Comments on: Dear Lazyweb: Buying a new bike

By: cycling shorts

cycling shorts — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:55:04 +0000

Dont' bother with full-sus unless you're building your own bike. I'd stick to hardtail as they cover just about every terrain type unless you happen to have a delicate backside.

By: Lapierre

Lapierre — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:35:01 +0000

This is correct there is indeed a cycle scheme but it is dependant on your employer being part of this scheme. It involves some tax free benefits as well as the possibility of you employer contributing to your bike. I would check with then, if this is the case maybe you could get an even better bike, i know my dream bike would be a Lapierre bike.

By: strauss

strauss — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:18:57 +0000

don't understand a thing about bikes, but many people in my office used the mayor of london cycle scheme to have a 50% discount on their bikes. you are entitled to do it if you use it to commute (and your employee has to do a simple form filling procedure). just google cycle scheme.

By: Huygens

Huygens — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:47:48 +0000

For a 200£ bike, don't look too much at what shimano/SRAM/etc. devices you should get… You should better look for a bike that look discreet (so it won't get stolen), practical (I prefer for a city bike the "women frame", it is easier to get on and off the bike, which happen a lot in a city).
Then, for a cool look and comfortable frame, try to look for Dutch like framed bike. They are amazingly nice to ride, especially in cities because you are seating slightly higher than on other bikes, thus seeing better the traffic. And they are well equipped against the rain
Good brands with entry level bikes (around the 200£) you should be able to get Gazelle or Batavia (for Dutch style bikes), for hybrid frames I would advise German brands like Steven or Bulls, or the French one La Pierre.
But for the neck and comfort, try the Dutch frame style rather than the hybrid one.
End note: I have also an hybrid bike, but I use it for bicycle trekking (long distance bike).

By: Me Again

Me Again — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:11:10 +0000

I live in the Netherlands and I have a Gazelle (dutch brand) city bike. I use it to go to work every day (about 8 kilometers one way).

Things that are important for me:
* roller brakes: completely encased, they work in any weather
* gears in the rear hub: my current bike has a Shimano Nexus 7; low maintenance, not affected by weather, allows for a completely-encased chain
* city-bike type: mud guards; upright position (good visibility)
* dynamo-powered lights (my current bike has the dynamo in the front wheel hub)

By: Sense Hofstede

Sense Hofstede — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:57:20 +0000

The best bikes are from Gazelle, but I'm not sure if you can buy those in a regular English bike shop.

You could always try Union, they are sold at Halfords, if I'm correct.

In any case, I would advise against buying a mountainbike or hybrid. For work-home travel you should buy a proper bike, it is a lot more comfortable and easier when doing the shopping.

By: Donald Allwright

Donald Allwright — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:54:18 +0000

About 12 years ago I bought a Dawes City Vision 7 for around £250. My main criteria as a town bike were ruggedness, hub gears (lower maintenance), slow release wheels (to reduce the risk of theft), kevlar-protected tyres and an upright riding position. I've found it to be excellent for the flatness of Cambridge, and have just had to spend money on the first repair apart from normal wear and tear after 12 years. OK it's never going to be as fast as my road bikes on account of the upright riding position, but that wasn't in the requirements spec.. My only minor gripe is that the gears are aimed at a slower rider than myself, but I could easily change the chainring if I could be bothered.

A hybrid would probably be adequate, but is by definition a compromise so won't be excellent at anything, just OK at a range of things.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:08:50 +0000

Some things to consider:

How rough your route is (up/down curbs, tree roots, broken aspahlt)
How much you weigh
How rough you ride the bike

Depending on the answers to the above you can choose a style of bike from a road bike to a hybrid to a proper mountain bike.

As with the general consensus – go to a proper bike shop and ask the staff. You will need to spend more than £200 (though not a huge amount more) – it's a false economy as you will just be replacing a cheap bike in a year's time after a lot of fustrating repairs.

Disc brakes are awesome. You know the sensensation you get just after you've fitted a new set of caliper brakes. The way they slam on? Disc brakes are like that _all the time_.

Consider security. More expensive bikes are a target. Buy two good D-locks and lock through the frame and both wheels every time. Consider whether you really need easy-remove wheels and saddle. If you get disc brakes padlock the cables together or to the frame and run the D-locks through the cable in such a way that it would destroy the disc brakes to remove them.

Enjoy!

By: Iain

Iain — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:32:46 +0000

Thanks guys. I'll find more cash if 200 really isn't enough for what I need. I was just trying to be a cheapskate

By: elij

elij — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:01:53 +0000

£200 isn't enough for a decent bike — I would personally recommend looking into a second hand brompton (I understand you said new) as you only appear to cycle for commuting.