Help! Some advise please...

Laurenc21

Hello. I recently had my bike stolen it was a Trek (I think 883 or something like that). I got it when I was around 10yrs old, Im 27 now and obviously need to replace it.

Im going through my insurance so have to choose from Bike Replacments website. They have a rather large selection, so I'd really like some advice as it's been a while since I looked into bikes!!

They are giving me £299 to spend but my budget is up to £400 in total. They don't have any Treks on the website so I guess my first question would be what are the best makes and which are ones to avoid?

I have narrowed it down to these 4 bikes-
Specialized Hardrock Disc 2014 £400
Specialized Myka disc 26 Womens 2013 £400
Whistle 1383D 2013 £399
Giant Revel 2 2014 £375

I think they all have fairly similar specs, the whistle looks cool but I've read somethings that suggest to avoid Whistle

Could someone advise me on which one I should go for or suggest any others I should look at up to £400?

Also, as a women should I be going for a womens bike, would it benefit me, I'm a bit skeptical that perhaps they aren't as good as mens or unisex bikes?

Thanks in advance

Lauren

fredblob

giant revel 2 seems the best not heard good things about the hardrock. giant is decent company.

im pretty sure mens and womens bikes are build to same spec except the frame difference cranksets, forks and etc. should be the same

having tried a womens bike a shop not realising it was womens it rides exactly the same as the mens version

cooldad

A link to the bikes would help.

Laurenc21

http://www.bikereplacement.co.uk/p65803 ... -Bike.aspx
http://www.bikereplacement.co.uk/p62672 ... -Bike.aspx
http://www.bikereplacement.co.uk/p56076 ... -Bike.aspx
http://www.bikereplacement.co.uk/p66489 ... -Bike.aspx

thanks

cooldad

The Miwok is the least worst.
All have pretty rubbish forks, but the others have inferior other bits as well. The Giant is the worst of all. Rubbish everything, and 7 speed freewheel. Just nasty.

cooldad

I would consider this
http://www.bikereplacement.co.uk/p56738 ... -Bike.aspx

Hydraulic brakes and the rest is as good as the others.

cooldad

But your best bet is to take the cash - presuming they try and knock 20% off the £300, leaves you with £240, add £110 instead of £100 and you get a much better bike, including a proper damped fork.
Only cable discs but overall a more useable bike.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... ctFeatures

What I would do anyway.

Laurenc21

Thank you, They are offering me £299 so I was adding the extra £100 myself but they also give me 24% off anything I spend over the £299 so probably looking to buy through them, I'm not sure if they would just give me the cash, they probably would but then I'm losing the 24% discount. The reason I shortlisted those 4 was because I had heard that (from the makes they stock/sell) Giant and Specialized were the best. I threw the Whistle in as a wildcard as it looked pretty cool. Not really heard much about Saracen but if that is what you recommend... I'm open to any of the bikes on the site under £400, I've now been reading some reviews on the GT Aggressors which sound ok, I hadn't really considered those as wasn't sure about GT. I guess what you are saying though is it is more about the components than the actual make? Are there any you would definitely avoid?

cooldad

Depends what you want it for. They all have bargain basement parts and undamped forks, and there are much betrter bikes for the money - see the sticky at the top of this section.
Specialised do make some good bikes, but they are expensive for what you get, and their cheap[er ones are not good value. You are paying a lot for the brand.

kajjal

Laurenc21 wrote:

Thank you, They are offering me £299 so I was adding the extra £100 myself but they also give me 24% off anything I spend over the £299 so probably looking to buy through them, I'm not sure if they would just give me the cash, they probably would but then I'm losing the 24% discount. The reason I shortlisted those 4 was because I had heard that (from the makes they stock/sell) Giant and Specialized were the best. I threw the Whistle in as a wildcard as it looked pretty cool. Not really heard much about Saracen but if that is what you recommend... I'm open to any of the bikes on the site under £400, I've now been reading some reviews on the GT Aggressors which sound ok, I hadn't really considered those as wasn't sure about GT. I guess what you are saying though is it is more about the components than the actual make? Are there any you would definitely avoid?

If I read the discount right with 24% off you can get a £500 bike for under £400.

If that is the case I would look at the women specific mountain bikes. My wife has a trek mynx sl and chose it because she found standard mountain bikes had no stand over room and were too stretched out. She is now constantly on the trek mynx and loves it.

Based on that the £500 specialized Myka Sport Disc for £500 (under £400 after the discount if I understand the 24% off right) would be worth looking at. The reviews do say they are a bit heavy though. Trek women's mountain bikes get very good reviews but unfortunately are not on the website. It may be worth taking the cash and buying a 2013 bike in the current sales as they offer up to 25% off anyway.

Just be careful to get a bike you like the ride and look of. A bike with a good spec you don't like riding or the look of is not much use. A test ride will be very useful if you can.

Good luck