Advice: New Bike, small budget

murfilicious

First time poster here - be kind.

My 15year old Apollo MTB finally gave up the ghost on the weekend, so I'm looking to buy a new bike - given that I use it mostly on level tarmac/gravel paths with the occasional minor off-road stint, I have decided to look at a Hybrid bike. At present I am doing about 10-15 miles per day about 2-3 times per week (so averaging about 100 miles a month).

I have about £150 to spend realistically (I know this limits me somewhat and there are most likely substantially better bikes out there for say £250, but it is money I don't currently have) so these are the bikes I have been looking at:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-100-hybrid-bike-id_8405298.html

https://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-tempo-100-hybrid-bike-938426?colcode=93842638

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/apollo-guru-mens-hybrid-bike-2017-18-21-frames

I was originally looking at the B'Twin one, but the user guide states that the upper weight limit for this bike was around the 13.5 stone mark (I'm 15 stone, although that is decreasing). Having read a number of online posts I'm concerned about the build quality of Apollo (and the reliability of Halfords assembly), and I don't know enough about Muddyfox to form an opinion either way.

Given these 3 options (or any alternatives within my price range) which would you recommend?

Matthewfalle

halfords assembly is no beteror worse than anywhere else - it all depends on who you get finishing off the bike after itcomes (pre-assembled) out of the box from the factory.

B'Twins have a very good cost/value ratio.

keef66

murfilicious wrote:

First time poster here - be kind.

My 15year old Apollo MTB finally gave up the ghost on the weekend, so I'm looking to buy a new bike - given that I use it mostly on level tarmac/gravel paths with the occasional minor off-road stint, I have decided to look at a Hybrid bike. At present I am doing about 10-15 miles per day about 2-3 times per week (so averaging about 100 miles a month).

I have about £150 to spend realistically (I know this limits me somewhat and there are most likely substantially better bikes out there for say £250, but it is money I don't currently have) so these are the bikes I have been looking at:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-100-hybrid-bike-id_8405298.html

https://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-tempo-100-hybrid-bike-938426?colcode=93842638

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/apollo-guru-mens-hybrid-bike-2017-18-21-frames

I was originally looking at the B'Twin one, but the user guide states that the upper weight limit for this bike was around the 13.5 stone mark (I'm 15 stone, although that is decreasing). Having read a number of online posts I'm concerned about the build quality of Apollo (and the reliability of Halfords assembly), and I don't know enough about Muddyfox to form an opinion either way.

Given these 3 options (or any alternatives within my price range) which would you recommend?

I'd say the B'Twin is the best bet given your budget. Can't believe it has a 13.5 stone weight limit; that would rule out 60% of the UK population. It's got a steel frame and wheels with plenty of spokes so provided you don't plan to do jumps or start bouncing it up and down kerbs I'm sure it'll be fine.

murfilicious

keef66 wrote:

Can't believe it has a 13.5 stone weight limit; that would rule out 60% of the UK population.

Manufacturer advises 100kg maximum weight minus the frame (14kg) so 86kg - roughly 13.5 stone - although this may be erring on the side of caution...

Matthewfalle

mf would give the muddy fox a miss though - now thats going to be shyte.

keef66

murfilicious wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Can't believe it has a 13.5 stone weight limit; that would rule out 60% of the UK population.

Manufacturer advises 100kg maximum weight minus the frame (14kg) so 86kg - roughly 13.5 stone - although this may be erring on the side of caution...

Well that does genuinely exclude half the UK adult male population, so I suspect they are being ultra cautious. Marcel Kittel weighs 86kg...

You'll get your weight down faster with a bike that without, so I'd just buy it and get out there!

joe_totale-2

Go scour gumtree and eBay for a second hand bike.
Seeing as you've owned a bike for 15 years you should have a decent idea of what to look for.

cooldad

The Muddy Fox actually seems to be the best of a somewhat mediocre bunch. Couple of extra gears, slightly more up to date stem (the Riverside has the stem and bars welded, so no idea how you'd rotate for fitting/comfort?)
QR wheels. Actual named Shimano mech. Trigger shifters instead of nasty grip shifts.

And no useless, heavy 'suspension' fork like the Apollo (All Apollos are nasty)