| Re: Advice sought re buying a new bike. (incl which brands have what reputations)
ship wrote:
> Hi
>
> Can anyone recommend a new bike for me?
*Everyone* can recommend a new bike for you. The trick is finding one
you like yourself :-)
Executive summary: get enough of a test ride to be sure you'll get on
with the bike, the important thing is going to be finding something
you're sure doesn't aggravate that back. Seriously consider a hub gear
and leave some budget for the little things like luggage, mudguards and
so on.
> 5. Seating position: As upright as possible!
> I have a long history of having a bad back and leaning
> forwards & down irritates it.
Ah. That should prove a suitably large problem. Whatever you do, get
a good long test ride in on whatever you choose, and don't assume it'll
get better as you get used to the bike. It'll probably get better, but
it might just get worse, and if it becomes a problem six months down
the line you'll have a very expensive bike gathering dust in the shed.
> 6. Reliablity/ build quality
> I have now ridden several bikes into the ground.
> I am sick of bikes that just arent built very well.
> e.g. bearings fail etc etc.
A lot of things can be fixed by getting a competent shop to service it
once a year. Any bike that's hammered twice a day and left outside in
all weathers will suffer without maintenance, and we're all
occasionally lax about such things.
Having said that, a hub gear would keep most of the bits tucked away
out of the path of grit and grime, and the Nexus ones are being fitted
to a few decent urban bikes these days. Ridgeback Nemesis/Neutron,
Bianchi Milano for added Italian flair, Trek L200, probably at least
one Giant, and doubtless many others I've missed.
> 7. Brakes: pretty sharp.
> This could save my life. So the need to be sharp even
> in the wet etc. But ideally I dont like having them "grab"
> from nearly full on, to full on (etc)
Most modern brakes will be good enough. Decent V-brakes will be all
you need, anything else increases the nickability factor more than the
braking. Again, take a test ride and see how you get on with them.
> 8. Gear ratio change: Rapid if possible
> I will be spending a lot of time stopping at lights (ahem)
> and due to traffic etc. So it would be nice not to have
> to spend one's entire life changing between ennumerable
> gears!
Definitely consider hub gears. Shifting at a standstill in traffic is
surprisingly useful, and having a straight 7 or 8 speed setup is much
simpler than three on the front, nine on the back and fourteen usable
combinations.
> Progress thus far:
> I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
> And too "nickable"!
Have a look at the urbanised mountain bikes around, a MTB with rigid
forks and slicks is quite speedy enough. The problem you'd have would
be that leant-over riding position again.
> The man in the shop was trying to sell me
> A) a "Crossroad Sport" from manufacturers "Specialised" for c. GBP300
>
> or
>
> B) A "Sirrus" also from "Specialised" for c. GBP400
>
> The main problem with the Sirrus is that although
> it seems quite fast, apparently I cant put swept-back handle bar on
it.
> (Better for my spine, I reckon)
The Sirrus is one of the new breed of flat-barred racing bikes. I
wouldn't touch them if you have a bad back, they are definitely
designed for those that want to lean over and hammer. Great bike, very
popular, just not what you want. The Crossroads looks much more like
what you'd be better off with from Specialised.
> What other makes have what reputations?
> - Ridgeback?
> - Sirus?
> - Giant?
> - Raleigh?
If you like the feel of a bike and the spec is reasonable, the name is
a bit secondary. However, some manufacturers are more likely to do
what you want than others. Bearing in mind that I work for a shop that
sells Ridgeback and Raleigh:
Ridgeback: worth a look, they do a lot of bikes aimed at the typical
London commuter and have been pretty reliable for us. I'd
instinctively point you at something in their Rapide range of hybrids
(the Neutron in particular). Get the dealer to stick an adjustable
stem and riser bars on it if you can. Looks fairly understated too so
*hopefully* the thieves would avoid it.
Sirus: the only mention I can find is of the Specialised Sirrus, I
think you might be confusing make and model.
Giant: can't really comment on their town bikes, seem okay from the
MTBs I've seen.
Raleigh: I rather hope my employer doesn't read this, but the quality
of Raleighs is going downhill faster than their bikes could ever hope
to. The only one in their whole range worth considering is last year's
P8000 for 300 of your UK pounds - halfway decent components for the
price, a bit heavy, especially the frame, not too flashy.
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