Cycling to work..

MsHoarder

matthewandemma wrote: »

Is this any good then?

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Zero-G-Mountain-Bike-2010-Hardtail-MTB_32834.htm

How about these:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Barrosa-Nevada-2011-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_33078.htm
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Venture-2010-Hybrid-Classic-Bike_24276.htm

Both the same price as the one you linked, and if you want knobbly tires come summer, you should have saved the price of an extra set of tires by then :money:

TiTheRev

MsHoarder wrote: »

How about these:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Barrosa-Nevada-2011-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_33078.htm
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Venture-2010-Hybrid-Classic-Bike_24276.htm

Both the same price as the one you linked, and if you want knobbly tires come summer, you should have saved the price of an extra set of tires by then :money:

Both steel framed & poor spec. I'd rather try 2nd hand or the Decathlon (in that order).

thescouselander

Strider590 wrote: »

It's the fact that most bike nicking scrotes will look at a rigid framed bike and think it's not worth nicking. If it's full sus and/or looks flashy, it'll be a target.

You could put a £150 Halfrauds special full suspension bike next to a £2500 hard tail (Like a Cannondale, Specialized, Kona, Orange, etc etc) and the cheap bike would disappear first.

So true! Years ago when I lived in a shared house we had our garage broken into. There were a few bikes including my mates dirty, but rather good, Gary Fisher mountain bike and my el cheapo Carrera mountain bike with a punctured rear tyre.

So what did they do - they put the rear wheel from my mates bike on my bike and then rode off. !!!!!!???:doh:

gilbert_and_sullivan

I recently returned to cycling, decided i've given the thieves in govt far too much of my money over the years.

Wanted a comfortable bike with 3 or 4 gears of the old fashioned Strumey Archer variety (bomb proof), an old fashioned comfortable handle bar and saddle, rear luggage rack, proper fitted mudguards.
There are one of two around but the best are Dutch, they've been making bikes for ever and unlike Britain, the bikes comfort comes before it's street cred...unlikely to get nicked too.
I bought a used Batavus, superb bike with a sit upright disposition.

Would you consider one of these...http://www.dutchie.co.uk/dutchie-dapper.html

spiro

Are any of the ones in the Sports Direct bike sale suitable?

Tom_Jones

The OP needs to go to a bike shop to get advice on sizing etc, it is vital you get the correct bike for your height. Steer clear of most of the bikes linked here, and go for the likes of Trek, Kona, Boardman, Gary Fisher etc. And buy the most expensive bike that you can afford.

thescouselander

Tom_Jones wrote: »

The OP needs to go to a bike shop to get advice on sizing etc, it is vital you get the correct bike for your height. Steer clear of most of the bikes linked here, and go for the likes of Trek, Kona, Boardman, Gary Fisher etc. And buy the most expensive bike that you can afford.

Not very good advice - those are very good bikes but extremely expensive and the OP doesn't even know if they will keep up the cycling yet - how many people buy bikes and end up just leaving them in the shed?

I'd say go for a cheaper bike first and then if the OP really gets into it they could think of getting a really good bike. Even the cheaper bikes can last many years if looked after properly. To be honest you do pay a bit of a premium for the brand name with the likes of Trek etc.

TiTheRev

thescouselander wrote: »

Not very good advice - those are very good bikes but extremely expensive and the OP doesn't even know if they will keep up the cycling yet - how many people buy bikes and end up just leaving them in the shed?

I'd say go for a cheaper bike first and then if the OP really gets into it they could think of getting a really good bike. Even the cheaper bikes can last many years if looked after properly. To be honest you do pay a bit of a premium for the brand name with the likes of Trek etc.

+1

It's got to be a compromise on affordability (which is why we are using this forum surely?) and quality. If the OP doesn't like cycling after a week of doing it, then they may have wasted £400-500. A good 2nd hand version gets the better of both, as they can get a good quality bike for a fraction of the RRP. The bike the OP gets is probably a bike that's sat in a shed after a cycling kick came over the seller, lol!

sequence

thescouselander wrote: »

Not very good advice - those are very good bikes but extremely expensive and the OP doesn't even know if they will keep up the cycling yet - how many people buy bikes and end up just leaving them in the shed?

I'd say go for a cheaper bike first and then if the OP really gets into it they could think of getting a really good bike. Even the cheaper bikes can last many years if looked after properly. To be honest you do pay a bit of a premium for the brand name with the likes of Trek etc.

I agree - no point buying an expensive bike if you're going to give up after a week because the traffic is too scary. Where do you think these second hand bargains come from :rotfl:

To the OP - Is there anyone you can lend a bike from for a week perhaps ?

Mrs_Arcanum

matthewandemma wrote: »

I work for a charity funded organisation so I dont think we are eligible..

As do I, and got my bike through work. It is up to your workplace HR as to whether they do this or not. Nothing to do with being a charity or having charitable status.

sequence wrote: »

I agree - no point buying an expensive bike if you're going to give up after a week because the traffic is too scary. Where do you think these second hand bargains come from :rotfl:

To the OP - Is there anyone you can lend a bike from for a week perhaps ?

This was what decided me to get my own bike. A colleague had a couple spare cluttering up her shed.