If you know about bicycles....

[Nikhedonia]

Please help!

I want to get a bike for cycling about, I need a hybrid.

Need it to be super lightweight and a comfortable seat would be great (I have a bony bum!)

Happy to spend up to £700.

Any recommendations of brands? Bikes? What to look out for? What to avoid?

Thank you!

I really like my Specialized Sirrus - fast, light, comfortable and well within your budget!

@terraform I was just looking at that. If it's the same as this one?

Is it ok off road and on hills?

If you are in or can get to the north west ( England) please go to Pop up bikes this is a great independent bike garage / shop where they refurbish and sell second hand bikes . The staff there are great and very knowable. I bought a bike from there 1 months ago I took 5 different bikes for a test run before settling one one and have been back twice so the can make some adjustments ( brake leavers and seat ) and fit new things ( mud guards and rack ) there was no charge for that work

I will post a link later.

Consider an e-bike, they are wonderful things. You go from just considering your bike as a possible means of transport from A to B to considering your bike as a primary means of transport, capable of almost every journey.

You need to actually sit on a few and get a feel for how they fit you. All bike geometries will be slightly different, and this will make a big difference to how they feel to you. A local bike shop will be far more knowledgable than Halfords and even Evans (unfortunately) and will provide great aftercare. Whereabouts in the are you?

Saddles are easy enough to change if the saddle that comes with the bike doesn't suit. Some bike shops have a bum measurer where you sit on a piece of memory foam and it measures the width of your sit bones to show which size or shape of saddle will fit best - it isn't necessarily the case that a big padded one will be more comfortable for you.

That Specialised looks good - lots of gears so good on hills and good for road or fairly even or smooth off road - canal towpath type surfaces, but not very muddy or uneven as no suspension or knobbly tyres.

Do you have access to the Bike to Work scheme, which means you save on tax and can pay for the bike over a few months/year.

Top tips: have the original tyres changed for Schwalbe puncture less, and make sure you have a spring seat post.

Thanks all.

I'm in Surrey and can get to a few bike shops, so will do that.

I'm going to use my employers cycle to work scheme so I'll be somewhat limited on shops.

I have seen a few that I'm keen on, but I haven't ridden a bike in years so will need to sit on one etc

If you're near a branch of Edinburgh Bike Co-op they're really good, will take the time to find something that suits you and their own brand stuff is excellent.

Bianchi make rather wonderful bikes and have several in your price range. As mentioned before, make sure you can test.

If you're female, it's worth checking out female specific models as the geometry is slightly different to accommodate the general differences in physiology. Of course, it may well be (like many women) that a non-female-specific frame is fine!

I would also suggest taking a basic bike maintenance course so you can change an inner tube, fix a chain etc. It isn't difficult to do, especially if you have the right tools, but (much like driving a car) it is quicker to change a wheel yourself and get back on the road.

I got a Liv Alight after asking on here and a cycling forum. I'm very pleased with it.

I know OP said they lived in Surrey but for anyone in the noth west here is Pop Up Bikes FB page
www.facebook.com/PopUpBikes/?tn=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARBWrs0p05F3ohq6Z8NRotSGIkFcryfxSoaviEMwGCy1tDoHsZBveS0zpGBusoJ4tmMU8OXgd40w .

I have a Liv Alight as well and love mine.