Best Starter Bike for £350
Short Round Stan
Posts: 20
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 
0
Posts
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
Yeti 575
This is in your range, decent bike, would convert into a reasonable commuter.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 68118.html
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools
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/
Phil
Sintesi 707
Simon