Any cyclists on here who can give me a bit of advice?

I'm after getting a bike, mainly just to try and help me get a bit fitter and doing a bit of exercise, It's not going to be really used on road's much or for commuting but mostly just for a bit of trekking down the canal etc. I'm on a low budget of probably a max of £125. Maybe that's not much but I don't want to go forking out ridiculous amounts on something that I may end up not using to much and that may not suit my needs. There's that many different types and I don't even know where to start.

Been looking on ebay at used ones which are a bit cheaper and also seen some within my price range at Halfords, although from reading reviews it seems to be hit and miss as to whether they are good or fall to pieces after a weeks use.

any suggestions? Theres a "Coyote Delaware" bike near me on ebay going for 50 quid But I can't find anything about that brand of bike either.

Its ok as a budget and you'll get an ok bike, and Halfords are an ok supplier to use - I'm a big fan of not spending one penny more to achieve your goals but also a victim of then going back and spending much more than I intended to in the first place

I'd prefer to buy new rather than second hand simply because some bikes can get hammered especially if "younger people" have been using them on rough ground or riding up kerbs etc - I saw a great example of this when my mate got his bike out for one of our long distance rides a few years ago and found that his son had been using it, both wheels were buckled but better than that the gear cassette on the back wheel had torn loose from the hub and you could pedal the bike as hard as you liked but it wouldn't turn the back wheel one inch

Your budget is pretty low for buying new it has to be said but if you are using it for unmade paths, towpaths etc and not actually taking it down a mountainside then anything that Halfords have will do the job and not fall to pieces in a week, if it does then take it back, they are actually pretty good.

Tell them in Halfords what you are going to use it for and try and keep focused on their Hybrid bikes, you'll find a better seat position than a true mountain bike and won't knacker your back up quite so quickly, get as many gears as you can with as many teeth on the big front gear as possible and your on-road cycling will be much more comfortable - a big difference between the number of teeth on the largest of the front gears and the smallest of the front gears will give you lots of useable choice for both on and off road, flat and inclines - then learn how to use them properly and you won't throw the bike away after two rides wondering why you're so knackered.

Thats just a rough guide but I see so many cyclists commuting on decent quality bikes who are peddaling like windmills on flat roads and going nowhere fast just because they won't use the gears properly - think about how fast the peloton can ride in Le Tour with very slow lazy revs on the pedals - ok they are slipstreaming too but they have huge front gear wheels to help them achieve that - it makes a big difference.


For a bit more money have a look at what they currently have in their Carerra range, but most importantly, get them to set the bike up properly for you.

Thanks for the advice, Think I'll go and have a look in Halfords tomorrow. The Hybrids are the ones that have been catching my eye. I may be on the odd bumpy path but certainly nothing extreme.

With your budget in mind, stay clear of Halfrauds. Their own brand, lower price range bikes are heavy and you will feel no benefit. Their customer service isrelatively poor as the shop assistants are just that assistants not specialists. Find a good local independent bike store, tell them requirements/budget and they will point you in the right direction. Often a lot of these independent stores take part exchanges in from keen cyclists and services up the bikes and sell them on at reduced rate. Check out www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40058 for beginners section for tips on bikes, equipment, maintenance etc.

With your budget in mind, stay clear of Halfrauds. Their own brand, lower price range bikes are heavy and you will feel no benefit. Their customer service isrelatively poor as the shop assistants are just that assistants not specialists. Find a good local independent bike store, tell them requirements/budget and they will point you in the right direction. Often a lot of these independent stores take part exchanges in from keen cyclists and services up the bikes and sell them on at reduced rate. Check out www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40058 for beginners section for tips on bikes, equipment, maintenance etc.

For what you want at that budget, get on gumtree and get a second hand one, bikes are a lot stronger than people give them credit for and finding a knackered one will be rare and probably easy to fix if it is. Go to a bike place first though and find the right size frame ie, the one that suits your size, there used to be a good bike shop your way (if you live in the wigan area) at Charnock Richard.
Iv you're not precious, you'll get a 2nd hand bike for £125 that brand new equivalent will be about 4-5 hundred.

Colour and size maybe not what you're looking for but something like this www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/kona- ... /107362325

Colour and size maybe not what you're looking for but something like this www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/kona- ... /107362325

If he wants to just get fitter, why go for a bike that uses less effort?

Because he'll enjoy it more and it won't be back on Gumtree the following week ?

No pain, no gain

I'm in agreement with Jerry on this one. I bought a cheap mountain bike and used to dread going out on it, the tyres were so thick I felt like I was pedalling like mad and getting nowhere, it was also difficult choosing the right gear to be in when on the road.

I then got a Carerra Subway from Halfords under the cycle to work scheme, it's the best thing I've ever bought. I had good Customer Service, every question was answered fully and all the accessories I asked for (Stand, lights, and cycle rack) were all fitted properly. I even got a free 12 month service plan.

It rides like a dream and I can do 15-20 miles which is an achievement for someone like me who never used to take any exercise.

Above all I ENJOY going out on it.

OP If you can stretch your budget a little I would look at the Carerra, one thing I learnt from reading online reviews is to stay away from the Halfords budget range "Apollo"

thanks for all the advice, Not yet had chance to go into any shops but just come across this on the internet rlhttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID

looks like a decent deal?

Think I might go for it then , I'm 5 ft 8 so I'm thinking an 18 inch frame?