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Original poster

Please Help choose a bike no more than £700

39 replies

Lifeisforlivingkatie · 05/10/2014 19:27

Hello everyone, after a cycling holiday this summer, I really want to cycle more around town and to build up my skills to be able to go on rides with DP at weekends mainly on paths and roads.

I cannot manage hills yet so need something that will be easy to get up hills. We live in a hilly city. It also needs to be light because I will probably take it in and out of the car a lot.
DP and friends go on90 mile rides so I will be driving some of it. It also needs to look really pretty to tempt me out of my car.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 05/10/2014 20:38

When you say paths, do you mean tarmac paths?

If so, have a look at the Felt bikes on Wiggle. DH has an F95 and has been racking up over 100 miles a week on it, and its lovely to ride. He did change the cassette to make hills easier, but that was only £40. This is nice for instance

MrsCoulter · 05/10/2014 20:44

this

MrsCoulter · 05/10/2014 20:47

or this

pootlebug · 05/10/2014 20:49

Have you a good local independent bike shop? (ask around DP's cycling friends). I'd pop along there and ask them what they recommend, and also they should be able to help you get the right size.

What sort of bike do you think you want? Road bike, hybrid etc?

I bought both my bikes on ebay. I had to search a fair while to get what I wanted but I got a lot more for my money than if I'd bought them new.

bearleftmonkeyright · 05/10/2014 20:52

I second going to an independent bike shop. You will get terrific advice.

Takver · 05/10/2014 20:59

If I were looking for a new bike, I would be very, very tempted by the Islabikes new-ish adult offering (costs £450). All the reviews I've seen of it have been good (eg one here ) and I've had very good experience of their customer service & their bikes with their children's offerings.

Takver · 05/10/2014 21:02

Should say I use my bike pretty heavily for everyday transport, so need a good all-round bike, mostly cycle on road but also do a fair bit of cycling on dodgy tracks as I live in the country & lots of people I know live on farms a mile or more off the tarmac road.

DancingDinosaur · 05/10/2014 21:10

Specialized Ariel Sport Disc is a very nice bike, and well within your budget.

justiceofthePeas · 05/10/2014 21:15

I would go to local bike shop so you get measured. Also leave something in budget to replace the saddle because unless you get lucky you may need to get one that suits you better. (I have a selle italia it is ok).
The thing most likely to put you off is being uncomfortable. So a good fit is important.

Is this a road bike or a hybrid that you want? For general around town I would probably go for a light hybrid with slick tyres. Will handle road and paths as long as you are not trying to cycle through serious mud.

Check out revolution bikes. Think you can order them online. They are designed in and for a hilly city Wink
I have had a revolution courier for years with very little bother. Can lift it in and out of car and it takes off really nicely. It isn't a skinny racing snake road bike (got one of those tooSmile) but it is a nice versatile, reliable all rounder and I have happily done manies a 30 to 40 mile run on it as well as a daily commute.

Dunno about pretty though. Define pretty for a bike?

LadyMud · 05/10/2014 21:18

I would avoid anything described as a "hybrid" as it'll be too heavy.
A road bike might feel too extreme to start off with (dropped handlebars, very skinny tyres, etc).
A touring bike would probably be your best choice.

Try some small men's bikes, too. Women-specific frames don't suit all of us! You can easily swap stuff like saddles and grips to get the best set-up.

MrsCoulter · 05/10/2014 21:27

All the hybrids I've ridden have been lighter than the tourers I've ridden.

MrSheen · 05/10/2014 21:32

I have an isla bike (it's a kids one, I'm tiny) and I love it. It's so light (relative to other tiny women bikes)

DancingDinosaur · 05/10/2014 21:36

My specialized hybrid is very light. I could probably pick it up with one finger Wink

DancingDinosaur · 05/10/2014 21:43

Oh just noticed mrscoulters link of the specialized ariel comp, reduced to £720. I have that bike, and its very special. Easy and light to ride, going up hills is a dream, and it just wants to make me cycle more and more. I do about 100 miles a week on it. I completely recommend this bike, its amazing. I love it. And its reduced!!!

neiljames77 · 05/10/2014 21:48

Speak to your employer op about the government scheme to get people cycling. If you get a bike up to the value of £1000, they pay something like 40% of it.

Original poster
Lifeisforlivingkatie · 05/10/2014 22:59

Thank you everyone, will now google suggestions and report back, DancingD have you checked the weight?

OP posts:
DancingDinosaur · 05/10/2014 23:06

The one finger test? Grin No. But I will when I get the bike out in the morning.

justiceofthePeas · 06/10/2014 00:59

My hybrid is pretty light.
It is lighter by a long way. than my 6 yr olds mtb which is half the size. Obvs it is not as light as my road bike but it isn't a clunky monster. And as it is pretty old I reckon the newer revolution couriers would be lighter. They do also do roads and tourers though. All at v reasonable prices and frequently win awards. (Not paid by then honest!)
But it is a lovely bike and a pleasure to ride.

Original poster
Lifeisforlivingkatie · 06/10/2014 14:38

Thank you, I am looking at them now

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 06/10/2014 14:52

I have an Ariel Elite Disc, and though I really like it, and its great on trails, I go 2mph faster on average on a road bike (same routes etc). If you are planning on keeping up with your dh, it'll be a lot easier on a road bike with skinny tyres etc

Original poster
Lifeisforlivingkatie · 06/10/2014 18:43

This is too difficult, cannot decide. Please let me what to get.

Light, pretty, easy on hills and hybrid.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lifeisforlivingkatie · 06/10/2014 19:47

It seems weight is not always disclosed

OP posts:
DancingDinosaur · 06/10/2014 20:08

What sort of bike does your dh have? If its a road bike, as pp says, they do go faster than hybrids. So if he has a road bike and you're planning on cycling with him, it may be worth considering a road bike too. I love my hybrid but it definitely isn't as fast as a road bike.

Original poster
Lifeisforlivingkatie · 06/10/2014 20:29

Yes he has a road bike, but I DS is 8 so I would like the the option of parks.I am going to look at yours tomorrow

OP posts:
RueDeWakening · 06/10/2014 20:34

I completely recommend Boardman bikes, available only from Halfords I think. This one is a newer version of mine, which I love.

DH has the fancy pants carbon fibre one, but that costs £££.