Where to buy a bicycle?

[Yiderlier 10]

Hi

 

Im back for my what seems to be annual post, haha. Anyway ill get to the point.

 

Im a teacher and therefore have a ridiculous holiday to plough through (once I get over this swine flu) and I want to buy a bike. Now I have no idea what type, I would imagine a mountain bike as I want to cycle through woods and possibly in the peaks, although I would like to do cycling in the city!?

 

Now I only want to spend £200 so second hand or just a good bike shop would be much appreciated.

 

Thank you

 

Chris

[michi 10]

JeJames cycle, tell them what you want the bike to do and the budget and they will sell you one

[S1 1DJ 11]

Decathlon at the bottom of the Moor. JE are good, but you would burn a hole in your pocket looking in there! Lots of niceties!

 

Keep away from Halfords!

[chem1st 10]

2nd hand, wait a bit till nights draw in, get two, a racer and a mountain bike.

[tulipa 10]

Anyone heard about this?

 

http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

 

Might be worth considering if you plan to use your bike to get to and from work as well as for leisure

[Yiderlier 10]

Thank you for your help.

 

I will go investigate once Im better. Decathlon, didnt think about that one, are their bikes good?

 

Cheers

[Smithster 10]

Decathlon are pretty cheap but they only do their own branded bikes so don't offer that much choice.

 

Halfords - avoid like the plague. Their own branded bikes (Apollo) are very poor quality and not good value for money. They do other brands but they are much more expensive than other places.

 

JE James - These guys are experts and know what they are talking about, and they do some pretty specialised bikes, but you can pick up a bargain occasionally as well.

[archaeobard 11]

I would avoid Sports World in Crystal Peaks (aka sportsdirect.com)...had a bad experience with them...bought a bike, found it was faulty, they disagreed, would not accept return of bike, told me to ring the cycle company they use for help, they told me there was no problem with the bike, they would send me a user manual so I could sort a possible 'cable issue', but then sent me a manual for a kid's bicycle with stabilisers...still not sorted but can 't return the item.

[nickmunich 10]

I've made loads of mistakes buying bikes over the years.

 

With the benefit of this costly experience I would get a decent second hand one off ebay. A second hand Dawes Super Galaxy is a great bike (may cost £400 +) and will last for years, also keep an eye out for an Orbit Romany (Sheffield company) or a Hewitt.

 

If you are spending £200 and get to like cycling then I think you will be replacing that bike next season. IMO

[JoeS 10]

Halfords - avoid like the plague. Their own branded bikes (Apollo) are very poor quality and not good value for money. They do other brands but they are much more expensive than other places.

 

I think this is generally an outdated view perhaps...

 

Halfords do some top quality bikes, Apollo bikes may be good for young kids etc but i certainly wouldn't recommend one for an adult to ride on a regular basis.

 

Try their carrera or boardman ranges, they are pretty decent.

 

IMO JE James = rip off merchants when it comes to servicing... However, I've not bought a bike from them. A quick look on their website shows a few good bikes for around £200.

[chem1st 10]

I've made loads of mistakes buying bikes over the years.

 

With the benefit of this costly experience I would get a decent second hand one off ebay. A second hand Dawes Super Galaxy is a great bike (may cost £400 +) and will last for years, also keep an eye out for an Orbit Romany (Sheffield company) or a Hewitt.

 

If you are spending £200 and get to like cycling then I think you will be replacing that bike next season. IMO

 

I have an orbit

[*Ryan* 11]

Spending anymore than 200 on a bike is crazy talk. So avoid JE James