Many years ago I had a racing bike out of necessity for transport but abandoned it for motorbikes then cars along with studying, career, marriage, kids, etc but being tempted to take it up again for fitness reasons this time

I see Halfords have an offer this weekend http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...yId_165710 and wonder if anyone can advise me is this any good - maybe BC for instance

Click image to enlarge

Nowt wrong with that as a basic, entry level, kit fit road bike. Might be all the bike you need.

Just don't post any lycra clad piccies.  FF 4.4 V8 Soooo looking forward to this bad boy
Ex 2006 RRS SC - garbage
Ex 2016 135i M Sport - dream car
Ex 2003 RS6 Avant - piece of cr*p
Ex 2014 320d X Drive, M Sport Touring - ok I guess
Ex 2007 RRS TDV8 - bloody loved it
EX 2007 FL2 XS - not so bad

I promise

I wear neoprene for kayaking though  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

It's worth reading through the reviews, you may need to factor in replacement tyres, pedals, seat, and gearing! 2011 Evoque Si4 Dynamic plus lux
2007 Audi TT 3.2 V6
2005 Sport Sc

It's worth reading through the reviews, you may need to factor in replacement tyres, pedals, seat, and gearing! 2011 Evoque Si4 Dynamic plus lux
2007 Audi TT 3.2 V6
2005 Sport Sc

To be fair Muddy, for the money, it's a lot of bike and if you are just looking to get back into things then it looks like a good starting point. Halfords also do the Boardman bikes which a lot of people rave about, but the cheapest starts at £500 and I can't see that it offers you much more over that one.

Don't forget, it's always worth popping in to a local independent bike shop if you have one local and see what deals they could do you on a 2012 model say, you may be surprised. .....but even I doubt they'll get you any where near £250.

If you do go down the Halfords route......a word of advice, get a local cycle shop to look over the bike once you have it, it's not unheard of for the Halfords monkeys to leave things loose, handlebars etc - thinking about it, I wonder if they job share with LR

HTH  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Great feedback

I was considering buying it boxed and assembling myself because I know how bad their fitters are

I bought my son a LR mountain bike couple of years ago - complete and utter - don't want to make the same mistake again  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

they are a popular bike down at the Mountbatten cycle track but quite heavy. if you are only buying one, I would second beancounters suggestion, support your local bike shop and see what they have from 2012. Once you are on this slippery slope it will be upgrades galore (Di gear, new wheels, Wiggle will be on your favourites ..AAARRGGH). I speak from experience - am now a fully fledged MAMIL and FKW

MAMIL - I know that one .....but FKW  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Is it a term used by drivers towards bike riders - rhymes with banker  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

correct full kit banker

I do a lot of GARTING, gravity assisted resistance training - its what fat do going up hill

suggest you have a gander at http://www.velominati.com/ the rules!!

rule 5 is good

Rule #12// The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner

Yes, in most cases rule #5 is a great retort  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

If swmbo sees Rule #25 // The bikes on top of your car should be worth more than the car I'm dead  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

I brought one of these last month and it's great. Haven't changed anything on it yet, just taken the clips off the pedals after making a right berk of myself on my first ride. I paid £249 from Halfords on line and you can't go wrong for that money. Hard ride after a mountain bike though!