Which one to go for?

benten21

Hi, new to here and new to biking, well not cycled in the last 8 years or so. I do a lot of motorbike riding (road & track) and really just want a cheap mountain bike to use a couple of times a week, riding on the road & through some wooded forest areas but no proper off road mountain biking.

Anyway, I really can't afford to spend much and don't want to either for a bike that will only get used in summer and occasionally. I have looked 2nd hand and can't find anything local on gumtree, eBay, etc. So looking at one of these below, which of these 3 would you guys recommend?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

The only thing is the last 2 only come in a 19" frame where as the first one comes in 17" which would suit me better (5' 4" and 30" inside leg).

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

The Rookie

A 19" frame will be far to big, in fact a 17" would probably be too big and I'd suggest a 15".

None of those is a mountain bike, anything off road and you'll destroy them in short order, second hand makes much more sense.

cooldad

Seriously, none of them, all have pointless forks, bargain bin bits, and the last time I saw 18 speeds on a bike was 1974.
Of all of them the Apollo is the least worst.

I would continue looking for a used Carrera or something.

brucie45

As suggested above, a 17" bike would be generally be regarded as a medium, that would be on the big side for you. I guess that eliminates the other two.

Go second hand with your budget, you will get a much better bike for your money. Maybe find a lbs that may have some 2nd hand bikes or even find out if your workplace do a cycle to work scheme to give you more options.

croptonboy

You should be able to find something reasonable for £150, and has already been said, I think you're going to need a small (15") frame. You may have to be patient though, as small frame sizes are less common. I bought myself an old Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc for similar money, but it did take me a few weeks to find something fairly local. Out of interest, where are you located?

katiebob

I'm 5'3" with tiny stumpy legs and Have a 17" Carrera which is fine for me :-)

benten21

Are they really that bad? I remember buying a cheap £150 (or even less) bike some 10-12 years ago and it lasted me a good 2-3 years of occasional use until I stopped cycling.

Got rid of it and hence looking for another bike, but if I can get one of similar standards I'll buy one no bother, never failed me for what I needed it to do.

Kprice

hi - i'm not sure where you live but i'm just looking at selling a 14'' giant rincon as its too small for my son now (i'm in birmingham). its from 2009 but has only been riden around a dozen times. I believe it cost around £300 new and am open to offers really

kenan

benten21 wrote:

Are they really that bad? I remember buying a cheap £150 (or even less) bike some 10-12 years ago and it lasted me a good 2-3 years of occasional use until I stopped cycling.

10-12 years ago I could get a pint for a pound, but everything has gone up in price. If you only have £150 it's going to be a second hand bike. If your employer runs the Cycle to work scheme you could use it to get a better bike from Halfords.

The Rookie

Katiebob wrote:

I'm 5'3" with tiny stumpy legs and Have a 17" Carrera which is fine for me :-)

You clearly don't do mountain biking on it......although the propotionately shorter your legs the bigger frame you need to get the top tube length right anyway.