I need a new bike, what brand Approx £200

[lloydi]

Hi guys,

Im looking for a new bike around the £200 mark for a 7 mile roundtrip to work 5 days a week and for some heavy road cycling that im looking to do once the weather warms up for leisure/fitness. Im not into one of these racer type road bikes im looking at a Hybrid Mountain/Urban piece of equipment. Can anyone recommened the best brands I should be looking at for around this price range?

Cheers

[BertRoot]

Halfords have dissolved their deal with GT so you could get something clearance there? Not well up on hybruid tyoe bikes but sure you could find something.

[liveseytowers]

What's your cycle to work like? I use a mountain bike to cycle the same distance but its hilly as fuck so hard work on the way home. I'm looking at swapping it for a racing bike now.

If you are not going to use it off road id say take a racer out for a test drive and see what you think.

I said the same as you last year and I've regreted not buying a road bike everytime I have to lug all that weight up the hill!

[lloydi]

It's very flat and all tarmac I will take a look at a racer but they seem pretty costly for a decent one from what I have seen, I had a hybrid carrera from halfords before and it was good for road use but did not last long, I went through 3 back wheels in under 2 years and the crank went so after something longer lasting if it exists

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[evilsatan]

Funnily enough I advertised my old bike for sale on Monday! I bought it second hand last year, only rode it for a few months before upgrading to a full suspension. I upgraded the frame and had it serviced. I have put it up in the BST to meet forum rules so you can take a loom and see if it's the kind of thing you're after.

http://www.digital-forums.com/showth...13#post3433213

[BertRoot]

Dependant on spec I would seriously look at that. I had a play on an Avalanche a few months back and was a comfy ride.

[liveseytowers]

Bert, what seat post is that on the Zaskar in the for sale thread? I need a longer post for mine as my frame is a tad too small and that looks cool as fuck! Didn't post in the other thread as I don't want BB to bounce me.

Evilsatan if you can post pics of the bike with the new frame on that could be just what the OP needs. Avalanche for £170 seems pretty decent. Get some slicks on it and it'll make a decent commuting bike. I guess weight won't be much of a factor if you don't have any hills to climb on your commute.

[BertRoot]

Not sure mate. Looks like an Easton judging by the logo. If I was buying a post though I would look at Thomson. Good clamp and available in a varietyy of sizes though I think 420 is the longest they do.

[evilsatan]

Updated spec in the BST, will get photos later. I cant think how to weigh it, my scales are out of batteries but I don't think they would weigh me holding the bike anyway :s It is not a heavy bike, I rode it on trails with no problems but didn't want to drop off some larger jumps on it so upgraded. More than enough for cross country riding on a budget and it's all high quality branded kit. RRP would total a fair amount, Bert would be better at valuing it than me.

[BertRoot]

Avalanches are 6061 alloy and very well built. I would throw it over anything to be honest. Not sure of value as I don't tend to track parts that aren't three figures.

[evilsatan]

Adding photos now.

[lloydi]

cheers for the offer mate, im just gonna have a think for a bit and cosider my options, will let you know tonight if im interested, cheers

[funkyg]

Avalanches are 6061 alloy and very well built. I would throw it over anything to be honest.

I concur. I'm not an expert but I love my Avalanche, and it's had some serious abuse!
For the money, I'd have that with some new road tyres on it.

[Mr Men]

If you want speed SCOTT if you want comfort go Anything else

Avoid halfords like the plague
There staff are fucking clueless

[Welsh Pete]

Not sure mate. Looks like an Easton judging by the logo. If I was buying a post though I would look at Thomson. Good clamp and available in a varietyy of sizes though I think 420 is the longest they do.

I`ve gone Nuke Proof on mine...so far the post , stem and wheels...

I`d consider a Boardman Hybrid from Halfords for a 7mile road ride...I would not expect you to really get one for that budget...maybe ebay...or spend a bit more. As with anything, dont scrimp and save as the quality will suffer.

Saying that, the Boardmans cost from £400...however this Voodoo ticks some boxes:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165534#dtab

Good weight, hydraulic disks (the best of the brakes), and a decent groupie

[lloydi]

looks like im hopefully getting one of these

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499

Carrera Vulcan

Best part is it is only gonna cost me £150 through a connection at Halfords, just gotta wait a couple of days to hear. Gonna get some Schwalbe road tyres then im ready to go

[Welsh Pete]

An acceptable bike, at a good price and you can always buy a set of semi slick tyres for less rolling resistance on the roads.

[lloydi]

An acceptable bike, at a good price and you can always buy a set of semi slick tyres for less rolling resistance on the roads.

cheers, yeah thats the plan. I had schwalbe tyres on my old bike and my god they are good, not a single puncture, was getting loads with the so called Kevlar lined ones it came with. One of my best buys for sure, would recommend them to anyone

[Welsh Pete]

To be honest I have little/no experience of road riding. Around here it's trial centres and mud as a result you really have no choice but to buy the best you can afford coz things keep snapping (bars, frames, bones). I don't ride DH though because I don't have a full susser, plus I'm scared of pain


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