Small budget for a new bike, opinions & good sites please!
Discussion
Ok so I'm not going to go mad and buy high-vis lycra, I just want something to use between the Uni house and the Uni itself when I'm back there as the distance doesn't justify using (and crucially then having to park) the car, but is a hefty ish walk.
Only looking to spend around £150-200, and my only requirements are front suspension (when I'm home I live in the country and like it) and at least 18 gears but preferably 21 as again I like to have the range.
I'm very out of touch of biking and don't really know about the brands anymore. My brother has a Trek 3700 which is a really nice bike and suits what I'd like pretty much spot on to be honest.
A mate of mine just got a Carrera something or other second hand for £90, and that seems to be a nice bike too, 21 speed with front suspension.
So yeah really any brands I should look for good or bad, any websites that are good to help me choose and if you guys can think of a specific model for me to look for then go ahead and suggest it!
Thanks in adance,
Matt
Only looking to spend around £150-200, and my only requirements are front suspension (when I'm home I live in the country and like it) and at least 18 gears but preferably 21 as again I like to have the range.
I'm very out of touch of biking and don't really know about the brands anymore. My brother has a Trek 3700 which is a really nice bike and suits what I'd like pretty much spot on to be honest.
A mate of mine just got a Carrera something or other second hand for £90, and that seems to be a nice bike too, 21 speed with front suspension.
So yeah really any brands I should look for good or bad, any websites that are good to help me choose and if you guys can think of a specific model for me to look for then go ahead and suggest it!
Thanks in adance,
Matt
Thanks for all the suggestions! The decathlon site has a lot of nice bikes on it 
I really like the Rockrider 5.3, that is lovely! Have been looking on eBay for used ones as well, you seem to be able to get some really nice condition higher-end bikes for very good prices on there.
I like the 5.3 though, will consider it! I think I'm going to my local bike shop (a CycleKing if anyone knows much to do with them?) and having a poke around tomorrow.
I really like the Rockrider 5.3, that is lovely! Have been looking on eBay for used ones as well, you seem to be able to get some really nice condition higher-end bikes for very good prices on there.
I like the 5.3 though, will consider it! I think I'm going to my local bike shop (a CycleKing if anyone knows much to do with them?) and having a poke around tomorrow.
If you are in the market for a 300 quid bike, this is worth a look:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
...and this is the danger of me starting to read up on bikes more seriously haha... I will end up throwing much more money at it than I originally intended to!
Realistically, I think £300 is just too much for now, so I'm going to try and concentrate on the ~£200 ones... it's just a shame you can make such a jump it would seem by stretching that extra £100.
Realistically, I think £300 is just too much for now, so I'm going to try and concentrate on the ~£200 ones... it's just a shame you can make such a jump it would seem by stretching that extra £100.
Mate, the harsh facts are £200 buys you a POS or a Bike Shaped Object.
£300 is the entry point for a proper bike.
If you only have £200 then I think you need to look at second-hand.
Probably on eBay. I'm sure others with more knowledge will be on here tomorrow to offer better advice than I can.
£300 is the entry point for a proper bike.
If you only have £200 then I think you need to look at second-hand.
Probably on eBay. I'm sure others with more knowledge will be on here tomorrow to offer better advice than I can.
Edited by Waspy1 on Thursday 6th September 23:55
You could probably pick up one of the semi respectable carreras second hand for that money.
The fury, kraken and vulcan (in order of preference) are the ones to be looking for at your money.
the decathlon btwin bikes are also a good call.
last port of call would be offers at paulscycles -
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
The fury, kraken and vulcan (in order of preference) are the ones to be looking for at your money.
the decathlon btwin bikes are also a good call.
last port of call would be offers at paulscycles -
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...
After someones helpful advice on my topic yesterday have u had a looj at www.merlincycles.com and have a look at the merida bikes. I have a simikar budget and will be ordering one of these.
Thanks for both of those site suggestions, I'll have a good poke around them soon and have a look for offers. Will bikes fall slightly in value new and second hand when the worse weather starts to set in do you guys think?
I've resigned myself to a £300 budget now, especially for a new bike. At a local indy I found a Specialized on sale for £300 from £350, so it must have been their entry level unit anyway. But it was a hardtail mountain bike, and was very nice. Caliper brakes but I've been informed that for the money cable operated discs are really just a harder set of brakes to maintain than calipers with little benefit.
I properly did the rounds locally yesterday and ended up at the dreaded Halfords... I found a Carrera Crossfire 1 there for £299.99 and thought that looked very nice for my needs. It's a hybrid bike, which I like the idea of as for exercise on-road it'll be easier and the local trails (well... paths to be honest) to me at home are tame enough to deal with this perfectly well.
Opinions? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
For an extra £30 the uprated Crossfire 2 was available, so do people think the money is worth it? Oddly for a Halfords the guy that spoke to me was very knowledgable about the bikes and an enthusiast himself, and actually steered me towards the 1 as opposed to the 2 (link for 2: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Thanks again guys I bought MBR and everything 
I've resigned myself to a £300 budget now, especially for a new bike. At a local indy I found a Specialized on sale for £300 from £350, so it must have been their entry level unit anyway. But it was a hardtail mountain bike, and was very nice. Caliper brakes but I've been informed that for the money cable operated discs are really just a harder set of brakes to maintain than calipers with little benefit.
I properly did the rounds locally yesterday and ended up at the dreaded Halfords... I found a Carrera Crossfire 1 there for £299.99 and thought that looked very nice for my needs. It's a hybrid bike, which I like the idea of as for exercise on-road it'll be easier and the local trails (well... paths to be honest) to me at home are tame enough to deal with this perfectly well.
Opinions? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
For an extra £30 the uprated Crossfire 2 was available, so do people think the money is worth it? Oddly for a Halfords the guy that spoke to me was very knowledgable about the bikes and an enthusiast himself, and actually steered me towards the 1 as opposed to the 2 (link for 2: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Thanks again guys
I bought MBR and everything 
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