Decent beginner bikes advice?

Jolt2007

Hi, I apologise in advance for the wall of text and thanks to anyone to actually reads it. I'm currently looking for a new bike, and I've been trying to research what would best suit me, with a little success I think, but there's still many things I still need help with. Before I get into my own situation, are there any guides out there that teach newbies what to look for in a bike when it comes to things like components? I see many guides saying to avoid BSO and why, but cant find anything to teach you what to look for so you know if the bike you're looking at is an awful BSO or just a decent value bike.

Anywho, I'm male, around 6'3 and looking for something to just use as transport, go to and from shops, into town, just a few miles etc. but I'd like it to be decent enough to be able to go further afield should the mood take me. I'm from the the middle of nowhere in Donegal so the roads aren't the best. I've tried the local bike shop but selection seemed rather poor for my needs. The only things they had in my size were a tank of a mountain bike and a rather cheap 3 speed bike. The only way I could get to a shop with better selection is to get there by bus, and I wouldn't feel confident in either cycling back home that far yet or in putting the bike in the baggage compartment under the bus, if that's even allowed. I've tried looking for second hand bikes too, but finding anything nearby is rare, and something nearby that's also large enough seems to be like hens teeth. I wouldnt know if it was in good shape or not though even if I were to find one.

That leaves me looking online. Certainly not ideal but it seems to be my best option, that I can think off at least. I'm looking to spend around €300 on the bike itself, with some leeway either side if it's worth it, maaaybe as far as €400. Perhaps I'm mistaken with my assumptions, but reading around forums and websites the advice seems to be at this price range to avoid things like suspension, and that 8 speed is quite a bit superior to 7 speed?

Searching around with that in mind I came across this:
Mongoose Crossway 300 2011 Hybrid Bike for €310.86
I've tried looking for reviews or opinions but came up empty handed, but to my admittedly unknowledgeable eye it seems like solid value.

Or perhaps:
Giant Escape 3 at €355
Slightly more expensive, but with a brand name that I've heard positive things about. Is it actually worth the extra €45? If it's better, why?

Some others I've been looking at include: Vitus Bikes Velu 2 City Bike 2012 (€374.76) or the Raleigh AIRLite SF1.0 (€399.99)
Both are quite a bit more expensive, however, they do both have what I believe are go faster stripes on the frame, which may well justify the expense :pac: And again I've found little in the way of review and opinion about them, but the rest of Vitus bikes seem to be highly praised.

I could well have just made 4 terrible choices, but I suppose that's why I ask. If there's something wrong with these, or a far superior alternative available then any advice will be appreciated. Perhaps those websites aren't even trustworthy. Any other sites I should look at?

OEMBS

Where is Donegal are ya?
There is a bit of a difference in them bikes you looked,
Mongoose, Vitus and the Giant is a more of a town bike, upright and commuter friendly.
Tha Raleigh is a bit more 'sporty' slight lower front and less comfort.

If I was you id be looking at a Voodoo Marasa Better quality gears and bigger range, hydraulic brakes, rigid frame. Nicer too imo.:D

Jolt2007

OEMBS wrote: »

Where is Donegal are ya?
There is a bit of a difference in them bikes you looked,
Mongoose, Vitus and the Giant is a more of a town bike, upright and commuter friendly.
Tha Raleigh is a bit more 'sporty' slight lower front and less comfort.

If I was you id be looking at a Voodoo Marasa Better quality gears and bigger range, hydraulic brakes, rigid frame. Nicer too imo.:D

Closest town is Donegal Town so quite a bit away from a Halfords unfortunately, but thanks. I'll keep that in mind should I happen to be near one sometime soon.

If I dont get to go to Halfords though would any of the ones I listed be considered poor bikes or poor value? I'm leaning towards the Mongoose from those, but honestly my reasoning's aren't based on much other than it being cheapest yet looking decent to my untrained eye.

smacl

The Giant Escape 3 is decent value, will be comfy and well suited to crappy back roads and hills. The raleigh also looks nice but would be less comfortable on bad surfaces (narrow 23mm tyres vs 35mm on the giant) and more work to get up hills (smaller gear range) being more like a flat bar racer than a commuter. The Raleigh would be much nippier and potentially much more fun, whereas the Giant would be the better functional choice.

Haven't heard of the mongoose, and would probably avoid it for the sake of a few quid extra for the Giant.

Chuck Stone

I was just looking through the forum and didn't see much advice being given out on buying a cheap bike.

How did you get on OP?

I was thinking of getting something like this from halfords?

The reviews seem pretty good but I'm not sure...

langdang

Suspension on a bike twice that price will be pretty crap.
"suspension" on a bike at that price will be pure crap. Don't do it.

Maldesu

You could take a day trip to Dublin or Galway and test out a few. Some might organise a delivery or you could order online afterwards. Make a weekend out of it or something. A bike can look great on paper but when you get on it, could be a different story altogether.

Chuck Stone

Sorry OP I hope you don't mind me completely high-jacking your thread but I'm in the same boat.

Jolt2007 wrote: »

the Raleigh AIRLite SF1.0 (€399.99)
Both are quite a bit more expensive, however, they do both have what I believe are go faster stripes on the frame, which may well justify the expense :pac: And again I've found little in the way of review

I have to say that I kinda fancy that Raleigh.
I looked at some reviews on amazon and people seem to love it.

Jolt2007

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Sorry OP I hope you don't mind me completely high-jacking your thread but I'm in the same boat.

Nah, it's cool. Means I don't have to keep bumping the topic

Still haven't got anything myself. Hopefully I'll be going to take a look at the Voodoo that OEMBS suggested sometime this weekend.

Chuck Stone

Jolt2007 wrote: »

Nah, it's cool. Means I don't have to keep bumping the topic

Still haven't got anything myself. Hopefully I'll be going to take a look at the Voodoo that OEMBS suggested sometime this weekend.

I guess the benefit of buying a bike from a brick-and-mortar shop is that it's easier to bring it back if it explodes or falls apart or something.

suttonca2597

I had a Raleigh SF1.0 and found it great until it got robbed!

Great on hills, used it to commute from Swords to City Centre and was perfect.

Cheap and cheerful!

djtwigster

Carrera Subway gets my vote any day.Low maintenance, rugged, cheap as chips (on line offers/axa insurance).