Help me choose a bike!
Discussion
Hi guys, never thought I'd say this but I'm buying a bike, now im sure this is said alot, but I have no idea what to buy and need advice.
My ride is a 10 mile trip to the station on a tarmacc'ed road with a light dusting of gravel, lots of hills but no traffic, then a 2 mile jaunt through town. So not too mental but the hills will be a bit of a killer.
So I assume I wan't a hybrid, my budget is tiny at £200, I've been looking at:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Halcyon-Camino-Trekking-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-VIKING-SPRINT-MENS-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250910512196?ssPageName=...
the viking mostly because its shiny, the sonoma because it seems to be good value and the camino as its bloody cheap.
I have been looking at carrera subways second hand but can't see one on ebay that will deliver thats in reasonable nick. Probably can't collect any of them as I'm out in the sticks.
So which one should I pick? or is there a better alternative? anyone got one knocking around in a shed they'll let part for reasonable money?
I kind of think I should get the camino to get me into cycling, save my pennies then splunk it all on something nice if I get into it heavily.
Cheers guys,
My ride is a 10 mile trip to the station on a tarmacc'ed road with a light dusting of gravel, lots of hills but no traffic, then a 2 mile jaunt through town. So not too mental but the hills will be a bit of a killer.
So I assume I wan't a hybrid, my budget is tiny at £200, I've been looking at:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Halcyon-Camino-Trekking-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-VIKING-SPRINT-MENS-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250910512196?ssPageName=...
the viking mostly because its shiny, the sonoma because it seems to be good value and the camino as its bloody cheap.
I have been looking at carrera subways second hand but can't see one on ebay that will deliver thats in reasonable nick. Probably can't collect any of them as I'm out in the sticks.
So which one should I pick? or is there a better alternative? anyone got one knocking around in a shed they'll let part for reasonable money?
I kind of think I should get the camino to get me into cycling, save my pennies then splunk it all on something nice if I get into it heavily.
Cheers guys,
It does seem to be asked a lot recently 
Someone on here bought a Halcyon recently. Don't think it went well. The Carrera Subway is a perfectly good bike, but having to get it from Halfords may or may not sour the experience, depending on branch/time of day/luck.
The sort of path you describe is what hybrids are made for - the category comes in for a lot of stick as being heavier and slower than road bikes but faster and lighter than full MTBs - but they can be great to ride ( I love mine).
As I always say on these threads though, a secondhand good-quality bike - basically, from a maker you've heard of - will be far better than a new "bike-shaped object". It will be lighter, run smoother, have better components and just generally be much nicer to ride. Get 700C wheels too: they roll faster than 26" MTB wheels and you'll have less knobbly tyres.
Just on a quick Ebay for "hybrid bike 700c" I found these:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Sirrus-Sport-2010-L...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-7-3FX-/230779936822
either of which would be perfect.
Someone on here bought a Halcyon recently. Don't think it went well. The Carrera Subway is a perfectly good bike, but having to get it from Halfords may or may not sour the experience, depending on branch/time of day/luck.
The sort of path you describe is what hybrids are made for - the category comes in for a lot of stick as being heavier and slower than road bikes but faster and lighter than full MTBs - but they can be great to ride ( I love mine).
As I always say on these threads though, a secondhand good-quality bike - basically, from a maker you've heard of - will be far better than a new "bike-shaped object". It will be lighter, run smoother, have better components and just generally be much nicer to ride. Get 700C wheels too: they roll faster than 26" MTB wheels and you'll have less knobbly tyres.
Just on a quick Ebay for "hybrid bike 700c" I found these:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Sirrus-Sport-2010-L...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-7-3FX-/230779936822
either of which would be perfect.
Well it dawned on me that bikes are 0mpg, I live in some of the most beautiful country in the world and you can buy lots of shiny bikes and shiny bits for them.
Some superb examples there just seeing if they'll post them then will bid on the specialised one.
Although still thinking a cheap bike would be best just to see if I can do it to commute everyday,
Some superb examples there just seeing if they'll post them then will bid on the specialised one.
Although still thinking a cheap bike would be best just to see if I can do it to commute everyday,
chris123321 said:
I think, im going to have this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-FX-7-1-Hybrid-20-fr...
Given that the highest losing bid was placed by someone called c*******1, can we assume you didn't win?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-FX-7-1-Hybrid-20-fr...
If that is the case and you're still looking, does your employer participate in the cycle to work scheme? If they do, you might want to consider spending a bit more through that.
As you say, cycling is zero mpg, so figure out how much in petrol you'd usually spend in a month, then figure out what budget that would give you on CTW, and away you go! You won't notice the expenditure because it will be balanced out by the petrol savings, and after 12 months, you'll have your petrol cash as a bonus.
By my estimation, if you're doing 10 miles each way to the station, assuming you average 30 mpg, you're spending about £92.50 per month on petrol to do it? Even if you shell out a grand on a bike, that's only going to cost you £50 per month if you're a higher rate taxpayer, or £67 at lower rate.
Assuming nobody comes along to tell me I've buggered up the maths, it's got to be worth a look?
