Advice on buying a Bike

Cianaf

Hi,

I am looking to buy my first bike(22 years of age) after multiple knee injuries brought my team sports career to a premature end. I have no clue what to look for in buying a bike for what I want to do so was looking for some advice.

I don't plan on going off road, but don't need to get a racing bike either. My primary use for it would be to cycle to and from the gym or, at times, to cylce over country roads. As such, I was thinking I would need some form of suspension or mountain bike(technical terms probably way off).

If any more experienced bike riders can offer any advice it would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Tonyandthewhale

What's your budget? And why don't you want a road bike?

If you're only going to ride it on the road then you don't need a mountain bike and you don't need suspension. In fact, not only do you not need such things, they would be major hindrances that you should avoid (unless you actually want to take up mountain biking which is great).

Buying a mountain bike to do road riding is like buying cross country ski's to go playing water polo.
Buying a hybrid bike with a suspension fork is beyond my powers of analogy to ridicule.

I'd suggest you buy a road bike (if your budget will allow it), or if you feel you need one for whatever reason buy a hybrid (but without suspension).

Cianaf

There are woods in my surrounding area that I would likely look to cycle around later on and some of the roads I'm surrounded by are pothole ridden(live in a town in the country).

I'm looking probably at two to four hundred to spend.

Plutonium Kun

The best 'do it all' bikes are cyclecross bikes - they are basically road bikes, but toughened up so they can be ridden off road. But they tend to start at a higher price band than four hundred. At that price, there would be more choice in hybrids. The Ridgeback range is pretty good i believe.

Buzwaldo

As Tony said, suspension will only add weight (which is a big difference to any type of riding), and is un-necessary for roads (even potholed ones).
What about a non-racer road bike, thats still light enough and smooth enough to be enjoyable. Sugest something like a giant rapid, or specialized sirrius. Generally plenty available second-hand for your budget, and unlike the new ones, you can take them for a good test spin. If not in a hurry, should be able to get one in your size. A good bike is a pleasure to ride, but a new bike that you will get for 200 will be heavier and more of a chore. Don't mean to sound snobbish, but that's my experience.
Do you have any buddy who's into cycling, who could advise, or loan you a bike?
Anyway, best wishes with the search.

Darkglasses

I think a hybrid with no suspension would be ideal for you, and there would be loads of options within your price range from all the well known brands. I personally use a Giant Escape 3 for commuting, I think it would be good for what you need and it is within your budget. It takes wider tires than a road bike, making it more capable for off road or rough roads.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.escape.3.black/11838/56825/

Trojan

If you do want a mountain bike, there are 3 options: rigid (no suspension), hardtail (suspension fork at the front) and full-suspension (front and rear). A cheap (less than €500-1000) MTB with suspension will have lower quality components and be quite heavy - you're better off with no suspension than a bad one. The Trek 4300 is a decent entry-level MTB, there loads of others.