Best Starter Bike for £350

Short Round Stan

I spent too much on xmas so I've only got £350 to spend on a new bike,this has to be used as a commuter and to get me fittter and to be used on the trails(Swinley Forest ect) The plan is to use it like like this for 6-8 months and then spend £650-£750 on a better moutain bike using my new employers cycle to work scheme and retire this bike to commuter duties.I'm 41,17 stone and 5ft 7-I am a complete beginner so any help at all will be very gratefully recived

davenewcastle1973

Hi Stan,

I reckon that you would be best off looking for a second hand hardtail, there are loads on PinkBike.com, ebay and gumtree.

As long as you have a basic knowledge you should be able to pick up something half decent. I'm 5'8, my biggest piece of advice to you is not to buy too big a bike - I bought a medium the first time out and was never comfortable - I now have two small frames which are nimbler and feel great for me; ride a few and see what you think.

If you absolutely have to go for a new bike - the Carrerra's at Halfords are good value when on sale (which is pretty much every other week). A mate of mine picked up a Vengence for about £300 and loves it.

Cheers

Dave

cooldad

If you are a total beginner forget Gumtree (will probably be stolen anyway) etyc.
This is in your range, decent bike, would convert into a reasonable commuter.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 68118.html

anj132

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... pping#dtab


Air fork with lockout, hydraulic brakes

phil_pompey

anj132 wrote:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165499_productId_786851_langId_-1?cm_mmc=Shopping-_-Google Product Search-_-Bikes/Mens & Womens Bikes/Mountain Bikes-_-VooDoo Bantu Mountain Bike 2011/2012 - 18""&source=shopping#dtab


Air fork with lockout, hydraulic brakes

^^^ Pretty good bike^^^

In the next few weeks Halfords usually release some limited edition stuff. Last year it was the Vengence Ultimate which had sram X4/X5 tora forks and deore hydraulic discs front and rear. Sold by the bucket load. Nice bike, A little heavy but that is easily sorted by some new wheels if you so wished. And the best bit.... £319.99 price tag. Keep an eye out!

Also check out pauls cycles to see what old stock they have.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/

The Rookie

This months MBUK has a multi-bike test of £300-400 hardtails, worth a read, not just for the bikes but for the components fitted as well.

Simon