Advice for first timer

ddelward

Hey guys, sort of new to bikes so was after a bit of advice. I have done some cycling but mainly on cycle paths/trails and am about to buy my first bike to carry on with this.
I am having difficulty decided between a mountain bike which one local store has suggested or going for a hybrid.
The main use of the bike would be initially cycle paths and forestry trails/paths - not the kind that mountain bikes are most suited for but the more gentle off road stuff, gravelly paths etc. Now one store has suggested going for a GT avalanche priced around £400.
While another has suggested going for a hybrid such as a Cube. The 2 Cube bikes I have looked at are in the links below. I was wondering and hoping that some you more experienced users would mind parting with some helpful advice. I am informed that the Cube nature pro is more bike/spec for my money, but to be honest I'm not 100% clued on the parts and specs, only that I am looking for more than likely a hybrid with suspension, locking forks and better tires suited for light offroad use.
Would anyybody mind imparting a bit of advice on this matter? there is a £150 difference between the two cubes (cube nature pro being more expensive).
Thank you.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-LTD-CLS-20 ... _66633.htm
http://www.twelve50bikes.com/3005/produ ... -bike.aspx

The Rookie

The top link shows bike out of stock and no price, so hard to comment, I get a runtime error on the second link.

The three Hybrids I would recommend are...
Voodoo Marasa from Halfords, just over £300, a little heavy but the tyres are a chunk of that, for road riding lighter thinner road tyres can be fitted and it turns into a reasonably fast bike on road, or you can use the original tyres off road or MTB 29er tyres and it turns into a rigid mountian bike.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... 13-2014-20
Boardman hybrids from halfords, fast road bikes with decent hydraulic disc brakes, lighter than the Marasa (for twice as much money they should be) but not quite as flexible.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -bike-2014
Fit 500 from Decathlon, absolute bargain for what it is which is a full on road (aka racing for older people like me) bike with flat bars.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fit-500-flat ... 39798.html
Slightly left field choice is the Planet-X London road with flat bars, a bit cheaper than the Boardman with some (not all) of the flexibility of the Marasa but better equipped - must admit to having a soft spot for this one, pretty much what my home built Hybrid is.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRDA ... urban-bike

ddelward

Thanks for your input, will check out the links when it loads up (using rubbish internet at work). I was told to be weary of halfords, despite the pricing.
The first link although it says out of stock, the local tredz has a bike or 2 left priced at £449.
The specs for the second bike proves at £599 are
Frame Aluminium Superlite Trekking Cross Double Butted
Fork SR Suntour NEX HLO
Chainrings 48x36x26T
Cranks Shimano FC-T521, 48x36x26T, Octalink, BB-ES25, 175mm, Chainguard
Cassette Shimano CS-HG62, 11-34
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore FD-T610, Top-Swing, 31.8mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT RD-T780, 10-Speed
Front Hub Shimano HB-RM33
Rear Hub Shimano FH-RM33
Stem CUBE Performance, 31.8mm
Handlebars CUBE Rise Trail Bar, 660mm
Bottom Bracket BB-ES25
Front Brake Shimano BR-M355, Hydr. Disc Brake (160/160)
Rear Brake Shimano BR-M355, Hydr. Disc Brake (160/160)
Grips/Bar Tape CUBE Natural Fit RaceTyre Schwalbe Smart Sam, Active 44x622
Rear Tyre Schwalbe Smart Sam, Active 44x622
Rims CUBE SX, Disc
Shifters Shimano Deore SL-M610, Rapidfire-Plus
Headset CUBE No. 10 semi-integrated
Saddle Selle Royal Viper
Seatpost CUBE Performance Post, 31.6mm
Pedals C
Front UBE Aluminium MTB

Thanks again

cooldad

I am quite weary of people being wary of Halfords. Some of the bikes are excellent deals, sometimes the set up leaves something to be desired, like many bike shops.

dirkpitt74

If you're wary of Halfords set-up quality, then buy the bike boxed and either DIY or look for a good reputable LBS or mobile cycle mechanic that offers a build service.

To be fair, most of the Halfords staff seem pretty clued up - they also have a 'tick sheet' that they have to go through when assembling/setting up a bike which you get a copy and the store keeps a copy.