Bike for the wife

mikerd4

Im toying with buying the wife a bike for here birthday in 3 weeks time.

Its going to be a surprise so Ill simply be getting the size off the bike she currently has and buying the same (its about 15 years old!). Im not after anything fancy and a hybrid will suit what she would use it for. Im willing to spend up to 550-600€ to get a proper built bike

This caught my eye at first scan

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777841_langId_-1_categoryId_212377#tab2

Anyone able to recommend anything else?

Lumen

That looks lovely. Do you need mudguards?

lennymc

15% discount with halfords if you have an axa insurance policy. im happy with my boradman bikes

mikerd4

I have a voucher and get 10% off from a work scheme so thought it would be perfect. Will worry bout mudguards etc later on.

Anyone know if the Halfords stores that stock the CBoardman bikes keep a decent stock to just rock up or do I need to order?

lennymc

their website is normally good for telling you which bikes they have in stock - dont know if ive ever seen any of the wimmins bike in stock tho.

stabilo boss

would you not think about getting something more fun like a dutch type bike with a basket? I just think a hybrid is neither one nor the other.

mikerd4

Not really what I think she'd be after but thanks

le petit braquet

I have a Boardman hybrid which I am very happy with but I would advise you to keep an eye on the bottom bracket. Mine has been back twice to Halfords to have problems sorted out. In fairness to Halfords both were done without quibble under warranty and it seems to be a manufacturing issue.

decdon

"Bike for the wife"!!
that's a fair swap ;-)

chinomel

If you want an accessory for your car go to Halfords. If you want a bike go to a bike shop.

Beasty

chinomel wrote: »

If you want an accessory for your car go to Halfords. If you want a bike go to a bike shop.

... unless you want a Boardman - then go to Halfords;)

endacl

mikerd4 wrote: »

I have a voucher and get 10% off from a work scheme so thought it would be perfect. Will worry bout mudguards etc later on.

Anyone know if the Halfords stores that stock the CBoardman bikes keep a decent stock to just rock up or do I need to order?

You'll need a few days. Bought mine about 3 years ago. Paid on a Monday, as I recall, and was ready for collection Thursday or Friday. Only assembled boardmans are the display models. Cracking bikes though. Really work 'with' you, if that makes sense? You won't go wrong.

mikerd4

My wife currently has a 17" Mountain bike. The Boardmans come in 16 or 18, any idea which would be better? Id imagine smaller but want to check

cdaly_

I'd be inclined to avoid the mechanical disc brakes, I'm told they're harder to set up/maintain.

How about a Giant Rapid / Dash or an Escape 1? with carbon fork?

endacl

cdaly_ wrote: »

I'd be inclined to avoid the mechanical disc brakes, I'm told they're harder to set up/maintain.

How about a Giant Rapid / Dash or an Escape 1? with carbon fork?

Changed pads once myself. Simple job. Setting up likewise. Got used to the feel after buying the bike, then adjusted to taste. Disc brakes are no extra trouble. And work brilliantly in the wet

woody_2000

The Carrera Subway hybrid bike might be worth looking at, and is on offer at Halfords ATM for €350. A slightly more mountail/trail/urban oriented hybrid which might be worth considering also, and the price is not bad for the spec./quality. May or may not be what you're looking for, though.

I'm not sure, but Halfords may also allow up to a 10% discount if taken unassembled in a box.

Halfords Link

mikerd4

I have a 15% off voucher and a 100€ voucher for halfords so its hard to go elsewhere. That Carrera doesnt exactly look the part, it s afairly drab colour scheme (bad reason to ignore it I know)

lennymc

the boardmans are a much nicer bike than the carreras. Carrera are halfords own brand, whereas boardmans are just sold through halfords. Id go with the boardman.

endacl

lennymc wrote: »

the boardmans are a much nicer bike than the carreras. Carrera are halfords own brand, whereas boardmans are just sold through halfords. Id go with the boardman.

Seconded. You really would have to go out of your way to find a better machine for the outlay. On that point, have you checked out the discount offers in the likes of crc or wiggle?

Seve OB

hmm, a bike for the wife.....

Something without any brakes should do the trick

woody_2000

I have a 15% off voucher and a 100€ voucher for halfords so its hard to go elsewhere. That Carrera doesnt exactly look the part, it s afairly drab colour scheme (bad reason to ignore it I know)

I just threw the Carrera/Subway idea in there as I had one over 4 years ago before it got stolen. Paid €450 for it (Subway 2) and only had it for 3 months. Thought it wasn't a bad bike though, and was my first return to cycling after many, many years. I was just after returning back to the country and thought a bicycle would suit my needs for fitness/transport. Almost 5 years later and I'm still cycling, and can't even get myself to consider going back to driving a car (ughh!) as I can easily get by without one.

Generally, what mainly sets most bicycles apart is components/specification - and that is usually reletively easy to quantify. Carrera frames bikes may be made by the same company that make Boardman (and Specialized) frames bikes, if I'm not mistaken - so overall specification (and appearance) might be the main consideration.

Personally, I'd go for more a subdued/sober (drab?!) appearance - but that's just purely a more personal/subjective matter... The Boardman bikes are nice though, and if I was personally getting one I'd be inclined to go for a more subdued colour scheme - but again that's just purely a subjective personal preference, even though I do also like the less drab colours... Best of luck with your ultimate choice. Rgds.

Donnelly117

mikerd4 wrote: »

My wife currently has a 17" Mountain bike. The Boardmans come in 16 or 18, any idea which would be better? Id imagine smaller but want to check

Id go with the smaller size. Its a lot easier to make a small bike bigger then it is to make a big bike smaller!

mikerd4

Popped into Halfords last night, staff very friendly and straight over. Pity he didnt have a clue about the bikes, especially given I had to tell him the sizes and prices of the bikes that he sells! They didnt have a womens hybrid on display although they had some in the stock room that he wasnt prepared to go get (I accept it was probably disassembled in the box so no big worry there).
Despite his best efforts, he hasnt put me off, looking at the Boardman bikes up close they are decent pieces of kit so I reckon Ill be buying one in the next week or so