Cyclists? Help. :)

I've never done really long distance, London to Brighton is as much as it gets for me. I would say thaat if you aren't a regular cyclist, that you should get a hybrid. Road bikes have very thin tyres, and generally have the handlebars that you have to lean over - I wouln't trust myself on one! Also, by getting a hybrid you have the opportunity of going on trails and tracks if you need to, whereas you couldn't on a road bike - in fact, mosy road bike users don't even use the cycle paths on pavements because they're too bumpy for the thin tyres.

Sounds like the halfords chap has the right idea, as the comfot factor on a hybrid will be better than on a road or mountain bike

Would need to know how far this ride is though if the route is mainly on the road then stick with semi slick tyres on a hybrid (Similar riding position to mountain bike).

Hope this helps

Thanks guys. It's 596.2 miles from the house where mum grew up to the Hospice!

The chap at halfords suggested a Carrera Subway. H really likes the Boardman bikes but we're both going to get them through the bike to work schemes and his work don't use Halfords.

I'd recommend trying out the Ridgeback hybrids as well - they're nice and light, and really comfortable (and bloody good value for money)

Halfords don't do those and my bike2work scheme is through them. I'll get H to look at them though.

My cousin has just suggested seeing if we can blag one as sponsorship but I think that might be a tall order. lol

A Carrera Subway is unsuitable as its a 26" wheel commuting bike. I suggest you go to your local bike shop, one that is part of the bike scheme and ask them. You should be looking for a 700c wheel hybrid such as a Dawes Discovery

Is there any way you could convince your work to opt for a different scheme? It doesn't make any difference to them as they are pretty much all the same and it is the bike retailer that does all the work just that you won't get much choice at Halfords as they have a pretty limited range.

http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work is a good place to start.

I work for Kent County Council so I'm not sure I could convince them to go for another scheme tbh.

Fraya, I'm a complete novice. If I'm stuck with Halfords, then do you know what bike they do do that would be suitable?

I'm off to bed now but will check back in the morning. Thanks to everyone for your advice so far.

Ahh it looks like you could order pretty much any bike via Halfords

http://www.cycle2work.info/employees/stuck.html

So I would suggest going to a decent local bike shop and getting some advice on which bike would be most suitable. Do you have a budget in mind as I could probably recommend a few brands/models to look at?

Firstly have you looked closely at the bike2work scheme and asked your work what happens at the end of the payment period, i.e who owns the bike?

My OH runs a bike shop. Guessing your budget and with a gun to his head he would choose this from Halfords

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_240381_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

but it comes with front suspension which he doesn't think you'll need and at that price its going to be rubbish.

For a £300 budget he suggests this

http://www.dawescycles.com/p-161-discovery-201-ladies.aspx

If you have to buy at Halfords ask them if they will order in a Dawes, they should be able to order any bike. You should try the bike first somewhere though to see if its comfy for your height/reach etc.

If you live anywhere near Bromley and you aren't tied to Halfords then Bromely Bikes are a good local bike shop

http://www.bromleybike.co.uk/

If your budget is different or you need a local bike shop nearer to you I'll see what he can suggest

Thanks ever so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. I'll have a close look at those links at lunchtime but I'm about to start work now.

I was thinking of about £300 for the bike and then about another £150 for accessories (lights, clothing etc). Will post more detail later.

I recently replaced my bike with a carrera hybrid bike from halfords (about £180 or so), H bought a road bike/racer and mine is much more comfortable-all that leaning froward was really uncomfortable. Mine is nice and light and not hard on roads at all unlike my previous bike which was a mountain type bike. Good luck with the bike ride-did you say 600 miles ? or did I read that wrong??!!!!

For that budget you do have a fair bit of decent choice - I'd second the Dawes or the Ridgeback plus you could look at a Trek. But you do need to try before you buy because a lot comes down to personal preference and just how you feel about what suits you.

Have a look at the following:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/t10-2009-hybrid-bike-ec001535

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/motion-womens-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017041

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/mojave-2009-womens-hybrid-bike-ec018602

Ohh I love looking at bikes there is something very sexy about their simplicity ? I'll shut up now ?

I know it's been a while since I posted but I'm almost ready to buy my bike.

Halfords can source almost any bike but the Specialized Vita and Trek that I wanted is out of stock and I don't like any of the Dawes that the chap from Halfords suggested. He's said he can source a Trek 7.1FX (£320) and the Trek 7100 Woman specific (£350) in either 15" or 17". He can also get a Felt - the QX 65 is £300, the QX 70 is £370 and the QX 75 is £420. He can get those in 52cm and 55cm.

I'm a bit baffled in which to get. My uncle is an avid cyclist and swears by Treks but he is on holiday. All the jargon is double dutch to me! Any help gratefully received.

I am an occasional cyclist who is looking to cycle for charity in the future and recently bought a hybrid. I opted for the Boardman Urban team bike and have been very impressed with it. One of my colleagues who has cycled from John O Groats to Lands End (this is the wrong way apparently as the prevailing winds are usually in your face) changed to the same bike after his ride and has also been very pleased with it. He had contacts with some bike designers who rate this bike at around the £850 mark compared to others, although it can be picked up for £500 as it is one of Boardmans "loss leaders".

I would strongly recommend that you have the right frame size for your body. I went for the larger option(I am 6'2" and this size is almost too big for me. It does come in two smaller frame sizes.....

btw, there has been some very good advice on this thread and all the bikes named are good quality.......and even if the bike you want is not usually stocked by Halfords, they will get it for you....

Peter

Cheers Peter. My H likes the Boardmans but they are more than I wanted to spend - I don't really want to go above £350.

I'm 5ft1". I was planning on going for a 15" frame as that was the size of the Vita.

Hi

OH is a mad MTBer. He's said the distance you're doing you would need front suspension and a comfortable saddle.
He's said he'd go for a Trek (he has one as his second bike) and having a look at the two trek's you've mentioned in your last post he'd go for the 7100 WSD (And I think it's pretty!)

Good Luck on your cycle, keep us updated won't you

I'd second the Trek 7100 WSD - it offers good value for money given the spec.

Cheers guys. The Trek 7100 it is then.

I'll def keep posted about the ride as I think I'll be asking about advice for that too!

xxx

Contrary opinion here - road bikes are more comfortable for longer rides. Much as I love my hybrid, I've installed bar ends to change my position when I'm cycling uphill or more than 20 miles. They look intimidating but are surprisingly easy to use.

Am I right in thinking you are quite tall? My H (who is 6ft 3) has the same opinion and much prefers bar ends so I'm wondering if it is a height-related thing.

The one problem with road/hybrid bikes is that you rerally "feel the road", specifically when cycling over roads where there have been roadworks in the past. It seems that the area of the road that cyclists are expected to cycle in is exactly where the roads are at their worst repair.....or perhaps that is just a local problem.....

Peter

I think you've talked me into getting that bike too ?

I recently got a bike through cycle2work on the work scheme here and i had a choice of evans as well as halfords, might be worth checking?

i love my bike, i miss riding it at weekends and i never thought i would!