Cycling UK Forum

Hi,

New here so hope this is the correct board! I am looking to get a ‘new’ bike, the last time I rode a bike was around 5 years ago which was basically ‘messing around’ - not actually riding anywhere.

I’m now considering getting ‘into’ cycling as I really need to loose some weight, don’t have a local gym and I hate walking, so dam slow and running is way too much energy haha.

I’m basically looking for a bike that is suitable for a moderately hilly area (like 200 feet over 0.6 miles average) and ideally costs under £350. I do have access to both student and NHS discounts if anywhere takes them.

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.

Further context on local area, I effectively live on a hill, but most of the time I can find a ‘long hill’ rather than short and steep and at the bottom of the hill there’s a roughly 2 mile long straight stretch of road at the bottom. There’s also a off road cycleway directly through my village.

Looking at Halfords frame size calculator I believe it’s somewhere around 17-18” I need, but for reference I’m about 5 foot 10 inch and my inner leg measurements are somewhere around 28-32 inches.

I was originally looking at a short range electric bike to make the hills easier, but I’ve been advised the decent models are still well in excess of £1,000 and generally over £2,000 which is way out of my budget as I’m only planning to ride casually.

I have checked my local Facebook marketplace and gum tree and unfortunately there’s very limited range of adult bikes that’s close enough to collect (I don’t drive) and the local second hand bike shop has effectively closed (its a considerable distance away now and they won’t deliver).

Also whilst not essential it’s fairly important I can get a bike that’s mostly assembled and not a DIY kit, and delivery that doesn’t take weeks.

I would also be willing to consider refurbished if there was delivery available.

To finish off, I did ask this question over at Reddit and they recommended Decalthon, so I’ve taken a look and setup a ‘filter’ to narrow down the range (unfortunately couldn’t pick handle bar styles), so if anyone knows what all the brands are, these are the ones I’ve seen: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-s ... -selection

Hopefully someone has some suggestions, also looking for things like alarm systems, bike locks, gps trackers, phone mounts etc. Don’t really need lights as I don’t plan to travel at night and I don’t think you can go wrong with a bike helmet.

Thanks,

Kieran

Looks at Halfords, Argos too as well as specialist shops.

If you want better vfm look at second hand too.

Get a hybrid with alloy frame if I were you.

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinna ... e=93917103

I can vouch for that Pinnacle Lithium. My partner has a higher spec model of the same thing, and the bike has proven to be excellent value for money, reasonably light, and it has a wide range of gears, which you will need for hills.

Secondhand, if you can find something, will probably give even better value, but you need to know what to look at/for, and how to deal with minor adjustments and wear and tear.

Look on this site.

Speak to the gentleman who is advertising a pair of cycles. Discuss whether you can purchase the M-sized one.

Your job will be jobbed. Seriously, it's a fantastic bike and the gears will get you up hills, no problem.

Jamesh wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 7:35am Looks at Halfords, Argos too as well as specialist shops.

If you want better vfm look at second hand too.

Get a hybrid with alloy frame if I were you.

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinna ... e=93917103

Curious what’s the difference between what you linked and say this model: https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/muddy ... 300-938458

Bonefishblues wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 8:40am Look on this site.

Speak to the gentleman who is advertising a pair of cycles. Discuss whether you can purchase the M-sized one.

Your job will be jobbed. Seriously, it's a fantastic bike and the gears will get you up hills, no problem.

This listing? viewtopic.php?t=152757

Unfortunately out of the area and I can’t travel.

KieranC wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 9:31am

Bonefishblues wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 8:40am Look on this site.

Speak to the gentleman who is advertising a pair of cycles. Discuss whether you can purchase the M-sized one.

Your job will be jobbed. Seriously, it's a fantastic bike and the gears will get you up hills, no problem.

This listing? viewtopic.php?t=152757

Unfortunately out of the area and I can’t travel.

That one, yes.

It is worth putting your thinking cap on for - you absolutely will not get a better bike for your money.

Bikes can be posted at relatively modest cost, and the seller does want the cycle(s) to be used.

KieranC wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 9:16am

Jamesh wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 7:35am Looks at Halfords, Argos too as well as specialist shops.

If you want better vfm look at second hand too.

Get a hybrid with alloy frame if I were you.

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/pinna ... e=93917103

Curious what’s the difference between what you linked and say this model: https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/muddy ... 300-938458

The Muddy Fox thing is a tank. At the sort of price you are talking about "suspension" won't work and will just make everything hard work.
While I'm being cynical (accurate?) I would steer clear of the stuff Decathlon list but which is supplied by somebody else.....its hard enough getting satisfactory resolution if something doesn't work properly, but if decathlon have your money, your contract is with them, not with the third party suppliers.
I would recommend using a specialist bicycle supplier rather than somebody who "does" bikes along with all sorts of other stuff.
You do know whatever you buy will need adjustment?

I’m aware both Evan Cycles and Sports Direct are the same brand, is there any reason I shouldn’t use the sports direct site other than lack of next day option? It appears there’s a 10% student discount, unless this excludes bulky items.

