New bicyle suggestions from any cyclists out there...

[katie1997]

I took my trusty Kona Hoo Ha bicyle circa 1999/2000 to Balfe's for a service when I recently moved to ED. I hadn't used the bike for while so was disappointed to find a hairline crack in the aluminium frame (Balfe's were great btw and v. helpful). I now need to buy a new one to commute into town and would appreciate any suggestions from any cyclists out there...I really liked the Kona Hoo Ha which was a hybrid.....can anyone recommend any brands?Cheers.

[Applespider]

I recently got a Trek FX3 which is a hybrid through my company's cycle to work scheme. It's closer to a road bike than a mountain but keeps the flat handlebars and a more upright posture. It's also pretty light at least until you load on locks and racks.

Trek do women's specific design bikes although I ended up with a standard one - it just felt more comfortable when I took them both out for a test ride. I tried Trek, Ridgeback and Specialised out before going for the FX3 and went for the one that felt most natural.

[Ladymuck]

My advice would be to go into your favourite cycle store (mine is Brixton Cycles) and to get as much advice on the various bikes and to road test as many of them as you can. If, like me, you cycle quite a bit and you intend keeping your bike for many years it's worth buying new. Otherwise, buy a good secondhand one. Remember: unless you want to lose your bike to thieves...spend about 10% of the cost of a new bike on good quality locks...sounds expensive, but saves a whole lot of expense, hassle and heartache later on. Happy riding!

[woofmarkthedog]

Swoon over this company http://www.missionbicycle.com/

Starting at ?460 and free shipping.....Oooo tempting ...come on, KONA?

No, this is much more dreamy......

W**F

[bon3yard]

Ahh, Kona. My dream was to own a customised Joe Murray Explosif when I was 15, one with a wonderful Jackson Pollock style paint job(very 80s and very expensive at a grand)and full XT groupset...alas I had to make do with a Saracen Tufftrax instead.

I've been riding a BeOne for the last couple of years and have been thorouglly impressed with it.

It also a good idea to buy from last seasons stock which enables you to pick up an excellent bike with top spec equipment at up to 50% off(no, I dont work for them) and if you couple this with a Cycle Scheme as I did then you can pick up a very good bike at a fraction of the cost.

[woofmarkthedog]

>I've been riding a BeOne for the last couple of years and have been thorouglly impressed with it.<

Oh very nice but who distributes them ?

[bon3yard]

Chain Reaction. Very good service, I also find they have far better deals than Wiggle for all other biking accessories.

[SteveT]

First and formost the lighter the better, so buy the lightest you can afford.

Large wheels are more stable, and promote better cornering and braking, than small wheels.

If you are travelling long distances you might consider electric assisted.

[katie1997]

hi ya all....thanks SO much for all your wonderful suggestions ..muchos appreciation for all comments...I have checked out the mission website woof...totally amazing bikes or what??!! I reckon Iwill be too impatient to wait for delivery tho lol..will investigate cycle to work scheme ladymuck ta!!apple..trek sounds fabulous and I did see them in the shop. I am def taking on board advice about test riding them first - balfe's recommended this too :)lightest I can afford is great idea...i didn't know kona were considered cheesy...willsee wht feels best and will try to check out brixton cycles and beone also stevet and bon3yard. cheers peeps xx

[LegalEagle-ish]

I love my 20 year old Kona Lavadome, it's light and still strong after years of hammering.

[taper]

If you liked your old Kona, and assuming your budget is ?300-400, then I'd get a similar Kona. They're good value in my view, and on a par with the Trek 7.3 (but way better than Ridgebacks).

My tip would be the Kona Dew, or if you want disc brakes (good in wet, but harder to maintain yourself) the Dew Deluxe. Like your old bike, it's a fast hybrid and robust enough for a decent commute. Top tip 2 - wait until after Xmas when old models sell cheap. Top tip 3 - go to Edwardes in Camberwell, which does very good deals after Xmas (you'd pick up this bike for around 350 i reckon) and has good aftercare. And top tip 4, get some Scwhalbe Maraton Plus tires thrown on and wave goodbye to punctures.

[katie1997]

wow...thanks for all these top tips. I am so glad I asked on here, everyone has been v.helpful. I will def buy one after Christmas with good tyres, disc brakes and possibly even another Kona..or Trek..or....erm....I think I have to road test quite a few now :)

[katie1997]

A big thank you to everyone for their fantastic help in choosing a new bicycle*.

Whilst I was very tempted by the BeOne (currently out of stock in the Netherlands!), I finally got a Trek 7.3 FX WSD.

So far, I love it, its really fast and comfortable. Have had fun cycling around and getting to know ED and surrounding areas. Have picked up invaluable info on cycle routes from this forum too.

I highly recommend B.C. Bikes on East Dulwich Road (formerly Balfe's). The staff are really helpful, knowledgable and customer service is second to none. (tu)

Cheers,

K xx

* Kona? Kona who? exactly....

Edited because I cannot tell the difference between choose/chose.