Is this Halfords bike cheap enough to be good value / useful?

dingbat · 03-05-2024 12:27pm #1

We have an electric cargo bike which is what I use for getting to/from work. I sold my old road and city bikes five years ago when we were moving house, and the cargo bike does everything else so well that I haven't felt the need to replace them.

The kids are now getting to the stage where I'll want to cycle with them on short adventures.

So I'll need something to simply be able to ride along with them or other such non-crazy activities.

Am usually happy enough to buy from Adverts and DoneDeal but is something like this 6 gear men's hybrid from Halfords any use?

https://www.halfords.ie/bikes/hybrid-bikes/indi-tc1-mens-588332.html

De Bhál · 03-05-2024 12:37pm

looks perfect for what you require it to do.

€174, sure you can't go wrong really. I can't get over how cheap that is!

Alkers · 03-05-2024 1:37pm

Id much sooner spend 150e on adverts than buy that!

at1withmyself · 03-05-2024 2:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122093585#Comment_122093585

Agree, looks perfect for the job and great price. Great to see 1x drivetrain on cheaper bikes, really simplifies them for use and maintaining.

magicbastarder · 03-05-2024 2:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122093585#Comment_122093585

hmm. 'can't go wrong' strikes me as possibly famous last words. what if the wheels are so cheap they don't remain true, are the brakes made of butter, etc…

10-10-20 · 03-05-2024 2:17pm

I bought a 350 EUR bike for my 11 year old and she had the derailleur properly bent within 20 minutes. Shop said 'that's what you get for 350 EUR these days".. so on that basis I would give that bike a miss. 😂

the_amazing_raisin · 03-05-2024 2:22pm

Would it make more sense to invest in a towing bracket for the cargo bike? That way if the kids overdo it then you can chuck them on the cargo bike and tow their bike home?

That's my plan when the older one gets a bit better at cycling his bike

dingbat · 05-05-2024 3:47pm

In isolation, not a bad plan. Less flexibility though if wife wants to come with us (she could cycle cargo bike)

dingbat · 05-05-2024 3:50pm

yeah I get that. However we got a kids bike from Halfords for one of them when they turned 4. It was actually fine - not as light as an Islabike but still certainly a properly designed kids bike. It lasted great - honestly the only bad thing about it was the lack of resale value in it. Which is why I’m thinking of including it as a trade-in to knock another 20% off the already cheap price of this six speed thing.

dingbat · 05-05-2024 3:51pm

yeah I get that. However we got a kids bike from Halfords for one of them when they turned 4. It was actually fine - not as light as an Islabike but still certainly a properly designed kids bike. It lasted great - honestly the only bad thing about it was the lack of resale value in it. Which is why I’m thinking of including it as a trade-in to knock another 20% off the already cheap price of this six speed thing.

Ferris · 05-05-2024 8:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058350114/is-this-halfords-bike-cheap-enough-to-be-good-value-useful

Your short adventures will want to be short and flat with a 15kg bike and 6 gears imo.

I stuck to 10kg max for my kids as we live in a hilly area. Woom bikes are brilliant but expensive. I got a vitus for #2 child which wasn’t as good but it was 2/3 the price of the Woom. Cube/trek/giant are all offering light kids bikes now also. Also try for Frog bikes, same deal as islabikes and Woom.