Beginner bike

catoutthebag

Hi guys looking for a new bike

Currently don't have one & clueless

Used to bike when younger as all kids do/did

Use: canal paths, slightly woody/rocky casual bike trails, pavements ( if that's allowed?)

When: maybe weekly or more often

Basic research on my budget (300 max) suggests I go second hand & mtb rather than hybrid? And rigid rather than hardtail?

Want something light & easy maintance

Worried eBay bikes may be well worn

Not planning upgrades, just get on and go

Any tips, advice, brand reccs?

Seen the likes of trek, giant to be had for under 200

ljonski

http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/products/commuting-bikes/best-hybrid-bikes/

gkerr4

i think at £300 you need to look 2nd hand - just my thoughts.

I think that the best value bikes are around £500 - above that you start to see diminishing returns - at 500 you get branded components (shimano groutsets and brake callipers), decent wheels and tyres etc - below that they tend to be unbranded, heavier components.

Thos £500 get people hooked and buy more expensive ones and you can buy their £500 one for £250ish.

Johnmcl7

For your use I'd certainly be looking at mountain bikes rather than hybrids, I have both types and while the hybrid is a great day to day bike for commuting and going into town, it's not pleasant to ride on anything off road even just canal path.

I'd definitely be looking at second hand as there seems to be plenty of people who buy a good bike with the intention of picking up cycling then never do and sell the bikes for much less. Better quality parts should make riding more enjoyable and should mean better reliablity. I'd have a look at your local Gumtree and ebay to see what there is and perhaps ask here what people think of any bikes you see.

John

catoutthebag

Thanks guys

I'm 5'6-7 29-30inseam so guess I need a 15-17 inch frame

Here's stuff I've seen

1) carrera banshee
Front(SR Suntour) and rear adjustable suspension.
27 gears, 3(front) X 9(back)
Tektro disc brakes.
Front Crud mud guards
Bottle holder
Mini hand pump
Lizard skin chain guard
Brake lever grips

Has a minor tear in left handle bar grip & A minor paint chip on rear suspension. Can be fixed/replaced for a few £s

2) gt
Gt xcr4000 full suspension bike

This is the model with the fox shock also XT brakes

3) cannondale sm700

16" Alpine series Frame it is the frame with the sloping top tube and the high BB height.

Originally in Red but profesionally blasted and re-powered coated in gloss Black

Specs;

21 Sp

Girvin Flex stem 110mm length

Suntour Chainset

Suntour X Press 7 Speed shifters

Suntour front canterlevers

Suntour Brake levers

Suntour Roller Cam brakes these were NOS

New inner and outer cables throughout

Ritchey Logic Force directional Seat Post

Please note the Richey Saddle shown is not included another branded Saddle will be supplied

Mavic front wheel and OEM rear wheel.

Ritchey Grips

This is a genuine Cannondale frame. I can provide photographs of the frame before it was repainted.

3) diamondback peak hardtail 24gears

From a quick search. Many people haven't even listed frame sizes on ebsy. All the above are currently under 300

liz545

I fear I'm starting to sound like a cracked record, but go to your local bike shop and test ride some bikes. If you've got a branch of Evans or Decathlon near you, try them - their own brand ranges are fairly good value for the money. If a shop isn't prepared to let you test ride a bike, even round the carpark (I'm looking at you, Halfords!), go somewhere that will. They should also be able to advise you on frame size, which can vary. FWIW I'm 5' 2" and I have a 19" frame on my town bike, and a 17" frame on my road bike, so you may find 15-17" is too small.

I wouldn't necessarily rule out a hybrid, many of them are perfectly capable of handling a towpath or an off-road bike path, although you wouldn't want to do downhill/singletrack mountain biking on them. You'll also be able to ride them on road (not pavements!) If you're not keen on doing maintenance, I would avoid a full-suspension mountain bike, particularly secondhand, as they do need looking after. Otherwise, you may find you've got a bike which is very bouncy (has lots of travel) and takes a lot of effort for you to actually get anywhere.

