Bike recommendations?

veganrun

I am looking at buying a bike and I'm wondering which one to go for. My budget would be around £400 sterling max.

I would mainly be using it for commuting to work (about 4 miles a day) but would like something to go on longer cycles at the weekends or in the evenings so something comfortable. I find the Belfast bikes handy but uncomfortable at times. I am currently using the Belfast bikes each day but gave started to want my own. I am interested in a hub geared bike and Chain reaction have a few but the bike would also need mudguards and their hub bikes don't come with them so it would be extra I assume.

I also have Halfords and Decathlon stores near me but they only seem to have regular geared bikes and I'm not sure I need something with 20+ gears and the maintenance that comes with it. But never having owned a bike with gears, maybe it's not that bad? I guess in my head the gearing seems confusing with all the cogs on the front and back. The city bikes have a Shimano Nexus hub which Ive found simple and easy to use.

Mercian Pro

Useful article here https://www.aquabluesport.com/blog/buyers-guide-to-road-bikes.html on what to look for in a bike. It might be a bit too detailed for what you want but it's worth a read.

I wouldn't worry too much about buying a "regular geared" bike. Provided it is properly set up when you buy it, it shouldn't need much in the way of maintenance. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated and the tyres inflated are the main things to look after.

Kevincavan83

veganrun wrote: »

I am looking at buying a bike and I'm wondering which one to go for. My budget would be around £400 sterling max.

I would mainly be using it for commuting to work (about 4 miles a day) but would like something to go on longer cycles at the weekends or in the evenings so something comfortable. I find the Belfast bikes handy but uncomfortable at times. I am currently using the Belfast bikes each day but gave started to want my own. I am interested in a hub geared bike and Chain reaction have a few but the bike would also need mudguards and their hub bikes don't come with them so it would be extra I assume.

I also have Halfords and Decathlon stores near me but they only seem to have regular geared bikes and I'm not sure I need something with 20+ gears and the maintenance that comes with it. But never having owned a bike with gears, maybe it's not that bad? I guess in my head the gearing seems confusing with all the cogs on the front and back. The city bikes have a Shimano Nexus hub which Ive found simple and easy to use.

Hey veganrun,
Why not ask your employer about the bike to work scheme where you work, it could increase your budget by 100% as you will pay approximately 50% depending on your tax payments.
It would be worth asking

veganrun

Our company has a Bike to Work scheme but it's only with certain companies for some reason, although I think Halfords is the only main supplier they have it with.

I went to Halfords and Decathlon today.  The Halfords bikes seemed ok although I think I preferred the look of the B:Twin bikes in Decathlon, although they only had the women's Hybrid's there and no other hybrid's.

Will probably take a trip to Chain Reaction this week and see what they have.  They seem like a proper bike specialist so I will hopefully get good advice from them.

traveller0101

Hey veganrun, mind if I piggyback on your thread instead of creating a new one?

I am also looking for a bike. I would be commuting 10/11km to/from work Monday-Friday (22km in total) from South Dublin into City Centre. I like the idea of going cycling on weekends as a hobby so same distance or more then as well.

My budget would be 1000e with the bike to work scheme for the bike. I could get equipment (helmet, locks) etc on top of that.

I found this online: wiggle dot com /verenti-substance-105-2016/. Looks great but honestly I am a newbie and know nothing about bikes or what I even need. Any opinions appriciated!

(Sorry, I can't post the correct URL since I am a newbie to Boards as well)

veganrun

Went into Chain Reaction and they recommended this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-dee-29-vrs-city-bike-2016/rp-prod135367

I can't remember the exact price but it was either £320 or £330 sterling.  It seemed nice enough although I'm not sure about the wheels.  They seemed very big.  He said they were mountain bike wheels and tyres.  I enquired about getting puncture resistant tyres but he said they are not available for that size.  I would also need to add mudguards, lights and a chain protector to it which are extra.

Kind of considering this one too from Decathlon.  It has everything I need pretty much already on it.  I imagine it's heavier than the one I saw in CRC this evening though.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-520-city-hybrid-bike-id_8307666.html

I kind of liked this one in CRC but he didn't seem too keen on it which is surprising as it's more expensive.  Although again it would need mudguards, lights and a chain protector.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se-bikes-tripel-city-bike-2017/rp-prod150682

Also considering these as well from Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-trail-mens-hybrid-bike

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-1-mens-hybrid-bike

Having said all that I don't know if I'm better off buying something cheaper and buying the mudguards etc and adding those myself.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-mens-hybrid-bike-black
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-mens-hybrid-bike-2015

jamesbil

veganrun wrote: »

Went into Chain Reaction and they recommended this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-dee-29-vrs-city-bike-2016/rp-prod135367

I can't remember the exact price but it was either £320 or £330 sterling.  It seemed nice enough although I'm not sure about the wheels.  They seemed very big.  He said they were mountain bike wheels and tyres.  I enquired about getting puncture resistant tyres but he said they are not available for that size.  I would also need to add mudguards, lights and a chain protector to it which are extra.

