Another Newbie Here!

[NathanM26]

It remains my belief that a minimum investment of £600 is required for a new bike that will bring pleasure and serve as an encouragement to ride. It also remains my belief that the secondhand market is worth exploring for riders with budgets below that threshold.

No comment on anything other than to +1 this little nugget of advice. I spent £250 on an internet only budget bike (currently a relative newbie), and very quickly spent around £600 on upgrades (some of which were genuinely required - tyres for example).

I would agree +600 new or go second hand. But then I have also enjoyed my little journey from £250 through £600 in upgrades to a bike I'm happy with. Love tinkering.

N

[Paul4]

If any sponsor wants to give me a bike that is both the right size and costs many thousands of pounds, I'll quite happily say that it's the best bike in the world and everybody should be on one. Failing that, as had been said with Timothy's comment, something in the £600 bracket will get a decent new bike or great second hand. And as we're coming up to the end of the year, some of the dealers will be selling off their 2012 stock to make way for the 2013 models so you may well pick up a bargain. Now is probably a good time to start looking. The important thing though is to get one that fits and get out there.