Discussion
I am looking at getting into the off road biking scene, dirt trails etc, nothing big just start off see how i go, what are your views on this bike as a start out bike?
seems a good deal?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
or what about this one?
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/pagan-mens-p181122
would you recommend mudguards for it?
and what are the best lights you can get i defintly want to be seen when on the road, i have seen a rear led light which can be seen upto 1/2 mile away but can not remember what it was called.
any other advise would be great, thanks
seems a good deal?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
or what about this one?
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/pagan-mens-p181122
would you recommend mudguards for it?
and what are the best lights you can get i defintly want to be seen when on the road, i have seen a rear led light which can be seen upto 1/2 mile away but can not remember what it was called.
any other advise would be great, thanks
Edited by SCOTTE999 on Friday 1st June 17:37
Hi, wouldn't reccomend buying a bike of halfords in general, as you'll get ripped off and they're not the last word in mountain biking, at that price point, you can do very well 2nd hand, alternatively have a look on http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm... and similar bike orientated online shops
If you want to buy new, try and get last years model at a discount, you'll get more bike for your money.
Call me a brand snob but i'd go with something more like this http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/giant-revel3-2012-zoo...
If you want to buy new, try and get last years model at a discount, you'll get more bike for your money.
Call me a brand snob but i'd go with something more like this http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/giant-revel3-2012-zoo...
Disagree with the halfords rip-off comment. Avoid the apollo/trax range and the carrera's, voodoo and boardmans are generally decent spec for the money compared with similar priced big brand bikes.
Check out pauls cycles online for some good deals on last years models.
Second hand could get you a bargain hardly used bike or something with a worn out drive train and trashed forks. If you dont know what to look for maybe best to buy new and upgrade over time.
Try and get something with at least mechanical disk brakes rather than rims and then you'll have the option to upgrade to hydraulics.
The carrera you linked to isn't a bad bike. I've just bought my partner a carrera for her first bike and I've been really impressed with it for the money.
Check out pauls cycles online for some good deals on last years models.
Second hand could get you a bargain hardly used bike or something with a worn out drive train and trashed forks. If you dont know what to look for maybe best to buy new and upgrade over time.
Try and get something with at least mechanical disk brakes rather than rims and then you'll have the option to upgrade to hydraulics.
The carrera you linked to isn't a bad bike. I've just bought my partner a carrera for her first bike and I've been really impressed with it for the money.
mdavids said:
Disagree with the halfords rip-off comment. Avoid the apollo/trax range and the carrera's, voodoo and boardmans are generally decent spec for the money compared with similar priced big brand bikes.
Check out pauls cycles online for some good deals on last years models.
Second hand could get you a bargain hardly used bike or something with a worn out drive train and trashed forks. If you dont know what to look for maybe best to buy new and upgrade over time.
Try and get something with at least mechanical disk brakes rather than rims and then you'll have the option to upgrade to hydraulics.
The carrera you linked to isn't a bad bike. I've just bought my partner a carrera for her first bike and I've been really impressed with it for the money.
Fair comment, they aren't a rip off per say, and their in house bikes do have very comparable specs, I just personally see them as 'lesser products' which is unfortunately just my brand biased view. Check out pauls cycles online for some good deals on last years models.
Second hand could get you a bargain hardly used bike or something with a worn out drive train and trashed forks. If you dont know what to look for maybe best to buy new and upgrade over time.
Try and get something with at least mechanical disk brakes rather than rims and then you'll have the option to upgrade to hydraulics.
The carrera you linked to isn't a bad bike. I've just bought my partner a carrera for her first bike and I've been really impressed with it for the money.
When will people stop this buying BSOs?
It is like buying a £500 4x4 and expecting it to be decent. Then buying it from an online catalog without ever riding it? Why do otherwise seemingly intelligent people think this is a good idea?
Just as bad why do people go to halfrauds, an organisation that you would barely trust to change a windscreen wiper, you are going to ask them to put together a cycle that you could do 30+ mph on rough ground. An organisation that has about the lowest customer satisfaction on the high street....
Why not cut to the chase - burn £300 and clog up your shed / garage with an old boat anchor.
It is like buying a £500 4x4 and expecting it to be decent. Then buying it from an online catalog without ever riding it? Why do otherwise seemingly intelligent people think this is a good idea?
Just as bad why do people go to halfrauds, an organisation that you would barely trust to change a windscreen wiper, you are going to ask them to put together a cycle that you could do 30+ mph on rough ground. An organisation that has about the lowest customer satisfaction on the high street....
Why not cut to the chase - burn £300 and clog up your shed / garage with an old boat anchor.
Gooby said:
When will people stop this buying BSOs?
Not everyone is a snob when it comes to cycling.The OP wants to spend MAX £300, seemingly doesn't know a great deal about bikes, and wants to get something reasonable for light usage. He does not need to spend £1000, or go to a specialist store and buy half a ton of lycra.
