What bike to get?

b_mac2

Complete novice here with bikes, with no engine in them, so bare with me!!

Long story short, I'm not going to be able to drive my motorbikes anymore for the next few months, so I need to look in to getting a cycling bike to get to work. I have no idea on what model/type of bike is best suited to my needs?So I would be really grateful if I could get some suggestions? Here is what I need it for anyway:
- 2x3km round trips everyday
- going to have to deal with a lot of hills
- no interest in using it for anything else
- €600 budget

Cheers in advance.

Beasty

Does your employer offer the Bike to Work scheme? If they do your €600 could turn into around a grand, depending on your marginal tax rate. It's designed to give tax relief on bikes used mainly for commuting which is clearly the intention in your case

Darkglasses

Welcome to the forum!

With the hills you're going to want to look out for a more lightweight bike, definitely with no suspension. Also since you're just starting off, you're going to want a wide selection of gears, maybe even a triple front chain set.

With your budget you can get a quite decent entry-level road bike, or you could look into the second-hand market for greater value.

If you want to stick with straight handlebars (as opposed to the kind that go on Road bikes, called "drop handlebars), something like this would be ideal - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/rapid.4/19205/77302/

If you're willing to give drop handlebars a go, you could try this - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.5/14977/66549/

Basically all the other big manufacturers (like Trek, Cube, Lapierre, etc.) will make an equivalent bike with the same components for roughly the same costs, it just depends on what your local bike shop stocks. Drop handlebars are widely preferred for the amount of extra hand-positions they offer, giving the rider greater comfort for long-distance riding. If you're quite sure that you'll only be riding 3 km at a time, it won't make a big difference. A lot of bike riders quickly catch 'the bug' after starting off commuting though

b_mac2

Beasty wrote: »

Does your employer offer the Bike to Work scheme? If they do your €600 could turn into around a grand, depending on your marginal tax rate. It's designed to give tax relief on bikes used mainly for commuting which is clearly the intention in your case

Yes my employer does offer the Bike to Work scheme?

Lumen

Anything will do for that sort of distance, but assuming you'll be wearing normal clothing, get something with mudguards.

I'd get something like these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/creme-cafe-racer-solo-mens-3sp-bike-2013/rp-prod86187

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/creme-holy-moly-doppio-mens-dynamo-3-spd-bike-2014/rp-prod110307

edit: oh, I missed the "going to have to deal with a lot of hills" requirement

chicorytip

Trek mountain bike.

Unknown Soldier

b_mac2 wrote: »

Complete novice here with bikes, with no engine in them, so bare with me!!

Long story short, I'm not going to be able to drive my motorbikes anymore for the next few months, so I need to look in to getting a cycling bike to get to work. I have no idea on what model/type of bike is best suited to my needs?So I would be really grateful if I could get some suggestions? Here is what I need it for anyway:
- 2x3km round trips everyday
- going to have to deal with a lot of hills
- no interest in using it for anything else
- €600 budget

Cheers in advance.

I'd advise not wasting your BTW just yet. It's a 6km daily commute. Buy a second hand cheap assed mountain bike with 3 front chain rings, as you have mentioned hills.

That way if you "get into" cycling, which happens, you can use your BTW to get a nice road bike.

Just do some research on getting the right size of bike first.

Carawaystick

I'd agree on getting a cheap second hand mtb, and the get good slick mtb tyres.

I have schwalbe spicer slick tyres, gone more than 2000 km on them with no punctures, cost 50 a pair from a local bike shop in Swords, possibly cheaper online.

Lidl/Aldi do good pumps every now and then, I pump them up to 6 bar / 90 psi and you just roll along. most garage airlines top out at 4 bar/60 psi, you definitely feel the slowing of the tyres then.
lidl pump is 7/8 euros.

berger89

halfords hybrid bikes???