Sadly I did lose, but I have found many a carrera subway 2, one for a bargainous price,
The maths do work, but I'm unsure if my employer does do the C2W scheme, I do highly doubt it,
Although the maths are starting to work in my head, I think I'll get a carrera for now and then if I really enjoy it, I'll get something fancy, the actual journey to work is 35 miles, if I could get fit enough to do that, a bike would definitely be worth it as it is £200 in train fares alone I'd avoid a month.
Is a 35-40 mile ride to work utterly ridiculous or something good to aim for? it does involve going on the A9 on a bicycle and that just sounds brilliantly dangerous.
The maths do work, but I'm unsure if my employer does do the C2W scheme, I do highly doubt it,
Although the maths are starting to work in my head, I think I'll get a carrera for now and then if I really enjoy it, I'll get something fancy, the actual journey to work is 35 miles, if I could get fit enough to do that, a bike would definitely be worth it as it is £200 in train fares alone I'd avoid a month.
Is a 35-40 mile ride to work utterly ridiculous or something good to aim for? it does involve going on the A9 on a bicycle and that just sounds brilliantly dangerous.
Well I suppose its a target to work upto! citys with train stations all along the way,
Its either 42 miles via tain and a reasonably flat route or 30 miles with 15 of those over struie hill. That'd be one hell of a ride.
Now if only I could work out how to cycle on a suit I think I'm sorted.
Its either 42 miles via tain and a reasonably flat route or 30 miles with 15 of those over struie hill. That'd be one hell of a ride.
Now if only I could work out how to cycle on a suit I think I'm sorted.
The problem with cycling 35 miles to work isn't that it's impossible - it isn't, you'd have to be committed though - it's the time it'd take. Two hours at least.
BTW: I recommended EBay but still be careful of size, condition, and so on. I'd go and see the bike in person if possible to check it over.
BTW: I recommended EBay but still be careful of size, condition, and so on. I'd go and see the bike in person if possible to check it over.
Recently purchased a halcyon Sonoma from Rutland cycles. £190 inc postage and irs been a fantastic bike. Well built, feels solid and good to ride. Well worth the money.
DOne approx 50-60 miles of leisure riding on it so far (mostly just 10 mile rides at a time) with not a single issue. Gearing is fairly long so ideal for cruising but does have some very short gears for climbing too.
The guy that had issues were down to Rutland cycles rather than the bike itself. Apparently sent him the wrong bike and then sent him a damaged one. Thread is s page or 2 back... "advice on first bike in 10 years" or similar.
DOne approx 50-60 miles of leisure riding on it so far (mostly just 10 mile rides at a time) with not a single issue. Gearing is fairly long so ideal for cruising but does have some very short gears for climbing too.
The guy that had issues were down to Rutland cycles rather than the bike itself. Apparently sent him the wrong bike and then sent him a damaged one. Thread is s page or 2 back... "advice on first bike in 10 years" or similar.
Edited by Deluded on Monday 23 April 08:33
oh and gizmo with the time the train gets me to work being an hour early, if I leave at the same time on a bicycle I'd get there at roughly the same time!
Have won a carrera 2 hybrid thats barely used and about 4 years old, if I enjoy it I'll be going on to a specialised sirrus or a scott sub I think.
Have won a carrera 2 hybrid thats barely used and about 4 years old, if I enjoy it I'll be going on to a specialised sirrus or a scott sub I think.
I do a 27mile ea.way commute when I can and there are several things to consider.
1.) The amount of kit you will need, both at either end so spare underwear/work wear/towelling/shower gels/deo/fuel left in a locker at work and the same again at home with the addition of extra cycling kit, I can cope with wearing sweaty kit to get home but waking up at 5am to don sweaty lycra is never fun!
2.) Having the fitness to make it to work on time if the weather is against you, the flat calm mornings where you can set a PB are all very well and good but when you are facing a 90min ride into a strong headwind will your boss mind if you are late.
3.) Will your boss be open to the fact that by cycling you may be delayed by fitness/mechanicals/mother nature?
Having said all that the satisfaction from riding in is fantastic I'm very lucky in that working for the military it's almost to be encouraged so I'm allowed a degree of flexibility and my locker room facilities in work are very good.
Whatever you choose good luck!
1.) The amount of kit you will need, both at either end so spare underwear/work wear/towelling/shower gels/deo/fuel left in a locker at work and the same again at home with the addition of extra cycling kit, I can cope with wearing sweaty kit to get home but waking up at 5am to don sweaty lycra is never fun!
2.) Having the fitness to make it to work on time if the weather is against you, the flat calm mornings where you can set a PB are all very well and good but when you are facing a 90min ride into a strong headwind will your boss mind if you are late.
3.) Will your boss be open to the fact that by cycling you may be delayed by fitness/mechanicals/mother nature?
Having said all that the satisfaction from riding in is fantastic
I'm very lucky in that working for the military it's almost to be encouraged so I'm allowed a degree of flexibility and my locker room facilities in work are very good.Whatever you choose good luck!
I'm doing a lot of short trips to local shops, and the odd tarmac cycle path 12 mile trip to work and back. I got myself a 'snotter' from Halfords. It's a hybrid called an Apollo Code, it's not fantastic, but it does the job, has 700C wheels and cost me about 130 quid. It's very basic, and I did have to change the saddle (the one it came with is a ball breaker). However, it does the job adequately, and if it got nicked or I crashed it, I wouldn't be too upset.
d but lots of work to do.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff