Best 'value' bike (for the money) - is there a perfect thing (currently)? Based on my research

[Boulderman]

I love data and optimised many things (I changed my diet and improved my vision from 19/20 to 30/30.

Bikes have a budget (nutrition tooi I guess)

Whilst some opt for full carbon and some like steel, I'm once again looking for a bike I'll be happy with based on articles I've read and based on budget and lifetime value

Frames. Steel or aluminium fits. I don't intend to race

Brakes. I've read that hydraulic discs are preferred so filtering on these.

I'm 195cm so XL-XXL ~63cm frame.

Forks - the 'absorption' qualities of carbon forks appeal.

Cleats - no definitive answer. My feet have slid, but not freely stretching/using different muscle groups and the risk with not detaching plus the cost which I could put elsewhere, I'm on the fence. With size EUR 47.5 feet I don't there are many suitable shoes either.

Handlebars I'm not sure about, however the 45° ones seem interesting.

SRAM gearing would be a nice luxury. - this is my preference.

Bikes are highly down to the need of each person. 98% of golfers need custom clubs and I think cycling is not that different. You can use what is there but there are not add-ons to choose what works.

The preferences I listed are certainly not the cheapest, hence the wide range that exists today. Just wondering what the 'optimum' might be. I think I have self answered, just needed to air.

Tyres that don't get punctures too. I wish I didn't have to change them

[Cyril Haearn]

How did you improve your vision?

[Boring_Username]

In my opinion the best value bike for the money is undoubtedly a 1990s rigid steel MTB which you can buy in decent condition for about £50 and will be able to use for almost anything short of very fast road riding and extreme off-road downhill.

[Cyril Haearn]

The law of diminishing returns applies above a price of a few hundred
Used or new?

[Jdsk]

The law of diminishing returns applies above a price of a few hundred

Do you mean diminishing returns or diminishing marginal returns?

Thanks

Jonathan

[fastpedaller]

'best value' is free - that's why bad folk steal bikes.

[hamster]

What surprises me most is that you don't specify usage. There cannot be a discussion before that.

£6000 of ultralight carbon loveliness might be perfect for winning races and TTs. It will be hopeless for touring and even worse for riding off-road. Even for long day rides it may be too uncomfortable.
etc.

So:
What duration of ride?
What terrain?
How loaded?
What budget?

[PH]

Value it isn't a stand alone measure. It's measured against the criteria set and you can only set your own.
Yes, you've partly answered your own question, but there's plenty of intangibles that'll only be answered by usage and if it's the wrong thing the value may come from the lessons learned. Everything is a compromise, but if you start out buying something you know won't be satisfactory it'll be poor value however cheap it was.

[Tangled Metal]

Hmmm! Will we hear back from the op??

[scottg]

In my opinion the best value bike for the money is undoubtedly a 1990s rigid steel MTB which you can buy in decent condition for about £50 and will be able to use for almost anything short of very fast road riding and extreme off-road downhill.

So true, so when it gets nicked, you don't feel too bad.
Just back to the charity shop to find another.
Sort of like bike sharing, except no phone app involved.

[Boulderman]

Yep OP is here, messages were going to Spam!

Yes indeed, carbon is no use for touring say.

A filter or something to select bikes (or course you can select frame, used, use of bike) and the mountain bike remark and the free, secondhand bikes are definitely fair.

After three thefts (Krytonite D-locks) I have been using my wife's Giant hybrid. I have used it off road and been on 45 miles with it whilst a friend used his Trek 520 tourer.

I have managed 10% roads (sat down) in 9th gear and aside from the 15kg weight, has been convenient.

For a 90 mile canal trail, I am not so sure and we all know(?) there is no such thing as an average (cyclist).

I think the cheaper the better, in the sense you can get more, proportionally from a 100 quid bike compared to a 500 quid one.

[Cyril Haearn]

In my opinion the best value bike for the money is undoubtedly a 1990s rigid steel MTB which you can buy in decent condition for about £50 and will be able to use for almost anything short of very fast road riding and extreme off-road downhill.

So true, so when it gets nicked, you don't feel too bad.
Just back to the charity shop to find another.
Sort of like bike sharing, except no phone app involved.

With a bit of luck one could find the tealeaf in a pub and buy ones cycle back for fifty quid

[brucelee]

Brakes. I've read that hydraulic discs are preferred so filtering on these.

no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no..................

[sukuinage]

Brakes. I've read that hydraulic discs are preferred so filtering on these.

no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no..................

Come down off the fence and say what you really think!

[mumbojumbo]

Re: Best 'value' bike (for the money) - is there a perfect thing (currently)? Based on my research
Unread postby Boring_Username » 21 Dec 2020, 11:20am

In my opinion the best value bike for the money is undoubtedly a 1990s rigid steel MTB which you can buy in decent condition for about £50 and will be able to use for almost anything short of very fast road riding and extreme off-road downhill.

Yes-there are some good bikes like Clockwork Orange,Marin Bare Valley,Kona Kola and Spec Cockhopper.I have a marin Eldridge Grade in a cool Magenta which compliments my mitts helmet and underwear.