Cyclists Society MK2

I didn't know we had one of these! I'm about to buy a new bike so opinions welcome:

I can go fast enough on the 16g pile of rust I'm currently using so it's not like I'm looking for high spec. Bikes get stolen a lot where I live. I'll be doing a couple of 2-3 mile routes a day, a few days a week. Really I just want something dependable and not awful to ride.

Cyclist flatmate is quite sure I have to get something around £600 for it to be worthwhile. At that point it's barely value for money compared to the bus. But I have been considering holding out for something ex-display or (dependable) second hand maybe pay around £400 for something worth more.

But really is there any good reason I shouldn't just get a £230 btwin from decathlon? The bike magazines seem to think they are the best of the cheap bikes and decent for what you pay. A mate has had one for four years with no problems.

Hybrid. I'm somewhat open to the suggestion of a road bike but I've never been on one, my lower back is sensitive and hybrids will likely be more comfy. 90% of my cycling is going to be 2-3 miles, 2-4 times a days, a few days a week around the city. Now and again I might do further in one go. It'll mostly be roads but a few canal paths and similar.

Not really, I don't see why I'd need anything like that. My needs are mudguards and a bell and my likes are those handles with the extra bit to rest your hand on and maybe panniers. So not exactly fussy.

Carrera Parva is a good bet right now at £193 from halfords, as is a crossfire 2. OR if you spend a bit more you could get a Boardman MX Sport for £400. I don't spend much time looking at the secondhand market these days, but I'm sure you could get a specialised/Giant/Trek for that kinda money and in decent spec secondhand. Evans Cycles have a few decent looking ex demo/ex display bikes in that budget on their website, from Norco Trek and Specialised, depends what size you need though.

Budget £15-20 for mudguards £5-10 for bar ends, and £3 for a bell if you buy used and it doesn't already have one.

Thanks for the info

Size is the challenge for ex display and second hand- I'm 5ft4 so almost all are too big. And my bike has developed a gear change problem now so I'm less inclined to wait now

Halfords don't have the Prava in my size but do have the axle and the spec looks near identical to me. With a trade is it's cheaper than a btwin riverside. So that's a very tempting option

You'll be looking at a 16" frame then. How bad a gear problem?

Might be one or two stores that have it, may no longer be on the website though. The spec is identical, its just a different name and colour. Trade in ends on sunday by the way.

Castelli Nanoflex tights. Above freezing I pick them every time in the winter.