Kind of considering this one too from Decathlon.  It has everything I need pretty much already on it.  I imagine it's heavier than the one I saw in CRC this evening though.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-520-city-hybrid-bike-id_8307666.html

I kind of liked this one in CRC but he didn't seem too keen on it which is surprising as it's more expensive.  Although again it would need mudguards, lights and a chain protector.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se-bikes-tripel-city-bike-2017/rp-prod150682

Also considering these as well from Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-trail-mens-hybrid-bike

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-1-mens-hybrid-bike

Having said all that I don't know if I'm better off buying something cheaper and buying the mudguards etc and adding those myself.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-mens-hybrid-bike-black
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-mens-hybrid-bike-2015

You are in the same position as me, trying to find a decent mid range fully equipped hybrid.
I had settled on and ordered a Raleigh Circa 2. Ticks all the boxes for me, only to be told it is not available till end on may! So back to the keyboard..
I really liked the BTWIN 520 also but was put off by its weight, lots of hills here in mayo.
The Claude Butler Windermere is another option.

jamesbil

Or a Felt qx80 eq from wiggle. Similar spec to the hoprider.

Kevincavan83

traveller0101 wrote: »

Hey veganrun, mind if I piggyback on your thread instead of creating a new one?

I am also looking for a bike. I would be commuting 10/11km to/from work Monday-Friday (22km in total) from South Dublin into City Centre. I like the idea of going cycling on weekends as a hobby so same distance or more then as well.

My budget would be 1000e with the bike to work scheme for the bike. I could get equipment (helmet, locks) etc on top of that.

I found this online: wiggle dot com /verenti-substance-105-2016/. Looks great but honestly I am a newbie and know nothing about bikes or what I even need. Any opinions appriciated!

(Sorry, I can't post the correct URL since I am a newbie to Boards as well)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-substance-105-2016/

This is a cyclocross bike, it will have wider knobbly tyres, it will be heavier than a standard road bike prob an rxtra 2kg but has a good groupset (gears,shifters and brakes)
Being cyclocross it can withstand a bit more bumps and knocks.

traveller0101

Sounds good. Looked at cycleways.ie and it doesn't seem to stock that type of bike. Anywhere I can walk into in the city centre and get fitted?

Kevincavan83

veganrun wrote: »

Went into Chain Reaction and they recommended this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-dee-29-vrs-city-bike-2016/rp-prod135367

I can't remember the exact price but it was either £320 or £330 sterling.  It seemed nice enough although I'm not sure about the wheels.  They seemed very big.  He said they were mountain bike wheels and tyres.  I enquired about getting puncture resistant tyres but he said they are not available for that size.  I would also need to add mudguards, lights and a chain protector to it which are extra.

Kind of considering this one too from Decathlon.  It has everything I need pretty much already on it.  I imagine it's heavier than the one I saw in CRC this evening though.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-520-city-hybrid-bike-id_8307666.html

I kind of liked this one in CRC but he didn't seem too keen on it which is surprising as it's more expensive.  Although again it would need mudguards, lights and a chain protector.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/se-bikes-tripel-city-bike-2017/rp-prod150682

Also considering these as well from Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-trail-mens-hybrid-bike

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/raleigh-pioneer-1-mens-hybrid-bike

Having said all that I don't know if I'm better off buying something cheaper and buying the mudguards etc and adding those myself.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-mens-hybrid-bike-black
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-mens-hybrid-bike-2015

Just because something is more expensive it doesn't mean it's altogether better, the lads in CRC would have more experience with the bikes and probably more interest in them too, he/she probably recommended the first bike based on your needs based on size/weight/requirements also vitus are a great brand another point
Halfords have a **** aftercare service
And the customer service is shockingly bad unless you know your consumer law

Kevincavan83

traveller0101 wrote: »

Sounds good. Looked at cycleways.ie and it doesn't seem to stock that type of bike. Anywhere I can walk into in the city centre and get fitted?

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/search_b.asp?s_and=1&s_keyw=Cyclocross

Only problem is not as good a groupset as the one you are looking at on wiggle.
Shimano grades them from claris 8gears sora 9gears tiagra 10gears 105 11gears ultegra 11 duraace 11,
Wiggle is an english online company but some places companies deal with the.
They are on the approved shops for HSe staff

veganrun

I'm considering this one now too. Bit more expensive but has everything I need.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-square-trekking-2-city-bike-2016/rp-prod141663

jamesbil

So I have just come home with a Vercelli Oakland. I know its only an entry level hybrid, but it feels well built and comes with mudguards, rack, suspension seat post, EZ shift gears and a stand.
I have only done a couple of miles on it but is a huge step up from my old MTB, smooth, silent, fast and very light.
Might be worth a look op

veganrun

Nice looking bike James.

I think I have found one I like:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghost-square-trekking-1-city-bike-2016/rp-prod141661

jamesbil

Thats a lovely bike, wish I was closer to places like CRC and Decathlon