B'Twin 3 Hybrid/Carrera Subway 1 Mens Hybrid Bike 09

[ich will]

Hi guys and gals,im looking to get back in the saddle again having not owned a bike in years and im out the loop as far as what is good value for money and what is best left on the shelf when it comes to bikes.I have seen these 2 bikes and from doing a search for Carrera bikes on the forums it gets a good name,i cannot say that i know a lot about B'Twin but i was hoping that i could get some pointers from those in the know.Is the B'Twin at that price good value or is it best holding off and going for the Carrera and let's face it have not been on a bike in ages so i can hold off.Any help would be great,thank you.Links to both bikes below

http://www.decathlon...win-3-34964162/

http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534

 

[david k]

i got a subway 2 hybrid and new to cycling, think ts brill

 

[cyberknight]

I had a subway 1 and it was a great solid bike for commuting .

You could stick mudgaurds, a rack and other essentials for commuting on it which made commuting a lot easier.The bike itself was reliable and when i stuck some slick tyres on it pretty fast for that type of bike, i only sold it because i upgraded to a road bike in the end for that little bit extra speed .

The btwin bikes are generally very good value and well made but the btwin 3 is made of steel and is liable to be heavier than the aluminium subway, the higher end models are made of aluminium and some have suspension or come with racks etc.

We could do with some more pointers of what sort of riding you will be doing, unless you plan to do serious off roading then suspension is not really needed,if you plan to commute then how much do you plan to carry and how far?

Btw like the name is is any reference to a certain German band that like to use flamethrowers onstage

 

[400bhp]

Agree with Cyber (well I would as I bought his Subway 1)

The Decathlon bikes are very good VFM too, but the Subway 1 for the indicated price of just over £200 is a very good buy.

One potential issue with the Sub 1 is the rear wheel. I had to replace the rather new rear wheel on the bike after I bought it because the ratchet went on the hub. The hub and wheel are one in the same. Luckily for me Hellfrauds replaced it FOC, given the rear wheel was pretty new.

 

[cyberknight]

Agree with Cyber (well I would as I bought his Subway 1)

The Decathlon bikes are very good VFM too, but the Subway 1 for the indicated price of just over £200 is a very good buy.

One potential issue with the Sub 1 is the rear wheel. I had to replace the rather new rear wheel on the bike after I bought it because the ratchet went on the hub. The hub and wheel are one in the same. Luckily for me Hellfrauds replaced it FOC, given the rear wheel was pretty new.

Ouch bad luck , hope the bike is still ok otherwise.

 

[albion]

Carrera are always decent spec bikes.

Unlike the Apollo stuff they pretend is half price.

 

[ich will]

i got a subway 2 hybrid and new to cycling, think ts brill

Thanks for the reply David.

I had a subway 1 and it was a great solid bike for commuting .

You could stick mudgaurds, a rack and other essentials for commuting on it which made commuting a lot easier.The bike itself was reliable and when i stuck some slick tyres on it pretty fast for that type of bike, i only sold it because i upgraded to a road bike in the end for that little bit extra speed .

The btwin bikes are generally very good value and well made but the btwin 3 is made of steel and is liable to be heavier than the aluminium subway, the higher end models are made of aluminium and some have suspension or come with racks etc.

We could do with some more pointers of what sort of riding you will be doing, unless you plan to do serious off roading then suspension is not really needed,if you plan to commute then how much do you plan to carry and how far?

Btw like the name is is any reference to a certain German band that like to use flamethrowers onstage

Thanks Cyberknight,im only looking to go from A to B and in that sense i mean to and from work and trips to my local Gym etc.Im still unsure of the Hybrid over Mountain Bike issue but im only wanting to get back in the saddle and not head for dirt paths etc,at least not just now.And yes im a Rammstein fan lol..and Eisbrecher and Unheilig

Agree with Cyber (well I would as I bought his Subway 1)

The Decathlon bikes are very good VFM too, but the Subway 1 for the indicated price of just over £200 is a very good buy.

One potential issue with the Sub 1 is the rear wheel. I had to replace the rather new rear wheel on the bike after I bought it because the ratchet went on the hub. The hub and wheel are one in the same. Luckily for me Hellfrauds replaced it FOC, given the rear wheel was pretty new.

Thanks 400,the reason i thought the BTwin might have been ideal was the money issue for starters and i did some checking of the Decathlon quality of bikes etc..i guess im scared to go for something like the Carrera just now at £200 pounds in case the bike bug deserts me.

Thank you all for the quick replies.

 

[ich will]

Thanks Albion,you must have posted as i was compiling my last message.

I must mention that i am well aware of the fact that the BTwin 3 might only be £100 pounds and if not so great it could easily be another £40/£50 pounds etc in a matter of months as things do not hold up and need replacing.

 

[Pompey Princess]

Been really happy with my Subway Ltd Edition 09 (ladies version) - been using it for my commute (14 mile round trip) for the last 18 months and it's been great. Got a rack on the back, some good quality panniers and I get it regularly serviced by my local bike shop, who are superb. Worth the money - think they are on offer again at the moment.

 

[david k]

thinking economics be careful.

if the bike you buy isnt very good you are less likely to keep riding. You would therefore waist £130 on a bike you dont ride or £300 on one you do.

If you pay £130 and do like cycling then you'l want a better bike, and have to pay out £300, making total expenditure £430

 

[cyberknight]

.And yes im a Rammstein fan lol..

I did not buy their latest album , they are still good but have gone in a direction i am not keen on.I did like the earlier stuff but riesie riese album i stopped buying .
Now i get to listen to stuff like the wiggles ,lazytown and balamory .... the joys of parenthood.

Mind you my 3 year old loves to dance round with my phone playing this vid .....

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSSLFCEFOIw[/media]

 

[ich will]

Thank you for the replies guys n gals,i think i will just save up and go for the Carrera.

 

[Andy_R]

I got my subway 2 years ago now and use it for my work (cycle instructor) and for playing. Apart from upgrading the brakes from cable to hydraulic, putting a decent saddle on, and replacing the 8 speed cassette with a 9 its standard and hasn't let me down. Handled the c2c with no problems and regular chunks of the coasts and castles. 'tis my baby!

 

[Alembicbassman]

I have a BTwin MTB and a Carrera Hybrid (Gryphon).

The BTwin was well set up and the customer service at Decathlon was excellent.

I had to buy some parts for the Carrera myself as it was poorly assembled. I claimed the money back from Halfords head office.

I do prefer the Halfords hybrids over the BTwin ones though. BTwin make great road bikes and MTB, but the Carrera would be my choice.

The Gryphon I have has 700c x 28 wheels and tyres, the Subway has 26" wheels. All frames seem to come with mudguard eyes and rack mounts.

 

[Cyclopathic]

Adding my tuppence worth I can recommend the Python Quantum hybrid. I got mine about 4 years ago and it's been no trouble at all. It even survived a year of being stolen. (Saw it locked in town, got it back from a really nice guy who bought it from Cash Generator (we fence anything) and he got his money back) The guy who had it used it loads and apart from a clean it needed nothing. In 4 or 5 years all I've had to do was replace a worn bottom bracket and the brake blocks.

I think they still retail for under £200 and have mudguard and rack mounts. At least worth having a look at imo. Good luck.