Brand Affinity and New Bike!

[mythste]

Hey guys, This is my first post here so if I end up missing out some blatantly obvious bits and pieces please be nice!

I've been riding for about 4 months now on a Charge Plug single speed and I've well and truly got the bug, my trip distances are getting higher, times are getting lower and importantly, I'm really, REALLY enjoying her! (She's been christened Charlotte Paige, get it?)

My dilemma, however, is as follows;

I really like charge as a brand and it was probably the branding that made me bite the bullet in the first instance and it just so happened I got lucky and she's a fantastic runabout. I'm now in the position where I would really like to join a bike club and start getting the miles up which I understand that on a single speed I really have no chance of doing so I'm looking at getting something that has more of those cog things at the back... ()

Naturally, I'm looking at either a Charge Plug 3 or a Grater 2. The plug 3 I imagine would be quicker and probably a better steed for the longer journeys, but thinking about my 5 mile commute to work during the winter months I feel like the grater would be a more forgiving journey.

So I suppose my question is this, would the difference in speed/riding position be that much worse on the hybrid than on the road bike, should I just stick to my single speed for the commute and get an out and out road bike? Alternatively, is the plug 3 any good? I see an awful lot of votes for the Spesh Allez series in the similar sort of price range but for some reason they just really don't resonate with me in the same way.

Anyway, Starting to ramble, any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks!

Stephen

 

[vickster]

Look at Genesis Maybe the Equilibrium 10 725 Reynolds steel, carbon fork, Tiagra, plenty of gears...a fine machine for commuting too, full mudguards, fixed rack with P clips

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/15966...currency=GBP&gclid=CM-G7Ony58ACFRHHtAoduDgAig

Eastway another option, plenty of deals out there on 2014 models

Don't get a Specialized if you like the British brands...all my bikes are from UK companies, it's a good place to be

 

[KneesUp]

The Plug and Plug 3 are the same frame with different drop-outs at the rear, aren't they? So I suppose you have a good idea how comfortable the frame will be already.

I would suggest that you will definitely struggle doing rides with a club on a hybrid.

I like the look of the Plug 3 - it does a lot of the things the Croix de Fer from @vickster's employers at Gensis does, for less money. And it's Tange, which I have s soft spot for. 'Sturdy' steel road/cross/commute/light touring bikes like these tend to be rather heavy compared to pure road bikes though.

If you're happy with your current Plug for commuting, I'd perhaps suggest a more dedicated road bike for use with the club. The Triban range at Decathlon is well thought of and very reasonably priced.

(that's a joke about @vickster working for Genesis btw)

 

[mythste]

@vickster, Thanks, those look like some great suggestions, particularly fond of some of those genesis models!

@KneesUp, I'm not sure that the frame sizes are the same, and I feel there are pros and cons either way - I love the frame and its very comfortable, but I do feel incredibly upright on her compared to a lot of the road cyclists I see, even with drop bars I can't see that much of a difference being made.

My buying options are somewhat limited to the C2W scheme, but I hear there are ways of getting what you want if you speak to the right people!

 

[MartinQ]

Commute throughout the year. Used to use a cheap hybrid Trex, mainly so it was "easier" in the winter and coped better with rougher roads/pot holes, especially in the dark, but enjoyed taking the road bike in when the weather was decent. Just got a 2nd hand Charge juicer (fit pretty much any reasonable road bike here) off @biggs682 and fitted 28 gatorskins to them and its a good combination. Noticeably smoother than 23 or even 25 tyres and a better ride than the hybrid. Still plan to use a mountain bike when the weather is cr*p. Enough about me ...

I'd just get some 28 tyres, fit them to your existing ss bike and get a decent road bike to go for (club) rides on

 

[vickster]

@vickster, Thanks, those look like some great suggestions, particularly fond of some of those genesis models!

@KneesUp, I'm not sure that the frame sizes are the same, and I feel there are pros and cons either way - I love the frame and its very comfortable, but I do feel incredibly upright on her compared to a lot of the road cyclists I see, even with drop bars I can't see that much of a difference being made.

My buying options are somewhat limited to the C2W scheme, but I hear there are ways of getting what you want if you speak to the right people!

