Advice sought re buying a new bike. (incl which brands have what reputations) - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

02-17-2005, 05:01 AM

in message <1108597136.711804.300180@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>, ship
('[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]') wrote:

> Can anyone recommend a new bike for me?
> - What are the best brands?
> - Any specific models?
>
> 1. Budget: as much as it takes. GBP250 - GBP600?

OK, hang on to your money just now.

> 2. Use: Commuting 20-25mins each way/going out around London.
>
> 3. Speed: Fairly FAST please
> I am sick of being over-taken by fat women!
>
> 4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW
> I will have to leave the bike in the street during the day.
> I have a heavy motorbike duty D-lock which has stopped
> my old bike (with old heavy 7spd sturmey-archer gearbox)
> from being stolen. I have left it outside railway stations
> over night/over weekends etc not problem.

For this you want a bike which looks ratty and old. There are various
recipes for 'distressing' new bikes, but the simplest solution is to
start with a bike that _is_ ratty and old.

> 5. Seating position: As upright as possible!
> I have a long history of having a bad back and leaning
> forwards & down irritates it.

Not really compatible with (3) above unless you try a recumbent (but
that may increase nickability because of the WTF factor). An upright
upright is going to be slow both because of aerodynamic drag and
because your muscles are not in the ideal position.

> 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.

So fit good hubs and a good bottom bracket. Sheesh! If you get the bike
with poor ones, fit good ones when they wear out. If buying second
hand, fitting a pair of new wheels with decent hubs would still be a
lot less than buying a whole new bike. Bikes can't be 'ridden into the
ground', they're easily maintainable.

> 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)
>
> 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!

An epicyclic hub rather than a deraileur seems indicated, then. The
really good one is the Rohloff (14 evenly spaced ratios, German
engineering, never hear of problems, expensive), but the Shimano Nexus
(8 speed, much cheaper) is also pretty good. This has the added
advantage that bikes with epicyclics are likely to be less attractive
to casual thieves, because they only understand deraileurs. Epicyclics
also have the advantage that you can change gear when stationary, e.g.
at traffic lights, and require much less maintenance.

> 9. Robustness: Fairly strong needed.
> London is reasonably flat but has many pot-holes!
> Also I want something that can cope with going off
> at least small curbs - ie I dont want anything too
> stupidly "precious"!

I'd suggest three options.

The first is, get a second hand 'cross' bike. A cross bike looks like a
road race bike but is raced off roads. This means it's much stronger
and better brakes (typically cantilever or V type) than the average
road bike, while still having an aerodynamic riding position. Used
cross bikes also tend to look fairly ratty. This meets desiderata 1,
2, 3, 4, 7 and 9; fitting new wheels with an epicyclic would meet
desiderata 6 and 8, leaving only 5.

The second is, get a recumbent. This meets 2, 3 and 5 but unless second
hand badly misses 1.

If you're looking at something new which would meet your criteria I have
two particular suggestions. The first is the Cannondale Street Nexus.
<URL:http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/ce/model-5SR3K.html> It's above
your price bracket at about Â£900, but it's a very high quality bike and
the price includes hub dynamo lighting (no worrying about batteries),
rack and mudguards, and the Nexus 8 speed epicyclic. You would have to
remove or cover up all the badges, because the Cannondale badge is a
thief magnet.

The other is Halfords own brand Nexus-equipped bike, the Carrera Subway
8.
<URL:http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144>
Halfords bikes are on the whole not too special, but this one is
reputedly OK. It does more or less the same job as the Cannondale and
has the same epicyclic, at less than half the price.

> What other makes have what reputations?
> - Ridgeback?

Cheap and not brilliant

> - Sirus?

Not familiar with this - unless you mean the Specialized Sirrus, which
is quite suitable for what you want but misses on (4), nickability.

> - Giant?

Usually reliable, not brilliant

> - Raleigh?

These days, cheap and nasty

--
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Simon Brooke) [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
There's nae Gods, an there's precious few heroes
but there's plenty on the dole in th Land o th Leal;
And it's time now, tae sweep the future clear o
th lies o a past that we know wis never real.

02-17-2005, 05:18 AM

davek wrote:

> No such thing as a fast bike, only a fast rider.
>
> Obviously, a fast rider goes faster or slower depending on which bike
> they ride, but there is no substitute for legwork. If you want to stop
> being overtaken by fat women you have to start pedalling faster than
> them.

This is very true, and there is another side to it: if you have a sexy
racing bike but /don't/ have the legs to really make it fly it's /even
more/ embarrassing to get overtaken by some trundly.

Being a trundly sort of rider I don't generally trouble Real Roadies,
who are much quicker than me, but I have reasonable cycle fitness and
every now and then I come up to someone who looks as if they're just
gone into a shop and bought All The Gear who is Very Miffed at being
overhauled by a chap wearing no lycra at all on a folding bike with 16"
wheels and a shopping bag on the front...

