search harder.. you'll find a even better one

c. i think your and my taste on a 'nicer one' is different, as in 'this bicycle is really nice to go sporting to work away the belly ;)' and 'this bicycle is pro enough to bicycle, but not cool, i know'

Technically they are more or less equal. They won't be top bikes, they are built with cheaper less durable elements but they will be OK.

Personally I think you should check more expensive bikes. At around 800 - 1000 price range you'll find better value for money, with better durability. A bike for life they are :-) A Cannondale street e.g. or a Gazelle Medio. Solid bikes.

Go to the bikeshop, the pictures on the internet are different than the actual bike and it's simply wrong to base your judgement solely on the looks :-)

Joma Sport at St-Pieters or Moving store at Dampoort.

http://www.movingstoregent.be/
http://www.jomasport.be/

Sorry to be nitpicking, gentse feesten jetlag.

Hi Hendrik, quite honest of you to say they're in the same quality range (especially since you sell the more expensive Specialized brand ;) )

As mentioned my bike got stolen recently (although it was stationed in a garagebox in a secured environment)(After the last stolen bicycle I decided never to let any bike outside at night anymore.)

So I am not so keen on buying a 800 euro or more bicycle, especially not since, well, I am not the avid cyclist I would want to be.

I just need a decent bicycle that does the trick: go to the city, and come back, and once in a while, a nice tour, when the sun's out.

The last bike was a Giant mountainbike, bought for a mere 200 euro in 2000. It did the job quite well, and never failed on me. Nice strong and quite fast acceleration was possible. But indeed, the wheels were not so much of a necessity in the city, though appreciated when cycling on the 'kinderkopjes' in Ghent.

So, in that case, what would you recommend me?
On top someone told me, the women's model might be a little 'small' with my 1m74...

Actually Giant makes very affordable bikes.

I also live in ghent and have bought a Axa Locker of 75 euros which you can only break with a - euugh - slijpschijf.

So far my bike hasnt been stolen but yes Ghent bike stealing is a problem and it also worries me.

I know gazelle has warranties against stealing so that might be something to look for.

I would go to jomasport, they have hundreds of bikes and are honest in their custumor encounters.

To measure the right frame size you should measure the length between your upper leg and your sole.

http://users.pandora.be/wtc-lambroek/fietsmaat.html

But again try before you buy.. Some things just can't be bought on the net ;-)

@Hendrik: wasn't planning to buy a bike online:
http://www.monuments.nu/2007/07/service.html

Without being too chauvinistic here: there are quite a lot of excellent Belgian bike brands too you know, which are often less expensive for a similar quality as Giant or Trek or Cannondale or other American/foreign brands. And it's good for employment over here to boot. Think Ridley, Thompson, Norta, Rider,... And I agree with Hendrik: check your local dealerS (don't stick to one - compare) and see what the bike looks like in reality, how it feels like when riding it, what components (brakes, gearshifts,...) it offers, what warranty you get and so on. Get your measurements taken and make sure you buy the right size of bike. And it is true that, if you really want a good bike, you should be willing to pay something from 800/1000 euros onwards. Certainly in your case: it is tax deductable anyway! ;-)