Cyclists: makes to avoid and those recommended

[zimzam]

Hi
In looking for a women's hybrid I've been advised by bike shop bloke not to go for the cheaper Raleigh or Claude Butler bikes as they're not built very well?! Any comments? Any recommendations?
Thanks.

i believe the thing to do is 'bump'...

Marin

Merin? Not sure, but apparently good and this will bump for you too.

bum. I meant Marin. San Rafael.

I have a Pashley, it is great, though I only cycle on roads.

Trek. DH writes them off in about three years if they don't get nicked, that's with a daily commute and no maintenance (bad, naughty, DH) so that seems like good wear.

my bike except my one is green, 2nd hand and the saddle is different. I use it daily, for school/ nursery runs, with trailer.

I've got a Ridgeback, which I love, DH swears by Trek. I think Specialised are good but their best bikes are the very expensive ones.

Claud Butler

Meant to say - Claud Butler are actually quite good bikes.

I have a Gary Fisher, DH has an old Marin, and a Trek. He loves his new trek. Same spec as more expensive brands but for less, esp if you can find last year's model being sold cheaper.

Can't go wrong with Trek. Their low-end mountain bikes are nicer than the hybrids IMO, you can get last year's models at a good price and have smooth tires put on it.

I've been riding my Marin Sausalito for 15 years!!!! I have hammered it and it still comes up like new whenI have it serviced. the best £600 I ever spent.

I love my Gary Fisher too - it's almost 10yrs old and still going strong (just did 50 miles on it on Sunday )

What's your budget? It's a minefield out there, so I'd go to a "proper" bike shop and avoid places like Halfords at all costs (not great range, staff usually not that clued up)

If budget is quite tight, the Revolution range from Edinburgh Cycle Co-operative usually get good ratings.

I think I've decided on a Trek T30. Has everything I need for £250. Might go and buy it on Friday if you donn't all shout out 'no!!!'. oooh, excited now .

I got a Dawes hybrid in a sale a few years back - I didn't use it much but then MrNC commuted on it for 5 years, which is pretty good for an under-£200 bike!

Evans Cycles shops are pretty clueful apparently.

How much cycling and what sort do you plan to do? My hybrid Saracen is coming up to 15000 miles, in which time I've been through 2 rear blocks and am about to go onto 3rd chain. Now carrying DS to nursery and back as well. If you're mostly going to be a road cyclist, you'll probably find that hybrid frames are lighter than mountain bike ones.