Another Hybrid Bike Question..

[littlelegs]

Hello everybody,

I decided to get cycling again last year, although I had a few weekend trips out I was on a 20" frame mtb and I am only 5'2".

At the end of the year I swapped it for a 16" 2nd hand MTB it is much easier to ride, but the bike itself it in poor condition.

I want to get something I am going to enjoy riding. Most of the time I am out on the roads or paths. I would really like to build up to doing something like the coast 2 coast route when I am fitter.

I have to leave the bike locked up in the communal stair area, so I don't want anything too flashy that might get pinched, probably looking to spend £200-£300. Also last year I had a few trips to work cycling either end of the train stations, I can see hanging a new bike on the train will lead to scratches etc pretty quick.

I have been looking at the Dawes Discovery range it seems to get quite a few mentions on here? I need a womans specific frame I think to get it in a small enough size. I see there is an option to upgrade the forks to suspension, do you think this would be worth doing if I am intending on doing something like the c2c cycle route?

I am planning to go shopping this weekend but want to be armed with some knowledge.

Cheers LittleLegs

 

[John the Monkey]

Halford's Carerra Subway range get good reviews in the price range you're looking at, as do the Edinburgh Bike Co-Op "Courier" range (they're not messenger bikes, it's just what they call their hybrid range). I'm not aware of them offering WSD versions, but could well be wrong on that score.

Suspension on a bike that doesn't get used on properly rough stuff seems to me to be just more weight to carry, although I do see people commuting on bikes with suspension forks from time to time.

Do ride the bikes you're thinking of getting (or at least sit on them). You should have a fell for what you like and don't like about your current riding position that can inform what you want from your new bike.

 

[jay clock]

Apart from being from Halfords, I cannot speak highly enough of my Subway 1 (now 4 years old)

see here for another posting about them http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/sh...ghlight=subway

I have been VERY pleased with mine. I love it as an allrounder and have upgraded all the drivetrain and the wheels over the past few years. Ideal for taking on family holidays as it will do road or offroad. To be honest it does 98% of what my Koga Miyata touring bike does and will do 50 mile road rides fine too. Takes mudguards and a rack....

 

[allen-uk]

My experience has parallels with yours – when I restarted riding after nearly 50 years out of the saddle, I had the wrong bike (too heavy, tyres too thick and chunky, bars not adjustable, etc., etc). But my main help came from the local bike shop rather than a bike supermarket.

If you are lucky enough to have such a shop, probably run by 1 or 2 old bikers, then go and have a word with them. It might be that for less than £100 you can get your bike fettled up to a level you want (new tyres, maybe gears and brakes). Like most shiney things, it is easy to get seduced into spending loads of dosh on bits that are pretty, but not particularly necessary.


A.

 

[littlelegs]

Thanks everyone.

I am not too sure I want to shop at Halfords tbh, a smaller bike shop with good service appeals.

I did think about sorting out the one I have, but at the end of the day is it really worth buying rack, new tyres, mudgards, fixing limited range of gears etc when the frame itself is pretty heavy and I don't like it too much... compared with something like this which is ready to go: http://www.macdonaldcycles.com/acatalog/Discovery.html (201EQ).

Or do you think the subways would be a better option for the price range?

LL x

 

[jimboalee]

The Discovery 201EQ Ladies is a 'proper' ladies.

Don't get a Stepthrough.

 

[littlelegs]

The Discovery 201EQ Ladies is a 'proper' ladies.

Don't get a Stepthrough.

So the other ladies ones on that page have the angled frame, that is step through? But the EQ is a better shape?

Why?

Sorry to ask, just trying to understand...


ETA I think that pic on the page is wrong, when you click on it the picture that opens has the angled frame the same as the other ladies ones. Is this bad? My choice is limited by need of small frame :-(

 

[just4fun]

my girlfriend is the same heigh as you. but due to her size + her weight she requires a ladies bike with the step-through or she cant get on it (esp when the panniers are full) im not sure if the above would apply to you.
either way jimbo usually posts sense (from what i have see so far)

 

[jimboalee]

Yup, the picture is wrong.
Check Dawescycles.com

Either way, don't get a stepthrough.

Reason 1. When you come to upgrade, you will be able to sell a 'gent's' to anyone.

 

[littlelegs]

not many men with 16" frame bikes...?

Ok, so suspension, worth the extra weight or waste of time? Thought I might need it if doing something like coast 2 coast?

 

[tyred]

You shouldn't need suspension for road use. It just adds weight. Even for gentle off-road riding, I don't think it's necessary.

 

[tyred]

On the other hand, is this frame size equiped with 24" or 26" wheels? If 24", it may be something to consider after all. I have a 20" wheeled bike and vibrations through the handlebars can be severe if I ride hard on poorly surfaced roads. Big wheels always ride bumps better. It is unlikely however, that you'd experience the sort of rough road surfaces I have to ride on in the UK.

 

[jimboalee]

Did I say a man?

Well, to be honest, a man who has a twelve year old son who fancies a bit of touring.

Buy a stepthrough and you HAVE to find a lady buyer.

 

[gbb]

My wife has a Dawes Kalahari littlelegs...it may be of interest because it comes with rack and mudguards.
£250 last summer from our LBS, cheaper online. Not really relevent now, but it gives you an idea.
2008 models are 'somewhere between step through and normal sloping tube, but the 2009 ones are more step through, they've changed the frame design.

Shes been very happy with it, the only negative is i'm not sure if the paintworks very thin on it. Its scratched a couple of times already, and we're careful with it.
Its comfortable, quite well geared (she can easily keep up with me on my hybrid) and looks nice.

 

[summerdays]

I don't think that a man wouldn't ride a ladies bike .. I see them here but it may reduced the market, for a start they can be recommended for people with reduced mobility. However given the size of the bike you also have kids that you could sell the bike onto. I'm 5'6 so don't need a ladies frame but from the bits I have heard/read a ladies specific design becomes more important at the more petite end of the range.