Looking for recommendations.
 

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone can help me to find a good bicycle for a nice price. I´m going to need it to commute every day, which means 20-25 minutes each way. Just found on internet the Falcon Rapid which seems nice but I´m not sure... Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance! :)

If you haven't already bought a bike, my suggestion for beginners is always to find a good local bike shop and test ride whatever looks interesting. There's a number of reasons for that recommendation. First, you'll get a well built bike that should be assembled well. The shop staff can help you pick out something appropriate for your intended use. If you have problems (hey, stuff does wear out!), the bike shop can help you get back on the road. Finally, and I've experienced this, some bikes look really great on a web page, and they just don't feel right when you ride them.


If you don't like that direction, follow the normal internet forum advice: buy a bike like mine.

At that price I think you can probably guess that it’s not going to be very good.

NEI (not enuf info).

I second this. My first real bike came after going to our LBS and finding what I liked about the bike and getting the proper frame size and fit for it before I ordered it. Looking at the Falcon you posted it seams to only come in one frame size and the price point (new) is quite low for something most people would feel comfortable riding to work on.

Very good advice - it's difficult for anyone to advise on a bike without knowing what sort of commute you're doing (flat or hilly, main roads or cycle trails?) but go to a shop and tell them exactly what type of riding you want the bike for.

If you're in the Bristol area there's plenty of bike shops locally. I've not used any of the shops in Bristol, but I have used John's Bikes in Bath and Cheddar Cycle Store, and they're both very good shops.

Craigslist is your friend.

There’s a lot of trash on Craigslist of course, but you can still find a mechanically sound bike for $200-$300. Get one without breaking the bank and ride it a bit. While you save your money for a “real” bike, you’ll have lots of opportunity to learn what kind of riding you like, and what features are important to you.

I think the internet is information overload when deciding on a purchase. Put 1000 miles on any cheap bike, the experience will do more than the internet (or even a local bike shop) to show you what’s important.

Thank you very much both! I guess it really makes sense as there are plenty of staff to keep in mind... Let´s see what I finish with!

Thank you again :)

It really makes sense... There are a lot of stuff to bear in mind though. Thank you very much for your help! I´ll look for a good local bike shop around my place. :)

How much would you say it´s the average to spend on a bike to commute 25 mins?

Well, it makes sense... Guess that the lack of knowledge about bikes made me think it was a simple choice! Better to save some money and see what works best for me then! Thank you for your help!

Good idea. On a relatively short commute like that you can ride about anything to get your bum and your mind used to the daily pedaling, while getting experience to help determine what's best for you. Did you already spring for the Falcon? I see it's on your bike list in your screen name info.

If you have ask the question "which bike?", Craiglist isn't your friend. It might be your friend if you have a friend who knows something...well, more than "something"...about bikes and can tell you if the bike you are looking at fits you, is mechanically sound and really is a good deal.

Remember, the most expensive bike is the one you have to buy twice. That kind of applies to the Falcon as well.

Yup. Until such time as you can answer the question "which bike?", it's best to stick with a shop. Yea, you pay more but you only pay that amount once.

yea that would be ' Craigslist is your friend', but bring a friend of your own who has some bike mechanics knowledge, with you ...

From the website:

http://falconcycles.co.uk/product/fa...rid-city-bike/


Features/Spec

• Larger 700C wheel hybrid bike, with a strong Hi-tensile steel frame, for a more efficient ride.(First time I've heard hi-ten described as more efficient,ed.)
• Simple 6 Speed gearing with Shimano rear derailleur and Micro-shift rotational shifters providing a wide range of gears for most journeys. (It's "Micro", so it's gotta be modern and awesome)
• Front and rear full length mudguards protect you from the elements so that you arrive in style. (I guess they have a different definition of "full-length" than the rest of the world. That rear fender!)
• Comfortable, Falcon branded saddle with rail adjusters and a full length 300 mm seat-post for maximum adjustment. (All set then!)
• Soft-compound handlebar grips for a pleasurable and re-assuring ride and 580 mm wide hi-rise handle bars for comfort and control. (Didn't realize handlebar grip compound was the key to rider assurement. Boy, have I been riding in the dark!)

Judging by the bike he picked, [MENTION=480707]CycloShield[/MENTION] is in England. Not so much Craigslist . Kijiji, right?

I have heard of the cycle to work scheme, look into that.

If you really intend to do this you want a bike that won’t fall apart. My experience has been that costs about two car payments.

They have craigslist but the Bristol version looks a little sparse for bikes.

https://bristol.craigslist.co.uk/

I got my current commuter bike (a Trek Hybrid) off ebay for under £70.
Got a local bike recycling charity to check it over and fix the gears which took the total price to £80.
Been commuting on it for 3 years and now have a better idea of what I want from a bike.

If you haven't already bought the Falcon, try your local bike recycling charity: The Bristol Bike Project (I can't post a link coz I'm new here)