Hi, I went to halfords today I saw some Carrera bikes, and looking at the spec of them online I really can't tell what's different about them apart from the price, could someone please advise me, and if possible tell me Which one i should go for and why, thanks in advance, here are the bikes -

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810665_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810615_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810667_langId_-1_categoryId_165534


http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810723_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

 

[Daisychaingirl]

Sorry the top option is a mountain bike it should be this option instead

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810713_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

 

[procel]

The second one on your original list is the only one which has a rigid front fork. If you're not looking for a mountain bike that's the most likely one. The others have front suspension, which can be useful for off-road (trail) riding, but for on-road use is a negative. By and large the more expensive ones will have better components. Btw, Halford's customer service reputation on this forum isn't great: have a look round the threads to see people's opinions. No experience of it myself.

 

[biggs682]

@Daisychaingirl is this your first bike purchase or are you upgrading ?

go and try as many bikes as your location lets you before making any decisions , you are spending a fair sum of money

 

[Daisychaingirl]

Hi, thanks for the replies, this is my first bike for around a decade, I know it's a lot, believe it or not my budget was originally £50, but when looking into bikes a bit I realised that was just not enough. I want to buy a bike that I want to get on, not a heavy cheap one that that I'll hate, but the choice is overwhelming :-)

 

[biggs682]

look at 2nd hand then to widen your choice , loads of good bikes for the same kind of money depending upon where you are

have you looked on the for sale section here ?

are you after only a specific Lady's style bike , as looking at smaller mens ones will increase your options more

 

[MikeW-71]

If you are road riding, the Subway would be the one to go for on your list, because it doesn't have a suspension fork. Suspension is heavy and serves no purpose on the road, and the Subways are regarded as a decent bike for the money.

My sister bought a very cheap Apollo MTB with full suspension. It's crap. It weighs loads, the fork barely works at all, the brakes are rubbish, the rear shock just absorbs all your power, saddle is a thing of torture, shifters are awfull. It now lives in my parents garage and it's used for trundling along with my 4 yr old nephew to go see the Donkeys half a mile away. Moral of the story - you will never regret buying something decent.

Halfords skills at setting up bikes varies between branches, sometimes quite a bit, so if you are buying from them it is well worth learning about bike maintenance and adjustments so you can service it yourself. Most tasks are actually quite simple and straightforward. Usually after a couple of hundred miles, the gears will need adjustment as the cables stretch a little, for example.

 

[jonny jeez]

How about one of these,
http://www.dawescycles.com/c-169-heritage.aspx
I just saw them posted elsewhere on the forum, I think this type of bike looks stylish and fun

 

[Daisychaingirl]

Thanks mike, going to steer clear of suspension x jonny looked at the Dawes bikes but they only have 7 gears, do I not need at least 15?

 

[MikeW-71]

Depends how hilly/flat it is. You will probably find with the Subway that you ride mostly on the middle front chainring and thus have 8 gears to use. You do have the option of the very low gears on the smallest front ring too, which will help with hills.

 

[Daisychaingirl]

Hi I've chosen this bike
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_922421_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

But not sure if I should get this because of gears
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...01&langId=-1&productId=762385&catalogId=10151

 

[vickster]

I wouldn't get an Apollo bike. Choose the one you think you'll enjoy more. How does the weight compare?

 

[Daisychaingirl]

Hi they are virtually the same, but the pendelton felt lovely, but is 7 gears enough ?

 

[vickster]

How fit are you and how hilly is it around you? People rode around on heavy 7 speed bikes for donkey years.

Indeed, people happily ride around with one gear or indeed none - they get very fit on hills!

 

[Daisychaingirl]

Not fit at all, hence buying a bike, got muscle loss in one leg too, it's quite steep to get down to the coast from where I live but flattish elsewhere