I want a new push bike, any suggestions or helpful advice

~Yes get an expensive bike and get it nicked.

and before you know it you're going shopping on this, though it was nearly half price in the wiggle end of year sale

It breaks at least one of The Rules though

I've always had expensive bikes (its why I have never owned a car).  And I've always had expensive locks too.  If you are smart you keep your bikes, simple as.  The one time I did have a bike nicked I did quite well out of the insurance, and went from a mediocre Cannondale to an awesome Santacruz.  No point living in fear.

Oh, and for the bike buying folks, pics or it didn't happen!

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/off-topic-and-miscellaneous/readers-rides-...

Any opinions on either the Specialized Sirrus Elite or Marin Fairfax? They're what the local bike shops are doing that seem to match my needs and are in my price range.

I think I prefer the look of the Marin. The technical specs don't mean much to me yet, is there much difference between the two that you would notice riding?

I need some accessories as well. To start I was going to get a helmet, lock, pannier rack and saddle bag along with one of those multi tools and spare tubes. Anything else I should consider?

What sort of miles could you do on those bikes in a day? I see some people talk about it or is it just as many as your legs will take you?

I've looked at a local cycling site that gives suggested routes and it has quite a few between 50 - 70 miles through really scenic countryside. I'd love to build up to that. I'd also like to build up to doing rides lasting 2 or 3 days (hence the pannier rack).  Are those bikes suitable?

Not a lot in it really, Marin has Alivio cranks instead of the inferior Acera, also a deore/alivio derailleur mix instead of Alivio/acera on the specialized.  The Marin seems better value, but I would demo them to see which is best for fit.  They should both be around the 27 Lbs mark.

Can you stretch as far as £660?  If so, this 2011 Felt will be significantly better specced (SLX is excellent stuff) and about 3Lbs lighter than the Specialized.

A few other options which will be better value...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=71834

If you want to work up to 50 mile rides, you may want to think about a drop bar road bike.  Definitely want low weight.  Something like this Ex demo giant would be a perfect all rounder, its designed for Cyclocross, which is light off road.  grass, bridal ways and the sort.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/giant-tcx-2-2012-ex-demo/

Top tip for anyone still looking for a commuting bike -

Ensure that whichever bike you like can take full mudguards.

Makes the commute in the wet much, much more pleasant.

Double post 

I think I've decided on the Marin Fairfax as the bike I'd like out of the range at local bike shops.  I was looking about tonight and saw the Boardman hybrids.  Has anyone any experience of them?  There is the Hybrid Team at £749.  They get good reviews but the big negative seems to be buying through Halfords.  If your local branch has someone that knows what they're at you're ok, if not you could be buying a badly set-up bike.

The big difference to me seems to be the disc brakes on the Boardman.  There seems to be a lot of people warning against disc brakes with carbon forks just at the minute saying the discs may be too powerful for the carbon.  Overheating leading to brake failure also seems to a problem.  Waiting a couple of years for companies to perfect disc brakes on road/hybird bikes might be best.

So any opinions on the Boardman compared to the Fairfax?

Hey eggontoast,

Went in Bike-UK in Bristol, they had a Genisis Day 01 alfine on sale for around £800, worth checking out?  It wasn't listed on their web page, worth giving them a call.

http://www.bike-uk.co.uk

what a crock of sh...

That's a funny way of saying awesome...

(serious mode on)  On the contrary, I think it's backwards, eliteist and serves no purpose other than to create a little clique at the expense of others.  It's a bike.  You get on it and ride it, and more people should be encouraged to do it, not have stuff like this thrown at them which puts them off.  (serious mode off)

Ok, now click play on the song link at the top of the page for the rules.  Yep, Obey The Rules by Gangsta Phant.  Its appalling, but listen to it.  Does it not seem obvious that the page is more than a little bit tongue in cheek?

Unfortunately they wont take credit cards over the phone and post bikes