Scratch that, it appears this would be excluded under the ‘has a discount already applied’ fine print.

Hi Kieran
Lot of good advice on here but my suggestion would be that you buy a £300 bike online from Halfords. Avoid their cheaper models around £200. The hybrid models - Parva and Subway - are significantly better with improved parts. Halfords don't often get good feedback but their offerings at the £300/350 level are relatively better than the bikes they once sold in this range. A new bike will look good and should have few, if any, mechanical problems. These will inspire you to get out and cycle. You don't drive but once you have your bike you can get to Halfords with a mix of cycling and public transport. They will give your bike its first free basic service after six weeks. Halfords will also deliver the bike and, although stocks are limited, by shopping online you can choose from what's being held in their network of stores throughout UK. They will also honour NHS discounts.
I work in a bike shop (not Halfords!) and spend my life working on Carreras. Halfords keep a good online supply of parts for them and they tend to be at the cheaper end. This makes them easy to maintain and even sell on should you wish to replace it.
I know there are many Halfords critics out there and seasoned bikers who wouldn't give Carrera a second glance. My experience is that they offer value for money and, if properly maintained, just keep going and going.

Unfortunately, bikes are expensive these days, and £350 doesn’t stretch very far, so the best approach is:

- buy secondhand either using lots of your own knowledge about what to look for, adjust, repair, if you have that, or from someone on here, because people here are bike-o-maniacs, who care for bikes to the highest degree and would never pass on a dodgy one; or,

- buy the plainest new hybrid you can from a reputable bike shop (Evans still fall into that bracket, Rutland are usually good, Halfords do sell many very good value bikes, but also some very iffy ones, and their staff are not always knowledgeable, so needs care), no suspension, no disc brakes, just very plain, because anything new at that price with “fancy bits” will have really poor quality “fancy bits”. Well worth looking out for sale and ‘end of season’ bargains, which there do seem to be a few in hybrids, but again keep it plain and look for quality, not “fancy bits”.

Can I suggest this if you can go a bit above your budget?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/city-bike ... =GREY_BLUE
Stand. Mudguards. Rack. Dynamo lights. (they'll be handy for those miserable dark grey days even if you don't cycle at night). Branded brakes.
I'd buy one myself if I didn't already have 2.
There's a bit of an image thing with decathlon bikes being a bit cheap etc. However, both my children rode them and my fiance has one. Perfectly OK bikes in my opinion. Decathlon bike 'mechanics' have all the engineering skill of a dead monkey but if you're OK to tinker a bit with it (which you'll need to do with any bike really) you can't go wrong with them.

Eyebrox wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 11:07am Hi Kieran
Lot of good advice on here but my suggestion would be that you buy a £300 bike online from Halfords. Avoid their cheaper models around £200. The hybrid models - Parva and Subway - are significantly better with improved parts. Halfords don't often get good feedback but their offerings at the £300/350 level are relatively better than the bikes they once sold in this range. A new bike will look good and should have few, if any, mechanical problems. These will inspire you to get out and cycle. You don't drive but once you have your bike you can get to Halfords with a mix of cycling and public transport. They will give your bike its first free basic service after six weeks. Halfords will also deliver the bike and, although stocks are limited, by shopping online you can choose from what's being held in their network of stores throughout UK. They will also honour NHS discounts.
I work in a bike shop (not Halfords!) and spend my life working on Carreras. Halfords keep a good online supply of parts for them and they tend to be at the cheaper end. This makes them easy to maintain and even sell on should you wish to replace it.
I know there are many Halfords critics out there and seasoned bikers who wouldn't give Carrera a second glance. My experience is that they offer value for money and, if properly maintained, just keep going and going.

There’s a 25% off VeryMe code floating around for these models, would love to get my hands on it, shame I don’t use Vodafone anymore. There’s also 25% NHS I know but it’s only honoured in store

Managed to get a VeryMe code from Facebook. I can get the ‘Carrera Parva Mens Hybrid Bike’ from Halfords for £225 with free delivery in 2 days. Good buy?

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-b ... 46158.html?

Edit: Apparently these come frame only by default, so I’d be best off getting the assembly service? Which would make it £260 delivered, which I suppose is still around £60 cheaper than Evan Cycles as the bike is £40 more and fast track delivery is £25. Not a deal breaker on price.

So the real question is, what’s the difference between Carrera Parva Mens Hybrid Bike and Lithium 1 2022 Hybrid Bike?

KieranC wrote: ↑24 Aug 2022, 12:04pm Managed to get a VeryMe code from Facebook. I can get the ‘Carrera Parva Mens Hybrid Bike’ from Halfords for £225 with free delivery in 2 days. Good buy?

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-b ... 46158.html?

I'd say perfect. Straightforward, good value for money and Shimano groupset. Excellent choice. They will build it for you for £10.00.

Learn how to maintain it (it will be very straighforward) and then also start thinking about your next bike. Put a rack on it (Halfords might do his for you).

Go for it.