What bike...

[david]

To be honest the only bike worth buying at your price point is this one,

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/c...io-07-08-24132

Nah, looks a bit cheap and nasty .

[BLUEBIKE]

My advice...stick it in the bank...or better, under your bed and save a bit more and then do it! It might sound a but arsey but there is a massive difference in ride quality, when you're sat on one for hours on end it needs to fit right, no short frame, over reaching etc...you're nearly there on cost for good entry level bike - otherwise, depending where you are, you could always book a measure on the bike jig, here they'll sit you on a jig and measure and construct around you, you can walk away with all the measurements you need to go elsewhere and then buy - it would cost about £50 for this and takes a few hours!

[Man from Del Monte]

personally I would not touch Halfords with a bargepole for a serious bike.
Go to a reputable bike shop. you will be surprised how competitive they can be (if you haggle) and you will get something that will fit you and be fit for the purpose you want it for. better still if they have a resident mountain bike specialist etc. And it will be properly set up so it will not fall apart on the first ride. (still take spanners, allen keys out on first ride to adjust things tho').

[monkeynut]

Just remember its super legs not super bikes that counts
get an old steel Bianchi of ebay or even better an old Alan

[daz h]

Just remember its super legs not super bikes that counts
get an old steel Bianchi of ebay or even better an old Alan

This is good advice
My expensive rourke doesnt make me any quicker. My olderbikes are just as good.
If your just starting out you need to ensure you truly love THE BIKE before spending out big money.
Most racing bikes get chucked in the shed in frustration after the tour de france when people have purchased one and think they can climb hills like the pro's.
All of a sudden they realise its hard work and give it up.

[daz h]

My advice...stick it in the bank...or better, under your bed and save a bit more and then do it! It might sound a but arsey but there is a massive difference in ride quality, when you're sat on one for hours on end it needs to fit right, no short frame, over reaching etc...you're nearly there on cost for good entry level bike - otherwise, depending where you are, you could always book a measure on the bike jig, here they'll sit you on a jig and measure and construct around you, you can walk away with all the measurements you need to go elsewhere and then buy - it would cost about £50 for this and takes a few hours!

Now that ive been measured and fitted by one of the best i know how properly to sit someone on the bike.
Im sceptical about Jigs to be honest. Learnt a lot from the 5 hrs that i was with Brian Rourke.
I made the mistake of saying to Brian shall i sit on your jig. He then told me to ring Sean Kelly and ask him what he thinks of jigs. So the story enfolded of how the jig only got used once.
A jig cannot tell a persons individual needs, yes it can get your size right but isnt the be all and end all of bike sizing.

[lilactime]

Just remember its super legs not super bikes that counts
get an old steel Bianchi of ebay or even better an old Alan

dead on . try some for size at your local lbs ( even halfords ) and get it of ebay , some serious bargains on there .