OP - I was in your position this time last year. I ended up going to Halfords and buying a Carrera Kraken. Its pretty much the same bike as the Centros you linked to (to the point that almost every component is the same looking at the spec). For the price I could not be happier. Just make sure you check it is put together well before riding it, and check it before and every ride for the first few weeks of ownership and you shouldn't go too far wrong. If you find you are really enjoying it, then you can spend thousands like some on here would have you do
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 4th June 13:37
Gooby said:
When will people stop this buying BSOs?
It is like buying a £500 4x4 and expecting it to be decent. Then buying it from an online catalog without ever riding it? Why do otherwise seemingly intelligent people think this is a good idea?
Just as bad why do people go to halfrauds, an organisation that you would barely trust to change a windscreen wiper, you are going to ask them to put together a cycle that you could do 30+ mph on rough ground. An organisation that has about the lowest customer satisfaction on the high street....
Why not cut to the chase - burn £300 and clog up your shed / garage with an old boat anchor.
This is a load of crap, you've just bought into the whole bike snobbery thing.It is like buying a £500 4x4 and expecting it to be decent. Then buying it from an online catalog without ever riding it? Why do otherwise seemingly intelligent people think this is a good idea?
Just as bad why do people go to halfrauds, an organisation that you would barely trust to change a windscreen wiper, you are going to ask them to put together a cycle that you could do 30+ mph on rough ground. An organisation that has about the lowest customer satisfaction on the high street....
Why not cut to the chase - burn £300 and clog up your shed / garage with an old boat anchor.
Carrera's aren't BSOs, they're a half decent entry level bike. They aren't manufactured by halfords, they are just the sole distributer, and "putting them together" involves putting the wheels, pedals, seat and handlebars on and making sure everything is tight and straight. Everything else is done in the factory - probably the same Taiwanese factory that churns out bikes for posher brands.
Look, I'm no halfords fan boy and I've spent a decent wedge of cash on several nice bikes from giant, specialized and scott but you're kidding yourself if you think £300 bikes are any better from these brands than they are from halfords. They've all scrimped on the components to reach that price point and if anything halfords buying power gets them a better spec for the same money without paying a premium for the badge.
I bought my son a Specialized hardrock for £350 last year and my partner a carrera valour womans MTB for £270 a few weeks back. Anything better would have been a waste for what they get used for. The components are pretty much identical, the hardrock is a little bit lighter but not by much, they both look good and they are both equally well put together. If they want to start hitting rough ground at 30+ mph then I'll look at getting them something better but until then they are both decent bikes with the carrera being much better value for money.
Edited by mdavids on Monday 4th June 19:01
mdavids said:
This is a load of crap, you've just bought into the whole bike snobbery thing.
Carrera's aren't BSOs, they're a half decent entry level bike. They aren't manufactured by halfords, they are just the sole distributer, and "putting them together" involves putting the wheels, pedals, seat and handlebars on and making sure everything is tight and straight. Everything else is done in the factory - probably the same Taiwanese factory that churns out bikes for posher brands.
Look, I'm no halfords fan boy and I've spent a decent wedge of cash on several nice bikes from giant, specialized and scott but you're kidding yourself if you think £300 bikes are any better from these brands than they are from halfords. They've all scrimped on the components to reach that price point and if anything halfords buying power gets them a better spec for the same money without paying a premium for the badge.
I bought my son a Specialized hardrock for £350 last year and my partner a carrera valour womans MTB for £270 a few weeks back. Anything better would have been a waste for what they get used for. The components are pretty much identical, the hardrock is a little bit lighter but not by much, they both look good and they are both equally well put together. If they want to start hitting rough ground at 30+ mph then I'll look at getting them something better but until then they are both decent bikes with the carrera being much better value for money.
I kinda think you should find out a few details about how Halfrauds make thier margins.Carrera's aren't BSOs, they're a half decent entry level bike. They aren't manufactured by halfords, they are just the sole distributer, and "putting them together" involves putting the wheels, pedals, seat and handlebars on and making sure everything is tight and straight. Everything else is done in the factory - probably the same Taiwanese factory that churns out bikes for posher brands.
Look, I'm no halfords fan boy and I've spent a decent wedge of cash on several nice bikes from giant, specialized and scott but you're kidding yourself if you think £300 bikes are any better from these brands than they are from halfords. They've all scrimped on the components to reach that price point and if anything halfords buying power gets them a better spec for the same money without paying a premium for the badge.
I bought my son a Specialized hardrock for £350 last year and my partner a carrera valour womans MTB for £270 a few weeks back. Anything better would have been a waste for what they get used for. The components are pretty much identical, the hardrock is a little bit lighter but not by much, they both look good and they are both equally well put together. If they want to start hitting rough ground at 30+ mph then I'll look at getting them something better but until then they are both decent bikes with the carrera being much better value for money.
Edited by mdavids on Monday 4th June 19:01
http://bicycleshapedobject.wordpress.com/
Crappy bearings, dodgy fixings etc.
GT Avalanche 3.0 - I have two GT hardtails and have would highly recommend them as a good starter bike.
http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/har_0022_...
Or these seem to be quite popular rentals at a couple of the cycle centres i've visited.
Trek 3500d
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3500-d-20...
http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/har_0022_...
Or these seem to be quite popular rentals at a couple of the cycle centres i've visited.
Trek 3500d
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3500-d-20...
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