Advice sought re buying a new bike. (incl which brands have what reputations)

02-16-2005, 02:38 PM

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

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

P.S. I almost certianly wont be going off-road.

2.

02-16-2005, 04:03 PM

> 1. Budget: as much as it takes. GBP250 - GBP600?

Mwa-ha-ha, we can spend that for you...

> 3. Speed: Fairly FAST please
> I am sick of being over-taken by fat women!

Stronger legs'll come but while you're waiting:
-Thinner, higher pressure tyres make a big difference
-A lighter bike will be faster away from the lights and up hills
-Clipless pedals are excellent - _much_ faster acceleration and make
pedaling more efficient i.e. you can go faster for the same amount of
effort
-Drop bars cut down on air resistance, but might not mix with your back.

> 4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW

Two locks needed, as both wheels need locking to something.
Apart from that it's amazing how a rack and mudguards put scallies off.

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

This rules out anything with drop bars. Flat barred road (i.e. racing)
bikes are ruled out 'cos of their wheels.

Consider something with an adjustable stem type thingummy, and having a
long test ride.

> 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)

V brakes are good. For more money hydraulic rim brakes or disc brakes
(but the latter fail the nickability test) will be more powerful.
Alternatively drum brakes work just as well in the wet as in the dry.

> 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!

Most (all?) bikes in your price range will have one-click-one-gear type
shifters. Alternatively hub gears can normally be changed even when
stationary and will be more reliable.

> 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"!

This, and the bad back, rules out flat barred road bikes. Everything
else you look at will have fairly strong 26" wheels and be eaily up for
hopping off kerbs (not that you'd be naughty enough to ride on the
pavement of course :-)

> Progress thus far:
> I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
> And too "nickable"!

Aye. You'll be wanting a hybrid type thingy I expect.

> The man in the shop was trying to sell me
> A) a "Crossroad Sport" from manufacturers "Specialised" for c. GBP300

Looks like it has swept handlebars so should be easier on your back. The
suspension seatpost'll take the edge off some of the bumps too.

> B) A "Sirrus" also from "Specialised" for c. GBP400

The riding position doesn't look nearly as upright on this one. I guess
this is the all-important thing for you.

> 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)

Hey, you've saved yourself £100. Don't forget to budget for mudguards,
lights, panniers + rack, locks etc. I really recommend panniers over a
rucksack - much, much more comfy.

02-16-2005, 04:03 PM

> 1. Budget: as much as it takes. GBP250 - GBP600?

Mwa-ha-ha, we can spend that for you...

> 3. Speed: Fairly FAST please
> I am sick of being over-taken by fat women!

Stronger legs'll come but while you're waiting:
-Thinner, higher pressure tyres make a big difference
-A lighter bike will be faster away from the lights and up hills
-Clipless pedals are excellent - _much_ faster acceleration and make
pedaling more efficient i.e. you can go faster for the same amount of
effort
-Drop bars cut down on air resistance, but might not mix with your back.

> 4. Nickability: MUST BE LOW

Two locks needed, as both wheels need locking to something.
Apart from that it's amazing how a rack and mudguards put scallies off.

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

This rules out anything with drop bars. Flat barred road (i.e. racing)
bikes are ruled out 'cos of their wheels.

Consider something with an adjustable stem type thingummy, and having a
long test ride.

> 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)

V brakes are good. For more money hydraulic rim brakes or disc brakes
(but the latter fail the nickability test) will be more powerful.
Alternatively drum brakes work just as well in the wet as in the dry.

> 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!

Most (all?) bikes in your price range will have one-click-one-gear type
shifters. Alternatively hub gears can normally be changed even when
stationary and will be more reliable.

> 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"!

This, and the bad back, rules out flat barred road bikes. Everything
else you look at will have fairly strong 26" wheels and be eaily up for
hopping off kerbs (not that you'd be naughty enough to ride on the
pavement of course :-)

> Progress thus far:
> I think a mountain bike would be too slow.
> And too "nickable"!

Aye. You'll be wanting a hybrid type thingy I expect.

> The man in the shop was trying to sell me
> A) a "Crossroad Sport" from manufacturers "Specialised" for c. GBP300

Looks like it has swept handlebars so should be easier on your back. The
suspension seatpost'll take the edge off some of the bumps too.

> B) A "Sirrus" also from "Specialised" for c. GBP400

The riding position doesn't look nearly as upright on this one. I guess
this is the all-important thing for you.

> 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)

Hey, you've saved yourself £100. Don't forget to budget for mudguards,
lights, panniers + rack, locks etc. I really recommend panniers over a
rucksack - much, much more comfy.

02-16-2005, 06:10 PM

ship wrote:

> 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....

This bike meets the requirements stated above:
<http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

02-16-2005, 06:10 PM

ship wrote:

> 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....

This bike meets the requirements stated above:
<http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

02-16-2005, 09:42 PM

Tom Sherman wrote:

> ship wrote:
>
>> 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....
>
>
> This bike meets the requirements stated above:
> <http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.

You cannot tempt him to the Dark Side yet. Just needs a couple of
sidewinders and an ideal commuter I'd say.

02-16-2005, 09:42 PM

Tom Sherman wrote:

> ship wrote:
>
>> 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....
>
>
> This bike meets the requirements stated above:
> <http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.

You cannot tempt him to the Dark Side yet. Just needs a couple of
sidewinders and an ideal commuter I'd say.

02-16-2005, 11:30 PM

>This bike meets the requirements stated above:
><http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.

LOL!

Even if you wanted to nick that it probably wouldn't fit into a lorry
intact :-)

02-16-2005, 11:30 PM

>This bike meets the requirements stated above:
><http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.

LOL!

Even if you wanted to nick that it probably wouldn't fit into a lorry
intact :-)

02-16-2005, 11:54 PM

Tom Sherman wrote:

> ship wrote:
>
>> 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....
>
>
> This bike meets the requirements stated above:
> <http://www.outsideconnection.com/gallant/hpv/joe/MVC-007S.JPG>.
>

I'd prefer
<http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=photos/2005/news/feb05/germany-cycling-tandem-61>
myself, but I have a companion for my commute.

--
If I have seen further than others, it is
by treading on the toes of giants.
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