Which bike?

deadlast

I'm looking for a bike for cycling along the canal, some path and some grass. Something soft on the arse really...wont be used too much!
Budget is no more than €160...

I've a 15% voucher for Halfords...



Was looking at this http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_762073_langId_-1_categoryId_212589

kenmc

can you wait till Friday?

deadlast

kenmc wrote: »

can you wait till Friday?

Yep, why?

Joxer_S

kenmc wrote: »

can you wait till Friday?

They're only looking for help, why take the piss.

Halfords full suspension bikes have been discussed at length on here, a quick search should bring them up, for that money this would be much better. The suspension is completely unnecessary and pretty useless at that price anyway, for paths and canal etc. a regular hybrid would be fine.

mprgst78

Pick up a second hand bike. Much better value. Someone is less likely to steal an old looking bike too

dave_o_brien

Joxer_S wrote: »

They're only looking for help, why take the piss.

Because every mid-week should have a Friday?!

http://www.cyclescene.ie/BSO.html

OP, paying €180 for that bike is like giving your money away in exchange for an uncomfortable piece of metal with round things attached that is no fun to roll around on. Second hand or bigger budget, and try to avoid suspension.

deadlast

What makes should I look out for secondhand in my price range?

kenmc

Joxer_S wrote: »

They're only looking for help, why take the piss.

Only for exactly this reason:

Halfords full suspension bikes have been discussed at length on here, a quick search should bring them up

BostonB

To save more drivel.

http://www.boards.ie/search/?q=Halfords+BSO

dave_o_brien

deadlast wrote: »

What makes should I look out for secondhand in my price range?

That's like asking what make of runner; there are so many reputable ones that it is just a non-question with a non-answer. There are obvious ones to avoid; apollo, trax, etc. Better to post ads you've seen and ask for opinions. The forum wiki has a list of bikes at various price points as suggestions; anything made by almost any of those brands would be ok.

Your question is also absolutely typical of questions that get asked on this forum very frequently. While most posters here are happy to help, you could go a long you to helping yourself and having all these questions asked by using the search forum tool for twenty minutes, it would clear up an awful lot for you.

deadlast

Fair enough lads, i'll be avoiding Halfords...I did have a quick scan through the search function before posting. I didn't really think much of this BSO talk, mainly because the last bike I was on was a Townsend I'd say I got with my confirmation money. That yoke was fair cheap but took some abuse, had it for years and passed it on still working grand.

TBH I don't know what a good bike is like as I was never on one...


Anyway, looks like picking's are fairly slim for the budget.

Giant:- http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3018981 (can't make out the model)

Trek:- http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3057943

Giant:- http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/2808130

BostonB

Paying 50% the cost of a new bike seems expensive. If you got them for 150 or less, that would be much better. I think 2 & 3 seem better. Would depend on size and condition when you check them out.

Can you use the bike to work scheme at work?

dave_o_brien

deadlast wrote: »

Fair enough lads, i'll be avoiding Halfords...I did have a quick scan through the search function before posting. I didn't really think much of this BSO talk, mainly because the last bike I was on was a Townsend I'd say I got with my confirmation money. That yoke was fair cheap but took some abuse, had it for years and passed it on still working grand.

TBH I don't know what a good bike is like as I was never on one...


Anyway, looks like picking's are fairly slim for the budget.

Giant:- http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3018981 (can't make out the model)

Trek:- http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3057943

Giant:- http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/2808130

To be fair, it's not Halfords that are the problem exactly. It's the cheap suspension bikes that they stock are just rubbish. Hundreds of cheap, unnecessary moving parts waiting to seize, squeak and break is just not worth the money. Their Boardman's and some of their Carerra's are nice bikes.

To the 3 you linked to, they're better, but still will be heavy, have 26inch wheels and all have front suspension. These may all be compromises for the kind of riding you plan on doing. The problem with these is that they are based on off-road bikes, but the cheapness of their braking systems and forks would make actual off-roading more difficult than necessary. And because they're not designed for roads, they make cycling on roads no fun.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-urban-1-2010/
This is a bit over budget, but would be more like what I think you should look for; no suspension, 28inch wheels, designed for commuting (so carrying loads and able to handle rough enough surfaces) and far less to go wrong.

BostonB

How about these (I dunno if they are good or not)

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=Haro-Callahan-City-Bike-CLEARANCE-OFFER-%E2%82%AC100-OFF%21%21%21

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=Freespirit-Albany-Gents-City-Bike