We can forgive the uninitiated for assuming that dedicated cyclists are wholly pre-occupied with suffering in the name of... Well, seemingly just for the sake of suffering.
But fret not newbies, cycling need not be always be an 'epic', and a dependable and practical bike for mooching about town can be the gateway drug to a life (mis)spent on two wheels.
For this week's edition of BikeRadar Bargains, we've pulled together four discounted hybrid and town bikes to get you started on two wheels. Embrace the plush!
Creme CafeRacer Solo Ladies 3 speed bike — £599.99 £379.99
This mixte style bike from Creme is the most practical — and arguably the best value of the bunch — coming with a porteur rack, mudguards and front and rear lighting, all for a penny under £380. The three-speed drivetrain will also be easy to maintain, and the upright position will make for some very casual pootling. We'll take blue please.
Vitus Bikes Dee-1 26" — £349.99 £199.99
If you're looking for an even simpler solution for riding around town or after-work trail shreddage, then you could do a lot worse than the Vitus Dee-1. This rigid, single speed beast is built around beefy mountain bike tyres, giving a bit of cush over rougher surfaces.
Charge Plus 2 — £649.99 £454.99
If you're after a fancier ride, or plan to commute longer distances, this bargain Charge Plug is worth a look.
For under £500, you get a lightweight alloy frame, a dependable Shimano Claris groupset and classy looking, colour-matched finishing kit.
Giant Flourish 3 Women's hybrid bike — £399.00 £299.25
If you're after a ride equally as comfortable as the Creme Cafe Racer, but desire a slightly wider spread of gears, this regally positioned hybrid from Giant looksjust the ticket.
With an upright position, sprung saddle and cushy, 40mm tyres, this will make an ideal town cruiser.