Which cyclescheme do you use? I'd also look at getting an interest free credit card, setting up a monthly standing order to clear and taking advantage on some of the big savings...green Genesis Often on C2W you pay RRP, can't get you want or pay a surcharge, so the savings aren't as good as they first appear versus buying outright

 

[mythste]

It's the halfords one, but after a quick phone call today they gave me a number of retailers that they work with whom I could use. One of which is tredz which currently has the Plug 3 '14 model for £650 which I don't think is too bad at all - certainly gives me room for a new lid being as how I'll be over taking everyone and such...

For any charge specialists around, do the specs suggest that the plug 3 has a longer "reach" than the plug freestyler I have currently? The biggest problem I'm having these days is working out all of the specification gibberish!

 

[SteCenturion]

The Plug and Plug 3 are the same frame with different drop-outs at the rear, aren't they? So I suppose you have a good idea how comfortable the frame will be already.

I would suggest that you will definitely struggle doing rides with a club on a hybrid.

I like the look of the Plug 3 - it does a lot of the things the Croix de Fer from @vickster's employers at Gensis does, for less money. And it's Tange, which I have s soft spot for. 'Sturdy' steel road/cross/commute/light touring bikes like these tend to be rather heavy compared to pure road bikes though.

If you're happy with your current Plug for commuting, I'd perhaps suggest a more dedicated road bike for use with the club. The Triban range at Decathlon is well thought of and very reasonably priced.

(that's a joke about @vickster working for Genesis btw)

No it's not a joke about @vickster..

well, maybe it is

but I found out this when I googled her...

The Times Rich List...

Name - Vickster

Occupation/Titles - MD Genesis U.K
Occupation/Titles - C/O Quidco

Net worth - Undisclosed

Web page www.vicksterpromotions.com

Hobbies - Genesis bikes

Favourite material - Reynolds 725 steel

Favourite Colour - Genesis Copper

Favourite Model - Equilibrium

Likes - being a good egg

Dislikes - pointless & poor witticisms from throbbers (like me)...

Disclaimer...

No vicksters were harmed in the making of this spoof biography.

Now, I really am joking..

Apologies vickster (all in the name of fun)

feel free to send me an e-slap.

 

[SteCenturion]

@mythste,

although I am maybe not best placed for the right answer, I suggest adding a dedicated road bike to your stable for club rides, doesn't need to he carbon or uber expensive & 10 speed is enough.

www.winstanleysbikes have a very good sale on at the moment & they accept cyclescheme vouchers (with 10% surcharge on sale bikes).

I like the 2014 Cube road bikes at 25% off, but they have literally hundreds of bikes from a wide range of brands.

Very small showroom, based in Wigan (I have been) main business is online sales & specialise in reduced/discounted models, lots to choose from.

 

[vickster]

It's the halfords one, but after a quick phone call today they gave me a number of retailers that they work with whom I could use. One of which is tredz which currently has the Plug 3 '14 model for £650 which I don't think is too bad at all - certainly gives me room for a new lid being as how I'll be over taking everyone and such...

For any charge specialists around, do the specs suggest that the plug 3 has a longer "reach" than the plug freestyler I have currently? The biggest problem I'm having these days is working out all of the specification gibberish!

Why not drop Charge a line and ask

http://www.chargebikes.com/contact-charge-bikes

 

[winjim]

Why not drop Charge a line and ask

http://www.chargebikes.com/contact-charge-bikes

Given my recent saddle related experience, they wont bother replying. Which, of course, is part of the reason I wont buy their products.

Humph.

 

[vickster]

They actually have a phone number for custom saddles

 

[winjim]

Custom Spoons, not Ladles. Bunch of sexists.

Well they might do custom Ladles, I don't know. I did contact them to ask...

 

[Elybazza61]

Other British(not all made in the UK though) bikes;

http://www.moda-bikes.com/

http://www.condorcycles.com/our-bikes

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes

http://www.formebikes.co.uk/products/bikes/road

http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/

And there is actual UK built bikes like Shand and Rourke but you would be looking at over your budget just for a frame

Of course there is Boardman and in-house marks like Vitus(chain reaction),Pinnacle(Evans),Verenti(Wiggle) which I suppose are technically British.

Oh and I'd keep the Charge for commutes and get a 'proper' road bike for club runs(N+1 and all that) although saying that once you get fitter and used to longer runs there's no reason why you can't use the Charge especially in the winter;there's some guys on our club runs who use single speeders(they are pretty good though).

 

[vickster]

You forgot Pearson, been selling bikes for over 150 years. They have some house brand bikes for under £1k