which style/brand to buy?

Mr.Plough

Hi,

I need to buy a bike for commuting to college but it seems its not as simple as it once was!

The commute is roughly 10km each way on road. From Google it seems a hybrid would be my best bet, but then I've no idea about which brands to look for. I had a look on adverts and donedeal but tbh with zero expertise I've no way of telling whether the bikes are reliable or overpriced.

My budget is max 400 euro, anyone have any specific recommendations for a complete cycling noob, and where to pick them up?

Thanks

rollingscone

Get a 2nd hand bike and save your money until you decide whether you want to get more into cycling.

Avoid bicycle shaped objects like the plague (they'll make you hate cycling).

The main commercial brands these days seem to be:
1. Giant
2. Specialised
3. Trek
4. Cannondale.
5. Cube


There are a myriad of others out there, if I was starting again I'd try and get a 2nd hand Giant Rapid or equivalent as I've learned that the security of broadish commuter tyres is short lived and you're better off on a faster more manouvreable bike.

Darkglasses

I bought a Giant Escape 3 for commuting recently, i'm quite happy with it, cost only 389 with skinny tires. Macdonalds and Penny farthing cycles both have a wide selection of bikes in your price range. Thinkbike in Rathmines is very friendly to newbies like me, but generally their bikes are further up the range.

kuro_man

I would recommend a flat-bar road bike - plenty of them come up second hand as people of switch to drops after a few years
search adverts.ie / donedeal for lapierre, trek, giant, specialized - these are probably the most popular brands.

example
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/lapierre-rcr-100-bike/1119883

JonDoe

Hey Mr. Plough
My friend got a corratec bike from chainreaction cycles last year and it was super for the price.
They have a few hybrids in stock now heavily reduced
there's this one
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=69513
which has enclosed planetary gears, easy maintenance no crud, big thick chain but heavy 16kg. £225 delivered, should last well.
Corratec are a german brand, seem to use quality shimano stuff and it's put together properly because they're German assembled.
Friend is 5'7" and has a 52cm, fits him well

Mr.Plough

Thanks for the suggestions. Picked up a Specialized Crossroad Sport second hand, happy with it so far

rollingscone

Looks analogous to my Giant Escape.

The difference being you still have the opportunity to use the BTW scheme if/when you get the cycling bug and want to upgrade.

Enjoy.