What bike / where to buy?

[Dan 80]

Morning all,

Not a regular reader of this section but I'm hoping I can get some advice.

After riding 35km on my ageing, heavy, slow mountain bike at the weekend I've decided it's time for something a bit nicer.

Have been looking at hybrids as I think they'll give me the best of both worlds in terms or road riding and trails (I live in Cardiff so cycle the Taff Trail / Ely Trail quite a lot). Did also consider gravel bikes but I think they are a bit out of budget - max I want to spend is around £400 and would prefer to buy new.

Have been looking online and visited a couple of shops local to me - Evans (useless) and Tredz (really helpful). Have seen the Specialized Sirrus which I really like the look of and seems to tick all the boxes.

Tredz are selling the entry level model with v-brakes for £405

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-Alloy-...

however I've been looking online and have found the below from ukbikesdepot.com

https://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m18b0s18p35515/Hybrid...

This to me seems to be a better bike (disc brakes rather than v-brakes) at a much lower price.

Am I missing something here? Is this a reputable place to purchase from?

Is there anything else at this price that I should be considering? From what I've seen for this budget if you look at the equivalent models from other brands there is not much difference in quality? Or am I wrong?

Any help / advice would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[pfnsht]

Check out something used on eBay? This is nearly in budget and means you can afford an adventure bike

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Toughroad-SLR-GX-...

[Dan 80]

Thanks for the suggestion but I would prefer to buy new. Bikes are not my specialist subject so wouldn't have a clue if what I am looking at is good or just about to fall apart (or stolen) so would prefer the peace of mind and warranty from something new.

[SwissJonese]

If in Cardiff I would suggest speaking to https://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk has lots of offers and bit more knowledgeable. Also the people at https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/ are very good.

Also look at bikes that pop up cheap at Cardiff Cycle Workshop they service bikes, and add some guarantee too.

Personally I would always go for hydraulic disc brakes over v-brakes. But if bike comes with cable disc brakes I would probably try to get them upgraded (can be as little as £30 for a set of new ones on ebay).

[Barchettaman]

Go and have a chat to the guys at The Bike Shed on Cathedral Road.

[kingston12]

Dan 80 said:

Thanks for the suggestion but I would prefer to buy new. Bikes are not my specialist subject so wouldn't have a clue if what I am looking at is good or just about to fall apart (or stolen) so would prefer the peace of mind and warranty from something new.

I'd definitely be tempted to buy from somewhere local with a good reputation. I recently got back into cycling and bought three bikes from (different) online retailers. All of them had slight problems, and all of them have been sorted out promptly, but if the bike needs to go back, it would be a massive hassle.

Theoretically the manufacturers warranty is honoured at any of the brands dealers, but I'd probably be more comfortable taking it back to where I got it if it needed something major.

[Billiewhiz]

Sirrus is a great Bike,

[Dan 80]

Thanks all for your input. Agree that it's best to buy from somewhere local rather than online, even if you do pay a bit more, so will try and get down to the other places mentioned to chat with them. At the moment though the Sirrus is definitely the front-runner.

[HARTLEYHARE1]

Way above budget but I bought one and finally a bike I sit in not on

Absolutely perfect for my fitness and a bit of adventure

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-X-Comp...

[anonymous-user]

Pinnacle Neon, they are great bikes, hugely underrated because people think it’s “Evans own brand” but you get a really capable bike for the money.

[The3rdDukeofB]

I was in similar camp OP, but upped the budget to to £600, buying through my own Ltd Co cycle to work scheme.
I bought from Decathlon the Riverside Hybrid 920 after good reviews, the next one down is the 900 and gets pretty good reviews too : https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-900-hybrid-b...