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

[nirurin]

Very true, though if they use the standard pricing for the Speed, then it will be slightly more than the velocity, which I believe is a slightly better bike. Lighter too. I have emailed them, so hopefully I'll get a response tomorrow with prices etc.

Problem with seeing all these bikes is the temptation to just up my budget another £100 or so and get the next bracket of better bikes lol. Not sure if its really worth it though.

 

[vickster]

Is the velocity light because it doesn't have rack and mudguards though, can add a couple of KGs (plus £50). How are you quantifying better?

Do you plan on keeping the bike? If so buy better as you'll only lose in depreciation when you get the upgrade itch...believe me it happens

 

[nirurin]

Well my hope is to keep this as an ongoing hobby, as I need to get regular exercise and walking bores me (and I dont like running haha). Cycling is good for you, and it more interesting, and you can go further afield and faster.

I have in fact been tempted to get a foldiing bicycle, as it would be a lot easier to put in my car and store at home. Would mean I could take it with me places and then cycle in new areas. BUT a decent folding bike seems to be a lot more money, and I'm not sure the smaller wheels etc will lead me to having such a fun experience.

If you have any advice for me I'd be happy to listen, I'm not sold on any particular type of bike atm, just know that the one im borrowing atm is a cheap and heavy mountain bike and I'd prefer something of my own thats good and fun to use

My plan would be to keep it for years, I would rather not have to buy another bike anytime soon. I doubt I would upgrade much until something breaks, except maybe a more comfortable saddle. (Also considering if I would like the butterfly bars on a flat bar baike, but that would only happen after I started riding longer distances so not anytime soon)

 

[vickster]

are you going to ride in wet or mucky conditions, if not I'd forget disc brakes as at that price point they won't be v good and some other part of the spec will have suffered. Mudguards are good, a rack not really needed unless commuting or touring, at least initially

 

[nirurin]

Rack im not bothered about tbh, its not on my purchase list, but if it comes on the bike I'll not complain as it may com in useful.

Mudguards I want.

Disk brakes Ive never had, I just heard they were good. I dont plan to ride in muddy conditions much (if at all) but I hope to keep up some cycling over the winter so puddles etc will likely be around.

 

[vickster]

if not riding in heavy traffic in proper wet I don't think disc brakes are worth it. Others may beg to differ

 

[nirurin]

Current list :

Triban 3 £279
Triban 500SE £349
B'Twin NeWork 5 £280 - Comes with guards/lights/pannier
Carrera Subway £299
Ridgeback Velocity £280
Ridgeback Speed £230 - comes with guards and pannier

Fair bit of variety in these though. The ridgebacks seem like the best compromise between road bike and sturdiness for a few bumps and riding on grass.

Thanks for all the help today, I'll keep looking into these and maybe take a look at the specialised bikes too.

 

[nirurin]

Another alternative to the ridgebacks:
Norco VFR-3
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-3-2014-hybrid-bike-ec055121#features

Theres also a VFR-4, for £25 less...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-4-2014-hybrid-bike-ec061578#features

but for £25 there seems to be quite a few component upgrades.

 

[Drago]

if not riding in heavy traffic in proper wet I don't think disc brakes are worth it. Others may beg to differ

Agreed. I commute in all weathers on a sportive bike and never once felt the need for greater stopping power.

 

[nirurin]

Agreed. I commute in all weathers on a sportive bike and never once felt the need for greater stopping power.

Yeh I'm looking away from requiring disk brakes, if I get them on a bike it would be a bonus but not required

Any thoughts on the norco's vs the ridgebacks?

 

[Drago]

Generally speaking I'd err towards Norco, but if want to compare specs and ride them before making a firm decision.

 

[nirurin]

Generally speaking I'd err towards Norco, but if want to compare specs and ride them before making a firm decision.

Velocity:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/velocity-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059635#features
VFR-3:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-3-2014-hybrid-bike-ec055121#features

£40 difference, seems to be a variety of different components. I dont understand them all yet but from what I have researched it seems like a few of the components (eg. Acera vs Altus) are one level up on the norco compared to the velocity.

The VFR4 is the same price as the velocity, also seems pretty good. I'm mainly just askign for opinions on the specs and the quality of all these bikes, as I plan to go into Evans and test them before I make my final decision. I'd like a shortlist though haha

 

[nirurin]

Think at this point I should focus on whats important for the next year or so.

The bike will need to be good in the wet, and so Mudguard fitting is necessary.
Good for raising my fitness level (but then every bike should be ok for this)
Most important though, it should be comfortable to ride, especially on bumpy roads with potholes.

As such, I'm unsure about road bikes. Maybe if the roads around here were smooth and flat, but as theyre a bit on the bumpy side I believe some slightly bigger tyres would help with that? (Though I have heard something about carbon forks being helpful there too?) I think (I lose track here a little) that I should be looking for wider/thicker tyres to help with this... so a 700x42c would be better for comfort than a 700x32c?
I can understand car tyre sizes, but when i look up the guides on bike ones I get lost lol. Possibly cos I'm too tired. (No pun intended there I swear).

The Subway is still on my list, as it seems like it would be a smooth ride, but it's heavy.
The ridgebacks/Norcos are on the list as they seem to be good road-spec hybrids. I'll narrow it down to whichever brand is better, which seems to be the norco so far.

Unless someone has a good reason in the comfort stakes why I should go for a full road bike, I think I'll take the tribans off the list. They seem great bikes for serious long distance riding, but I'm not going to be doing that for a long while yet.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm slowly learning On wednesday I have the day off so hopefully by then I'll have a short list of 2 or 3 bikes that I can go and test out.

 

[vickster]

Ridgeback, support the British company And it's not a boring black or grey

You don't need 42mm tyres on roads, just feel slow. Carbon forks are indeed good imo

 

[nirurin]

Lol, unfortunately the ridgeback is the one with 42mm wheels, and no carbon (though I dunno what cromoly is like in comparison).