New bike viewing day

[speedy gonzalez]

Hoping to go and have a look at some bikes today. I've already contacted my nearest local bike shop and the following is what they've suggested.
Specialized Vita at £399, Giant Escape 2 or 3 at £299 or £379, Specialized Ariel £399, Giant Rove from £359 or Marin San Anselmo DS2 £399.
I think they're all good suggestions but they are nearly all at the top end or slightly over my budget plus they'd need panniers and mudguards fitted. I really do love the ariel though.
I also need to see local bike shop number 2. They never got back to my e-mail but from their website seem to mainly have Dawes and Claud Butlers in the type of bikes I'm interested in.
After that it'll be looking for a decent lock. My last one (Onguard) was very good but one day the locking mechanism failed and I couldn't get it unlocked. It was locked outside Tesco and their maintenance man came out to help. He tried levering it apart, bolt cutters, drilling, sawing and hammering through the lock. None of this even made a scratch on it. So I had to leave it there. Eventually they got it off and I never did find out how. I suspect either the local fire brigade who park up there sometimes or they removed the bike stand and got it off that way!eta Lock ordered!

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and welcome. All the bikes you have mentioned are good at that price point, about £400, which I guess is your upper budget limit. You could drop by say £100 but the specs might be a rather compromised and the bikes may be a bit heavier plus you might not get suspension forks, which is not a bad thing, in fact could be a way to save money. It sounds like you intend to do a bit of touring?

I have a Marin San Anselmo, all be it five years old, and its a lovely bike although a bit heavy but very comfortable. Dawes or Claud Butler may have something that appeals. Bear in mind that all of the these bikes are made in the far east in some cases in the same factory. Giant are the biggest producer and make for a lot of other companies. In consequense there won't be an awful lot of difference in specs at a certain price point. A good bike shop should be able to guide you through this minefield! I suggest you don't go below £300 though. There should be a few bargains out there especially at this time of year which is 'low season' for shops.

Can't help with the lock I'm afraid. Good luck.

 

[P.H]

I really do love the ariel though.

I have no experience with any of those bike, I do have experience with buying my second choice and have always regretted it. If at the end of the viewing it's still the Specialized you love, that's the one to get, however close or cheaper the others seem.

 

[vickster]

Perhaps you can find a 2012 Ariel somewhere on sale?

Lock wise, I'd always stick with abus or kryptonite and the best sold secure gold locks will cost you £50-100. You will find them cheaper online but you can ask the bike shop to match. With the rack and guards, the shop should also fit them for you gratis to your new bike

You have listed quite different bikes in the vita and the Ariel and the escape and the rove. Will you be going off road and thus need the forks. If you do get forks, make sure they have a lockout if possible for road riding or you'll be bouncing along having your energy sapped!

Happy shopping, new bike buying is exciting

 

[speedy gonzalez]

This is the lock I've ordered which although it's small should fit round most of our local bike racks
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mini-abus-u-lock-yellow-id_8203082.html

Just back from local bike shop who were brilliant and currently making important decisions about sportiness v colour!

 

[vickster]

Good stuff, what's on the shortlist?

 

[speedy gonzalez]

After a good chat with the bike shop owner who knows most of the routes I'm talking about it's the Specialized Vita or one I hadn't really considered before the Giant City Escape 2.
This embarrassing but I like the colour scheme of the Escape better!

 

[vickster]

Not embarrassing at all Buy the one you like the look of more, you'll ride it more and smile every time you look at it I cannot bear plain grey, black (especially matt ) or silver bikes - it could be the best bike in the world, at the best price, but I wouldn't buy it as I wouldn't want to ride it or look at it in my house!

The Giant and the Specialized are both good bikes, probably made in the same factory even, they just have a different name on the frame

However, that said, do not discount the Vita if you feel more comfortable on it - did the shop let you take them out for a test ride?

Oops if, I am looking at the right bike, the Giant is black (with some purple)...that would make it a very tough choice for me - as much as I like white bikes, Specialized personally leave me cold as a brand! Have you looked at Trek

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.escape.city.w/11869/56917/

It has the advantage of coming commuterised but looks to cost more? Check that the rack will take any type of pannier

Bike buying is tough!

 

[speedy gonzalez]

Thanks Vickster I was hoping you were going to reply. Unfortunately neither of those in stock so no chance of test ride. I'm not keen on white bikes even though my present one is a white bike. My husband reckons black is a better option for me as it's less likely to show the mud! You're looking at the right Giant but if I added the same extras onto the Specialized it'd be virtually the same price. I think it's going to be the Giant. I might see if I can try the Escape they have in stock as the frame is going to be the same

 

[Cycleops]

The Specialized seems to have a slightly better spec but both would do a good job for you. The Giant comes with a rack which is a plus. You won't be unhappy with either. Let us know which one you went for.

 

[speedy gonzalez]

What is the Specialized better on would you say Cycleops?

 

[vickster]

I think the Specialized has a slightly better rear derailleur and perhaps a better saddle BodyGeometry vs a generic one on the Giant

But it has a steel fork vs the Giant's alu - which is presubaly heavier but may be more comfortable (personally I like carbon forks for comfort but they up the price)

 

[Cycleops]

I have now had a closer look at the specs and they really are so evenly matched. Both have Altus derailleurs, 32c flatguard tyres and linear pull brakes. The Vita has a 11-32 rear cassette against 11-28 on the Giant, so the Vita will give you a slightly broader gear range, although this of little practical consequence. The only major divergance is with the forks as vickster says and makes little difference in everyday riding, just a small weight penalty.

The major difference is the frame, so it's down to whether you prefer a step through or regular triangle geometry. Which seat is the most comfortable for you? Don't decry one if it is slightly firm, these can often be more comfortable over time.

 

[Hebe]

Hello! Equally, saddles are comparatively cheap and easy to swap in and out if the one that comes with the bike isn't right for you. I think I've posted elsewhere that I really love my Vita, but as Vickster says, buy the one that you love and that will make you happy every time you ride it.

 

[speedy gonzalez]

That's what I think about the seat as well Hebe.
I've contacted the bike shop guy again and he's going to get a Specialized Vita in for me to have a go on. He hasn't got a Giant Escape City in stock but he has got an Escape 2 which is near enough the same bike minus the panniers and mudguards. I'm hoping it's the Escape that will win the ride off but thought it made sense to try both out.
Oh Vickster forgot to reply to your earlier suggestion but there's no Trek stockists anywhere near me.