need a decent bike for under 250 pounds...ideas?

Toblerone1

Hi, i need help selecting a bike,
I haven't ridden in years, last bike i had was just an argos thingy. I've been looking at tredz.co.uk, i quite like the specialised globe sport hybrid i saw on there and a dawes XC mountain bike - are these poor choices?
I can't afford more than 200/250 on a bike as i'm a poor student and i want to save myself money by cycling as well as for having fun with my cycling addicted boyfriend at the weekends. I'll be cycling all seasons for about 6 miles each day.
I'm looking for either a sport hybrid (i road one with skinny tyres more like a road bike than a mountain bike) or a mountain bike and really can't decide between the two, i prefer the feel of the slimmer bike and i love riding really fast, but the mountain went uphill easier and i wonder if its safer for winter riding or just more useful than a hybrid with slick tyres put on?
I've tried looking for a second hand bike but a. i don't have a car to pick it up and b. there aren't any decent bikes second hand that are small enough! I don't want a kids bike!
I need a 15 or 16 inch frame, even the 16 inch i tried at the bike shop i couldn't actually touch the floor at all while sitting but was assured this was normal...

Any ideas what i should look out for or avoid in terms of this price range?
Where could i look?

symo

You need to get to a Decathalon store with that budget. Have a triple chain ring road bike for around £150. Which will leave you enough for lock helmet and some lights. It''s not the prettiest bike in the world but it will deliver you from a to b with the correct maintenance.

sc999cs

Even try Halfords. They have the Carrera Vulcan which would meet your needs.

bornagainbiker

Hi,
While your at Halfords check out the recently discounted Subways. They get consistantly good reviews.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165534

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165534

snooks

Why not look at 2nd hand bikes? A lot more bike for your buck

artaxerxes

Yep I second the Decathlon idea, I see lots of them on my London commute and it would be a good place to try out different bikes. While there you might as well get the rest of the kit ( if you don't have these already) like helmet, lights (front and rear), pump, multitool, gloves.

TRADESIZE

if you could just stretch to £300 then i would recommend a giant escape, i have one and for £300 i think its mint. It may be if you play your cards right you could get one for £250, as they will be selling them off discounted you would hope as its getting near the end of the year. . I think this bike just looks sleek too. i would beg borrow or steal the exrta 50 quid. you could hunt down a second hand bike but its more than likely not going to have been looked after as it should if been.

mines a 19' frame but i think you can get one in 15' as a girl in work has one that looks like a 15' one

see here with 10% free goods also

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... ctID=15479

remember a new bike will also come with a free service if bought from a local shop!

what do you reackon? personally i dont think you can beat this for £300, this bike also has a legendary XTC frame

gb155

I got my Giant Yukon for £280, BARGAIN, I know its not to everyones taste but it takes a beating from me day in and day out and with slicks its really fun and light to ride, Weaving in and out of traffic at rush hour with ease, I rode a friends bike home from work for him, A cheapo Halfords special, Wow that baby hurt, I couldnt wait to get my Yukon back.

Looks pretty cool too.





Its the 08 Model and was purchased from my LBS In April.


Gaz

biondino

Toblerone, one thing - mountain bikes are usually a lot heavier than bikes designed for the road (although hybrids are often closer in weight to MTBs) so it's really unlikely the MTB would be quicker up a hill!

To be honest, it sounds like you want a road bike, possibly with flat bars if you don't fancy drops (though drops give you more hand positions and are narrower in traffic). I would also advise you keep looking for something second hand as, unless you're unlucky, you really will get more bang for your buck - probably 30-60% off the RRP, which will take you into the realm of properly decent bikes.

How tall are you and how long are your legs? If you go for road sizing you're probably looking something in the mid 40s centimetres if you're under 5'2" or so.

biondino

Hey Toblerone - check this out, looks a real bargain at £300.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12590202

sc999cs

biondino wrote:

Hey Toblerone - check this out, looks a real bargain at £300.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12590202

Does look a bargin - Giant bikes are generally awesome.