I need one of these for commuting to the station.To be honest,for a short commute,something robust and easy to maintain,like this is ideal.You do`nt feel the need to be all kitted up,when just popping to the shops on something like this either!

Good to see Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs again.

I moved to Denmark a couple of years ago and "Grandad" and "Grandma" bikes are all you see over here, but cycling / commuting is a lot more a casual and safer affair over here.

I wouldn't dream of tackling my old London commute on one of them.

very cool and cheap. to be honest great for a shop bike

How much does it weigh? And....would you seriously trust Halfords to assemble even the most basic of bike models knowing you were going to have to trust such functions as the brakes!

Also - Look at the handle bars - How awkard is it compared to flat bars or drops to steer - and how ineffeicient is it for going up hills?!

These bikes are retro for a reason - Modern bikes are far superior.

If you want retro over modern technology get an 80s VW GTi.

These bikes are designed for postmen who live in the quiet home counties in the 1950s, not city centres with traffic levels as they are and the bad attitudes of british motorists.

I would disagree with simonaspinall. Not everyone needs to be a speed demon. In fact, I would welcome more people taking up cycling, even at a leisurely pace. If people have a lot of hills to climb, perhaps the 3 gears won't be enough, but I reckon for most people in most situations, a bike like this is perfectly fine.

I find these types of bikes more suitable to road riding than MTBs. I love hiring these types of bikes when I go to Amsterdam and Copenhagen. You just ride, without worrying about gear selection or getting into your bike clothes.

A good move by Halfords.

It's nothing to do with being a speed demon, I never said anything about speed - It's about efficient transmission of your effort to what happens on teh road.

This bike has been designed by Halford marketers who have seen too many diet coke adverts and want to cash in on the 'duffy effect'.

Leave the design of bikes to engineers who know far more about creating a bike, not exploiting a market opportunity - It's a bike after all!

As for using it in Amsterdam and Copenhagen - Good for you ! Cities where cycling is a way of life and repsected and have facilities and accessibility. Having to swerve, brake suddenly and constant stopping and starting at traffic lights, this bike is not for....

If we want people to use their bikes in the long-term, what's going to be more successful...? A bike which is efficient and good to ride and is suitable for the UK roads or a fashion accessory?!

For the same money you can get a commuter bike/hybrid bike designed for both leisure and commuting and is far more suited to the purpose.

See through the corporate commercial flash-in-the-pan offerings from a corporation like Halfords! Get down your lbs and get a proper bike which will be a pleasure to use and you'll have the advice and support you need.

I'm not a Halfords fan, but do Halfords actually design bikes?

I commute every day through central London so my riding experience is not limited to mainland Europe. I see "fairweather" riders everyday, struggling to get on with the bikes they have. £100 efforts - you know they type - or old MTBs. Neither of those are going to get any support.

For some people, this is the right type of bike. Even if Halfords are selling it.

Perhaps an LBS is better, but not always. There are some arrogant LBS out there, too. I bought from Evans; if I'd gone off the majority view on bikeradar, I wouldn't have, but I've been more than happy with the service I got from them.

Halfords are the largest bike retailer in the UK. That doesn't mean they're good, but you can't expect a wee rant on a cyclists' website to change the buying habits of Joe Public. They go there because they trust the store and get what they think is good value. I bought my kids' bikes from Halfords because in comparison, the Carrera bikes were far better value than the Trek ones from my LBS... who were not all that helpful when they realised I wasn't going to up my budget just because they wanted me too.

They would buy them in as an OEM brand or possibly specify them.

The key point is that Halfords is geared far more towards shareholders, not to say that LBS's are not there to make money, but they certainly do have better customer service, relations with the local community, specialist knowledge and you can have far more confidence in buying with them - of all the businesses and models they could've chosen to make money, the lbs entrepeneur chose something he/she has an interest in and a passion for...so much so that they forewent other more profitable ventures.

It is certainly true that LBSs can, on occasion be intimidating and arrogant...so don't go there! There is usually mor ethan one in a town. I recommend Edinburgh Bikes (more in the north) for top quality customer service, good value bikes and maintenance courses to encourage you to look after your own bike to make the whole lifestyle more sustainable and empowering - fixing your gears, brakes and so forth without having to take it into your local branch of Halchumps and paying an extortionate fee.

