Help buying a new bike

L1ght

L1ght

L1ght

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Joined
9 Aug 2007
Posts
770
Ok so I need a new bicycle quite quickly as my current is basically dead. I wanted to go for a highbred as I am mostly a road cyclist but use my bike for commuting, although a road bike wouldn't totally be out of t he question.

I've found this cycle which doesn't seem too bad: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_777701_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#tab0

My budget is around £700. If anyone has suggestions on any other bike I should go or whether this one is a good choice or not it would be really great. Cheers!
 
I'd avoid Hybrid, Cyclocross is a far better combination of the two 'schools' of cycling. It's got a very similar geometry to a road bike, but has the strength of a MTB and at that budget you would be able to get one with disk brakes as well.

I saw a second hand Boardman Team CX for £700 on gumtree, only a few months old. Excellet bike and would be possible to get used at that budget.
 
What's your commute like? I do a city commute and I've just gone from a Carrera TDF (road bike) to a Giant rapid, basically a road bike with flat bars and I get on much better with it.

Better comfort and visibility and its not like I ever get up to speedsin the city where a road bar body position is beneficial.
 
When people talk about improved visibility of hybrid bikes, I've always took that to mean that you are more visible in traffic because you are sitting up straight and therefore more of you is visible. I doubt it makes an awful lot of difference in reality, however.

Personally, I don't see the point in spending £700 on a hybrid that you're going to use exclusively for road riding. Hydraulic disc brakes are an unnecessary expense for riding on normal roads, for a start. If you're going to be taking it off-road, then you'll want to go for a CX bike as Streeteh pointed out.
 
Hi guys my commute is basically roads and paved cycle paths. I wasn't specifically looking for discs, they just happened to be on the bike I was looking at. To be honest I'd rather V-brakes or whatever. If anyone could suggest any bikes around £600- £750 it would be really helpfull. Thanks for the input so far guys.
 
Go to local bike shop (non-chain)
Say I'm looking for a road bike that will take mudguards and a rack for £700 all in
Test ride suggestions
Buy
 
DO NOT buy a hybrid. They are pointless, and the worst of both worlds. You can't take them off road, and they're not quick or particularly comfortable on road.

A cross bike is nearly as fast as a road bike, is more comfortable due to the slightly more relaxed geometry and you can take it off road, just about anywhere. My road bike is as comfortable as my mountain bike, and I have zero issues with 'visibility' too. A road\cross bike doesn't make you invisible to other road users, and doesn't leave you staring at the floor a metre in front of your bike either.

With drop bars you can ride with your hands on top of the hoods (feels like regular handlebars), in varying places on the drops and on the main bar. You've got options for comfort and speed.

I can't wrap my head around why hybrids exist. :(
 
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L1ght said:
Hi guys my commute is basically roads and paved cycle paths. I wasn't specifically looking for discs, they just happened to be on the bike I was looking at. To be honest I'd rather V-brakes or whatever. If anyone could suggest any bikes around £600- £750 it would be really helpfull. Thanks for the input so far guys.
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If you want a CX bike in that price range, you could consider something like the Giant TCX 3 or the Kona Jake. It would probably have to be second hand or and older model in the case of the Kona, but £750 should be sufficient.

If I were looking at spending between £600-750 to ride on bike paths and roads, I would go for a touring bike over a CX bike. A touring bike will have a more relaxed geometry compared to a CX bike, and have a steel frame and fork instead of aluminium, making it more comfortable. Something like the Dawes Horizon would seem to suit your requirements quite nicely, especially as it comes with nicely matched mudguards and a rack.

I just realised that this is probably doing the opposite of helping you decide what bike to get ;)
 
I was going to ask a similar question so glad I found this. Sorry for the thread hijack but I currently use a mountain bike for my commute to the station. Although most is road bound, I do cut across fields during the summer months. The problem is I find it so sluggish and hard work at times. However, it does manage those fields sufficiently. Also, I find the full suspension easier on my back as often I'm carrying heavy loads. I'm worried that a road or hybrid bike will ruin my back. I'm also reluntant to spending too much as the sheds at Chelmsford railway station are a bit packed and not that secure.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
I was going to ask a similar question so glad I found this. Sorry for the thread hijack but I currently use a mountain bike for my commute to the station. Although most is road bound, I do cut across fields during the summer months. The problem is I find it so sluggish and hard work at times. However, it does manage those fields sufficiently. Also, I find the full suspension easier on my back as often I'm carrying heavy loads. I'm worried that a road or hybrid bike will ruin my back. I'm also reluntant to spending too much as the sheds at Chelmsford railway station are a bit packed and not that secure.
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Ideally a second hand cross bike such as a kona jake. Fit a pannier rack and take the weight off your back. Riding with a backpack is a pain in the arse, I know as I'm doing it just now, but going out without it you feel more free.
 
Jonny ///M said:
Ideally a second hand cross bike such as a kona jake. Fit a pannier rack and take the weight off your back. Riding with a backpack is a pain in the arse, I know as I'm doing it just now, but going out without it you feel more free.
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This. Cross bike will make it quicker, and it will have no trouble in the fields. Panniers attached to it will take a lot of strain off your back.

I have an iffy back, and I've never had problems with it on my road bike, even despite the aggressive geometry. So with a cross you'd be fine.
 
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