The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

Other retailers will match that price, hence you can get it in whatever size you need.

I'm not suggesting that the Dolan Precursa is the best bike ever made. It is however one of the best options if you want to buy new with a £600 budget.

"Avoid like the plague."

Avoid like the plague seems a bit strong. Will you care to elaborate a little?

Never rode a pre cursa but are they comfortable enough to ride on the road? The geo isn't too aggressive is it?

Not aggressive at all, certainly not in comparison to my Cinelli Mash, but possibly to rigid for some. Then again you get that with most aluminium frames. For an everyday bike I really can't fault it, hence I'm curious to know why ed hates it?

Lynchman, If you google it, you'll notice this topic is listed second.

Spence, you'll know what to do, set it like a road bicycle with decent tyres width, pressure, handlebar shape, saddle setback etc.

I'd says bigger tyres make the biggest difference in comfort, the beauty of the Precursa is that it can accept up to 28-32c tyres (depending on front brakes).

Didn't realise you were referring to Velodrome Shop... I've never dealt with them, hence I can't comment. I was merely commenting on the Dolan.

"... set it like a road bicycle with decent tyres width, pressure, handlebar shape, saddle setback etc.

I'd says bigger tyres make the biggest difference in comfort, the beauty of the Precursa is that it can accept up to 28-32c tyres (depending on front brakes)."

+1

the pre cursa has track geometry so is a bit more twitchy than a road bike. however, there are things you can do to mollify that. i just bought a frameset and was surprised by how well made they are. ugly welds. but solid.

Only thing track about it is the 75 degrees seat tube.

"...Ugly welds. but solid."

If you fly-fuck it, yes, the finish leaves something to be desired, but I still think it's great value for money.

Try not to sneeze near it, otherwise you'll chip the paint.

What bike would you recommend ed within a £600 budget?

#Not a scratch on my Dolan (yet) and I use it off-road on a regular basis.

New Charge Plug which now cost £400 RRP and have double butted tubing instead of plain gauge, thus on sales would be £350-370, only disadvantage is quill stem.

Add a little more for road drop and levers and you got yourself a decent fixed wheel road bicycle.

The Genesis Flyer is another good buy abet expensive (600-700).

I'm mildly impressed you have no scratches on your, they're not the strongest of paint job, but it make Bob Jackson paint look tough.

Dunno where you could buy Charge plug for £400 though Ed.

Any bicycle shop, the 2013 model is cheaper than the 2012 one.

Here's one example;

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p56566/Charge-Plug.aspx?utm_source=googleps

Only thing track about it is the 75 degrees seat tube.
haha, back on ignore for you!

Other than the Charge Plug suggested above, are there any other even mildly acceptable OTP complete bikes for <£400 (ok call it <£500 at a real push!)?? A friend's son is pestering for a "sweet fixeh" for his 14th/15th birthday and is apparently hankering after one of these which looks a bit "foffa" to me. As token "bike friend" I've been called upon for advice.

this looks a lot of fun

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/subrosa/malum-fixed-2011-single-speed-bike-ec024069

Hello Everyone,

It's my first post so be nice :-) I will change flat in London this WE and I'll need to commute around 8 miles round trip each day. I will use the bike to go to the climbing gym too, so it will add some miles. At the moment I am riding the classy Boris Bike ! It is good for a 10 minutes ride, but I would like now a real bike !

As I'll stay in the flat parts of London, I'll go for a SS/FG. I'm really psyched to try riding FG, looks like a lot of fun ! But as I am a total newbie in bikes, it is really hard to choose something. My budget is around 500/600. I'd like to have a comfortable riding position. not like a road bike to better see the traffic and not hurt my back.

I already looked at it for few days, looking reviews, forums but it is quite hard to make a choice. I have short-listed few of them and would like to have your opinion.

• Fuji Feather
  
• On-One Pompino Flat Bar
  
• Foffa one (very cheap compare dot the others, but looks like foffa is not the brand to go with)
  
• Cinelli Bootleg Mystic Rats 2012 (which is at a very good price on wiggle)
  
  

I've seen that the Cinelli is crazy light (8.1kg) compared to the other due to his Aluminium frame. But how is it to ride an aluminium frame ? Does that make a big difference ?

I stop here, I think it's enough question ! I hope some of you may help me ! Don't hesitate to tell me about other bikes too !

Thanks in advance,
Greg

I'd go with something like this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec024069
If i just wanted to cruise around town and learnt he streets, tough, dependable and fun.
Under £430 too.

A fun OTP bike

http://www.mafiabike.com/rocker/rocker.html

Hi guys,

Looking for a bike to commute (roughly 40 minutes a day, a few longer rides on the weekend, no very hilly since I'm in Central London). I'd like to find something not too expensive, I have checked on the second hand bikes but didn't find quite what I was looking for...
New bikes I've spotted are the black Charge Plug (£400) which is nice but everybody already has, and the Polo&Bike (£500).
Not sure if there are any better options available. I could raise my budget for a bike that REALLY caught my eye, but...
Speaking of which, the Pinarello Diesel (£800) felt lovely to ride, but it doesn't look that good for me to double up.

I've been browsing the internet for a couple of weeks now, if anyone has an idea, I'd love to hear it :)

Cheers,

Will

I'd suggest test riding a few. Then once you work out what you like the feel of have a look at second hand/on-line.

If you're doing longer rides at the weekend I would suggest drop bars with drop levers/hoods. Anything else just isn't that practical in the long term imo.

Personally I'd get an alu langster as it's cheap, practical, and more road orientated. The new ones especially are nice. Another good option is Person (Once more...). Plus it's a shop you can go to an actually test the bikes out. Which is idea if you're not sure what you want yet.

And sorry to break it to you but the Pinarello is hideous beyond belief.