Commuter bike for £250

jojothemonkey69

jojothemonkey69

jojothemonkey69

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Hey guys,
I'm getting a bike to travel to uni on. its 2.1 miles away and its all roads. I went into a bike shop today to ask about a suitable bike. He recommended a Specialized Globe 2008 which can be got for £250 then all I need is a helmet, lock, pedometer and then i'm all set.

Now I haven't had a bike since I was ten so I need some advice - is the bike any good? Any alternatives that are in a similar price range? I'm not taking it off road just for the daily commute.

Thanks guys
 
I'm getting into cycling. Not touched a bike for over 5 years and that was just some casual riding in the summer. I've recently got the Globe Sport, Very impressed so far.
 
badbob said:
It's a hybrid so a bit of a unwanted love child of a MTB and a roadbike. If you want something faster get this

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C105&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c002910

Or for a MTB with slicks this

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C105&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c002910

Do you need panniers? You want full length mudguards
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Thanks for those links. I'm staying on the road so dodn't need mudguards.

What are the benefits of those bikes over the Globe? Once again I know nothing about bikes so any useful info about bikes, locks and helmets etc would be awesome.

I was thinking aobut getting an air force 3 helmet and a Kryptonite lock. Are there any that you guys would recommend?

thanks joe
 
I'm staying on the road so dodn't need mudguards.
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I hope you like filthy and smelly back and arse, face, hair, chest and legs then! If you're riding in all weather get full length guards. I rode on brothers mtb (no guards) and was soaking wet with 1 minute, road grit everywhere and stank of oil. Wheras on the tourer I only get rain water on myself, which is clean. It's also safer as you're not getting jet spray into your eyes and bike components. And your bike will last longer.

That first bike is a flat bar racer, it'll be faster than the the hybrid and mtb with road tyres, but useless for off road. But the hybrid and mtb can be used for canal paths. I'd get a long lock to fit through rear wheel, frame and front wheel.
 
badbob said:
I hope you like filthy and smelly back and arse, face, hair, chest and legs then! If you're riding in all weather get full length guards. I rode on brothers mtb (no guards) and was soaking wet with 1 minute, road grit everywhere and stank of oil. Wheras on the tourer I only get rain water on myself, which is clean. It's also safer as you're not getting jet spray into your eyes and bike components. And your bike will last longer.

That first bike is a flat bar racer, it'll be faster than the the hybrid and mtb with road tyres, but useless for off road. But the hybrid and mtb can be used for canal paths. I'd get a long lock to fit through rear wheel, frame and front wheel.
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ok cool i'll take that into consideration. I saw a good long lenthed kryptonite lock which threaded through the wheels and frames.

Any good websites for reviews of bikes or comparison?
 
Usually cycling forums are the best unbiased advice. I'm using a motorcycle lock for my bike pretty long so reaches through the entire bike. As for lights a LED set will do, don't buy Cateye though plastic with poor build quality, 3 of my 4 Cateyes are faulty about £75 down the drain.
 
jojothemonkey69 said:
Any good websites for reviews of bikes or comparison?
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Did my first proper commute on my new bike today. Was awesome compared to the old MTB i used last time i rode. Journey was 5 miles each way, with a very steep hill at the end. THe top gear was nice and fast, and the bottom gear was low enough to get me to the top of the hill in one go.

I spent the last month going through forums and reading reviews and Specialized are always well respected. I very much doubt there's much difference between the bike i got and the one you have your eye on. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed.
 
I think the only complaints with Specialized are the thinness of the aluminium frames. Last couple I tried felt like pingin a coke can.
 
oddjob62 said:
Did my first proper commute on my new bike today. Was awesome compared to the old MTB i used last time i rode. Journey was 5 miles each way, with a very steep hill at the end. THe top gear was nice and fast, and the bottom gear was low enough to get me to the top of the hill in one go.

I spent the last month going through forums and reading reviews and Specialized are always well respected. I very much doubt there's much difference between the bike i got and the one you have your eye on. I can't imagine you'd be disappointed.
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Thanks thats reassured me :) I'm gonna go down to the shop tomorrow and will buy it. If I don't like they have a good returns policy.
 
Shame about Halfords. Carrera subway is basically a urban MTB. Also mechanical disc brake (don't bother with those) and Nexus 8 hub gearing, that's good if you want low maintenence.

Flat bar racer is still nipper though.
 
subway 2 has sram sx-5 gearing, the brakes on them can be surprisingly good if set up well, even the ones we get back in after 3 months or so for check ups still work pretty perfectly.

nothing wrong with halfords if you get a store with people who care and know about bikes :)
 
Heavier and problem with rubbing. For on road you really only need V brakes. Also disc brakes can interfere with guard/pannier fittings.

It's basically a Ridgeback.
 
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