Getting started

[CDAW]

My son and I are looking to getting back into cycling after a few years of me having medical issues. Nothing too serious - a few roads, heading to parks and the canal tow path with the occasional trip around Heathrow's perimeter (I stay 2 miles north of the airport). A mountain bike is preferred as most is rough riding.

Been to Halfords to check sizes - he's 11yrs - 155cm - S/14" frame and I'm 186cm - XL/22" frame - both of us are big people (one of the reasons to get back on the bikes as I've just finished 3 cardiac procdures over the past 6 months).

Now I've been checking both the Halfords and Decathlon websites for bikes but not knowing enough about the brands and what to avoid. We both had second hand bikes in the past - all have been Apollo which some say is a rubbish brand. Halfords has Indi, Apollo, Boss, Falcon, Huffy and Carrera and Decathlon has Basis, Dallingridge and Rockrider. Whats decent for the casual user and what should be avoided, considering we are nowhere near professional and cycle for health benefits and to just get out and have some fun.

For me, I was looking at the following:

- Rockrider ST530 (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27-5-moun ... tedSize=XL)

- Rockrider EXPL50 (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27-5-moun ... 74m8803704)

- Carrera Vengeance (https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain ... YwJGwwJGgw)

And for my son (maybe not spending as much as at some point, he will need an upgrade since he's growing fast):

- Apollo Slant (https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain ... QxJGwwJGgw)

- Dallingridge Viscount (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/dallin ... ctedSize=S)

- Rockrider EXPL50 (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/27-5-moun ... 74m8803704)

[Oxoman]

Having been through similar in the past my first suggestion would be 2nd hand assuming your confident in looking at bikes or a friend that is into bikes. Way better value for money if you choose wisely. Failing that I'd personally look at the carrera for both of you as better quality parts closely followed by rockrider, apollo for me is a waste of space as are the rest of halfords brands except boardman. Can't comment on the alternative bikes from decathlon as I've never heard of them.

[531colin]

Halfords and Decathlon are a complete lottery. You might get a bike assembled by a competent mechanic, or you might get a complete bodge.
Find a local bike shop; ask on here for recommendations

[simonhill]

Giving us an idea of your budget always helps. Plenty of here think bikes that cost under a thousand pounds are hardly worth having.

I know nothing of the bikes listed, but in the latest edition of Cycle magazine, the magazine of CyclingUK, they do a review of the Carrera Subway 1. Overall, it gets a pretty good write-up. I have photographed the conclusion see below.

They do other Subway versions with better quality equipment if that's what you fancy moving up to.

Going to an independent bike shop to get anything done is a good idea but you're unlikely to get anything in the same price range.

[Eyebrox]

One of the key specs to check is the weight of the bike. All of the bikes you suggest are similar in terms of parts and accessories, some slightly better and you would only know that through experience. A heavier bike can put you off cycling, especially when you are only starting out as a young person. Try and find the weights online or, if it's possible, visit the shops and lift each bike up to give you an idea. Some of the independent shops will be more helpful with a wider range of bikes and the possibility of second hand stock. Worth building up a relationship with the owner if you're going to be on the market for bits and pieces. Enjoy the adventure and all good health in the future.

[CDAW]

Conisdering that I also need to get various accessories (locks, covers, lights, gloves...), I'd say a budget of around max £300 - £350 per bike. We've had second hand in the past - just thought it's time now to buy a new bike - part of a new resolution having just recovered from a cardiac issue.

We're only going to be casual cycling - roads, parks (some with some rough terrain) and tow paths (mix of surfaces from smooth to rough). It would be a standard shop purchase as I've not located any small / independant bike stores nearly (London Borough of Hillingdon).

Bikes I'm considering are:
Halfords : Carrers Code Disc & Carrera Vengance
Decathlon : Rockrider EXPL50, Rockrider ST120 & Rockrider ST530.

[rareposter]

It would be a standard shop purchase as I've not located any small / independant bike stores nearly (London Borough of Hillingdon).

Try Balfe's Bikes (Chiswick and Kingston) and Evans Cycles (Kingston-on-Thames).
They're both a significant step up from the likes of Halfords.

That said, at the sort of £250-ish per bike entry level price point that you're looking at, everything you see will be much of a muchness. Basic, mostly functional (if somewhat clunky), the only real difference being the colour and the name on the frame. Worrying about weight or whether X is "better" than Y is a waste of time.

They'll all achieve the same outcome which is more or less that you'll potter around happily enough for a couple of years before finding that repairs are beginning to cost more than you paid for the bike at which point it'll be worthless except as a FB Marketplace sale for £30.