A Question About Bikes...

[BlueDragon]

So I've been looking for hours now and I'm just going round in circles and not getting anywhere usful. Plus the internet has made me feel very stupid and I'm not friends with it anymore : (

A few years ago I did have a bike. Just a kids everyday type thing. But I loved it all the same. But I haven't had a bike since then, 'cause that one got burnt - actually melted - in a fire.

These days I go out walking for miles, often along the National Cycle Routes, which I'm very lucky to have going in either direction just up the road from me. I love walking along them with my camera and seeing what I can find. But there's only so far I can go in a day ('cause of my M.E. I need to be back by five for my afternoon sleep) and it's starting to get frustrating.
Also I'd like to have more indapendance. Because of my fear of people I can't go a lot of places on my own 'cause I can't get on a bus to get there. I have to have someone there with me if I need to get in a taxi and will only get in one if I have no choice 'cause I hate it. Everywhere I go right now I walk there. Don't get me wrong, I love walking. But it has it's limitations.
As well as going of on off road trips along the NCR and other pathways I'd like to be able to go shopping on a bike and be able to bring more back at a time. And also would like to be able to carry my little furries to the vets if and when they need to go on the back of the bike. This would be totally on the pavement, no off roading there or back.

Now this is the part where you're probably going to start to hate me... My budget is only a hundred quid in money, or if all else fails I could go up to tree hundred out of the Kays catalogue (only). That's it. I have no way of aquireing more money from anywhere and I can't save it up or anything like that. Sorry about that : /

So at first I had my eyes set on this bike: http/www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003ZSHIZE/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0FAM4W46EQWVCH7AAPCQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317828027&pf_rd_i=468294
It's got good reviews, seems solid and is full-sussie so me and my little furries wouldn't have an overly bumpy ride.

But now I learn that that's a stupid idea, and a pointless choice. It's too cheap and will fall apart. I really did think that was a good bike, but now I just feel stupid for choosing it : (

So I'm now confused as to which bike I could get that would work best for me and my needs? I thought maybe a hybrid bike instead? But I know nothing about them and can't seem to make much sence out of Google.

I need a bike that can handle off road trips that will include any surface from grit-like gravel to big hunking rocks, tree trunks and brick sticking out of the pathways. It'll need to handle steep hills and uneaven ground. I'm not after a fast bike, but suspension is a must really as I don't want to be left without a backside and I certainly don't want poorly pets to have to be bumped around.
I'll be using said bike a lot, at least once a week on tarmac and often on off road trips that will last all day and will be for miles over various bumpy terain.
I'm not planning on racing it or belting it over the gardens of hell. It just needs to be able to handle off road trips of average but not nessaseraly fast speeds over rough and sometimes challenging terain and be able to have me and my furries and my shopping not be thrown around and left with sore and/or battered bits afterwards.

Am I really asking for something so impossable?

Are there any bikes out there that would be worth it? If so which ones? I'm very limited for what I can get and where I can get it from. A hundred quid bike and I can get it anywhere... more and I'll have to get it out of Kays and even my budget then is only up to three hundred quid.

Anyone fancy helping me out with this one?

 

[MsKhaeli]

Heya, Just noticed you're from my neck of the woods.

I'm no expert on bikes either but I can try and help, I am on Sunderland Sales N Wants on Facebook and there is a Dunlop mountain bike on there which is brand new hasn't been used going for £75 on there. But looking at the reviews online I wouldn't buy it. In fact any bike under £100 is going to be a bit of a pain to get a hold of as I have read that the suspensions of the bikes will not be that good/the bike parts are cheaply made and will be needing alot of repairs on. Are you after a brand new one or can it be 2nd hand?

Kay

 

[BlueDragon]

I've always been wary of the idea of second hand bikes 'cause I can see it easily being a one of those things where you end up paying a fortune for repairs. That the repairs cost so much it's easier to go out and get a new bike, so they flog the old one off to whoever they can. But I could be totally wrong with that. I'm sure that's not always the case.

I suppose a new bike would just give me that peice of mind that everything was probably OK. But if I saw a good bike that I could afford second hand and I knew it to be a good, well known bike ect that didn't need a tone of repairs then, yeah, I'd take it. I'm never against second hand, just cautious of it with some things is all.

How about the ones out of the catalogue, are any of those any good? The ones three hundred quid or less?

If I'm on the look out for a second hand one are there any particulaly good makes/models to look out for to suit me?

 

[garyspence84]

Hi there. A hybrid bike defo ain't for you. I have a ridgeback hybrid and it does not do well on gravel of uneven ground. The tyres are far to thin.
If your thinking of paying up a catalogue for a bike then it might be worth going to halfords, or a bike shop, as most will offer some kind of payment scheme and at least that way you will be talking to some1 that at the very least, likes bikes
If your only looking at £100, a wouldn't go full suspension either, for a half decent full suspension, you would need to spend at least £300, and even that would be pretty rubbish.
Saracen have some pretty good mountain bikes starting from around £160, and they have front shock obsorbers which would be perfect for where you want to go cycling.
I will have a we look and see of I can post a link to give you some examples.

G

 

[BlueDragon]

Thanks, that would be helpful : )

Yeah, looking more into hybrids I can see they're not right for me. I'm going to go for a front suspension mountain bike. But I think it might be better for me to look out for a second hand bike and go from there. I think if I wait I might get a better bike for my money and if I'm lucky it might only need it's tyres and breaks changing. And I don't mind that.
I've been tying to find out what to look for and people seem to say good things about Giant bikes, and Avalanche seem good too? But I'll look into Saracen too. Is there a model in particular I should keep an eye out for?

Although, I didn't actually know that Halfords did pay options, so I'll be looking into that. Thanks for letting me know : ) The only problem is that I don't think I have one near me. But I'll have a lookie-see. I do have a small bike shop just up the road but I'm not sure they'd be happy with my paying in bits, they are just small. They do sell bikes though, as well as spares and they do repairs, so I suppose it might still be worth an ask about (plus they friends with my stepdad who runs his own buisness next door to them... every little helps, right? ; )

Thank for the info : )

 

[garyspence84]

Ok, not sure on how to post links, but if you go on to amazon and search "Elswick Regal Womens Front Suspension Bike - Pink/Silver, 26 Inch
by Elswick".
I think this is a better choice of bike for what your looking for. Good solid frame and the front shock absorber will make the difference on the more rougher ground.
I also found this in amazon, a bit more expensive, but well worth the money " Activ Roma 18" 18 Speed Ladies Front Suspension Mountain Bike. Designed by Raleigh".

Hope this is of any help what so ever....

Good luck and happy shopping

G

 

[BlueDragon]

I'm actaully really hoping that the small bike shop I have up the road will let me pay in bits with them 'cause my mam has just sent me their website link and they sell GIANT bikes. I would really love a GIANT Boulder bike if I could get hold of one : 3

I don't know if they'll be happy with that or not though, but I could pay them at least a hundred quid up front so that might help.

Thank for the info garyspence84 : )

 

[garyspence84]

Small bike shops will probably be more than happy for you to just pay it up in installments, although, you might not actually get the bike till the bill is paid completely.

Glad to help

Happy shopping

 

[BlueDragon]

Thank you : )

Haven't found out yet, but should do soon. I realize I might not get the bike till it's payed off. I suppose that's understandable. Still be looking for a second hand one in the mean time.