Choosing a hybrid

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OP
crdf

crdf

Well-Known Member
Location
Croydon
Cycleops said:
Can't imagine it was "completely disassembled". Were the wheels on or off? The gears should at least be functional. Surprised they didn't alert you to the pedals, most bikes are supplied with some cheap plastics jobs. Let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...

"Completely" was an overstatement, but it is obvious to me they haven't set it up (as promised). I just put on the bar (the stem where you put the bar in, the part you unscrew, has some paint peeled off, it's just inside where the bar fits, hope that is not a problem). Added the the saddle as well. I'm wondering if the saddle is leaning too much forward or that is how it is supposed to be. I can see there is a way to adjust the angle, but not sure what is the standard.

Okay I opened the front stop and put the front wheel. It seems to me the fork rests on the springs(?), I hope it doesn't. I was wondering if I should put some of the chain lube on it as well? In addition I can see the two parts of the stop don't close evenly, so I know it hasn't been adjusted. If they haven't done the stop I'm sure the gears are not tuned at all.

I'm also wondering if that transparent rubber thing should go where the cable goes in (back stop cable). I assume yes as I see no other purpose for it: i46.photobucket.com/albums/f145/crdf12/IMAG0839.jpg

The pedals come with the bike. They just forgot to put them in the box.

thank you for the support Cycleops.

Edit: Adjusting the front break seems impossible, the left shoe tuuches the wheel frame while the right one is an inch far away. I think I'll be calling them up insisting on free set up from their local shop.
 
Last edited:
vickster

vickster

Legendary Member
Saddle should be level initially

The springs on the qr skewer should be inside the plastic ends I think! The brake caliper tips so you can centre the wheel

You shouldn't need to lube a brand new chain immediately

Getting it set up by the shop seems sensible.
 
Cycleops

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
It seems like you are struggling a bit so best to take it to your LBS to get it all put together properly. The little clear rings on the cable are to stop it rattling against the frame and are distributed evenly along its length.
 
OP
OP
crdf

crdf

Well-Known Member
Location
Croydon
Oh, I got the bike to the shop. Will pick it up tomorrow :-)
Vickster has been more then helpful, she came with me for my first bike test, and she didn't have to. I'm very greatful to her and everyone else that has been helping here.
I feel like I'm the biggest newb ever :-D
 
N

nicrbr

Member
Location
reigate
crdf said:
So I've been going to the shops the last couple of days trying out bikes, as much as that is possible. Have been getting a lot of valuable help from Vickster.

The top two bikes are the ones I either tested or sat on, if you can't give opinion on any of the bikes a reason to narrow down the list would be nice as well. Oh, I'm 178cm or 5'10. Other hybrid bikes I tried in shops fit me in large (like trek 7 series and trek 8.2 DS). I'm choosing the bike for commuting and sport. Being able to install mudguards and a rear rack is a MUST.

1. I tested this Specialized Crosstrail 2014 hybrid (Large) in Evans and I really like it. I looked up and the suspension can be locked but it would be nice to get a confirmation on that. This is the size guide for this bike. (pdf) Loved the bike, the design and the feel.

2. I was also recommended the Specialized Sirrus 2014 but I found it only in M in the shops. The guy claimed that it fits me, but they have it only in medium (different shop). This is the size chart. I'm just worried about ordering the large without trying it out first.
Question: Will Large fit me?

In addition I've been looking (on-line) into other models, but I did not see/sit on any of them,
3. Giant Escape 2 (L)
4. Mongoose Crossway Sport 2014 (L) - adjustable damping and lockout suspension. Question: Do I need this?Is it an advantage for speed bumps and other road obstacles?
5. Claud Butler Urban 400 (20")
6. Dawes Discovery 301 2014 (20")
7. Whistle Mojave (56.5) - (Single Speed)

I know this is a big list and a lot of over-thinking for a cheap bike, but what I buy I will be using a long time (hopefully).

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hi.

I have just bought a large specialised cross trail 2015 with disc brakes.
I'm 5ft 10 and a large was selected for me.

Hope this helps

Nbristy
 
OP
OP
crdf

crdf

Well-Known Member
Location
Croydon
Cycle surgery in Croydon is closing down so what merchandise (not bikes) they have left is 30 to 50 % off.

Anyway the guy said that the bike is build very badly and it is not safe to ride it. Anyway I got it now and I must say I hate hills, but I like the feeling after that when you know your legs did some work. And the roads are so confusing. I've no idea how people go from point A to point B without loosing themselves a dozen times.
 
vickster

vickster

Legendary Member
Who built the bike? Cyclesurgery? I would write a very strongly worded letter complaining

I've done 105 km today with over 2000ft of climbing...my legs don't like me much at the moment :biggrin:
 
OP
OP
crdf

crdf

Well-Known Member
Location
Croydon
vickster said:
Who built the bike? Cyclesurgery? I would write a very strongly worded letter complaining

I've done 105 km today with over 2000ft of climbing...my legs don't like me much at the moment :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I don't know. They were suppose to set it up before sending it but it wasn't.

I'm definitely going to make a call and tell them that the shop did a great job and they didn't. I might send an email as well, so they will have the pleasure of hearing me complain twice!

105 km? Where did you go? How long did if take you? I need to figure out where to cycle tomorrow. Can't just go in circles around my house :biggrin: Maps are not here yet.
 
OP
OP
crdf

crdf

Well-Known Member
Location
Croydon
More problems, I got the bike to another shop and they are gonna re-build it again. I mentioned the bar is not straight, they couldn't figure out what was the problem, but they will try to measure and see if the bar is BENT or if there is a another problem.

I called to complain, but the office said they are not gonna cover the charge for the second bike shop, that it is free to get into their shop. I explained I don't trust them or their mechanics. So now I have to wait and see if there is a problem and then get into their shop and HOPE they are not going to lie to me and will replace whatever part is the issue.

I'm very unhappy with the guy on the phone. He tried to imply that I am mistaken and that there is a curve in the bar. The idiot obviously doesn't understand that I can make a difference between a symmetrical curve and skewing toward, one side. He didn't believe that the bike was NOT set up, I had to quote his own mechanic, who said the bike was very very badly set up and was unsafe to ride.

He refused to transfer me to talk to his manager, and did everything possible to make it my fault. In fact how do I know there mechanic will not lie there isn't a problem with the bar? Or make it my fault? I'm wondering if I should insist for a note from the shop that the bike was not obviously damaged and that they found whatever problem they found.

If at the end nothing works I will insist on returning the bike and getting my money back. I'm so angry! I plan on writing an email to his manager, but I suspect that will achieve nothing!
 
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