new bike confusion!

[joanna]

I've been wanting to buy a new bike now for over 3 years, but am just going round and round in circles as to which to get.

My cycling involves a ten mile each way commute to work - which includes some dodgy potholed roads. I also occasionally do the odd club ride in the summer, and have aspirations to join CTC as well.

The bike I have currently is a second hand, heavy Ridgeback Tempest, which has seen me through the last few years of cycling, but the time has come to get something faster, and more suitable for road riding.

i went round every bike shop in Brighton last summer and was recommended the Giant Dash, Specialised Dolce and Kona Jake, and the Trek.

My main requirements are to have a bike suitable for all year round cycling - so is essential that I can fit mudguards, wider tyres, and a rack. More and more I'm thinking of going to drops, especially as I spend most of my time on the bar ends I have on my bike - but am slightly nervous that I wouldn't get on with them. I like to feel stable, and very occasionally feel nervous in traffic. I'm also quite scared of steep descents (not ashamed to admit to that!) - so good brakes are a must! Would I be able to convert drop-bar bikes to a straight handlebar if I really really don't get on with them?

My other problem, is that during the summer I'd love to cycle home over the downs, so a bike suitable for a bit of off road riding would be nice, but I think I might be making things a little complicated. I think I might just put mountain bike tyres on my ridgeback, and plan in advance if I want to go cross country! The outdoor adventure group I belong to, as well as doing road rides, do mountain biking which I'd love to take part in, so might have to invest in a separate mountain bike too!!

Does anyone have any advice? I like the idea of a cross bike, and I'm sure the tricross will be a recommendation, but most of them are slightly out of my price range.

Do I go for a tourer, cross, or a sports hybrid...?

As you can see, I've got lots of requirements - which is why it's taken me so long to decide what to get! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Joanna

 

[dellzeqq]

Okeydokey

Here is the big thing. I spent most weekends last summer doing Dr. Bike sessions on the seafront at Brighton. I was presented with bikes old and new. A lot of the old ones were in a bad way. Then again, a lot of the new ones were in a bad way. A really bad way. Spokes flapping the breeze and brakes not working.

Now I'm not going to put the forum at risk by criticising any particular bike shop, but what I would say is that if I were in Brighton I would go to Baker Street Bikes first and go through it with them. You want something that fits you, with gears that suit you, and you want a free three month service. More than anything else you want something that is put together properly.

As for the type of bike - well it seems to me that you really want two bikes, and that you've got one of them already. As you say, the Ridgeback Tempest is a tough item, although it's not so clever if you're heavy...why not make that your adventure bike and get a lighter bike for whizzing around town.

Modern bikes, if put together properly, are fantastically reliable and durable. Don't worry too much about potholes - they're more of a hazard to you than they are to your wheels. It's understandable that you're wary of the brakes on drop handlebars, particularly since Brighton does have a surprising number of hills, and a lot of them heavily trafficed, but all I can say is this - people get used to them. Most of us ride with our hands on the hoods most of the time. Try a bike with drop handlebars and see if you can imagine getting on with it. You can still use the tempest for shorter journeys, and off road, but once you've found the roads northeast and northwest of Brighton, the wonder of a drop handlebar bike will make a believe of you.

Oh - click the link below....we're coming your way

 

[Norm]

From that list, the Spec Dolce is a great road bike but the Kona Jake would be much better suited for your Downland escapades. IMO.

However, the best one is the one which fits you.

 

[joanna]

Thanks for your reply. You've confirmed my suspicion that I should have two bikes, and that a 'one bike that does it all' isn't really an option. I realise that over 90% of my riding will be on road, so a road bike it is, and I'll convert my ridgeback to allow me to go off-road.

Now all I have to decide is which one! Thanks for the tip on Sydney Street bikes - I'll definitely try them first.