New bike for commuting, £300 budget -advice please

siblades
siblades Posts: 3
edited April 2016 in Commuting general
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I don't really know anything about bikes so please go easy! :roll:

I'm looking to get a bike to use for going to work and back each day (8 miles each way). The route is all road and tarmac bicycle paths. My budget is £300 although I could probably stretch to £350 or £400.

I've seen 3 bikes, please could you tell me which one would be best out of the 3, or whether I should go for something completely different?

1. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/voodoo-marasa-hybrid-bike (My local Halfords store have this for £300 rather than the online price of £350).

2. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00V65LXVI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1460223207&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=claud+butler+urban&dpPl=1&dpID=51sooK3wVLL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

3. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00V65M7SQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1460223207&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=claud+butler+urban&dpPl=1&dpID=51ukLHy-MvL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Many thanks in advance, I really appreciate any help :)

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Marasa is much much better value than either of the Claude Butler offerings.

    The Marasa is basically a rigid 29r mountain bike with Hybrid tyres, for all Tarmac use the tyres are a bit heavy and slow rolling but they aren't expensive to change. Also have a look at the Decathlon Triban 300, it's more of a road bike with flat bars.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • siblades
    siblades Posts: 3
    The Rookie wrote:
    The Marasa is much much better value than either of the Claude Butler offerings.

    The Marasa is basically a rigid 29r mountain bike with Hybrid tyres, for all Tarmac use the tyres are a bit heavy and slow rolling but they aren't expensive to change. Also have a look at the Decathlon Triban 300, it's more of a road bike with flat bars.

    Thanks for the advice :) Could you possibly recommend some better tyres that I could put on the Marasa please? Preferably ones I could get from Halfords at the same time. Cheers!
  • Sportiveman
    Sportiveman Posts: 158
    Decathlon have these which are good value and there 500se wins best budget buy.
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-f ... 22664.html

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-520-f ... 22799.html
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Looks for a decent branded 32mm folding road tyre.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • MARASA :) Bought one three weeks ago absolutely love it! Not got new tyres yet as I wanted to get some Value out of these. but just did a 28 mile round trip and it wasnt to shabby! Just make sure they inflate your tyres to a decent pressure :) They did the minimum of 40 for mine!