First Bike for Cycling to Work

Ah_Yeah

Apologies if this has been done to death, but I'm looking for some advice on buying my first bike to commute to work. I currently live about a 10 minute drive from work (30 minutes in traffic), and I want to start cycling to work to save time sat in traffic, and to keep fit.

I have been looking at Hybrid Bikes, as I'd like to do some off road cycling too at some point, but I'm not going to be using the bike excessively, mostly the 15 minutes cycle to and from work.

I don't want to spend too much (ideally no more than €300, as I'm not going to be using it for more than commuting). If I feel I'd like to do more cycling as time goes on, I'll upgrade through the BTW scheme.

Any help would be great, just a basic bike for a newbie!

lochdara

Ah_Yeah wrote: »

Apologies if this has been done to death, but I'm looking for some advice on buying my first bike to commute to work. I currently live about a 10 minute drive from work (30 minutes in traffic), and I want to start cycling to work to save time sat in traffic, and to keep fit.

I have been looking at Hybrid Bikes, as I'd like to do some off road cycling too at some point, but I'm not going to be using the bike excessively, mostly the 15 minutes cycle to and from work.

I don't want to spend too much (ideally no more than €300, as I'm not going to be using it for more than commuting). If I feel I'd like to do more cycling as time goes on, I'll upgrade through the BTW scheme.

Any help would be great, just a basic bike for a newbie!

Bike 2 work might end in budget. We dont know that though. U would get nice hybrid fir 700 and if ur on high tax rate ud save 350 or do on that.

monkeypants

If I had the cash right now, I'd get a Ridley Eos. Around €800 and has mounts for a carrier/panniers.

Ah_Yeah

If I had a little more cash, I'd really splash out. I just can't afford it right now, but I'd like to start cycling soon.

at1withmyself

Cycle Super Store have some ideal bikes in your price range like this one:

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=50115

For a 15 minute spin to work its ideal and would also be suited for some longer day trips or shorter distance sportiffs.

Ah_Yeah

Thanks for the advice so far everyone. I know Halfords get a bad rep here but I was looking at this bike (that bike suggested is still a wee bit out of my price range). Would the above bike be enough to get me going for the next 6 - 12 months?

polymath

I would have also wanted to cycle to work, but I have to go through 2 major highways and my commute is about 2 hours. I guess I just have to buy a trainer bike then

Undercover Elephant

Here's what I would do in your position:

Use the CTW scheme and get the best bike you can afford. If you're a higher rate taxpayer, you could get a €600 bike for your €300 budget. But if you think you will be able to afford something else in 6m time, then as long as your employer is prepared to do the usual deal of spreading the cost into monthly installments, you could do even better than that.

Let's say you get a €750 bike. It will be a while before you want to change it. And if you decide that cycling isn't for you, you can sell it for €450 to €500. But it won't have cost you anything. You keep the tax saving and don't have to give it back.

If you don't use the scheme, it might be gone in January, and you'll have held out for nothing.

If you're dead set on getting a €300 bike now, then the best thing you can do is get a decent second hand one. That's not anti-Halfords snobbery - the Carreras are decent bikes for the money. The Apollos are not. It will simply be much less enjoyable than on a decent bike. Example: this is within your budget and if it's in the condition it says it is, it's a very good bike (though Treks are also notorious thief-magnets). If you don't know what you're looking for, you could find a local bike shop doing sales of second hand bikes.

It also makes more sense if you change it later. An Apollo will lose about half its value the moment you wheel it out of the store; a good €300 second hand bike might still be worth €250 in a couple of years' time.

Ah_Yeah

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll go with the BTW scheme and get a decent bike! So ideally I'd like to spend no more than €400 (after all the benefits that is!), so I can spread it over a few months! I'm still on the lower rate of tax!

I'm actually looking forward to cycling to work, the cycle lane goes the whole way from my house to work so it should be a good way to ease me in

Could anyone recommend a decent bike for me, I'm 5'5" Female, and about 9 stone (not sure if that makes a difference)

Sorry for not having a clue what I'm looking for/talking about!

awec

Go to your local bike shop. I'll pm you the one I used as I don't know if I can promote them on here, but they are good and local to you

How long you have to repay will depend on your employer. I had to pay mine back within 3 pay packets, but I know people who are paying theirs off over 12 months.

I'm not sure how much use a hybrid would be off road btw.