Urban75 Home About Offline BrixtonBuzz Contact

I want a bike but I'm clueless

reduced from last years prices too- the list price of 09 treks is much more than 08. it's quite surprising they have it 20" too, that's by far the most popular size, usually the stuff hanging around this late in the season is strictly monsters or midgets.
 
Oh yeah, always worth saying: Never undertake lorries or buses.

For locks Abus are the best imo, but expensive... You will also need a couple of cables, Kryptonite do good ones. Not hugely thief-resistant, but enough to deter opportunists which account for the bulk of wheel/seat etc thefts.

kryptonite_kryptoflex_220.jpg


There are all sorts of little things too, a can of GT85, chain lube, inner tubes etc. All adds up.
 
fractionMan said:
1. I don't know what bikes cost or what you get for your money. Is £250 cheap or expensive. Are budget bikes really that crap? I don't know.
2. Occasional leisure use. Towpaths, countryside, that sort of thing.
3. What do I need to consider? I can keep it indoors I guess.

I really am clueless.
Click to expand...

You may as well just go to Halfords and see what takes your fancy. Or if you are in Bristol, the Raleigh shop on Stokes Croft (Lifecycle or Cyclelife, I think it's called).
 
actually for £138 that's not half bad, you're not going to find anything else new with an aluminium frame and mudguards for that price. Only thing I would say is that's it's only 18 speed which means a weaker rear wheel than a more expensive bike (on this bike it's a screw-on freewheel which can mean the odd bent axle if you ride it hard) but that could be upgraded in the future if you wanted to.
 
Hmmm. size charts on another site say 18" would be ok?. I sat on a 20" today in the bike shop and it felt a little big tbh. Bloke in the shop thought it was fine though. I'm a 32" inside leg. I have a feeling 19" would be ideal.

inside leg -> frame size/wheel size.
27-32" 46cms - 18" 26"
28-33" 48cms - 19" 26"
29-34" 51cms - 20" 26"
32-37" 56cms - 22" 26"
 
sorry, missed this last night

It's not that easy to tell really - it might be fine or it might be on the small side. Was it that exact bike you sat on in the shop in a 20"? In which case a 18" should be ok. If it wasn't that exact bike then you can't really compare because different manufacturers use different measuring systems (helpful of them eh)
 
weepiper said:
sorry, missed this last night

It's not that easy to tell really - it might be fine or it might be on the small side. Was it that exact bike you sat on in the shop in a 20"? In which case a 18" should be ok. If it wasn't that exact bike then you can't really compare because different manufacturers use different measuring systems (helpful of them eh)
Click to expand...

gah!

So I guess buying over the internet is a bad idea unless you've tried it out somewhere.
 
stavros said:
Speak to the folk there. Explain your needs and what you're after and they're usually able to recommend something, and the spec you need with it.
Click to expand...

They recommended the trek 7.0 20" for 290 quid, but I'd rather not spend that much on something I won't use that often. That was pretty much their cheapest bike too.
 
Thing is, below that price, there's not much point getting advice, because a cheap bike is a cheap bike, iyswim! Just go to Halfords and spend what you can afford.
 
kalidarkone said:
Check this bike shop out: http://www.jakesbikes.co.uk/content/index.php


They do fully serviced and reconditioned bikes that come with an anti theft certificate and a warranty.

I'm looking as well as I need a bike with taller handlebars and one that fits me better.
Click to expand...

if you're going to spend less than £250-300 go there- they look proper. £150-200 would go much further there than halfords where the bicycles are usually assembled by kids who barely know which end of a spanner is which (not their fault, poor wages and poor training are but that's a story for a different thread). :)
 
Boycey said:
that wouldbe a good deal at £350 IMO- have you asked the seller what the reserve is?
Click to expand...

not yet. But my budget only goes up to £250

I'm narrowing it down though.

This specialised Expedition sport looks like a decent enough bike at £200, ya?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/expedition-sport-2008-hybrid-bike-ec001477

or this Pinnacle Redart 1.0 Jump Bike looks like fun:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/redart-10-jump-bike-ec000935

or the beone aspire 2.0 @200 quid:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=25442

or the mongoose rockadile al

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=917&category_id=23

or mongoose rockadile alx (whats the difference? - are the components better?)

http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/...dile+ALX.003/MONGOOSE-Rockadile-ALX-2008.html
 
I've had a specialized Hardrock for four years and it's the most reliable and strong mountain bike I've ever owned.

In the past I have owned over twenty mountain bikes and none have been as robust as my £220 hardrock (bought end of year sale rrp £299)

Never even had a puncture, not changed the chain and crankset and the V brake pads are still the originals with lots of wear left.

Did absolutely loads of road miles on it, both tyres are completely bald down the middle which is good imo.

The forks were leaky from day one but still work perfectly.

This bike has no right to still be working properly considering it has had absolutely no maintenance. I'm probably getting chain slip but I cant tell and the gears are still indexed perfectly.

Perfect indestructable urban transport, can't recommend one enough. It's even quite capable off road.
 
I was already fairly settled on buying the specialized, but that's me sold now. I can't find a hardrock in my budget, but I was looking for a hybrid really anyway.

Descision made. Just need to decide on medium or large. I'm right in the middle, but I've heard it's better to get one that is a little on the small side than one that's a little too big so I'm going for the medium.

w00t!
 
Just a note to say thanks to all that replied to this thread. It really helped me work out what I wanted/could afford.

I'm well happy with my new bike. I pedalled out into the countryside for a pint last night and it was wicked. :)
 
Specialized are great. I've had a few Hard Rocks before, the only thing that put me off getting another was that I didn't like the look of the women's versions.
 
fractionMan said:
Just a note to say thanks to all that replied to this thread. It really helped me work out what I wanted/could afford.

I'm well happy with my new bike. I pedalled out into the countryside for a pint last night and it was wicked. :)
Click to expand...

Oi, we want a photo! :p

Great.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

davesgcr
Proper station platform catering - "somewhere in France" - c/o my sons bike tour.
Replies
1
Views
181
DaveCinzano
DaveCinzano
sim667
Buying a used car….. what’s a reasonable turnaround?
2
Replies
56
Views
1K
sim667
sim667
Elpenor
Should I repair my car?
2 3
Replies
89
Views
2K
Dogsauce
Dogsauce
Lord Camomile
I'm guessing the northbound Blackwall Tunnel is closed, then?
Replies
17
Views
574
Lord Camomile
Lord Camomile
editor
Global Centre of Railway Excellence in Wales at least five years behind schedule
Replies
5
Views
352
Elpenor
Elpenor
Back
Top Bottom