Cycle 2 work scheme, bike advice

JFRTDI

Hi,

My work have finally signed upto this and are now offering it out but only to a max of £500.

I was looking at getting a hybrid so I could have the benefit of using it at weekends also and going out and about with the wife on trails etc.

So with that in mind, can anyone offer advice as to decent brands or what I should be looking for?

I've had a look at a boardman hybrid comp and mainly specialized, cube bikes and the odd trek ones. I however have no idea what is good and what's not ie... Suspension, brakes etc

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

PSM1

I would also look to see if you can get a CX (cyclocross) bike within budget as they will do all you want. The cheapest Boardman CX is £650 which is over budget but may get something closer to £500 from your local bike shop. Also a lot of the smaller shops will allow you to 'top up' the voucher as well so can get a better bike.
If it has to be a hybrid then I would ignore things like suspension as it will add weight and not be that good at this price point. Also it means some of the limited budget has gone on the forks meaning lower quality for other components.
In terms of makes, as long as you stick to the established brands then you will not go too far wrong. The likes of Boardman, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale etc. really do not make any 'bad' bikes so will not go far wrong with any of them. Just make sure you get fitted to that the frame size etc. is correct.

JFRTDI

Thanks for that. I ended up going to a local shop and told them what I wanted. They suggested the hybrid a d suspension with lockout as I did mention off road. I ended up getting a GT. Will get me into cycling and then I can get a better bike later down the line if I keep it up/get into it.