new bike for going to school. advice please!

jimmyg01011

Hello there. I know little to nothing about biking but am interested in biking to school on some days a week. The journey is 8 miles (one way) but it is on a good quality off road bike trail (Tissington trail in Derbyshire if anyone is interested). So I'm looking for something that is reliable for resonably long distances, I don't need something for going through fields, woods and doing stunts, nor anything fancy or with uber brakes and 100 gears etc.

Also, I'd like something lightweight, and because the journey is realtively flat and smooth, I'm not bothered about full suspension. Aluminium frame would be great.

Lastly, I would need it to be a 20" - 22" frame.

My max budget is £150. I know this won't get me an amazing quality bike: I just want something that will go from A to B on smooth terrain that won't fall apart in the process.

Thanks for any help!

crashtestdummy12

Firstly, I don't think you need a mountainbike for thr tissington trail. Also, are you sure yo uneed such a masive frame? With that budget I would go second hand - ask your local bike shop and check clasified ads ect. Good Luck

AndyManc

If you want new , I know most people do , then how about this.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/iron-horse/maverick-10-2007-mountain-bike-ec014820


or .... check out your local shops ( inc. charity shops ) and newspapers for second hand.

simon_e

Try looking for something secondhand in good condition, you'll always get better value than new. A hybrid (part-town, part MTB) might be the thing to look for, though take someone knowledgeable with you. Any suspension adds weight and complexity so avoid it if you can. Don't forget ebay (you can restrict the search to sellers within a certain distance) as well as local classifieds and the newsagent's window.

Frame size will vary between brands, so don't take that as a fixed. Also IMHO it's easier to make a slightly too small bike fit OK than one that's too big.

Whatever you buy, get some good mixed-surface tyres with good p*nct*re resistance e.g. Schwalbe Marathon; these roll more easily than MTB knobblies but cope with uneven surfaces better than narrow slicks. Also fit some kind of mudguards. Full-length or 3/4 type would keep water and dirt off your clothes on the wet days. Don't forget a lock and good lights, spare batteries and inner tube and tyre levers. Make sure you can change a wheel (or phone for help) before riding anywhere alone.

Coriander

Also, try your local Freecycle as sometimes there are bicycles on there. And as the it says on the tin, they're free!