Most bikes /can/ go at a fair speed in a non-racing, utility context if
they have good high pressure tyres backed up with appropriate gearing.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-17-2005, 05:18 AM

davek wrote:

> No such thing as a fast bike, only a fast rider.
>
> Obviously, a fast rider goes faster or slower depending on which bike
> they ride, but there is no substitute for legwork. If you want to stop
> being overtaken by fat women you have to start pedalling faster than
> them.

This is very true, and there is another side to it: if you have a sexy
racing bike but /don't/ have the legs to really make it fly it's /even
more/ embarrassing to get overtaken by some trundly.

Being a trundly sort of rider I don't generally trouble Real Roadies,
who are much quicker than me, but I have reasonable cycle fitness and
every now and then I come up to someone who looks as if they're just
gone into a shop and bought All The Gear who is Very Miffed at being
overhauled by a chap wearing no lycra at all on a folding bike with 16"
wheels and a shopping bag on the front...

Most bikes /can/ go at a fair speed in a non-racing, utility context if
they have good high pressure tyres backed up with appropriate gearing.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-17-2005, 06:02 AM

ship wrote:
> 4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW
> I will have to leave the bike in the street during the day.
> I have a heavy motorbike duty D-lock which has stopped
> my old bike (with old heavy 7spd sturmey-archer gearbox)
> from being stolen. I have left it outside railway stations
> over night/over weekends etc not problem.

Get one fitted with panniers, mudguards etc to make it look more dorky.
Perhaps a big old horn too.

> In short it needs to be go like the wind but look like hell.
>
> 5. Seating position: As upright as possible!
> I have a long history of having a bad back and leaning
> forwards & down irritates it.

Try some bikes out.

> 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.

Choose a good brand.

> 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)

You'd probably want hydraulic disc brakes then. Might struggle under £500 to
get them.

> 9. Robustness: Fairly strong needed.
> London is reasonably flat but has many pot-holes!
> Also I want something that can cope with going off
> at least small curbs - ie I dont want anything too
> stupidly "precious"!
>
>
> Progress thus far:
> I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
> And too "nickable"!

A hybrid seems ideal for you. Most of the benefits of road bikes/MTB but
with a more upright riding position.

> 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)
>
> What other makes have what reputations?
> - Ridgeback?
> - Sirus?
> - Giant?
> - Raleigh?

Ridgeback, Trek, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized are all good brands. You
might also wanna consider an EBC bike, but you'll have to travel to Edinurgh
if you wanna test ride it. Have a look at Merlin Cycles too (dunno if they
do hybrids).

--

Burning_Ranger

To email: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-17-2005, 06:02 AM

ship wrote:
> 4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW
> I will have to leave the bike in the street during the day.
> I have a heavy motorbike duty D-lock which has stopped
> my old bike (with old heavy 7spd sturmey-archer gearbox)
> from being stolen. I have left it outside railway stations
> over night/over weekends etc not problem.

Get one fitted with panniers, mudguards etc to make it look more dorky.
Perhaps a big old horn too.

> In short it needs to be go like the wind but look like hell.
>
> 5. Seating position: As upright as possible!
> I have a long history of having a bad back and leaning
> forwards & down irritates it.

Try some bikes out.

> 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.

Choose a good brand.

> 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)

You'd probably want hydraulic disc brakes then. Might struggle under £500 to
get them.

> 9. Robustness: Fairly strong needed.
> London is reasonably flat but has many pot-holes!
> Also I want something that can cope with going off
> at least small curbs - ie I dont want anything too
> stupidly "precious"!
>
>
> Progress thus far:
> I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
> And too "nickable"!

A hybrid seems ideal for you. Most of the benefits of road bikes/MTB but
with a more upright riding position.

> 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)
>
> What other makes have what reputations?
> - Ridgeback?
> - Sirus?
> - Giant?
> - Raleigh?

Ridgeback, Trek, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized are all good brands. You
might also wanna consider an EBC bike, but you'll have to travel to Edinurgh
if you wanna test ride it. Have a look at Merlin Cycles too (dunno if they
do hybrids).

--

Burning_Ranger

To email: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-17-2005, 10:05 AM

In article <1108597136.711804.300180@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...

