which double chainset bike

simon ayre

after a bike that is sturdy so not boardman as I am over 20 stone with double chainset

will normally be on road and light towpaths and must be able to get it with bike to work scheme

supersonic

What budget are you looking at? I wouldn't limit to just doubles, easily changable anyway.

simon ayre

£1000 is max on bike to work scheme currently have a subway but would like to used all gears in conjunction with others being a novice its a bugger sometimes to get the sprockets to change gear

cooldad

Only way to learn is to use them. And on flatish stuff and roads a big ring is useful.

The Northern Monkey

don't limit yourself to doubles out of the box, you can always remove a chainring.

coulddobetter

My Boardman has taken quite a hammering on local trails including some small jumps . Got the ht pro carbon . The ht pro would be in budget and is well specced bike with good sram 2x10 rings . Not sure why you discount it . Totally different kettle of fish to any Carrera you may be on . Having just 2 rings is useful , you can use any combination of gears . I find x9 incredibly easy to use gears just click in very smoothely and precisely . Another advantage of the Boardman is the air fork that can be adjusted to your weight much more easily. Note apparently Halfords 2014 range out soon . Not saying get a 2014 bike as often components are downgraded year on year despite a price hike .

The Rookie

There is no point 'using all the gears' as most the gear ratios are available twice, once on each chainring - even on a double only the top and bottom 3 gear ratios are unique, the others are available in 2 different front rear combo's.

coulddobetter

True, but for a newcomer who admits they find gears confusing , a double would be advantageous .

simon ayre

any others then apart from the boardman

The Rookie

Pick a bike based on budget and then if you really want to convert to a double if it's a triple.