Question Bicyclists! Advice needed...

[gremlin]

I know there's a few cyclists on here so I humby ask for some purchasing advice, because I haven't got a clue what to look for.

I'm after an "easy to ride" bike as I haven't had one since a kid but would like to get back into it. I used to have a mountain bike so I'm comfortable on those, I suppose suspension would be nice for my 30-something bones too. Nothing too expensive.

Will mostly be for leisure, lots of decent cycle routes around these parts.

 

[Tom]

Budget?

 

[gremlin]

Budget?

I have no idea what's reasonable these days, £300?

 

[Darthshearer]

What type of biking? Bridleways, Roads, Canal etc?

IMO Dont go full susser, they are for clowns and numpties who live in downhill tracks. Natural riding in the UK all youll need is a nice Hardtail

Youll get a nice budget starter out of a Merida Sub 20-D or Saracen Element

Get a helmet, Gloves, shorts and your laughing kid!

 

[Tom]

Don't bother with suspension then. That isn't a criticism, just a reality.

 

[TdC]

do you want to go off-road?

 

[gremlin]

do you want to go off-road?

Mostly proper cycle paths, largely tarmacced but some are flat dirt tracks.

 

[gremlin]

Forgot to mention, I'm a lanky git: 6'4". Dunno if that's important.

 

[Darthshearer]

Get a normal road bike then dude, a cross bike would be too much, a nornal road bike would be decent. A 19" frame would be good enough dude.

 

[Darthshearer]

Something like the Dawes Giro Decent frame and it will be ok on canal towpaths.

 

[TdC]

Forgot to mention, I'm a lanky git: 6'4". Dunno if that's important.

yes, it's very important because you need to size your bike properly. I'm about 5'8" and ride a 16" or "small" size bike frame. You are prolly looking at something like a 19 or 20"

 

[Darthshearer]

Im 5'9 and I ride a 19", I dont feel comfortable on a smaller frame.

Goto your LBS and get fitted dude. Youll get some decent advice marra nee worries.

 

[TdC]

aye, I like smaller bikes though. don't like the reachy feel of bigger ones. to each their own!

 

[Gwadien]

I have two bikes, though the sacaren needs repairs well basically on road i ride the
Carrera Vanquish Small Road Bike 07 from Halfords Price £449.99

Off road I ride a cheaper

Bikes 2U Direct -- Mountain Bikes : Full suspension -- Saracen Savage

Both very effective bikes, I love cylcing, its one of my hobbies..

Tempted to do Tour De France one year

 

[DaGaffer]

For your budget - something like this would be fine:
Evans Cycles | Kona Dew 2009 Hybrid Bike | Online Bike Shop

 

[Jiggs]

In your situation I would try out the Specialized Sirrus and Globe models. See if you like the sus fork which comes on some of the Globes.

Some other brands to have a look at: Giant (lifetime frame warranty), Marin, the Kona and Dawes mentioned above look good options too. I think those brands will offer better quality for your money than saracen etc.

Worth remembering that tire/saddle/wheel options have as much to do with the comfort of your bikes as suspension does, and also worth remembering that this is just my opinion.

The best advice is to find a shop that is happy to let you try out different bikes until you find the one you like.

 

[gremlin]

Cheers for the advice all, very useful. Time to spend some quality bike shop time I think!

 

[Aada]

I got back into biking around 3 months ago i bought a Raleigh Glide front suspension/21 gears and it's been great so far only £160 as well.

My trail that i use is around 20 miles to clumber park and i get a mix of off road/some road but mostly through woods and it has held up dispite some people on bike forums telling me to spend £800+ or it will fall apart ?

 

[Tom]

The issue with cheap bikes is that generally once they fall apart, you can't put them back together again.

 

[TdC]

I got back into biking around 3 months ago i bought a Raleigh Glide front suspension/21 gears and it's been great so far only £160 as well.

My trail that i use is around 20 miles to clumber park and i get a mix of off road/some road but mostly through woods and it has held up dispite some people on bike forums telling me to spend £800+ or it will fall apart ?

imo you should only upgrade once you reach the limits of your current setup. or are flush. or can exploit handy euro-pound currency issues like meeeee