Bike Upgrade

woodland81

Hello,

A couple of years ago I bought a cheap hybrid bike (£180) to get some exercise in and in the summer used to cycle to work about 8miles.
The bike wasnt the greatest but didnt want to spend alot and find it gathering dust in the garage.
Had problems with the breaks and the gears since day one.
Here is what im going to replace

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/281904/pr ... -bike.aspx

Im looking to get a new bike now through cycle2work scheme, so will be paying 30% less. Halfords is our store. Been checking out the Boardman, went into a store just to have a little look at them.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/b ... -bike-2014 £562

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -team-bike £699

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -comp-bike £599

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... black-54cm £650

I cant really notice much difference between then, can some advise on good choice?
These should be a million times better than the bike I have?

My use will be mostly road(some poor condition), paths and light gravel. I struggle with hills and end up in the lowest gear, others breeze past me it seems.

Thanks for any recommendations

darkhairedlord

woodland81 wrote:

Hello,

A couple of years ago I bought a cheap hybrid bike (£180) to get some exercise in and in the summer used to cycle to work about 8miles.
The bike wasnt the greatest but didnt want to spend alot and find it gathering dust in the garage.
Had problems with the breaks and the gears since day one.
Here is what im going to replace

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/281904/pr ... -bike.aspx

Im looking to get a new bike now through cycle2work scheme, so will be paying 30% less. Halfords is our store. Been checking out the Boardman, went into a store just to have a little look at them.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/b ... -bike-2014 £562

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -team-bike £699

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... -comp-bike £599

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/h ... black-54cm £650

I cant really notice much difference between then, can some advise on good choice?
These should be a million times better than the bike I have?

My use will be mostly road(some poor condition), paths and light gravel. I struggle with hills and end up in the lowest gear, others breeze past me it seems.

Thanks for any recommendations

Since you are in the road bike forum I would recommend a road bike.
If it really must be halfords, the 13 intuition Alpha looks quite tasty.

woodland81

Are the 13s better than boardman? so far looked at hybrids to help with the poor road conditions. my current one is a hybrid

dj58

If you are staying with a Hybrid bike you will probably get more replies posting in the Commuting forum.

Avoid bikes with a suspension fork, you don't need one for the type of riding you do, if you are limited to buying from Halfords, look at the Boardman team with the triple butted frame/carbon fork and hydraulic brakes 32c tyres, or the 13 Implicit Beta which has a similar spec. though 28c tyres.

The other bike to look at is the VooDoo Marasa bike, a bit heavier than the other two, though has a triple touring type crankset/lower gears and comes with clearances for 40c tyres, mudguard and rack mounts.

darkhairedlord

woodland81 wrote:

Are the 13s better than boardman? so far looked at hybrids to help with the poor road conditions. my current one is a hybrid

I don't know if it's "better" but it's certainly the prettiest!

ic.

It doesn't have to be Halfords. There are plenty of other shops that accept the Halfords voucher. Last one I had I used at Wheelbase on a CAAD8. Google it, their are loads!