Looking into getting a bicycle

[Konan555]

Ive heard giant and Trek are good but im not sure.

Trek are a good name in hybrids. As much as I love Giant MTB and road bikes, not so keen on their hybrid series.

Whatever you go for, I'd budget £25 for a tyre upgrade. Also, you'll need a method of pumping them to 60psi. A little hand pump just won't cut it.

I'm using Evans more as a reference than a recomended shop, not that I wouldn't recomend them.... oh, you know what I mean.

One last bit of advice is to possibly seek out a good local bike shop (that show a real interest in getting you on the right bike and not just selling you what they happen to have in stock). Getting a bike set up right it ten times more important than having Deore rear mehcs instead of accera.

Anyways. Using evens as a reference.

Trek and Scott. Both what you're looking for spec wise and avaliable in large sizes.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec016508
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec016318

Specialised Hybrid, goes up to 58cm so *may* be small

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec016914

GT. Again, larger sizes although less known for 700c bikes

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec016393

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for the list mate. I honestly don't know of any bike shop near me other than halfords

I guess i just want the best specced bike i can get for the money (whats the best one do you think i can get for my money? they all look different and i have no idea what the specs mean....).

Usually i just would have bought some £70 bike... (dont hit me...) i never knew there was so much to bikes!

Why would i need a tyre upgrade? Do they not come with good tyres? If not then which ones should i look at buying? And what lights etc... lol sorry for all the questions but you obviously know alot more than me

Thank you again for the help and sorry for nagging.

Mark

[Lowe]

Cheap tyres = punctures, poor grip, slow rolling speed.

Lights - depends where you're riding again. There's two sides to the coin. Lights to help you see, and lights that let you be seen.

I use a set of LED based rechargeable lights which I've modded to fit my helmet. Ideal for letting me see, but isn't so good for being seen as some others - hence why I also wear lots of hi-vis stuff (vests, armbands etc) at this time of year. The battery life is sufficient that one charge lasts me over a week (30 mins of use a day) even using both lights and they're damn bright. Biggest downside however is the lack of peripheral light spread - but that's true of most LED based lights. Fine for the road though, just not quite so good on the trails at night.

My rear light is a generic flashing LED jobbie, I think the flashing ones are better because they attracts the eye, and gives you slightly better battery life.

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for the info Lowe!

I guess i just thought that when you were spending about £400 on a bike that the tyres would be good Seems not lol

[Lowe]

£400 on a bike is kinda upper entry level to be honest. Don't get me wrong here I appreciate it is a lot of money, but it's only once you get to upper mid range (about a grand or so) anything beyond (unless full suspension) is entering the law of diminishing returns. However, to cut corners and keep the price down, it's the little things like tyres, grips, pedals etc that are 'cheap'. It's no bad thing I guess - means you're putting money into a good frame that will last, and then you can upgrade the little bits and pieces as and when. It's a slippery slope though, once you start, you won't stop (see my threads lol!) and then one day you add it all up and think ****!

[neonplanet40]

lol shocking..... Might as well buy a car!!!

But i guess you get what you pay for.

I just want to know what the best bike is that i can get for £400. Never thought i'd call myself a noob biker but here we are.....

Mark

[BlackKnight_UK]

lol shocking..... Might as well buy a car!!!

Ah!! But think of the running costs

[neonplanet40]

lol i guess....

So best bike i can get for £400 is??

Or the best 3? or is that what you gave me Konan555?

Mark

[Lowe]

Couple of wildcards..

Specialized Globe Centrum Elite IG3 (Love the shape of the frame - can be found really cheap now cos it's last years model, bout 300-350)

Charge Plug (single speed retro coolness, bout 400)

Probably not perfect for your situation, but if I were looking for a hybrid I'd want to test ride those.

[neonplanet40]

Just for info Lowe, you said to buy second hand. is there any websites in general where you can reccommend?

I still don't know what bike to pick

Any websites that aregood for information purposes as well?

Many thanks

Mark

[Konan555]

I'd be going for the felt, myself, but size is the limit in this case I fear. I actually quite like that GT, with the chainstay disc mounts, lockout forks and accera chainset but I'm not 100% on those brakes. As for a link on hybrids....

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/hybrid

[neonplanet40]

funny u should send that link Konan555, ive been looking through that site and their forums all day. Have found alot of useful information

I quite like this bike

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec016508

However the 7300 isn't much more expensive. is it worth the extra money? Do you think the felt is better than this (which model)?

Also will i have any problems putting mud guards on these bikes?

Thanks again for all your help

Mark

[Konan555]

On the outset, the 7200 and 7300 look very similar. However, I'd pay the extra just to avoid the twisty gear shifter things

Looks like a fork upgrade is a big part of it, although I can't say I've ever seen the one on the 7300 before, the low travel suggests to me it's supposed to aim for more sporty and less bouncy (technical, eh?)

Other than that, it's the normal case of why you pay more, a lot of the little components will be more reliable and/or lighter.

You shouldn't have any clearance issues with mudguards although front sus forks won't always have the mounts for 'traditional' ones. There will an appropriate set available though, as long as people whinge about a wee bit of water

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for the information mate I think ill be going for the 7300 then. I started off looking to pay £200 now look where i am

What else will i need? I mean what do you have on yours? Like extras that don't come with the bike. Pumps, lights etc :S theres far too much choice ad i haven't a clue.

I'm thinking i'll end up paying £600 before its all said and done

[Konan555]

Lights, I think Lowe covered quite well. You can go £20 up to £50 on commuter orientated sets. Depends on weather your priority is to be seen (as in you're riding in well lit areas and just want something to make you stand out) or if you need to light the road. Cateye are the big name and I don't believe you can go far wrong.

On your bike you need to carry a pump and tyre levels in case of puncture (although some tyres will 95% rid you of them). Forget a puncture repair kit, just spend £3.50 on a whole spare inner tube and swap it if you have a problem the repair it in the comfort of your own home. A saddle bag is ideal for carrying this kit around. A set of keys or multi-tool is a handy item to carry too.

This kit is pretty damned good. http://velokit.co.uk/cart_productdet...PRODUCTID=3521

I like to have a bottle cage and drinks bottle... talking under £10 for the pair.

The most important thing to have that you don't carry with you is a way of pumping the tyres up. The sort of portable pump you carry on the bike in case of puncture is only really good for 30psi. Hybrids run in the region of 60. The biggest mistake people make on their bike after having the wrong size/setup is cycling around on flat tyres.

If you have access to a compressor / decent foot pump / airline you can get a little valve adaptor to allow you to use it on presta valves (found on most bikes this side of the Argos catalouge). They only cost a couple of quite. The other option is to buy a floor pump - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/To...mp/5360011991/


Spending time (and money) getting a bike right will mean you enjoy £400 rather than getting fed up with £100 and shoving it in the shed to rust.

My lovely lady hadn't ridden a bike since she was 13 and had horrid memories of it being an utter chore. With the right bike and setup, she clocked up a 35 mile ride on her second trip out without trying to strangle me once.

[neonplanet40]

Brilliant information mate. Gonna cost me a damned fortune

One last thing. What kind of mud guards would fit the 7300 (also is this the best bike for this amount of money? im not set on it, i just want the best i can get for the money )

I'll prob have more questions once i get the bike in early january.

Such as who am i going to get to build it?!?!?! lol

Im already dreading that as i have no experience in it at all.

Unless i pay a local bike shop to do it. Although to be fair i dunno where the bike shops are. I'm sure there is one but i just dont know where

Thanks again

Mark