New Bike Advice

iGlaswegian

I feel like such an idiot coming to these forums, everyone on here seems to know what they want and I have no clue - despite cycling for over 2 years now. Forgive the 'noobness'.

I'll give it a shot nevertheless.

At present, i've got a Klein mountain bike (changed the tyres to road standards). Nothing wrong with the bike itself, i've grown in height and require a new bike (I am told that I need a bigger 'frame'??).

Here's a current video of my bike (YouTube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR_X7UrQ00c

My question is, I am looking for a similar sort of bike to this i.e. lightweight. What am I specifically looking for and could someone literally spoon feed me as to where I should get this from i.e. shop name or online web store. I am useless with the hardware part to cycles and would appreciate any feedback. My budget: if I could keep it to below £500, I would be happy.

GSDog

Hey,

What type of riding do you do?

For £500 you should definitely take a look at the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1, it looks like a really good bike for money.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-8-1-66759353/
Review; http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/6433

iGlaswegian

I ride on roads. I'm pretty sure the Klein one which I have at present is a mountain bike, just the tyres have changed on them to road ones.

Ideally, I want something exactly similar to the one I mentioned in my opening post - with a bigger frame size.

The bike which you mentioned looks good, all I would need to do is change the tyres to road ones yeah?

keirtristan

If you're riding on roads I would look at a road or hybrid/commuter bike. Although mountain bikes are perfectly capable road riders they're really designed for the rough stuff.

iGlaswegian

keirtristan wrote:

If you're riding on roads I would look at a road or hybrid/commuter bike. Although mountain bikes are perfectly capable road riders they're really designed for the rough stuff.

Any specific model that you recommend from the hybrid collection? Whats the closest that comes to the current bike that i've got?

My current Klein mtb is lightweight and its probably one of the reasons I love it.

EDIT: oh and, I really appreciate you guys replying to this thread - it is greatly greatly appreciated.

Si78

The Boardman Hybrids are pretty nice.

Would deffo be better if you are just road riding.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65534#dtab

GSDog

Si78 wrote:

The Boardman Hybrids are pretty nice.

Would deffo be better if you are just road riding.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65534#dtab

Agreed. If you're just using it on the road then I'd recommend a hybrid and those Boardman bikes are meant to be good.
I'd recommend trying one out at your local halfords if you can. Also look at road bikes while your there too.

iGlaswegian

Oh right, sorted.

I thought Halfords was 'the' store to avoid. Quite a few folk seemed to think its a no go zone - will check this bike out tomorrow.

Thanks

GSDog

iGlaswegian wrote:

Oh right, sorted.

I thought Halfords was 'the' store to avoid. Quite a few folk seemed to think its a no go zone - will check this bike out tomorrow.

Thanks

It really depends on your local store. Some have had really bad experiences with Halfords but others have had excellent service.

Boardman bikes are only sold at Halfords but it's worth it because they are extremely good value for money.
Alternatively, you could go to your local store, try the bike out and if you like it you could then order it online where it'll come fully built thus missing out your local halfords (if you don't trust them!).
Chris Boardman himself recently started a topic here on these forums discussing it;
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... s+boardman

Si78

GSDog wrote:

iGlaswegian wrote:

Oh right, sorted.

I thought Halfords was 'the' store to avoid. Quite a few folk seemed to think its a no go zone - will check this bike out tomorrow.

Thanks

It really depends on your local store. Some have had really bad experiences with Halfords but others have had excellent service.

Boardman bikes are only sold at Halfords but it's worth it because they are extremely good value for money.
Alternatively, you could go to your local store, try the bike out and if you like it you could then order it online where it'll come fully built thus missing out your local halfords (if you don't trust them!).
Chris Boardman himself recently started a topic here on these forums discussing it;
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... s+boardman

I agree, it does depend on the store. I wish the option of 'home delivery' had been available on the Boardmans when I got mine.

You will be amazed how quick a hybrid or road bike is compared to a slick-shod MTB.
I regularly get razzed off by peeps on hybrids when I'm riding to work :oops:

That said, MTB's are excellent 'do-everything bikes'. Depends on your priorities.

If I had some spare cash (chance would be a fine thing!) I would deffo be buying a road bike or performance hybrid, and use my MTB purely for off road.

iGlaswegian

Hi

Me again, after a while. Got caught up on a few things (dissertation!) and still havent got round to purchasing a new one.

Would any of these two be recommended?
http://www.bikes-behindbars.co.uk/prodp ... EN=8331451

Its just that this shop is local and I wouldnt mind getting it from there. Or would you suggest going for the halfords one?

Cheers

Broonster

iGlaswegian wrote:

Hi

Me again, after a while. Got caught up on a few things (dissertation!) and still havent got round to purchasing a new one.

Would any of these two be recommended?
http://www.bikes-behindbars.co.uk/prodp ... EN=8331451

Its just that this shop is local and I wouldnt mind getting it from there. Or would you suggest going for the halfords one?

Cheers

Since you're in Glasgow, have you tried Dales at all? Great shop and great staff in there, who'll give you heaps of 1-to-1 advice. Some good deals on just now too

http://www.dalescycles.com/Articles.asp?ID=138

supersonic

iGlaswegian wrote:

Hi

Me again, after a while. Got caught up on a few things (dissertation!) and still havent got round to purchasing a new one.

Would any of these two be recommended?
http://www.bikes-behindbars.co.uk/prodp ... EN=8331451

Its just that this shop is local and I wouldnt mind getting it from there. Or would you suggest going for the halfords one?

Cheers

I'd avoid budget marins. Tend to be poorly specced.

iGlaswegian

decision decisions, so hard to choose

will give dales a try, they're right beside my old uni

Broonster

iGlaswegian wrote:

decision decisions, so hard to choose

will give dales a try, they're right beside my old uni

They've got some great starter bikes with brands like Specialized & Giant, which you can't really go wrong with.

iGlaswegian

Broonster wrote:

iGlaswegian wrote:

decision decisions, so hard to choose

will give dales a try, they're right beside my old uni

They've got some great starter bikes with brands like Specialized & Giant, which you can't really go wrong with.

is the halfords one good or the ones at dale. pretty tempted to go with halfords, just seen their bike care package and all, looks pretty solid.