A budget bike for commuting short distances

Joey Jo-Jo Junior

I suppose I should start off by saying what my cycling needs are. Right now, I cycle 7km each way to work everyday over mostly flat rural roads at a leisurely pace. When college starts, it'll be 5km each way over flat city roads. Outside of that, I don't cycle. I live on the first floor and have to carry my bike up and down the stairs every day.

Right now, I use a cheap, rusty and heavy mountain bike that I bought second hand a year ago. It did its job in getting me back into cycling but I need something a little better. However, I'm stuck for cash. I can't really spend more than €300. I looked around a few websites and found that most of them start at €500! Then I looked at Halfords and found ones that start at around €200. I suppose my first question is, do I really need to spend at least €500 on a bike for my use? Especially when I can't afford it.

I was looking at a few hybrid bikes and found these:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/apollo-transfer-mens-hybrid-bike
Apollo Transfer €175
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-parva-mens-hybrid-bike
Carrera Parva €220
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-1-mens-hybrid-bike
Carrera Crossfire €256

And I also found this budget road bike:
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-mens-road-bike
Carrera Zelos €264

I quite like the look of the Zelos. Do you think it would suit my needs? Or is something like the Crossfire more appropriate?

I realise that my question is slightly incongruous with the rest of the discussion on this forum but I'd appreciate it someone could help. Thanks.

crosstownk

You currently have a 7km spin which will be reduced to 5km and your current bike has served you well.

At the risk of being banned - do you really need to spend money on a new bike?

rtmie

This is probably more suitable for adverts subforum, but I have a Giant Rapid 4 flatbar, about 4/5 years old but quite lightly used (basically realised I preferred a racer so got one of those and the Giant is largely unused). Your post has prompted me that I should really sell it. It is an M/L size so would suit 5-10ish to 6-1ish (I am 6ft myself).
It has almost brand new schwalbe marathon tyres which are very good for urban cycling (as in unlikely to puncture).

Anyway that might be a better use of your 300 if you are interested.

P_1

A second hand singlespeed sounds just the business for you. Have a look around some of the bike shops or the likes of adverts, ebay et al

tomasrojo

I think any bike that doesn't break down all the time would be ok for a 5km journey. However, you might find that cycling is the best way of getting around the city, and you find yourself doing longer journeys, or more frequent journeys.

rtmie's offer sounds pretty good.

Indricotherium

Joey Jo-Jo Junior wrote: »

I suppose I should start off by saying what my cycling needs are. Right now, I cycle 7km each way to work everyday over mostly flat rural roads at a leisurely pace. When college starts, it'll be 5km each way over flat city roads. Outside of that, I don't cycle. I live on the first floor and have to carry my bike up and down the stairs every day.

Right now, I use a cheap, rusty and heavy mountain bike that I bought second hand a year ago. It did its job in getting me back into cycling but I need something a little better. However, I'm stuck for cash. I can't really spend more than €300. I looked around a few websites and found that most of them start at €500! Then I looked at Halfords and found ones that start at around €200. I suppose my first question is, do I really need to spend at least €500 on a bike for my use? Especially when I can't afford it.

I was looking at a few hybrid bikes and found these:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/apollo-transfer-mens-hybrid-bike
Apollo Transfer €175
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-parva-mens-hybrid-bike
Carrera Parva €220
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-1-mens-hybrid-bike
Carrera Crossfire €256

And I also found this budget road bike:
http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-mens-road-bike
Carrera Zelos €264

I quite like the look of the Zelos. Do you think it would suit my needs? Or is something like the Crossfire more appropriate?

I realise that my question is slightly incongruous with the rest of the discussion on this forum but I'd appreciate it someone could help. Thanks.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/de-rosa-king-xs-super-record-eps-2017-road-bike/

smacl

tomasrojo wrote: »

I think any bike that doesn't break down all the time would be ok for a 5km journey. However, you might find that cycling is the best way of getting around the city, and you find yourself doing longer journeys, or more frequent journeys.

rtmie's offer sounds pretty good.

€200 - €300 would get you a reasonable 2nd hand bike, as per tomasrojo I reckon that rtmies rapid would be worth a look. Cheaper new bikes are liable to have poor components that don't last well and may prove frustrating and expensive to keep on the road for a daily commute. Single speed is good if you don't have hills to contend with as it is the lowest maintenance option. Plenty of options on adverts, though buying anything 2nd hand check it out carefully and make sure the seller can provide proof of ownership.

mickdw

I got a halfords roadbike secondhand for exercise. There was no way i was spending big money so suited me fine. Im doing 20km daily for last 6 months. No issues with it at all. Abit heavier than tbe expensive stuff but if you are moving from an old mountain bike, it will feel super light. Wiĺl be easy to carry upstairs too.

Mr. Grieves

Second hand all the way. Adverts has a glut of decent hybrids for around 200, with nobody interested so you should pay less. Look for something with mudguards and budget for a service/new brake pads and cables. For a short commute that's all you need.

Joey Jo-Jo Junior

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Lots to think about.