Yes it's another new bike help question....

[Maisie65]

Well I'm considering upgrading my bike as 6 gears is really not working for me anymore, now that I'm travelling further. As you can see from my first post I made the mistake of buying an Apollo Metis from Halfords and it's seen me good for the last 2.5 years.

The problem is I don't really have much money to spend and need something around the £250.00. Not wanting to go back to Halfords, I looked on Google for my nearest LBS (yes I've been reading the forums) and the one with the best reviews is Edds Bikes in Stevenage. I rang this morning and they suggested a Dawes Discovery bike that would suit my commutes on the cycle paths (tarmac) and gentle rides on cycle tracks (gritty stuff).

http://dawescycles.com/product-cate...scovery/2016-bikes-discovery-bikes-discovery/

I wondered if anyone knew if these were suitable, and if it would be okay to go for the lowest end bike £219.99 discovery trail. An additional problem is that the shop does not have any Dawes bikes in stock but would order in according to size and then fit to me. So I don't get to see it in the flesh really before it's ordered. Although they did say that if it didn't fit then they take responsibility for that and I wouldn't be forced to buy it.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[KneesUp]

You could just change the crankset on your current bike to give you more gears, if that is the only problem with it.

 

[vickster]

If you have an Evans near you, they'll order in any bike in their warehouse for a £60 refundable deposit. They'll then allow you to take it out for a test ride for as long as you want (assuming it's dry out), just need a bank card and photo ID

The 101 is reduced to below budget

https://www.evanscycles.com/dawes-discovery-101-2016-hybrid-bike-EV238245

Trail too

https://www.evanscycles.com/dawes-discovery-trail-2016-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV238244

 

[Maisie65]

But since I have read all the comments about Apollo bikes I have developed an inferior complex. I am sure all the other cyclists pass me with scorn when they see my bike. So I would really like to upgrade the whole thing.

I don't have an Evans near me unfortunately. I'd have to go into London or up to Cambridge. But I like the deal they offer. I wonder if my bike shop would match it?

Are Dawes a decent make of bike?

 

[ianrauk]

Halfords have a far better range of affordable womens bikes then Apollo.
Carrera, Pendleton. All within your budget.

 

[vickster]

But since I have read all the comments about Apollo bikes I have developed an inferior complex. I am sure all the other cyclists pass me with scorn when they see my bike. So I would really like to upgrade the whole thing.

I don't have an Evans near me unfortunately. I'd have to go into London or up to Cambridge. But I like the deal they offer. I wonder if my bike shop would match it?

Are Dawes a decent make of bike?

Yep, solid workhorse bikes

There's someone on here who has the Discovery... @MarkF

There's no harm in asking the LBS if they can do a deal, I doubt they'd match a big chain, but might chuck in a free service or two or some accessories? Always worth asking

 

[Maisie65]

Thanks for the info about the Carrera. I've just seen this:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/end-of-line-bikes/carrera-subway-1-womens-hybrid-bike-2015

Bargain! It's not at my store, but I wonder if they'd transfer it over.

 

[mjr]

Dawes are fine, although now owned by Tandem Group along with Claud Butler, Falcon, Holdsworth and others.

But then, I've got an Apollo among the ones in the shed. It's heavy and on winter duties but OK apart from that.

On the gears, more does not necessarily mean better. For most people, it's about the range.

 

[KneesUp]

What sort of riding do you do @Maisie65 Is it mainly on road or on bridleways, towpaths and that sort of surface?

 

[vickster]

She says so in the OP

 

[KneesUp]

She says so in the OP

At I missed that. Just wondering if suspension is overkill for such surfaces?

 

[vickster]

The Dawes bikes don't have suspension? Rigid steel fork on the entry level models

 

[MarkF]

Yep, solid workhorse bikes

There's someone on here who has the Discovery... @MarkF

There's no harm in asking the LBS if they can do a deal, I doubt they'd match a big chain, but might chuck in a free service or two or some accessories? Always worth asking

Yes, I've had lots 201, 301, 401 & 501, still have the latter after nearly a decade. Robust simple bikes that have good residual values. Yeah, my 501 is way nicer to ride than the 201 but if I only had £250 to buy a new bike, I'd go and buy a 201.

I've ridden one of these across countries, wonder how much it'll fetch, £150? Tektro brakes Deore gears, carbon forks.........

 

[Maisie65]

Thanks everso much for your replies. They've helped a lot. I'm going to go buy me a Dawes bicycle. Excited!

 

[KneesUp]

The Dawes bikes don't have suspension? Rigid steel fork on the entry level models

It looked like the Carrera ha suspension on my phone but on closer inspection it just had a sticker where the moving bit would be.

Enjoy your Dawes, @Maisie65 and let us know how you get on