best bike to buy?

hotcookie101

Hi my OH wants a new bike, he bikes over 7miles a day commuting to work. He wants to spend about £500-550 (I would rather he spent 10p but never mind )
He has about 3 choices
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-comp-2008-hybrid-bike-ec001398
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/qx85-2008-hybrid-bike-ec000596
or the boardman hybrid team from halfords http://www.boardmanbikes.com/ (performance hybrid/team) which is £550-and is the one he has decided he really wants (I have heard bad things about halfords and bikes so if anyone can let me know their experiences?)

we also have a local shop which sells specialized and other top brands, but doesn't seem to have as good discounts, but OH best friend is a demon at haggling
what does anyone reckon?

evilgoose

Small shops havent got the buying power of the big chains so cant get the bulk buy discounts to then provided the customer with cheaper bikes. However, I do like to try and support 'my' local shops when I can. they maynot be able to give you a discount on the actual bike, but see if they can do things for you like a 1month safety check and service (cables stretch after use and can sometimes require adjustment), and other added extras.

eddie_c_2

I reckon you're spending £300 too much.

7 miles a day isn't a lot, and you can get something like this raleigh below for starters.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.RALEIGH-Pioneer-Urban-2-2008-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_14355.htm

hotcookie101

Thanks but he has decided how much he wants to spend-did buy a £200 bike few months ago, got nicked, then got another £200 but it is falling apart (I know £200 bikes are fine, mine is) already, and currently in dispute trying to get money back/repairs paid for without having to send it back so he wants to spend more so he gets a bike that will last for years.
does anyone have any experience with Halfords for bikes, or know anything about the Boardman as that is what he has pretty much decided on.

hinchy

The two bikes at Evans are crackers, but I'd plump for the specialized,.with regards to how much to spend ?.................................
Ichose a £500 bike 10 years ago and the frame is still like new, just replaced chain and bottom bracket and tyres.
Try the bikes in a shop first to get the correct sie then buy online if you cant get the price down,

Blacksheep1979

Does his company do (or will they do) the ride to work scheme, you can end up paying 40-50% less on the bike (plus accessories)?

hotcookie101

Unfortunately-his company does do the cycle to work scheme but he is not permanent employee at moment-he is contractor (is hoping to claim it as expenses but I don't think he can!)
I really like the specialized (and can get cashback through quidco ) but he seems to have decided the boardman has the best specs for the money, I just worry as have heard Halford's mechanics not up to much? Its his decision in the end but would be nice to hear that my concerns are unfounded? Thanks

Blacksheep1979

If he's a contractor, is he vat reg'd and have his own company? If so he can set up the scheme himself. Halfords are a joke generally (sure there must be an exception) have a look in the vent section atm for someone who's had their bike screwed up by Halfords.

Woby_Tide

slightly out of date but

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12540401

As you can probably guess, the most common question on this forum is 'what bike
for x amount?'. Here is a quick run down of what to expect at certain price
points and a few examples of models. The bikes mentioned will all be 2008 models
at RRP, and be your standard XC/trail type machine. The most important thing
however is to go and try the bike: it could have the best spec in the world, but
no good if it doesnt fit. I'd recommend that newcomers to the sport buy from a
local shop - this way you get 1st hand advice, get to test it, will have it fully
set up, a free service and easy to reach after sales care. Don't forget to budget
for safety gear and basic tools - it is important you keep the bike clean,
maintained and adjusted.

UP TO £300:

This is about the price for a good capable entry level hardtail. It is worth
reading the beginners bike thread for info on what to look for. However there are
some very good machines below this price that will suit many first time buyers.

Giant Boulder - £200: thoughtful speccing form Giant gives us a well laid out and capable entry level MTB with features usuallu unseen at this price

Decathlon Rockrider 5.2 - £200: alloy frame, 8spd, alloy components, decent fork,
V brakes and sub 30lbs weight make this a great starter bike for those who dont
want to venture too far off road.

GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc - £299: classic entry level bike sports great frame and parts, and a set of cable disc brakes for superior wet weather performance.

Carrera Vulcan - £299: similar to the Avalanche in spec and forks, another good
entry level machine with solid frame and parts. Edit: check out the latest version with a damped XCM fork!

Mongoose Tyax Elite - £299: one of the best selling bikes of the year. Ups the
ante with a superb damped forks, but still gets 8spd drivetrain, good frame and
cable discs, excellent performer if a little weighty.

3-£500

In this price range things move up a gear. Forks start to have damping cartridges, offering much better performance off road: gears may be 9sp, not only offering more range, but more durability. Even hydraulic discs are appearing, which are simply the best stopper out there. Not all offer all this, it depends on what you want from the bike, but personally I feel the fork is the most important component for performance.

Trek 4300 - £300: another classic entry level XC bike. May not have the fancy forks and discs of others, but classy frame and light weight make it a good bike for light trails and paths, or to upgrade.

Carrera Kraken - £360: amazing value bike from Carrera shoehorns 9spd Sram gearing, Tektro hydro discs, superb frame and damped suntour fork for a great price. Only slightly high weight lets it down

GT Avalanche 2.0 and Mongoose Tyax Super - £400: two very similar bikes set the budget standard. Proven frames, damped forks with lockout, good quality shimano drivetrain and amazingly hydraulic discs

Specialized Hardrock Pro - £400: Sturdy offering from Specialized, with well proven Avid disc brakes, butted frame, hydraulic lockout sus fork and dependable shimano drivetrain.

Trek 4500 - £400: no discs on this one, but 9spd Shimano, Rockshox fork and light weight make for another excellent XC offering from Trek

Giant Terrago - £430: 9spd, hydro brakes and oil damped fork with a frame like this for 430 quid?

Genesis Core - £450: the new kid on the block, designed for UK riders. Standout fork make this a good option, backed up with decent brakes and tyres.

buyitall

IMO he should go to a shop which sells the brand of bikes he is interested in and actually sit on the bikes (even if you end up buying elsewhere). When I was looking for a bike, as soon as I sat on a Trek bike, I knew that for me personally, they were a much better 'fit' than the Giants or Specialized I had also considered buying. You could always give the local shop the opportunity to pricematch.
Earlier this year we bought a bike for my son from Tredz online - it arrived the next day, we only had to put the pedals on, customer service was excellent.
ps Lidl have a 'cycling week' from 21/08 if he needs accessories:
http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20080821.index.ar3?OpenDocument&resetFilialDaten=1&id=467&zipcode=B27%207RR&city=Worcestershire&city2=Fox%20Hollies&street=Fox%20Hollies%20Road&ar=3&EMID=09500E30FV7IS9ICG8MKV01GQQEKF

hotcookie101

Thanks all. Will prob pop to local bike shop and have a look there, and then he wants to look at the halfords one. Think he wants to get it to be honest-does seem like good value for money, I suppose can always get it serviced elsewhere