Halfords represents 'The man', LBSs represent a belief in bikes and cyclists.

Ultimately - If you were going to construct a cycling community based on Halfords or the LBS, which one are you going to choose - Who would you trust for advice and assistance in choosing a bike? It's not as if LBSs sell just mega-money bikes. The extra 5-10% you outlay will be paid back in customer service, advice and long-term gains such as your own knowledge in not making cyclicng mistakes (ie how to keep your bike in its best condition).

In my opinion stick to large retailers like Halchumps for homogenous products such as a dvd, cd, pint of milk or whatnot - the same pretty much everyhere (price being the deciding factor).

For important tools and parts of your life choose a local independent retailer with an interest - Even if it means arrogant shop assistants at the LBS instead of Halfords!!!!

Can I just point out for the record that I have not ever met an arrogant LBS shop worker.

I'm sure there are a minority few (shame on you for letting the rest down) but by and large the LBS will have excellent customer service.

Wow. I thought my politics leant to the left, but I suddenly feel like a tory after reading that.

I guess you're passionate about LBSs. Good for you.

FWIW, I bought a Courier Race from EBC. Nice bike, but that was badly put together. I sorted it myself. Happens. My son's bike from Halfords, on the other hand, was well put together and I didn't have to make any adjustments. Freaky.

Anyway, I still think a bike like this is perfect for people who will ride on occasion. A hybrid at £250 won't have mudguards, chainguards or somewhere to put your shopping. My Dad is more likely to ride one of these to the shops than any hybrid I can think of. Why is that so hard to accept? In the end, these will either sell or they won't, but what difference would one more hybrid option make? It's not like there isn't enough choice in that area.

Pashley aren't going to make an affordable bike, but they do sell.

Fair enough - It's more the Halfords idea that gets me. Maybe it's me looking it through the eyes of a professional marketer - Seeing Halfords for what they are - Just a big company who wouldn't care if they sold clothes, car accessories, bikes or nuclear arms...so long as their shareholder obligations are met.

As regards to the comments about the poorly assembled bike - it's about placing your investment in the lowest risk opportunity - If you buy a bike from an lbs it will more than likely be better suited to you, be better assembled, have better after-sales care and more knowledgeable staff. You may be a small premium as they can't buy stock as low as Halfords, but in terms of the investment you make you stand the best chance of getting the best product and service for your money.

The cycling community need to make sure the commercial outlets who care the most about cycling come through and prosper. If you're going to spend money anywhere do you want to give money to Halfords and large margins for the MD's bubbly and expense accounts or an enterprise that believes in cycling - so much so that they opened a dedicated shop for it!

A good move by halfords - If we want people to start riding who aren't already they need bikes like this.

If you want to get someone out of their car (no special equipment needed) we need a bike that you can get on and ride (no special equipment needed), isn't a target for theives etc....

Most people don't see cycling as a commuting option as the belief is that you need a change of clothes/shower when you get to work - not needed with a true utilitarian bike like this that you can ride in everyday clothes at a leisurely pace.

Well done halfords - time for shops run BY enthusiasts FOR enthusiasts to wake up !! ...there are real people out there.

Not just retro ....

the upright ride is much better for the back and visibility - for intended town/ commuter use (plain clothes, no sweat) a crouched sporty riding position is plane stupid - and not everyone likes the 'bike warrior' (sporty male) image.

Disagree ??

check out Amsterdam and Copenhagen - each a cycling heaven for EVERYONE

AmDam: http://www.flickr.com/photos/puneetb/2437529080/in/set-72157604699479023/

Copenhagen (and rather proving the point): http://www.flickr.com/photos/puneetb/544615154/in/set-72157600350178237/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/puneetb/544614334/in/set-72157600350178237/

3 gears? So you think they would be able to get that right.

At £250 I can get far better bikes than these, even for lesuire riders. If you want this style, get a pashley...otherwise get a proper bike.

Think you miss the point Salsarider and also a Pashley is approx twice the price of this.

Good comments about Halfords "simonaspinall".