Another newbie :) (subway&triban hybrid/road bike)

[nirurin]

Not so sure about the giant escape, as I can't find any decent places that stock it atm, and the descriptions seemed a little vague...

However, the Sirrus looks good, but it £400 so a bit out of my price range.

The RIdgeback Velocity though... £280 seems a good price, and from what I can tell the components on it are slightly better than the ones on the subway and the nework? That seems like a good one for the list, never noticed them before.

Also seems to be just over 12kg in weight, so its 2kg lighter than the subway but 2kg heavier than the tribans. Very "middle ground".

 

[vickster]

Second hand Sirruses are commonplace, but check not stolen (plenty are)

Carrera subway has 26" wheels rather than the 700c on the fast hybrids, should in theory roll better

Any sub £300 bike will be more weighty (13-15kg odd), lower end alu frame and steel fork (go up the tree for a lighter frame and carbon fork, 10-12kg odd)

 

[nirurin]

Second hand Sirruses are commonplace, but check not stolen (plenty are)

Carrera subway has 26" wheels rather than the 700c on the fast hybrids, should in theory roll better

Any sub £300 bike will be more weighty (13-15kg odd), lower end alu frame and steel fork (go up the tree for a lighter frame and carbon fork, 10-12kg odd)

Ahh sorry I didnt mean that as a negative, I meant that it being 12kg was a good thing, meant the bike was going to be an easier ride than the heavier subway but the subway has better brakes, so its all a balancing act i guess.

Not sure if I would need disk brakes, Ive never had them before, but I've heard good things about them (especially in winter use). The ridgeback having proper road bike wheels is in its favour though lol.

Shame theres not a Ridgeback, but with disks. I think that would be the perfect combination for me.

 

[vickster]

There is but not under £300...

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67167/Ridgeback_Flight_01_2014_Bike

Or no discs but all your commuter gubbins fitted

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67099/Ridgeback_Speed_2014_Mens_Bike

Or fit your own with quite a meaty reduction

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/66619/Ridgeback_Velocity_2014_Mens_Bike

V brakes can be improved for little money with better pads

Have you actually ridden all the bikes yet

 

[nirurin]

As an annoying aside, I just found the ridgeback speed:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/speed-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059645

Almost perfect, no disks but seems to be a velocity, but with mudguards and pannier included! Except they only sell it in a 15" version lol. I'm 5'9 / 5'10 so I believe (according to the size chart) I need 20" or 21". Too bad.

That flight is a nice bike, but by the time I get lights and mudguards thats gonna be £500... dont think I should really push my budget that far unfortunately

 

[vickster]

As an annoying aside, I just found the ridgeback speed:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/speed-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059645

Almost perfect, no disks but seems to be a velocity, but with mudguards and pannier included! Except they only sell it in a 15" version lol. I'm 5'9 / 5'10 so I believe (according to the size chart) I need 20" or 21". Too bad.

Nope, see the link I added, just not from Evans. 2014 models are being phased out now, hence Evans may only have small ones. Winstanleys seem to have more
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67099/Ridgeback_Speed_2014_Mens_Bike

Looks an upright beast, a perfect addition to roadbike N+1 down the line

 

[nirurin]

Nope, see the link I added, just not from Evans. 2014 models are being phased out now, hence Evans may only have small ones. Winstanleys seem to have more
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/67099/Ridgeback_Speed_2014_Mens_Bike

Looks an upright beast, a perfect addition to roadbike N+1 down the line

Is that company decent? I know that if I buy from decathalon for example, and I have a problem, I can take it in to any local bike store for a fix/service and decathalon will refund me for the cost. Not sure if Evans is like that but I have heard good things about them.

None of these stores are local to me, the only local store I have is halfords, and a few smaller shops that dont seem to have much in the way of stock these days.

However that ridgeback is going for £230, which seems like a bargain. Does it arrive fully setup, apart from (i assume) pedals and... handlebars? (Not sure how these things are shipped tbh)

Good find though!

 

[vickster]

Depends where you live. They have shops oop north

I've never bought from them. Someone did recently have some grief though, but don't know if that's common

You can pay a premium to buy locally or you can shop online, guess it depends what is of more value to you. Personally, I'd probably pay a bit more if could buy local

The only bike I bought online turned up fully built, just needed handlebars turning and pedals fitting. Being inept an LBS did it for me for a donation in the charity box

Even cheaper here, coming from Belfast I think http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m89b187.../RS_GB/39166?gclid=CMXaxciwwMACFc7HtAodwgUARA

Or the next model up http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m18b187.../RS_GB/34091?gclid=CP3e39iwwMACFQH3wgoddTMAWg

 

[nirurin]

I live in somerset. The nearest decathalon is a couple hours away. There is an Evans in bristol, which is about 1 hour away, so I could go there one day. However I wouldnt then be able to get the bike home in my car anyway lol (If you knew the car I drove you would understand )

However I'd have the same issue with the local halfords, so I'd probably end up borrowing a car for the job. So evans and halfords are doable, or decathalon for home delivery.

I'll look into that winstanley one though, as it does seem to be a bargain price.

Current decision list :

Carrera Subway £299 Halford local - Disk brakes
Ridgeback Velocity £280 Evans localish - Road bike geometry and wheels
Ridgeback Speed (with mudguards and pannier) £230 but from winstanly so dunno if it'll be setup
B'Twin NeWork 5 (guards/dynamolights/etc) £279 from decathalon

 

[vickster]

Ride the bike back

At £230, you could always get the Ridgeback set up locally. You could call Winstanleys to ask, the only person I remember posting about them on here had bought a frameset not complete bike

Is it hilly where you live - if so, you may well want a triple chainset (although more standard on flat bar bikes than road bikes)

These guys in Bristol & Taunton sell Ridgeback, and have the speed, why not call them to discuss price?

http://www.bike-uk.co.uk/collections/bikes-price-asc/commute

Or another dealer in Weston-Super-mare http://www.somersetbikecentre.co.uk/

These dudes in Bath http://johnsbikes.co.uk/

 

[nirurin]

I live near the coast, so my immediate vicinity where I live is fairly flat. Few slopes and small rises but nothing extreme.

However if I ever get a bike rack, I would maybe take my bike to somewhere like cheddar, so being able to ride it comfortably on hills would be handy. I dont think I am likely to do extreme hillclimbing, or long range cycling, for a long time. I'm currently too unfit haha, So i expect if I stick with cycling regularly it'll be next summer before I'm getting that adventurous.

Cycling back from bristol would probably kill me :P

 

[nirurin]

"All bikes supplied mail order are boxed. This generally means that the bikes are about 80% pre-assembled. This most commonly leaves the following parts for you to assemble...bars & stem, seat & post, front wheel & pedals. Please note it is always pertinent to check all the pre assembled parts properly before riding your bike. The whole bike must be assembled and checked properly before riding."

So seems to be the same as other online orders.

 

[vickster]

Updated my post

You can search for more dealers here http://www.cyclinglinks.co.uk/manufacturers/ridgeback/details/1103/14/

 

[nirurin]

Updated my post

You can search for more dealers here http://www.cyclinglinks.co.uk/manufacturers/ridgeback/details/1103/14/

Thanks, Weston is near me but its a small store, not usually a lot of choice. I will give them a call though and see what they happen to have in stock. They arent open on mondays though so itll have to wait haha

 

[vickster]

Most stores can order what you need from their wholesaler/the manufacturer regardless of their actual shop size. You may not be able to get much of a discount though on what is a budget bike, but you can but ask and the convenience and service may be worth an extra £50 (plus less in petrol, time, hassle and what not)