Looking for advice: getting into casual biking with fairly low budget

[Jamesh]

Got a friend who would sell a Carrera Virtuoso Mens Road Bike with improved wheels for £270. Not sure if this is a good deal or I’d be better getting the Pinnacle Lithium 1 for a similar price (£300)? Not sure how big the difference is between the 2 styles.

I wouldn't pay £270 for the virtuoso.

£150 max.

£270 would buy you a carbon road bike on a Monday on eBay!

The pinnacle will be a good all round hybrid. Yes a road bike is faster on the road but isn't going to cope off road. A hybrid will do both ok.

If your looking at road bikes something like the Carrera vanquish, boardman or spez allez would be better deals second hand.

[Vantage]

I’m not bothered a whole lot about the design other than I do not want those ‘flat’ handlebars where you have to lean over really low to hold. I prefer to ride fairly upright.

This pretty much rules out a road bike.

[KieranC]

On the other bike forum I’m using some have been saying Carrera‘s are good. Does anyone hear have first / second hand experience

[Bonefishblues]

Either will serve you well, they're both decent choices if you must buy new. Nobody will be able to give you a 'killer reason' to buy X over Y, and the more you ask on both Forums the less clear you will become, simply because of the below:

Get the one you prefer, based on sitting on them both (and you will prefer one over the other, for reasons you can't quite identify).

[Nearholmer]

Carrera are good bikes in general terms, but it’s about picking the right model for the job, and the Carrera Hybrid you put head-to-head with the Pinnacle Hybrid doesn’t look as good for the job of getting a newcomer living in a hilly area into happy cycling mode.

The crucial differences are the things several of us pointed to back up thread: weight, and the range of gears.

[KieranC]

Carrera are good bikes in general terms, but it’s about picking the right model for the job, and the Carrera Hybrid you put head-to-head with the Pinnacle Hybrid doesn’t look as good for the job of getting a newcomer living in a hilly area into happy cycling mode.

The crucial differences are the things several of us pointed to back up thread: weight, and the range of gears.

Only 3 Carrera models I’d consider, Parva, ~~Hustle 1~~ and crossfire 1

Not the Hussle actually as it doesn’t have the right size.

[Nearholmer]

From your initial description of how you intend to use a bike, I’m not at all clear why you are considering models with suspension. It seems unlikely you will need it, and as several people pointed out yesterday the suspension you will get on a £300 bike is going to be pretty low quality, and will add weight to no good purpose.

Your money and your choice, clearly, but in your shoes I think I’d steer well clear of suspension, and focus on getting a nice wide range of gears, especially “easy” ones, which you are likely to need until you build up your experience.

[KieranC]

From your initial description of how you intend to use a bike, I’m not at all clear why you are considering models with suspension. It seems unlikely you will need it, and as several people pointed out yesterday the suspension you will get on a £300 bike is going to be pretty low quality, and will add weight to no good purpose.

Your money and your choice, clearly, but in your shoes I think I’d steer well clear of suspension, and focus on getting a nice wide range of gears, especially “easy” ones, which you are likely to need until you build up your experience.

Quick google does seem to point to low end hybrid suspension not adding enough smoothness to justify the weight, and to a large extent isn’t good thick tyres important for absorbing any impacts? Although generally you don’t ride into pot holes Tbf

[KieranC]

“ Requires regular maintenance – service includes oil change, replacement of rubber seals, dust wipers etc. ”

Yikes, I don’t want more maintenance.

[Jamesh]

Carrera are good bikes in general terms, but it’s about picking the right model for the job, and the Carrera Hybrid you put head-to-head with the Pinnacle Hybrid doesn’t look as good for the job of getting a newcomer living in a hilly area into happy cycling mode.

The crucial differences are the things several of us pointed to back up thread: weight, and the range of gears.

The Carrera will be a basic Alu frame whilst the pinnacle will probably be butted. This means it will be a more comfortable ride and lighter too.

[KieranC]

My only concern with the Pinnacle is there’s no right to return if after a couple days use I find it unsuitable, where as Halfords have a 14 day return policy if there’s no significant dirt.

[KieranC]

Here’s another bike I’d also consider ‘ Trek FX 1 Disc Stagger 2020 Hybrid’ - again no idea what the difference between this and the lithium is

[Eyebrox]

The Trek is dearer, has disc brakes and the Stagger model looks like it has been designed for women with a dropped top tube and perhaps smaller reach.

[KieranC]

The Trek is dearer, has disc brakes and the Stagger model looks like it has been designed for women with a dropped top tube and perhaps smaller reach.

Or even 2022 Trek FX 1 Hybrid Bike

What I want to know is the difference in real world terms, does the trek climb better, last longer, go faster etc etc?

[Eyebrox]

What I want to know is the difference in real world terms, does the trek climb better, last longer, go faster etc etc?

Too many variables for any useful information to be arrived at. Climbing and going faster depends a lot on the rider and the accessories attached to the bike. "Lasting longer" qualities are down to where the bike is kept, how well it is maintained and the severity of the weather conditions it will be subjected to. A comparison of gearing will provide some sort of guidance but an analysis from the advertising blurbs won't be definitive.