Bikes

[Sheringham4]

Hi, wondering if anyone can recommend a brand of light weight bike, non folding or folding. Our old ish bikes are quite heavy 16kg and as we get older seem to cause us problems lifting to them on the bike rack. Still want to ride without use of electric power, so looking for reasonable priced light weight models. Done some online research and see Halfords doing deals at moment.

 

[dalspa]

What type of surface/terrain do you intend to ride on? Mountain bikes have front suspension (adds weight) and fat tyres which are harder to ride on roads but better on rough tracks. Aluminium frames lighter than steel.
Had many years of riding mountain bikes (carried on back rack) but found that we ride 99% of the time on roads and cycleways and so put slick and narrower tyres on. A couple of years ago i changed to a hybrid bike which took less effort to ride on the road but with having reasonable tyre width was still ok to ride on tracks. No front suspension so saving on weight (watch out for cheaper aluminium bikes as they sometimes have steel (heavy) front forks -check with magnet). Wouldn’t go back to mountain bike now. The more you pay, the better the ride. Decent second hand bike like a Specialized Sirrus (men’s) and Altus (women’s) can be picked up for about £200. At home I tend to ride a road bike but away I find the hybrid a good compromise.

 

[groyne]

Brompton S2l Titanium for just a shade over £2k. Lightweight comes at a price.

 

[saxonborg]

Spa cycles at Harrogate do a titanium tourer for £1450, plus others at higher prices.

 

[Moped]

You can take a folded folding bike on any train without restriction so if you do a lot of train travel then it’s a no brainier. And the ones we have fit in our motorhome garage when a standard bike would not so no additional length to worry about and reduced theft risks. Downside is smaller wheels so ride no so good on uneven surfaces and not suited to off road cycling as frame strength compromised at fold joint. And the rolling resistance is higher so slightly more effort required when cruising but the smaller wheels do make for faster acceleration and they are definitely more agile and fun in a city or town environment. Folding bikes can have rider weight limits of 100kg so if you are over this folding bikes not really suitable. But they generally are lighter than standard bikes. There are reasonably priced folders around the 12.5 to 13kg mark. More expensive Bromptons start at around 11kg however unlike standard bikes they have high residuals and their used prices hold up as they have a following.

I’ll add that there are bus companies that will allow passengers to carry folding bikes on the bus off peak as long as the bike is folded and in a storage bag. Could be handy if you need to take a bus into a city from where you are parked up. 13kg is still some weight to carry however more so for the girls but only for a short distance when catching and departing public transport.

Basically for us the folders give us more options than standard bikes. But they are ebike folders so not able to recommend.

 

[trevskoda]

Bl**dy hell, that is more than I paid for my Honda Scooter, when it was new:scared:

A proper track bike is well over 30 grand,but a good lightweight alloy folder can be had new £200 or used on f book market place from £50 up.

 

[silverweed]

I had a Trek Hybrid FX and it was so light I could pick it up myself and put it on the rack which on our van is quite high. It was stolen 2 years ago in France when it was not locked up. I was going to replace it with the same but had problems with the place where I worked changing the “cycle to work scheme “ and the next years model was only available by the time they sorted it at £900. I really did not want to pay that for a bike to sit on the back of the van in all weathers. I found another on eBay and only paid £125. I have to say it was an absolute bargain but there are lots on there for around £200. Hybrids are great bikes, easy to ride and light. I have a rack and mud guards on mine and best of all not so many tears if I loose it again

 

[phillybarbour]

Unless your a bike nut and want specific things go to Decathlon. Brill shop for bikes with good all models from £300 ish and light for the money your paying.

 

[Tbear]

Huge variety of bikes at present. If you give us a clue of your ability, the types of riding and some idea of price range we will be able to give you sensible advice but on what you have said so far I would you look at an aluminum framed, carbon forked hybrid at your local independent bike shop. Not Halfords! I new the chap that ran the cycle section of our local large branch. I did not get him to look after my bikes. They do some decent accessories at reasonable prices but the knowledge and skill level compared to local independent shops is not good. The shop that I bought my bike from is owned and run by a serious cyclist and his mechanic is a downhill racer. Bloody mad but a nice guy and a very good mechanic.

I have an old Claude Butler fitted with panniers for shopping. A custom built steel frame road bike for commuting but the bike i do distance on is Hack in Black | Saracen. Good on and off road. Tyres that cope with potholes, sensible geared and brakes that work.

Richard

 

[Channa]

If you don't live too far away from one have a look at Decathlon and their B twin range often touted as good value for money

Hybrids are probably the best all rounders unless you have a specific task in mind a big difference re riding is tyre choice too, I was doing a lot of road work on my Marin so switched to Michelin slick style tyres and it made a great difference ..Back home and Houndkirk Moor Black Plantation you wouldn't even try riding with them Panaracers really good fold too so can carry a spare

As suggested light weight comes at a price, that said I had a Raleigh Aero 300 and a Bianchi the latter quite expensive but best rides were always on the Raleigh work that out

Channa

 

[Channa]

Another consideration and good all rounder for enthusiastic riders seem to be the Boardman range retailed by Halfords but some bargains can be picked up on such as gumtree. You will find also the serious cyclists look after their gear, often changing because they are chasing the dream and the industry full of marketing bluster

Channa

 

[colinm]

A different angle on the problem, fit a low mounted rack.
If (like us) you intend keeping the van for a long while it may well pay dividends. We've both eventually got electric bikes, damn glad we no longer have to lift them onto a high rack.

 

[jagmanx]

Terry, you forget

HD knows everything ?

 

[Tbear]

Some of us just like to support local people but I do believe that you can get a better deal from local shops. I got a good bike fit and the bike customised. I was put on turbo trainer. Got a proper telling off for my poor elbow position and low cadence Then taken out for a short lesson to check bike fit was correct. When I went back for an accessory, they fitted it for free and serviced the bike for free. Got a couple of inner tubes and got a can of lube for free. I was given a lot of advice that the guys in Halfords just don't know. I am not saying don't use them. I got some smashing fingerless gloves for the grandkids from there dirt cheap but I would not buy a bike from them without a lot of research and being very sure it was a good deal.

Richard

 

[Channa]

I have a mixed opinion of Halfords, When Boardman bikes hit the scene the value for money was incredible for the price, Carbon frames, decent wheels and good chain sets for £1000

Staff training or recruitment seems to have changed over the years most of the cycle staff in two stores I frequent are both competent cyclists and have a good product knowledge and can lend experience

Also if using Halfords join British cycling before hand and get 10% discount on purchases ( a bell at Christmas that's the kids taken care of and a my pony helmet)

I agree with tbear in that LBS take the knowledge and often quality product choices to a new level, If it is important we support local businesses lets stop buying on the internet, start using butchers and bakers for shopping ?

£££s rule at the end of the day and how such as Halfords Kwikfit etc stay in business

Channa

 

[Moped]

GoOutdoors do a good range and they offer an award winning own brand Calibre Bossnut mountain bike although it is £1000. The Calibre own brand range is worth a look. They do a Tern folding bike that only weighs 12kg for £468.

The low rise bike rack idea that you winch up could be an interesting option as weight then becomes less of an issue and it futureproofs the time when you may require heavier ebikes.