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

Went for a test ride on the subway zero at halfords (after inflating tyres myself!) - seem sokay but nothing special.

Just reminded me of a standard mountain bike with slicks on - you sit quite upright compared to a racer if you know what I mean. I think they have just adapted a subway mountain bike, hence the geometry.

Will keep looking ....

Hi, I now have a bike. It is a reconditioned racer - I find it more comfy for me as it has a longer top tube/geometry that I prefer.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. If I may add my personal thoughts to this forum I would definitely agree with those who suggest ride as many bikes as you can. Research is good but sit on the actual bikes and go for the one that you like when you ride it!

Many thanks, Jon

Good call, what did you get?

Reconditioned ss raleigh from Dani who has mixed reviews on this site. Personally I found him to be a good guy. He had a selection of bikes, only one of which I really liked. The geometry was spot on for me which has been an issue of the others that I have tried.

Put a few miles on it already and have to say that I am enjoying it.

Good.

Thats the main thing bug guy

Big, I mean big

Anyone got any opinions on the Kona Humu.

My old manager (Graham at Crabtree) and I had a bikey conversation.
He is over 6 feet and large ex-rugby type build:

G: Can you build me a 'fixie bike' to get around on?
*P: stifles gag reflex yeah, sure!*
G: how much will it cost?
P: can probably start you off from 300+ depending...
G: I have 450 to spend, just to get about London, I want fat tyres and big tubes...
P: you mean a stronger frame?
bystanders laugh
G: are you calling me fat?
P: er.. it's just that...
G: can you fit disc brakes?
P:* it will add a ton to the cost at least.. You're better off buying a readymade bike to be honest.*
G: I thought you would enjoy it?
P:* I would, but looking at value-for-money, it's more sensible to buy an OffThePeg bike unless you particularly want a certain frame or blah-blah.*....

OK, if you could be bothered to read that transcript, you will tell me if this is an appropriate OTP bike. £300, leaving £50 for a lock, £50 for accessories, and £50 in his pocket. I think he can test-ride at any evans?

I thought either this or a trek soho thing, or a Charge Plug Freestyler.

He is used to MTBs, and seems unsure of the whole skinny tyres thing. I know this is a cruiser, so delivers few of the benefits of a fixed gear.. but I'm not sure that he knows what he wants.. except a pretty new bike with no gears.

I could sling a front disc brake, wheel and fork on for him, but doesn't look like this bike is suited to riding fixed if he should get the urge later on.

opinions pleases?

I like that Prav. It looks good and strong, and to be honest, if your mate wishes front disc braking, then that would be his (misguided) choice. Maybe a better starting point might be the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative (own brand) Revolution Courier Race. Ditch the gears and add fork and disk brake? They also do a Courier Single, which is single speed, but has 26inch size wheels. The Courier Race has 28inch (700) size wheels.

Another alternative is to get the Halfords Carrera Gryphon (2008) and take the gears off?

he could have a look at one of those roadrat bikes, if memory serves they have disc brakes and are pretty versitle.

edit: they are £635, never mind.

I'd be more inclined to recommend a single speed MTN, than a cruiser. The ride would be better.
The GT peacemaker is....
cheap as chips (£330),
tough as old boots,
made of butted steel,
looks cool (IMHO)
and comes with disc brakes.

The real advantage being the EBB, which solves the whole faffing with disc brake alinment thing.

Also at Evans.

Just smack him and tell him to grow up.

I'd be more inclined to recommend a single speed MTN, than a cruiser. The ride would be better.
The GT peacemaker is....
cheap as chips (£330), .....and comes with disc brakes.

The real advantage being the EBB, which solves the whole faffing with disc brake alinment thing. Also at Evans.

Looks like a winning combo.

Just smack him and tell him to grow up.

Ed, I'm pretty sure that Prav said he was humungus? Good luck with the happy slaps Prav. ;)

As an added note - shouldn't bike maufacturers charge fat people more to ride their bikes?

I mean, RyanAir have the right attitude. Charge the fatties more. In fact, why let them near bikes anyway? Get fatties off the road, and leave the whole singlespeed experience to nice slim hipsters, like me.
;)

Prav, tell your mate to buy a shire horse. Those go up hills, a bit, and have been known to go round corners. Jobs a good 'un.

Just smack him and tell him to grow up.

ha!

Cheers for the advice everyone..
(For a while I thought everyone ignored this thread like I usually do.)

I shall lay the options out for him.

netherless, beside slapping him, the only option is to tell him that on road you do not need the amount of braking power that an MTB bicycles does, even if you're obese, thirdly, him being a humungus man of person, a 23c tyres would be more than enough to sustain the weight he'll strain on the bike.

all you need to do is suggest him a bicycle that at least can accept cyclocross tyres if he's insistence on needing big wheel for big boy.

I've had a Kona Humu for about 8 months now, quite pleased with it. Components are fine.
Main reason I bought it is it can handle the pot holes on my commute a bit better compared to my fixed Gazelle, it's bit more versatile and good fun to ride. First thing I did is change the cog to a 16T and put some slicks on to get a more pleasant ratio, otherwise it's way too spinny.

I'd be more inclined to recommend a single speed MTN, than a cruiser. The ride would be better.
The GT peacemaker is....
cheap as chips (£330),
tough as old boots,
made of butted steel,
looks cool (IMHO)
and comes with disc brakes.

The real advantage being the EBB, which solves the whole faffing with disc brake alinment thing.

Also at Evans.

Great idea, these are good soild bikes, with good components for the price. Nothing wrong with commuting on a 29er with skinny rubber on it, and the fact that you can put the fatties back on a head off road is great. Far better idea than one of those Kona cruises, and the disc brakes make a huge difference to wet weather handling (This is London after all).

2010 bikes are on the way. This is the new Mongoose Maurice (obviously E.M Forster fans).

This is from the press release, doesn't seem to bad for a "cheap" bike: "Due out in August and likely to come in at around the £349 mark this looks like a lot of bike for the money and they will sell fast. So if you are interested in one let us know asap.
The specifications for the 2010 Mongoose Maurice are as follows* - 4130 Double butted cro-mo frame with cro-mo fork with investment cast crown and dropouts.* Sealed cartridge bearing BB set and half link chain. Wheels are provided by Weinmann and are deep section Thunderbird rims laced into Formula sealed bearing hubs with flip flop rear."

That is incredibly nasty, and incredibly ugly. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure others will love it.

Et just hope there's a standard colour than this glashjob, still the price seemed good.

What the hell is a glashjob? Have you just coined a word?

Ah don't worry it's not in the dictionary.

You've just coined a word, then. ;)

KHS flite 100 are being stocked later this year.
anyone have any experience of them? vs a fuji track?