Help choosing a new Bike

SkScotchegg · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:31

Hi there people, was just looking for some advice and also if you could answer some questions.

I've been looking at getting one from halfords as theres a store near me and I like the look of some of their bikes.

I've narrowed it down to these 6 which I think are good brands and have good reviews:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_786839_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_927853_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_777775_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810671_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810659_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810749_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

I dont know anything about bikes and so its hard for me to tell the differance between them and not sure how good the specs are but they look good to me and I like the sound of hydraulic disc brakes lol.

Do you think suspension is good if your weighing 19st? I've seen people say dont get it for riding on the road but you can tighten it up cant you? and also my last bike the back wheel kept breaking because the bar inside the wheel, not sure how to explain it, but you know the bar that goes through the back wheel that all your weight pushes down on? and theres loads of little ball bearings inside. Well that broke and then I bought another wheel and then after a month it did the same thing again. So not sure how to avoid this problem in the future if I can buy a stronger wheel or something?

Thanks in advance.

Saundie · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:40

What sort of riding will you be doing? If you're going to be riding purely on the road, then suspension is a heavy and necessary feature. A decent road bike will support 19st, though you'll probably want wheels with at least 32 spokes, if not 36.

SkScotchegg · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:41

Saundie said:
What sort of riding will you be doing? If you're going to be riding purely on the road, then suspension is a heavy and necessary feature. A decent road bike will support 19st, though you'll probably want wheels with at least 32 spokes, if not 36.

Yeah just on the road mate, no crazy jumps and no stunts, just from my house to the gym and back each day thats it.

Do you like any of the bikes I put on that list mate?

grudas · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:43

Saundie said:
What sort of riding will you be doing? If you're going to be riding purely on the road, then suspension is a heavy and necessary feature. A decent road bike will support 19st, though you'll probably want wheels with at least 32 spokes, if not 36.

this! get a road bike if you're riding on the road... whats your budget?

and axle broke ehm.. heck knows why! i haven't managed to break an axle on any of my bikes.. either cheap or something else actually broke not the axle lol.

SkScotchegg · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:45

grudas said:
this! get a road bike if you're riding on the road... whats your budget?

and axle broke ehm.. heck knows why! i haven't managed to break an axle on any of my bikes.. either cheap or something else actually broke not the axle lol.

Yeah my old bike was cheap, it was like £300 low budget about 8 years ago or something. It got stolen anyways and not had a bike for a couple of years.

I looked at all the road bikes at halfords but didnt like the look of them, I know that might sound daft but I kinda want it to look cool lol.

I like the look of the 6 I posted above

Budget am thinking £400-£600. It's bonus month tho so I could spend more or less. Origonally I was looking at around £350 but the bikes I've posted above range from £400 to £600 and I just choose them based on the look and I thought the spec looked ok to me, like the brakes etc.

Saundie · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:50

For road riding I wouldn't get a mountain bike. Honestly, you don't need suspension or knobbly tires, even at your weight; a decent set of wheels should have no problem with 19st. Just keep your tyres inflated properly and you should be able to avoid pinch flats. Personally I'd look at something popular such as the Specialized Allez, or if you want something cheaper, the much aunted Decathlon Triban.

Edit: if you have your heart set on a mountain bike, don't get a cheap full suspension bike, and try to go for one that allows you to lock out the suspension.

matt_fsr · 4 Jul 2013 at 16:52

Go test out a road bike, see if you can handle the riding position they give you... as I find it horrible, and I ride a bunch of different bikes.

But it sounds like you want to be looking at a hybrid, with a good strong set of wheels.

grudas · 4 Jul 2013 at 17:08

SkScotchegg said:
Yeah my old bike was cheap, it was like £300 low budget about 8 years ago or something. It got stolen anyways and not had a bike for a couple of years.

I looked at all the road bikes at halfords but didnt like the look of them, I know that might sound daft but I kinda want it to look cool lol.

I like the look of the 6 I posted above

Budget am thinking £400-£600. It's bonus month tho so I could spend more or less. Origonally I was looking at around £350 but the bikes I've posted above range from £400 to £600 and I just choose them based on the look and I thought the spec looked ok to me, like the brakes etc.

boardman comp then..

no need for suspension, and seriously a 19stone guy on a mtb with cheap suspension parts?! not cool IMO

roadie is perfect for road, covering big distances and so on.. but it sounds like you need a hybrid.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_777849_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

SkScotchegg · 4 Jul 2013 at 17:11

Thanks for all your replies, well I reckon I'll try out a roadbike after all then since so many of you say thats the way to go.

There's also a specialised bike shop near me called woodrup also so I'm going to pop in this weekend and speak to them and see if they will let me text our a road bike and a hybrid bike.

Thanks a lot for all your help so far peeps.

SkScotchegg · 4 Jul 2013 at 17:12

grudas said:
boardman comp then.. no need for suspension, and seriously a 19stone guy on a mtb with cheap suspension parts?! not cool IMO

roadie is perfect for road, covering big distances and so on.. but it sounds like you need a hybrid.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_777849_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

I do like the look of that bike mate, I was wondering if they will let you ride the bike at halfords or if they dont do that because obviously people could steel the bike, wonder if they ask for deposit or your passport or something?

Vonhelmet · 4 Jul 2013 at 17:35

SkScotchegg said:
I do like the look of that bike mate, I was wondering if they will let you ride the bike at halfords or if they dont do that because obviously people could steel the bike, wonder if they ask for deposit or your passport or something?

If they won't let you test it, don't give them your money... If they want the sale, they'll let you have a go.