Newbie cyclist seeking bike advice!

dazzday

Decided its about time i got back out and got fit again after destroying my ankle a few years ago. Due to the nature of the injury, cycling seems to be the best bet! Really only after a bike to do abit of fitness training, possible commuting and for general trekking.
After browsing these forums, seems the best bet both money wise and for what i need, would be a Hybrid. Really dont want to spend much more over €350;

Bike shop in Galway offered me (i think its the same spec) for €320

http://www.centro.ie/?data=Product&item=518&CategoryID=0


good price for what im getting??? The hunt for anything second hand seems to be fruitless.

thanks for any help guys!

dazzday

anybody????

petethedrummer

Have a look at this thread: http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055619852

kenmc

Jupiter - never heard of them.
this is a better bet, can even offer lifts with that one, so you can do a car/bike pool with someone - they can drive when its wet, you can cycle when it's dry.
But seriously, go with either trek or dawes

thebouldwhacker

Hey Dazzday, The bike seems ok, it has mtb gears which I had on a bike a while back without issue, solid front fork which is good. I had a quick spin on Jupiter a while back..... yea..... For a to b spins should do you just fine.... however you mentioned

fitness training, possible commuting and for general trekking.

sounds like you should look at a road bike, I cycled bikes like that for years until I got a road bike, sorry I didnt get one sooner tbh.

Re buying second hand there are a few up on adverts.ie at the mo, check them out.

Lumen

If there was a decent €350 bike available, someone would have recommended it already.

No-one really wants a €350 hybrid. It's not snobbery, just that €350 hybrids (like €350 cars) aren't really very good.

It is quite difficult to get a good value bike at the moment, due to increased demand and price-insensitive purchasers coming through the cycle to work scheme - "it's half price anyway so who cares if it's good value".

You'll likely need to spend more on a lock, lights and a helmet. Cycling is not a cheap hobby to get in to, although once you have the stuff it costs almost nothing (if you can have some self-control with the credit card).

If I were you I'd keep looking for a second hand road bike, or take up swimming whilst you save up some more money.

I sold my ancient but servicable road bike for €200 last autumn (including lights and lock); there are good value bikes out there if you are patient.

thebouldwhacker

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=123170&cat=52

blorg

You can get a decent hybrid new for around €350, Dawes Discovery 201, Giant CRS 3.0, that sort of thing. I would stick to the established brands if possible and avoid the Jupiter.

dazzday

Thanks for the advice guys. I know on that kind of budget its never going to be easy.

Again im finding around Glalway in particular 2nd hand bikes are remarkably hard to find.

On topic of roadbike, obviously 2nd hand would be the only way for me to go...although i did manage to spot this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37303

any thoughts on it at that price?

blorg

dazzday wrote: »

On topic of roadbike, obviously 2nd hand would be the only way for me to go...although i did manage to spot this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37303

any thoughts on it at that price?

It looks OK value at £325. Mix of Shimano 2200 and off-brand components. It was never £599, that is a completely fictional price. It is easier to get a decent hybrid around €350 than a decent road bike to be honest.

jwshooter

i have a trek 7-1 fx i payed E420 for it well worth a look i think

dazzday

Thanks guys.

I think at the mment i am best off getting a decent hybrid for what i want to do and at that price.

If i fall in love with cycling, a good road bike can be the next step up!

Any suggestions on good hybrids at the €350ish price range?

kenmc

dazzday wrote: »

Any suggestions on good hybrids at the €350ish price range?

Lumen wrote: »

If there was a decent €350 bike available, someone would have recommended it already.

Already mentioned.

petethedrummer

Is there a Carrera (subway? maybe) bike thats supposed to be around that price range in halfords?

blorg

Carrera Subway, yes, it is a 26" wheel commuter type bike, meant to be cheap and solid, good value for the money.

dazzday

How about a specialized sirrus?

petethedrummer

dazzday wrote: »

How about a specialized sirrus?

If you're giving them away I'll have one.

I jest ho ho. They are recommended by a few on here. You'll find more if you bang it into a search up above.

dazzday

Thanks for all the help guys.
Ended up forking out for a Specialized Sirrus Sport for €435. Very happy with it!