City cycling bike advice

heybert

Hi all,

I wonder if you have any advice on a good bike for cycling through the city. I previously required a cheap bike for the same in London and got the Apollo slant from halfords:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_762051_langId_-1_categoryId_212589

It was fine for the daily 10 mile round trip and I'm considering getting it again. I know it's not the most suited to road cycling but it did fit the budget.

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Many thanks.

spurscormac

That is what is referred to as a BSO (bike shaped object).

At that price, it will be heavy, have bad quality parts, etc etc.
If all you're doing is cycling in the city, you won't need a suspension fork, which adds to the weight factor, and that price range will be pretty rubbish.
You also won't need fat mtb tyres, which will also slow you down.

I would suggest having a look on adverts to see if you could find a decent second-hand hybrid in your price range, sounds like it would be more suited to the cycling you'd be doing. The guys on here are good for advice, if you post a link to one for sale, you'll get comments quickly enough.

Also, you could probably try the rothar shop, they may have what you're looking for.

tomasrojo

http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/Bike-shaped_object

I don't agree 100% with everything in this article, but this is true:

The easiest way to spot a BSO is the price. A full-suspension bike offered for £99 is a BSO. Or stolen. It is simply not possible to manufacture and sell a real bike with full suspension for a hundred pounds. An entry level rear shock absorber costs around £200 retail, although this is coming down as they get more popular. A decent rear mech retails for at least £40. Of course OEMs get lower prices, but not that much lower.

There are three practical alternatives to buying a BSO (four if you include theft, but we won't go that route).

• Second-hand. Most bike shops will have a range of reasonable second-hand bikes that have been traded in, and some shops specialise in second-hand bikes, especially around universities. For bonus points, try Freecycle. But make sure it's a bike and not a BSO - look for decent brands like Giant, Trek, Dawes.
• Last year's model. Many shops will do stoking deals on last year's model bikes which are no longer the perfect shade of pinky-russet. Not cutting edge? Like you care!
• Grin and bear it. For £200 you can get a pretty good bike, with a little haggling. There may even be a local cycle club that will get you a discount at the bike shop for a nominal membership fee. Remember, a BSO will be lumpen and unpleasant to ride, and will probably not work well after the first year. A decent bike can easily last twenty years or more, and is actually worth repairing if something wears out.

A second-hand hybrid, as spurscormac suggests, should fit your price range and suit what you want it for.

studiorat

Also from the most excellently cheap Haflords :

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_272611_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

I kinda like this one :
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_762351_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

None of them are amazing, the second one there has questionable gears IMO, but I reckon both there would ideal for what you're looking for.

heybert

Thankfor all the advice so far.

I'll have a look around for 2nd hand models and might be back in touch for some expert opinions.