Buying a secondhand bike is a good way to save money, but I'd suggest something like this Evans hybrid or this Decathlon hardtail may be more like the kind of bike you should consider.

armyknife

liz545 wrote: »

I fear I'm starting to sound like a cracked record, but go to your local bike shop and test ride some bikes. If you've got a branch of Evans or Decathlon near you, try them - their own brand ranges are fairly good value for the money. If a shop isn't prepared to let you test ride a bike, even round the carpark (I'm looking at you, Halfords!), go somewhere that will. They should also be able to advise you on frame size, which can vary. FWIW I'm 5' 2" and I have a 19" frame on my town bike, and a 17" frame on my road bike, so you may find 15-17" is too small.

I wouldn't necessarily rule out a hybrid, many of them are perfectly capable of handling a towpath or an off-road bike path, although you wouldn't want to do downhill/singletrack mountain biking on them. You'll also be able to ride them on road (not pavements!) If you're not keen on doing maintenance, I would avoid a full-suspension mountain bike, particularly secondhand, as they do need looking after. Otherwise, you may find you've got a bike which is very bouncy (has lots of travel) and takes a lot of effort for you to actually get anywhere.

Buying a secondhand bike is a good way to save money, but I'd suggest something like this Evans hybrid or this Decathlon hardtail may be more like the kind of bike you should consider.

Some sound advice here.

I'd agree hybrids are usable off-road, on one of my hybrids I've done the majority of the mileage off-tarmac.

And remember all bikes come with a form of default suspension; if the going gets somewhat bumpy just get out of the saddle and peddle, so in effect you're standing on the pedals and the bike is pivoting about the bottom bracket, allows the front and rear axles to move up and down more, absorbing more of the vertical inputs.

And tyre choice makes a big, big difference.

GT60

You do NOt want a full suspension bike for every day use
Get a hard tail
carrera banshee is Halford junk

gingernm

Hi,

MTB all the way, hardtail for your money. Full suspension (new) costs a packet for anything decent and will therefor cost more 2nd hand for anything in usable condition. MTB will allow you to go wherever you want (except pedestrain only footpaths)

I'm the same height as you (5'7") my MTB (Saracen) is a 19" frame, seat set quite high and is perfect. Anything smaller and I would be cramped up.

As others have said, get down your local Evans, they will allow demo rides and offer competent advice. Then its onto the net to search for your chosen ride at more affordable prices. Got my Saracen from singletrack for an exceptional price, brand new!

I was the same, looking for something to ride once or twice a week, not wanting to spend much as I would probably only use it during the novelty period and then give up.... But I've got the bug, now also have a road bike (Bianchi), do loads of sportives and some charity rides (London 2 Brighton, etc). Still enjoy the MTB, other than replacing worn out tyres and a snapped cable, it's just been a case of making sure everything is cleaned and lubed correctly. Best thing I ever did getting back into cycling.

Once you're sorted, look for a phone app such as strava / map my ride, these will track your rides and you'll find they encourage you to get out and do more!!

Enjoy!!

Johnmcl7

armyknife wrote: »

Some sound advice here.

I'd agree hybrids are usable off-road, on one of my hybrids I've done the majority of the mileage off-tarmac.

And remember all bikes come with a form of default suspension; if the going gets somewhat bumpy just get out of the saddle and peddle, so in effect you're standing on the pedals and the bike is pivoting about the bottom bracket, allows the front and rear axles to move up and down more, absorbing more of the vertical inputs.

And tyre choice makes a big, big difference.

If the primary purpose is off road cycling I don't see the point in choosing a hybrid, yes they may be capable of going off road but they're not well suited to it nor particularly comfortable for it. Lifting yourself off the seat doesn't replicate front suspension in any form because the impact and vibration coming through the front fork will still continue to come straight through your hands and wrists.

John

gkerr4

true - but then canal paths, light off road (as in the OP) doesn't justify a full suspension bike either!

i would have thought either a hybrid - or a hardtail MTB only - and even then, i'd want narrower high pressure tyres on the MTB too.

full suspension just sucks the energy out of ever pedal cycle - not really needed in most cases.