Could I run a bike past you?

[andymc]

Looking to start up cycling again, my main routes are roads and a bit of hard single track. Im in Durham just off the coast to coast.
I’ll just be pottering about sight seeing so nothing heavy.
Could I get your opinions?

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/344525/products/...

[anonymous-user]

Its very expensive for what it is. It’s carbon yes (albeit not one of the higher grades) but the rest of the bike is decidedly average and a lot of unbranded parts like the chain set would concern me on a £1300 bike. With big tyres, you don’t really need the comfort that carbon offers and there’s no weight saving over a good alu bike like the Boardman 8.8 which is almost £500 less and, imho, the better bike in terms of spec.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardm...

[AndrewT1275]

I mostly agree with what Pablo says. You're pretty much paying for the frame on that one. This is where I disagree a bit as the Fact9 frame, whilst one of the lesser spec Specialized ones, it's still a very good frame in it's own right.

That might be ok though because if the cycling bug gets you you can easily upgrade the groupset parts over time and will have a very good base on which to build.

The Boardman is probably the better value purchase right now but the relative weak point of that bike is the frame so any upgrade will most likely mean a new bike.

A halfway point might be something like a Scott Metrix https://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/product/scott-m... where you are getting better components on an alloy frame.

So I guess you need to ask yourself whether you don't ever want anything more from your cycling or whether you really want to get back into it. Both are absolutely fine as it's your personal choice.

I've just had to buy a new bike as my alloy framed Scott couldn't be sensibly upgraded as the frame was the limiting factor.

[lampchair]

I had a Sirrus a couple of years ago, I moved it on pretty quick as it was quite boring tbh.

[gazza285]

Too expensive.

That Boardman looks much better value.

Other options I would consider are the Charge Grater or the On-One Bootzipper, both have much better specs for much less money.

[TCX]

Wouldn't bother with carbon frame bike,aluminium plenty good enough
Some great off road/gravel tracks round east Durham,seaham n coast

[AXlawrence]

I'd just go for a more basic Sirrus or some other hybrid bike. I've got the entry level one with disc brakes and it does me fine for riding to the shops etc. I don't really see the point in spending more than double for the same bike but in carbon, not sure how much benefit it would be.

[john7]

Have a look at Ribble

[andymc]

I bought it so I’ll let you know, thanks guys much appreciated