New bike / Evans Cycles

Herzlos

Lots of smart watches will track it for you too. It's not as easy to read as a dedicated bike computer but a lot more versatile. I've been using a Garmin Forerunner, maybe a 35, for years now and it's worked fine. I used to use a fitbut but found the GPS a bit sketchy, that was during lockdown though so they may have improved since.

Strava app on the phone works fine too.

Nasqueron

I wouldn't recommend using the phone for tracking and especially not on the bike for speed and distance as it can come off and get smashed! Strava is also reliant on your phone GPS which isn't always great. You can get decent budget systems with a wheel sensor from places like Aldi, or spend a bit more for GPS systems from firms like Lezyne or Cateye that won't break the bank as well as more advanced offerings from the budget end of Garmin and Wahoo + others. For more accuracy even on a GPS device, a wheel speed sensor is good too as they're faster to update than GPS when you start/stop. You can also expand if they have bluetooth capability like getting a heart rate strap so you can train to heart rate zones!

I'd echo Herzlos though, I have a Forerunner 255 which has GPS and pairs with the bluetooth sensors fine, for a short ride it's more than enough though I have a Garmin 830 for the serious rides + power meters, DI2, speed sensor, Garmin Varia....

All modern helmets from reputable sellers will reach UK safety standards, after that you pay more for features like MIPS, less weight etc. Starting out, I'd suggest a budget one even from somewhere like Aldi if they have any in their deals, £30-40 is more than enough though a local bike shop will have a few you can look at.

Yarmy

OK, thanks for your help. I thought about getting a phone holder to go on the handlebars, but think I'd worry about the phone coming loose, although I do have a pannier bag that I could use. I'm not sure how good Strava would be as the phone signal isn't that great where I live. There is a indie bike shop near one of my friends so will arrange to meet up for a coffee and then pop in the bike shop on the way.

Username03725

Yarmy said:

I'm not sure how good Strava would be as the phone signal isn't that great where I live. 

Strava uses the GPS signal and isn't dependent on a phone signal for capturing a ride. It does require a data signal when you save your efforts at the end but that can wait until you have a decent phone signal or better still are connected to wifi. The phone holds the ride info until it's uploaded to Strava.

I found it great for capturing rides to pore over later, set it to record and slip it in your pocket. If you want to see real-time data I use a Garmin device that clips on the bars and came with a heart sensor, and a wheel sensor which provided accurate speed & distance data without a GPS signal. Garmin and third-party sites allow an upload of a ride's .fit file for you to look at, in the same way that Strava does.

MattC19

Nasqueron said:

Pinnacle was an Evans own brand, so in theory you'd get more for your money as they cut out the middleman unlike selling a Trek, however, Trek is a bigger brand = more purchasing power for them 

Mike Ashley isn't known for being generous with spending, I suspect the service may be reduced - some of the shops didn't have the greatest reputation but were better than Halfords and I never had a problem but I haven't used them for years so cannot comment on that now. Is there not a bike shop closer to your home or within reasonable driving distance? A local shop might have a bit more initial cost but reduce the number of visits needed if they get stuff done properly.

I can attest to what Nasqueron has written.

I recently ordered a GT Avalanche Comp ’99 from Evans as a birthday present for my son. While the bike itself is decent in theory, the experience around it was dreadful.

It arrived in a half-open, damaged box, with missing pedals and the wrong-sized wheels, 29” fitted instead of the correct 27.5” for the frame. As a result, the front wheel hits his feet when turned, making the bike unsafe to ride.

Customer service has been non-existent. The phone number on the box is disconnected, live chat is permanently offline, and emails go unanswered. I even tried the local Evans store, to which the manager told me I’d have to contact customer services, which, as far as I can tell, no longer functions in any meaningful way.

To top it off, Evans has removed my review from their website multiple times, which is pretty telling.

In hindsight, I’d have been better off going to a proper local bike shop. Might’ve paid a bit more, but I wouldn’t be stuck with an unsafe bike and no support.

A typical Mike Ashley owned company that should be avoided. Had I known he owned Evans Cycles, I would never have purchased the bike from them.

Be warned: if anything goes wrong with your order, don’t expect support.

Nasqueron

To be fair, I have a road bike with 700c wheels and these can hit my feet in certain positions :P

Yarmy

The bike itself seems to be ok. The staff in Evans can be a bit hit and miss, some have the time to chat and help, and there are a couple who seem to be ambivalent about helping, but I guess you could get that anywhere.