Need a new bike!

[Dooms]

Ok since ive moved i need a new bike to get to work and to go on the odd bike ride up hills and stuff

Budget of around £300 and would like something nice that isnt full sus.
Also need some recommendations on a good lock (or a couple - live in london!)

What you guys think?

Leon/Dooms

[muddyfox470]

I love my Marin Hawk Hill, goes anywhere, moderately light (was one of the lightest when i bought mine) and rock solid.

Go to your local bike shop (not halfords or cheap warehouse clearance places) but some decent local sole trader shop or similar, mention your budget and i am sure they will give you some impartial guidance. if there are 2 shops, you could go i saw this nice bike x, for £xxx, and they may want ur trade, so you shud be able to haggle a bit!

ian

[5lab]

go on the for sale forums on www.singletrackworld.co.uk - you will find 6 month old £500+ bikes going for under your price, normally in mint condition. they can also reccomend better than us lot as to what to get generally

[Dorza]

Go to your local bike shop (not halfords or cheap warehouse clearance places) but some decent local sole trader shop or similar.

ian

I would just like to point out that Halfords (the big ones atleast) sell some good bikes these days, and i mean good. Dont rule them out just because its halfords, the two halfords in my area have people who actually know what their talking about. It would be a good idea to look in some of the bike mags, they often have group tests on this sort of thing.

[Beck]

I recommend the Subway 1 at Halfords, Nice cheap bike retailing at about 200. Well worth a look in for the price.

[Clstrphbc_donut]

Just bought a GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc a month ago for £270, to get into mountain biking as I've always liked BMX's since the age of 9. Fantastic bike, ali frame, front suspension (therefore a hardtail), front and rear discs, 24 gears. I give it quite a bit of punishment (jumping 4-7 steps, off walls etc) and its still solid. Reminds me, need to give it a service. Heres a few pics...



Whole Bike
Rear
Front Disc/Hub

[Beck]

I think he wants more of a hybrid than a full MTB or road bike. I've got one of each and seem to be using the road bike more and more as the weather is getting better. The weight difference are amazing.

[schmunk]

£300 will buy you a good, light 1-2 year old bike or a mediocre new bike (using a non-fanboy definition of mediocre), so I would deffo go for something second-hand at that price.

As with anything else, find someone reasonably local (on eBay, in a magazine etc etc) and go and have a look at it before you offer them any money.

[jimborae]

Another vote for a straight second hand bike, something like an Orange Clockwork or P7 would suit your needs