Finally, a chance to unleash on the new forum 

I'm looking to start cycling up again and I am looking at getting a bike as I currently do not have one. I would like to spend less than £200 if I can help it, but that depends on what's available.

I do have some preferences:

Disc brakes (preferably front and back)
Full suspension
Thumb shift gears
Around the 19-20" mark for size


I've had a look on Halfords but they only have full suspension disc brake bikes with a rotary gear shift build into the handle. I have used these before and although they are alright, I much prefer the thumb gear shift. Similarly, I have tried rigid and part suspension bikes and the ride was quite painful, so full suspension is preferred. I'm not too concerned about a loss in efficiency owing to full suspension, that means I'd get more exercise from it.

Number of gears isn't really an issue. Colour isn't a problem either... Apollo do some nice red and grey bikes, Trax do some alright black ones. I did see a lovely olive green Trax one which I did like, but I think it has since been discontinued.


So any feedback about particular brands to go with or features to look for would be appreciated. Who else, besides Halfords, is a large UK stockist? I do have a number of privately owned bike shops around town, so I can always check with them too.

The idea of buying a rotary gear shift bike and putting a new thumb shift gear system on it is a possibility, but a route I'd prefer not to take incase I mess it up or if it costs too much. I'd probably need to upgrade the gears too so that it can cope with as many gears as I'd have at my fingertips. Most thumb shift bikes appear to have 21 gears and a lot of rotary shift ones seem to have 18, so I'd need to change a few parts around.

Cheers.

Yeah... 17kg has been my current benchmark as that is usually what Apollo ones are around.

I did think about doing a custom build, but it is something I have no experience in doing. The only other possible bikes I've found have front suspension only.

I guess I could put together a price list and see how much building my own would cost (then double it for having to buy every broken or damaged section again  ) But hey, I want the bike for summer... So it could be a summer project.

I can pump up the tyres, but besides that, this would all be new ground for me.

I know how a bike should look and I know what it feels like to have a chain that has fallen off the gears and I've felt the wrath of faulty brakes, so I am guessing if it doesn't have that, then it's a success.


I'm tempted to go to Halfords and see if I can get a play on some of the bikes. I'd sort of like a Dirt Jump Bike, but I'd rather have the suspension of an MTB. It depends. Seat higher is better for on level ground and low seat is better for downhill, so I'd have to try and find something to suit both. Because my exact requirements usually come up with really expensive bikes, I may see if Halfords will fit a disc brake system on a bike for me. It is free fitting and would still save me hundreds to buy a bike nearly what I want and then upgrade it. Currently the one I am looking at (sadly, a weighty Aluminium Apollo) has the disc brake at the front, but full suspension and I think it has thumb shift. So it would just be a matter of buying a new rear brake which isn't too expensive.