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

[nirurin]

Could someone with more knowledge of the components take a look at these bikes and let me know which one is the best "bang for buck"?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/velocity-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059635#features

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-4-2014-hybrid-bike-ec061578#features

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/vfr-3-2014-hybrid-bike-ec055121#features

ITs kinda hard to tell... I thought TX was tourney, which is shimanos lowest level set, followed by Altus then Acera. But the bike with TX on the back, has Acera on the front... so is that better or worse than a setup with both being Altus?

I suspect that I wont notice the difference anyway, but seeing as im spending the money and they're all around the same price I might as well get the best components.

Unfortunatly none of these bikes is in stock at the local store, at least not in the right size. The velocity is, but only in 19" , which might be a bit small. May pop in and try it anyway though.

 

[vickster]

Go ride them if you can. I had Deore on one bike, hated it, much preferred the lower Alivio on a previous bike. I don't think you'd notice in the real world. Gear ratios more important especially once you get into the hills. I'd rather a carbon fork say and a lower groupset. Have you looked at the Boardman hybrids at Halfords, generally good spec for the money

 

[nirurin]

Go ride them if you can. I had Deore on one bike, hated it, much preferred the lower Alivio on a previous bike. I don't think you'd notice in the real world. Gear ratios more important especially once you get into the hills. I'd rather a carbon fork say and a lower groupset. Have you looked at the Boardman hybrids at Halfords, generally good spec for the money

I did look through them, but at the time they seemed expensive. I'll give them another browse though

 

[vickster]

Get what you pay for with bikes mostly Join British Cycling, 10% off at Halfords

 

[nirurin]

Get what you pay for with bikes mostly Join British Cycling, 10% off at Halfords

That makes sense, though with Halfords I take their prices with a pinch of salt haha. I'll join that though, 10% is a nice addition.

 

[vickster]

Ride membership is the one you want unless you plan to start racing

 

[nirurin]

Though its £32 for the membership, so its only worth it if I spend £400 or more really lol


edit: though if I buy guards from there too it would help. The lights im already buying online cos they are twice the price in halfords

 

[vickster]

Well it's the other benefits that are the important bit...and you get 10% all year off everything collected/bought in store...soon adds up

10% off at Wiggle too on RRP / light reductions

 

[nirurin]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...n-performance-hybrid-race-bike-medium-19#tab2

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-hybrid-sport-bike-2014#tab2

These two are ...only slightly out of my budget range lol. It took me a while to figure out the difference seing as they are the same price, but one seems to be a model from 2012/2013, so I assume its an older version of a higher spec bike. Other than the older one being heavier, they seem fairly similar in spec. Though they are also alloy forks etc so I'm not sure they're any better in spec to the Norco bikes, unless I'm missing something. Theyre nice bikes though.

 

[nirurin]

Are you a member btw? dunno if you get anything for referring me, but theres a box to enter in a members number

 

[vickster]

Are you a member btw? dunno if you get anything for referring me, but theres a box to enter in a members number

I am indeed...I can PM you my membership number but are you sure that's not just for renewals?

 

[nirurin]

Go for it, might as well, they might send you free stuff lol. Least I can do for your help

 

[nirurin]

Got it

Any remarks on the specs of the boardmans vs the norcos etc? The halfords near me has the 19" 2012 boardman performance in stock so I might go have a try on it tomorrow just for sizing

 

[nirurin]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-hybrid-sport-bike-2014

At the moment this one is coming up as a favourite. It seems pretty much the same spec and price as the older boardman, but 1kg lighter. I cant at the moment see any advantages to the older bike...

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-performance-hybrid-race-bike-medium-19

Thats the link for the other bike, if anyone has any light to shed. Both are in stock locally so I'll be testing the fit today

edit: Oh, the 1kg heavier one from last year (the second link, the "Race") seems to have the next level up in Shimano fittings. So both bikes seem worthwhile. Not sure of the difference between "Race" and "Sport", I wonder if its just brand naming for different years models.

 

[vickster]

Be aware, Boardman bikes seem to come up big and they calculate their sizing slightly differently to other manufacturers