[Closed] Sub £200 commuter.

Looks a nice bike for the cash - I've seen one of those in a shop and, while it was fairly hefty (but then most cheap bikes are) it looked a decent bike for £300, never mind £200.

Ticks all the boxes, plain looking, lots of spokes on the wheels, guards & rack mounts - bargain

I brought one of these a couple of weeks ago, I am really pleased with it for the money. It took a bit of work to set it all up, particularly the wheels (which had loose spokes) and brakes and poorly greased rumbly bearings. (Thanks to Mr Millie for sorting all that out 😀 )
But for the money, I think its a good buy. Very quick delivery too.

'mr millie' here: if you are 16 stone i really would recommend someone slacking off and re-tensioning the wheels before you ride it. In my book, the front one was just about laced together rather than 'built' and would have lasted about a week under my weight. Sponging-machine from this parish is roughly your dimensions and once destroyed a cheap rear wheel on his box-fresh kona riding [i]up[/i] whyte's level. Poor bugger had to walk back down it...
Also the grips spin on the bars, the back mudguard rattles (I drilled a hole and put a bolt through the sliding seatstay bridge mount), the bb is sort of cartridge but sort of cup and cone wierdness, chainrings riveted not bolted on and the saddle is a sofa.

Still, excellent value nevertheless, the rest of the kit is quite servicable, especially the frame and fork, if you pump the tyres all the way up to max pressure (60psi iirc) its fairly quick for a 32 lb-ish bike. Oh and it even comes with a little bottle of touch-up paint. 🙂

Right then have had a small rethink. And I am looking to increase budget slightly too £500ish. I fancy something a bit faster. Doesnt really need to be used as a commuter just something to put some road miles on for general fitness.

Was looking at the Boardman Comp Hybrid @ £499. What do you think?

al-london

Thats the exact bike I have sat in front of me right now, I commute 8.5 miles each way each day and it's superb for that.

Plenty fast enough too, weighs 24lbs then you add guards and a pannier and it's about 26/27lbs. It's been ridden nigh on every week day since August and hasn't put a foot wrong, even in the big freeze @ the start of the year.

Done upto 65 miles in one trip too, very comfy.

'tis a shame you're 6'2" as I'm thinking of selling mine to fund a single speed hipster bike 😀 as I've also got a full on roadie that I use for longer trips.

I fancy something a bit faster.

Doesnt really need to be used as a commuter just something to put some road miles on

Any reason why you don't fancy a full road bike? I'll be honest, I bought a hybrid first, albeit a racy one, thinking I wouldn't like a proper roadie. I was wrong, road bikes are great. Tool for the job and all that.

Any reason why you don't fancy a full road bike? I'll be honest, I bought a hybrid first, albeit a racy one, thinking I wouldn't like a proper roadie. I was wrong, road bikes are great. Tool for the job and all that.

Yes I was thinking that, just unsure of the seated position as I have alot of back issues. I prefer to sit a bit more upright and the hybrid seemed a better option to me.

The boardmans are quite long, medium is summit like a 59cm effective TT

halfords carrera subway is good value for a commuter bike new