LordGrover
Regular
- Location
- Bristol
Planning to begin going by bike a couple or three days a week - route here: CLICK.
I'm not interested in joining the lycra-wearing, funny shod grands prix, just a relaxing ride to work with a little time to myself.
Like all good novices, I started off at Evans Cycles - it was that or Halfrauds. My 'spec' was 10 mile commuter, mostly cycle track, must have mudguards and I fancied hydraulic disc brakes. I was pointed in the direction of their own Pinnacle Lithium 4 which seemed to be pretty close to what I wanted. No 2014 XL left in stock so would have to wait for the 2015 model - which is bright yellow. Not too happy with the colour so I started looking about and came to the conclusion it's probably not an ideal choice for a 'non-cyclist'. Firstly, it's quite arse-high/ head-down which I suspect may give me gyp with my neck and wrists (I'm an olde farte). The other thing that crossed my mind was derailleur gears - not sure that level of complexity is justified - Shimano Nexus and Alfine hub gears seem to be well regarded and require minimal maintenance.
From there, a Dutch bike seemed to make sense. The relaxed riding position, practicality and minimal maintenance makes them very attractive to me. While they all come very well equipped including hub dynamo, lights, lock, stand, luggage rack, etc. (part of the reason they're perceived to be 'heavy') man maths and feature creep has settled in big time and I was about to splash over £800 on a Gazelle Chamonix C8:
Happily, this appears to be a fallow period in the cycling scene as most vendors are/have run down 2014 stocks and awaiting 2015 models. I'm grateful for small mercies - had it been in stock I'd probably be £800 lighter and a little miffed I'd not properly looked at the alternatives.
I visited a local bike shop (Bike Station) - very helpful and knowledgable. They'd just returned from a bike show and seen what appears to be just what I want(ish). It's a Marin Fairfax SC2 IG:
The only thing that may break the deal is rim brakes - I'd much prefer rollerbrakes or hydraulic discs. It's £300 cheaper than the Gazelle so for that I can get the bits which are 'missing'; mudguards, lights, rack, etc and hopefully some change. They've offered to substitute the stem for an adjustable so I can get the more relaxed position I prefer. I really like the idea of the Gazelle model but don't know if it's compatible; CLICK.
Well done for making it this far.
TLDR: I've confused the heck out of myself and now I need strangers on the Internet to decide. What do I want?
I'm not interested in joining the lycra-wearing, funny shod grands prix, just a relaxing ride to work with a little time to myself.
Like all good novices, I started off at Evans Cycles - it was that or Halfrauds. My 'spec' was 10 mile commuter, mostly cycle track, must have mudguards and I fancied hydraulic disc brakes. I was pointed in the direction of their own Pinnacle Lithium 4 which seemed to be pretty close to what I wanted. No 2014 XL left in stock so would have to wait for the 2015 model - which is bright yellow. Not too happy with the colour so I started looking about and came to the conclusion it's probably not an ideal choice for a 'non-cyclist'. Firstly, it's quite arse-high/ head-down which I suspect may give me gyp with my neck and wrists (I'm an olde farte). The other thing that crossed my mind was derailleur gears - not sure that level of complexity is justified - Shimano Nexus and Alfine hub gears seem to be well regarded and require minimal maintenance.
From there, a Dutch bike seemed to make sense. The relaxed riding position, practicality and minimal maintenance makes them very attractive to me. While they all come very well equipped including hub dynamo, lights, lock, stand, luggage rack, etc. (part of the reason they're perceived to be 'heavy') man maths and feature creep has settled in big time and I was about to splash over £800 on a Gazelle Chamonix C8:
Happily, this appears to be a fallow period in the cycling scene as most vendors are/have run down 2014 stocks and awaiting 2015 models. I'm grateful for small mercies - had it been in stock I'd probably be £800 lighter and a little miffed I'd not properly looked at the alternatives.
I visited a local bike shop (Bike Station) - very helpful and knowledgable. They'd just returned from a bike show and seen what appears to be just what I want(ish). It's a Marin Fairfax SC2 IG:
The only thing that may break the deal is rim brakes - I'd much prefer rollerbrakes or hydraulic discs. It's £300 cheaper than the Gazelle so for that I can get the bits which are 'missing'; mudguards, lights, rack, etc and hopefully some change. They've offered to substitute the stem for an adjustable so I can get the more relaxed position I prefer. I really like the idea of the Gazelle model but don't know if it's compatible; CLICK.
Well done for making it this far.
TLDR: I've confused the heck out of myself and now I need strangers on the Internet to decide. What do I want?
That's where we differ. I'm a petrol head, when I had my TVR my homeward commute may've been 50+miles on a sunny day with the roof off!
