Commuter for Irish hills and shopping.

[Savio]

As above, looking for a nice bike to get me to and from town and perhaps beyond. I do like to do some quite long distance rides but would consider just getting a second bike in the future (if I replace my Dawes)

I have a Dawes Clubman that I got second hand, though it was used once and in mint condition when I purchased it. Only ridden it for 5 or 6 long rides, and a few dozen commutes here and there to the shops. It's still in very good condition. Some wear on the tires, of course. Considering possibiity of selling around the £450 mark, open to offers and ideas. It may be that I keep it but it just feels like I'm stretching to reach the bars a lot, and a smaller frame would suit ( I talked about this in my wanted thread)

I'm currently in Belfast NI but can also have bike delivered (or picked up by) to parents in south England. I'll get it when I go over to visit.

As I already have a tourer, I guess I want a dedicated commuter. Have been advised to look for something like a giant fcr2, and also looked at Trek 1.1 and 1.2. I'm mostly going to be doing my shopping and going up and down a 240 ft + hill every time.

Advise and offers welcome, thanks. I'm mostly looking to buy second hand, roughly £400 Max budget.

 

[vickster]

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/planet-x-rt58-for-sale.187529/

 

[Savio]

Too big for me I think. I find the reach on my Dawes too much and its 54cm

 

[Savio]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/trek-1.1-road-bike-52cm-/1131798668

Thinking of this though 300 seems a bit much ??

 

[vickster]

No idea there's no info

Why not just buy new from decathlon, Merlin or similar?

 

[Savio]

Limited on funds, but what do you recommend?

Edit: It's a trek 1.1 for £300. They retail for £570 or something. I was asking if that is a reasonable price (I've no idea)

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/kinesis-racelight-t-51cm-road-bike/1129379674

Found this one too, seems ok

 

[vickster]

That looks a decent deal

Or you could get one of these new http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-black-id_8306187.html

 

[Savio]

That looks a decent deal

Or you could get one of these new http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-black-id_8306187.html

Looks good. What am I looking at in terms of quality difference? Is it weight, gears or?

 

[vickster]

Probably be a similar weight to an older basic trek, around 10kg, although with no real info on the bike, it's components and spec it's hard to say. Even if it has a carbon fork

The triban has a triple chainset, should help on hills, especially if you change the cassette to something with wider ratios

 

[Savio]

Probably be a similar weight to an older basic trek, around 10kg, although with no real info on the bike, it's components and spec it's hard to say. Even if it has a carbon fork

The triban has a triple chainset, should help on hills, especially if you change the cassette to something with wider ratios

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/trek/11-c-h2-2013-road-bike-ec040340

He's doing it for £280. Seems to me the Trek may still be better; he seems to insist it will be, but be would I suppose! But my knowledge is limited. I'm sure trek is under 9kg though

I feel at least if I don't like it, I'll be able to sell on the trek for more than the triban. I assume once you ride around on any new bike they won't let you return it!

 

[vickster]

You'd need to see, Evans do and on road testrides too. Triban you can ride around the store

I'd have the triban with carbon fork and newer groupset but it's not for me I'm surprised the Trek is sub 9kg

Although there are other sub £400 roadbike options if ok to buy online

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z100-2015/
http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-pr7-road-bike-73113.html (although v limited stock)

 

[Savio]

You'd need to see, Evans do and on road testrides too. Triban you can ride around the store

I'd have the triban with carbon fork and newer groupset but it's not for me I'm surprised the Trek is sub 9kg

Although there are other sub £400 roadbike options if ok to buy online

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z100-2015/
http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-pr7-road-bike-73113.html (although v limited stock)

Thanks for all the advice, I considered it but the fact that I don't like to pay tax to dodgey governments as well as somewhat eco conscious I went with the trek, second hand. I think the price was fair , though not a bargain, the bus cost me £10 a week, so it was a no brainer.

I love it , its a better fit than my Dawes and a considerable deal easier up hills imo. Scared about going out with my mate here and leaving these two £600 bikes in the street haha. I hope my Asus granite will put off most people. Also have a cable lock to add another layer. Just bought a magnum for temporary use but may take it back and get an equivalent d-lock. Thing is we will be going out of an evening and locking bikes up outside, I suppose we will just have to keep checking on them.

Does taking a wheel off put people off or no?

Read about the false economy of cheap locks