Newbie - what bike?

[BE57 TOY]

I'm looking at getting into biking and need help choosing the right bike for me.

I'm 6"3, will be using it on the road, country roads, canal and some off road too.

Is there any reason why I wouldn't choose dual suspension? Some of the more expensive bikes I've seen only have suspension on the front forks?

Haven't really decided a budget get, but 300-400 would probably be reasonable for a first bike. Presumably it's better to pick up a second hand bike for this price range than buy something new from halfords et al?

Any advice welcome!

Cheers.

[numtumfutunch]

For starters:

1) I dont think you need any suspension for tow paths and gentle off roading

2) Full suss only really becomes viable at the 1k mark, on cheaper bikes its a liability as its heavy and performs badly

3) Look at a hybrid - Halfords are OK for this

4) This is PH, the next poster will rec a bike costing 2k

5) Have fun, its great on 2 wheels

[Warnie]

I was in a similar position in January. I got the carrera subway from Halfords in the sale for 199, supposedly half price. Great bike so far, no problems and good on road but I prefer the canal towpaths.

[bingybongy]

Decathlon.

Spend your budget.

Get a bike that is excellent value for money.

Someone will say ebay, second hand is the way forward.
It is if you know what you are looking for.

Go to Decathlon.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Warnie said:

I was in a similar position in January. I got the carrera subway from Halfords in the sale for 199, supposedly half price. Great bike so far, no problems and good on road but I prefer the canal towpaths.

Seconded, I got mine a year ago and clocked up about 2500 miles on it no probs.
Got a used roadbike too now that makes it seem slow but still cracked a pb on my home commute the other day with a wind assisted 19mph average on the Subway over 4 miles.

[Steve Evil]

Cyclocross bike sounds like the ticket for you.

[BE57 TOY]

Thanks all.

I'll go to halfords for an idea of frame size then pick up a decent used cyclocross or hybrid from eBay!

Looking forward to some rides.

[BE57 TOY]

Quick update

Finally bought a bike today, a Mongoose Tyax Sport. Really like it.

[AC43]

BE57 TOY said:

Quick update

Finally bought a bike today, a Mongoose Tyax Sport. Really like it.

I like the look of that.

Cue a bunch of posters going into spasm because you haven't bough a carbon roadie with a razor blade saddle. And because you don't talk about all rides in terms of Km's. And because you haven't mentioned Strava yet. Or beaten someone's KOM.

:-)