>Hi
>Can anyone recommend a new bike for me?
>- What are the best brands?
>- Any specific models?
>1. Budget: as much as it takes. GBP250 - GBP600?
>2. Use: Commuting 20-25mins each way/going out around London.
>3. Speed: Fairly FAST please
> I am sick of being over-taken by fat women!
>4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW
> I will have to leave the bike in the street during the day.
> I have a heavy motorbike duty D-lock which has stopped
> my old bike (with old heavy 7spd sturmey-archer gearbox)
> from being stolen. I have left it outside railway stations
> over night/over weekends etc not problem.
> In short it needs to be go like the wind but look like hell.
>5. Seating position: As upright as possible!
> I have a long history of having a bad back and leaning
> forwards & down irritates it.
>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.
>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)
>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!
>9. Robustness: Fairly strong needed.
> London is reasonably flat but has many pot-holes!
> Also I want something that can cope with going off
> at least small curbs - ie I dont want anything too
> stupidly "precious"!
>Progress thus far:
>I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
>And too "nickable"!
>
>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)
>
>What other makes have what reputations?
>- Ridgeback?
>- Sirus?
>- Giant?
>- Raleigh?
>
>Any thoughts appreciated
>With thanks

I suggest you take a look at the Bianchi Milano. It comes with a Shimano Nexus
8 drivetrain that should get you around town with no problmes. The old time
styling makes it less attractive to thieves.
-----------
Alex

02-17-2005, 10:05 AM

In article <1108597136.711804.300180@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups .com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...

>Hi
>Can anyone recommend a new bike for me?
>- What are the best brands?
>- Any specific models?
>1. Budget: as much as it takes. GBP250 - GBP600?
>2. Use: Commuting 20-25mins each way/going out around London.
>3. Speed: Fairly FAST please
> I am sick of being over-taken by fat women!
>4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW
> I will have to leave the bike in the street during the day.
> I have a heavy motorbike duty D-lock which has stopped
> my old bike (with old heavy 7spd sturmey-archer gearbox)
> from being stolen. I have left it outside railway stations
> over night/over weekends etc not problem.
> In short it needs to be go like the wind but look like hell.
>5. Seating position: As upright as possible!
> I have a long history of having a bad back and leaning
> forwards & down irritates it.
>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.
>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)
>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!
>9. Robustness: Fairly strong needed.
> London is reasonably flat but has many pot-holes!
> Also I want something that can cope with going off
> at least small curbs - ie I dont want anything too
> stupidly "precious"!
>Progress thus far:
>I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
>And too "nickable"!
>
>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)
>
>What other makes have what reputations?
>- Ridgeback?
>- Sirus?
>- Giant?
>- Raleigh?
>
>Any thoughts appreciated
>With thanks

I suggest you take a look at the Bianchi Milano. It comes with a Shimano Nexus
8 drivetrain that should get you around town with no problmes. The old time
styling makes it less attractive to thieves.
-----------
Alex

02-17-2005, 12:12 PM

in message <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Burning_Ranger
('[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].uk') wrote:

>> 7. Brakes: pretty sharp.
>>ThisÂ*couldÂ*saveÂ*myÂ*life.Â*SoÂ*theÂ*needÂ*toÂ *beÂ*sharpÂ*even
>>inÂ*theÂ*wetÂ*etc.Â*Â*ButÂ*ideallyÂ*IÂ*dontÂ*lik eÂ*havingÂ*themÂ*"grab"
>>fromÂ*nearlyÂ*fullÂ*on,Â*toÂ*fullÂ*onÂ*(etc)
>
> You'd probably want hydraulic disc brakes then. Might struggle under
> £500 to get them.

Nononononononono. Hydraulic disk brakes are good, I agree, but they're
gross overkill on a road bike, and they are instant thief magnets. If
you want the extra sensitivity of hydraulic brakes the Magura (HS33?)
rim brakes are a better choice for a bike the thieves won't notice.
Otherwise, cantilevers, Vs or double axis calipers will be perfectly
adequate.

--
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Simon Brooke) [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

;; all in all you're just another click in the call
;; -- Minke Bouyed

02-17-2005, 12:12 PM

in message <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, Burning_Ranger
('[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].uk') wrote:

>> 7. Brakes: pretty sharp.
>>ThisÂ*couldÂ*saveÂ*myÂ*life.Â*SoÂ*theÂ*needÂ*toÂ *beÂ*sharpÂ*even
>>inÂ*theÂ*wetÂ*etc.Â*Â*ButÂ*ideallyÂ*IÂ*dontÂ*lik eÂ*havingÂ*themÂ*"grab"
>>fromÂ*nearlyÂ*fullÂ*on,Â*toÂ*fullÂ*onÂ*(etc)
>
> You'd probably want hydraulic disc brakes then. Might struggle under
> £500 to get them.

Nononononononono. Hydraulic disk brakes are good, I agree, but they're
gross overkill on a road bike, and they are instant thief magnets. If
you want the extra sensitivity of hydraulic brakes the Magura (HS33?)
rim brakes are a better choice for a bike the thieves won't notice.
Otherwise, cantilevers, Vs or double axis calipers will be perfectly
adequate.

--
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Simon Brooke) [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

;; all in all you're just another click in the call
;; -- Minke Bouyed

02-17-2005, 12:27 PM

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.