z-layrex Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 I recently found a new job much closer to home, about 3 miles away so I thought I would cycle in, save on petrol/parking and get healthier. I have absolutely no clue what bike to get though. Do I go hybrid or road bike? And how much does someone need to spend on a bike that's just for commuting and the odd leisure ride?
m00nie Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 i bought a cheap mountain bike from woolworths (shows how long ago) for £60. on sites like Hotukdeals people always moan saying these cheap bikes are useless and heavy etc yet mine is ideal for what i need i got it out last week to go boxing and will use it all throughout the summer doing the same.
steveherbe Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Ebay is your friend. I got a cracker from there a couple of years back for not much cash - then again, who wants to ride to work on a cracker!
steveherbe Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Here you go mate, within 10 miles of LE9 (Barwell?) and it's in Blue n White!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rock-Machine-26-Adult-Mens-Bike-Dual-Suspension-Blue-and-White-TG2670-/150787453654?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item231ba1f2d6 Just seen, you're near gatwick, forget it then - but you see what I mean, loads of bikes on ebay for under £100. personally, go for mountain bike type with front and rear supspension and disc brakes.
Daggers Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Commuting in London? Make it second-hand and make sure it looks shit or it'll vanish faster than donuts in a US police station.
Daggers Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 ...and FWIW I'd go for a hybrid; a combination of speed and toughness.
Jon the Hat Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Suspension is a pain on road. Hybrid is the way to go to start with.
nothin2seehere Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Three miles a day? Six mile round trip... I'd say even a BMX would get the job done Well.. a mountain bike would give you the flexibility to go trailing/off-road which can be lots of fun, whereas a drop handle bike might give you the encouragement to start using it for keep fit on the roads. I'd get something cheap to start with (unlike me who paid £600 and has used it only a few times. ****) and then go from there.
Rincewind Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 I went to something at the old library the other week. All to do with Adult learning and community stuff. Anyway one stand was promoting cycling. As I have not rode a bike for around 50 years I enquired about the training they do and they said they sell bikes within their group. I recently sold an electric bike. My problem is the balance but they said they help with that. Not contacted them yet. think one place is up Belgrave road way. I'm more scared for other road users if I am on it. My idea was if I do get back into the place i was before then the times I would use a bike would be early in the morning. But the agency work with LCC is up Beaumont Leys quite a way to cycle for me from the centre.
dave_the_fox Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Here you go mate, within 10 miles of LE9 (Barwell?) and it's in Blue n White!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rock-Machine-26-Adult-Mens-Bike-Dual-Suspension-Blue-and-White-TG2670-/150787453654?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item231ba1f2d6 Just seen, you're near gatwick, forget it then - but you see what I mean, loads of bikes on ebay for under £100. personally, go for mountain bike type with front and rear supspension and disc brakes. I'm no expert but I did a bit of research when I bought my bike and the advice you give here is not the best. From what I read you want to really steer clear of rear suspension unless u r paying well over £500 as it adds weight with no real help and is a bit of a gimmick. I would personally go for the hybrid like others have suggested cruise on roads nicely but also go off road a bit for fun
Daggers Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 Failing that, I also have a single speed cruiser which is totally cool.
m00nie Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 I'm no expert but I did a bit of research when I bought my bike and the advice you give here is not the best. From what I read you want to really steer clear of rear suspension unless u r paying well over £500 as it adds weight with no real help and is a bit of a gimmick. I would personally go for the hybrid like others have suggested cruise on roads nicely but also go off road a bit for fun i have a bike more or less identical which cost me £60, as i said in 2nd post people always go on about its too cheap, too heavy etc but as i said its been perfect for me, its not like im going tracking or anything, i bike a couple of miles to boxing and then back. ok its not far but thats the point, for what i need the bike is ideal.. i dont see what £500 would get me that my £60 didnt for what i need.
Zingari Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 I've got a little chopper ! I'm going to work on it tonight
AyewJoking Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 pick one up from the local paper for about £20. You're supposed to be saving money arent you?
dave_the_fox Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 i have a bike more or less identical which cost me £60, as i said in 2nd post people always go on about its too cheap, too heavy etc but as i said its been perfect for me, its not like im going tracking or anything, i bike a couple of miles to boxing and then back. ok its not far but thats the point, for what i need the bike is ideal.. i dont see what £500 would get me that my £60 didnt for what i need. Fair shout fair shout. All depends on usage
Big Ol' Bob Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 Go Hybrid, or a hardtail mountain bike. (A hardtail mountainbike with front lock out forks would be perfect but you would be looking at starting prices around £250 for this). Avoid a full suspension or anything with wide tyres. Also, before you buy anything check if your new job is signed up to the cycle2work scheme with Halfords, you could get yourself a decent bike ie. Carrera, for a couple of hundred, and have it taken out of your wages in installments each month for a year and pay no tax on the bike. Well worth doing as you will have a bike which won't fall apart after a few days, buy cheap and you will usually spend triple the amount on repairs within a few months.
I am Rod Hull Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 This is what you need. That looks like a Raleigh Grifter, but the seats not right I had one, 3 gear grip shift . Remember the Boxer and Striker?
Rincewind Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 Would a tricycle be any easier to ride? As I said balance might be my problem. I just don't want to look silly on one. If I could get a fold up one it may be better.
MC Prussian Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 Hybrids are for pussies (I'm sorry for my use of words). Get yourself a street racer and do it the right way:
LcFc_Smiv Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 I'd have a look in an auction room, you can get something around £15, will require a little bit of work nothing to costly, won't look great. Road bikes are great, ideally you want something light and strong but usually will have to settle for one over the other as a combination of both can be quite costly, but as I said auction rooms you can usually pick up a bargain. Something like this is easily replaceable if anything does happen but will do the job comfortably. Oh and steer clear of anything that says Apollo down the side of it!
Trav Le Bleu Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 That looks like a Raleigh Grifter, but the seats not right I had one, 3 gear grip shift . Remember the Boxer and Striker? The bikes for your little brother and sister? Yup! And you're right I think. I reckon that's the seat off a Chopper.
Daggers Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 Hybrids are for pussies (I'm sorry for my use of words). Get yourself a street racer and do it the right way: I don't think the Carrera Subway has any competitors at its pricepoint. And it's a proper colour.
MC Prussian Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 I don't think the Carrera Subway has any competitors at its pricepoint. And it's a proper colour. But does it come with exhaust valves?
Daggers Posted 6 April 2012 Posted 6 April 2012 But does it come with exhaust valves? I'm more than just motorised ones ...and an Ergoracer GT
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