I think i might want a pedal bike!

[BlackTwingo-i]

I travel 7 miles to work, 7 miles back everyday, i think its costing me a couple of quid a day in petrol, about £2-3.. Its not much, but then theres miles going on my car, risk of damage and blah blah..

I meed to start saving money somehow, i worked out i spend about £5-10 a day in fuel and food.. Im gonna start making buttys to take

I thought of getting a moped, but that wouldnt leave me any better off after buying one and insuring it aswell as the car

I thought of biking it to and from work most/everyday.. Saving me like £20 a week petrol, miles on my car tyres and all that

Ide like a quick bike though, and i dont want to spend alot, £100-150
I dont mind buying a used one in good nick, but i dont know anything about bikes!

Help please suggestions please <3
(Im gonna be the next karl )

 

[DrDrew]

If you want a quick bike for a road trip you'll need to look at hybrid or road bikes. Hybrid will provide you a little more comfort/ability to carry stuff but a road bike will be faster at flat out pace.

In general you might find some new Hybrid bikes starting at around £120 but they won't be great for that price, so you may want to look at buying a second hand one, but making sure you've kept a little money back for giving it a good service.

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

Right olay, i dont mind buying a used one, and thanks for giving some choice, hybrid one sounds like what i need.. What manufactures should i look out for at my budget?

 

[DrDrew]

Not too up on used bikes in particular, but there are lots of top makes like Specialized, Trek, Ridgeback, Felt, Saracen whose bikes you might want to keep an eye out for. Various differences between the brands end up coming down to personal choice quite often. It might be worth going to somewhere like an Evans Cycles shop so you can see a selection of bikes (albeit new ones) to really get to grips with what you might find more comfortable. (seat shape, frame arrangement, bar widths etc all change between models/manufacturers)

It might be worth keeping an eye out for some of the newer makes like Boardman. My brother has a Boardman hybrid bike and he loves that.

 

[Daveyb133]

have a word with your eployers, they may do a cycle to work scheme which means u get a massive discount off your bike and u can pay for it monthly out of your wages.

 

[DrDrew]

have a word with your eployers, they may do a cycle to work scheme which means u get a massive discount off your bike and u can pay for it monthly out of your wages.

Good point, had forgotten about the cycle to work scheme.

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

My boss is a cheapskate haha, its just me and him.. Not a massive firm or anything sadly

But good ideas cheers, think i like the sound of hybrid bikes, theres a few on ebay, just need to find out if they are worth it, dont want it breaking..

Aslong as it gets me there and back without me wanting to rip my arse off it hould do

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

Lamborghini bike!?

 

[Dubz]

Also if you go into bike shops ask if they have any last year versions of their bikes as a few bike companys change parts of the bikes every year and previous versions may be just as good as the new ones but they'll be cheaper

 

[DrDrew]

You may well find a 17" frame pretty small. I don't know how tall you are, but you'll probably need to look for a 19" or 22". (Manufacturers don't stick to even increments and increases, so you may well find yourself comparing 21.5 from one with 22.5 from other etc.)

To find what size you'll be most comfortable on - I'd suggest you visit your local bike specialist. (When sat on the saddle with the peddle in it's furthest away position and your heel on the peddle, your leg should be almost straight.)

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

Right i get it, well im 5'9" with average legs, usually a 32 in pants

Dont know if that makes a difference haha but yeah thanks alot i know where im heading this weekend!

 

[Karl]

If your going to use it everyday and in no matter what the weather id reccomnd spending a bit more and getting a bike that will last. My first road bike was a cheap one from Halfords for £300 was for ever putting new parts on it and sold it after a year to spend money on a bike that ill last and not cost me more in parts then the bike was.

I worked out over a year its alot cheaper then putting fuel in the car so soon pays itself off.

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

Hmm, been thinking more and more about it, when my girlfriend passes her driving test, probably a month or two, so then i wont need my car to take her home before work in the morning so i can bike it.. I guess ill wait till the new year or maybe spring when its abit warmer cause i gotta save for a holiday and christmas!

Thanks for the input, will concider looking at more expensive bikes

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

Anyone know anything about this one?

Its my bosses dads, perfect size for me!
Might ask if he would loan/lease it to me to get to work..

 

[Karl]

Nice bike. Not the best but there alright for a start.

 

[JE_GT]

GT Bikes are pretty good for the money the cost.

 

[DrDrew]

Yeah, that looks like a pretty good bike to get you going.

 

[BlackTwingo-i]

No chance he will let me use it haha
He uses it all the time :/

 

[JE_GT]

Have to buy one then Pretty sure you could buy a decent bike on 0% Finance over 12 months online if that's your thing

 

[Karl]

Upto 50% off at the moment

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/bikes/