Help with first bike purchase

mjn31

Hi all,

I'm purchasing a bike and it has to be from Evans through our cycle to work scheme.
I'm going to take a look tomorrow night and am looking to spend £450 - £500.

Could you take a look at the bikes on the following link and advise which would be the best spec - http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/c ... &x=28&y=12

I'll obviusly take a look and see which feels best but just want an idea of which bikes are best on paper. I'll mainly be using on roads and trails.

Thanks in advance.

diy

male/female?

how tall
what do you want it for?

also read this:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM21667a.htm

Try to avoid spending just over £500

supersonic

From that list the Fuji Tahoe looks reasonable:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuj ... e-ec022185

If you can go slightly over budget, the Genesis are well received:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec021329

mjn31

Sorry, the search can't differentiate between sex. It's for me though, male. I'm 6ft. I'll primarily be using on trails but with some roads.

Thanks

supersonic

You still ned to try for size though ideally as geo varies so much.

mjn31

Is there anything i should be avoiding? Plus, are hydraulic brakes better than mechanical?

Thanks

supersonic

Generally they are yes - more power, lighter, but can be more complicated to set up and less adjustabilty.

diy

I think there are very few mechanical brakes which could be better than hydraulics

Buckled_Rims

Looking through that list I'd say the Kona Blast would get my vote. However, you mightn't like it as it's a 2009 model, but it got possible the best specs there and it's in 18" which is just about your size.

Hydraulic brakes once set up should be trouble free. I've never touched mine for going onto 4 years, but they are starting to get a bit spongy so a fluid change might be needed.