B'twin bikes - cheap, but are they any good?

[PutIcecubesDownTheVestOfFear]

I want to get a bike, haven't had one for years, and am thinking I need a hybrid as I'll be doing a bit of road and occasional woodland path/trails type cycling, nothing really rough.

I don't want to spend huge amounts, preferably less than £200 in case I go off the idea, but don't know whether that's realistic. I tried out some B'twin bikes for around £150-£180 at the weekend and they seemed nice - but would it be better to invest in something more expensive?

Bumping this zombie thread as I'd like opinions on their children's bikes too.

They are not bad for a starter bike. If you google the specific one you are looking at, you might find reviews. The road bikes get a decent write up whenever they come out.

I would say that if you get into cycling on a frequent basis then you may be looking to upgrade, but you can upgrade just specifric parts which is of course a lot cheaper than a whole new bike

Kids bikes I think are quite heavy anf clunky to be honest. If you cant run to an islabike, then look out for Frog bikes, which are new this spring. They look lovely www.frogbikes.com/how-to-buy-a-frog-bike.aspx

Thanks - the Frog ones do look lovely and are a bit cheaper than Islabikes.

Dd has an Isla at the moment and she's outgrown it and ds is ready for it and I am inclined to think that a cheap one is going to be too much of a come down after such a good ride on an Islabike.

Frog bikes now a definitely option!

DD1 has a b'twin bike in part because it was one of the few bikes that fit her body. She was able to reach the handlebars properly on it, which she struggled with on others.

Last week I bought my perfect bike

I wanted a bike with a low step-through design so I can just hop on it without having to change into exercise clothes. I needed a bike with plenty of gears to cope with gentle hills. (I am preparing to do a 25 mile charity bike ride in July (mostly on road but some unsurfaced country lanes)). And money is tight at present.

I found just the right one in Halfords last week for £200. I've been out on it every day so far - and it is LOVELY! It even has full mudguards and chain guard, and I've added a basket

On the 13/06 i brought a B'Twin Rockrider 520 27.5" Medium frame, now as apparently it was one that had been sold and returned with damage to frame i was told i could have 10% off, at the till they then said i could only have 5% off. The bike has scratches on which the cashier told me when asked if the scratches rust then the frame will be replaced as it has a life time guarantee, he said yes. I found out that is not correct it wouldnt be replaced. When i brought it i told staff that the gearing in the middle gears didnt feel right but they said it was fine. Today when taking bike for first proper ride straight away the chain in middle gears locked up, twisted in to frame and scratched the paint work straight down to the metal indenting the frame. I then had to return bike and told that they have to order new part and not sure when it will be done. Now in between this i had referred a friend to B-Twin at decathlon and he brought a B'Twin Rockrider 340 26" Inch Medium frame. I also came in on on 16/06/2017 and brought a Mistigirl 320 Kids Bike for my daughter with a helmet. I noticed my daughters gears were sticking when i brought and i took it straight back in for them to fix but yet same problem when she rode it, i am yet to also have to return that to be fixed properly. As a customer i feel absolutely disappointed with my journey so far with Decathlon.