Please do not shoot me down in flames...

[Pompey Princess]

Ventured into my local Halfrauds (I was en-route to a different shop and got suckered in! Honestly!!)

Saw this

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_240461_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#dtab

Now, I am currently using an old Raleigh Max blokes mountain bike for my commute (16miles there and back) and it's a heavy beast. What impressed me about the above bike was how light it was and the price...

However, the thing I like about my current bike is that it has been ultra reliable, nobody really wants to nick it, it's a good workout for me and that I feel some (probably stupid) emotional attachment to the old thing!!!

IF I was to upgrade, I would like something lighter, something that takes panniers and something that can go on rutted country type cycle paths as well as the roads. I don't want to spend fortunes either as I would worry about it getting nicked. I worry about my current bike, even though it's not flash or anything.

What do you think?

 

[HLaB]

From what I've heard the Subway is a good bike but after buying it you may want to get a lbs to check its set up right

 

[Pompey Princess]

Now that's where I'd also feel some guilt as my LBS are lovely and I'd feel really bad parading my new bike in there when I could have bought one from them... I know business is business and all that but I'd still feel bad.

 

[Pompey Princess]

Oh no User, don't say that!!! I'm gonna have to go and have another look now...

 

[Fab Foodie]

The Subway is a good bike, apart from the Boardman range it's the only decent bike they sell. Just make sure you get the right size. BTW unless you are petite then a mans bike should fit just as well and will give you more choice.
Certainly a better machine for a 16 mile commute plus it will take mudguards and a rack and will cover your needs pretty well. I agree it's a nice price.

Get a decent lock. Any reasonable bike might attract theives.

 

[Pompey Princess]

Oh no, I really will have to go and have a look at it again if it's a good price and a good bike...I would get a better lock (got an old d-lock) - might see if they'd chuck one in if I umm and ahh enough.

Also, pedals - I currently have old fashioned pedals with a slip in and out of clip/cage with material straps and buckle set up (sorry, that's the best way I can describe them). No SPDs or whatever they're called. Can you still get this type of pedal setup? I'm not sure I want to go the other route yet...or maybe I should...?? Oh I dunno!!!

Only popped round the shops for a pint of milk!!! Look what a can of worms I've opened!!!

 

[snapper_37]

Also, pedals - I currently have old fashioned pedals with a slip in and out of clip/cage with material straps and buckle set up (sorry, that's the best way I can describe them). No SPDs or whatever they're called. Can you still get this type of pedal setup? I'm not sure I want to go the other route yet...or maybe I should...?? Oh I dunno!!!

*panic alert panic alert*

Firstly, well done for using the raleigh Max. I used to have one and know exactly how heavy they are.

The Carrera looks a decent bike and it can't be any worse that what you are already using.

The pedals you are talking about are the 'toe clip' variety and yes, you can still get them. Again, I used to use them until I found the error of my ways and went to clipless. Wouldn't change them for the world now. So, go for it!!

 

[mickle]

The Subway represents remarkable value for money actually.

It's just a shame they named it after a sandwich shop.

 

[ChrisKH]

Plus you can keep the old bike as a hack bike for when you get a puncture!

Go on, you know you want to.

 

[Black Sheep]

*panic alert panic alert*

The pedals you are talking about are the 'toe clip' variety and yes, you can still get them. Again, I used to use them until I found the error of my ways and went to clipless. Wouldn't change them for the world now. So, go for it!!

or you can just have them changed onto the new bike, pedals come in two sizes of thread, normal or BMX.

as said, the subway is a good utility bike, don't get the one with the wierd hub disk brakes as i've only ever seen them on subways and have bad experiences of both setting up, using and getting parts - normal V brakes or disk brakes will do happily

 

[chris667]

Just to say something contentious, there's a GT currently on the For Sale board, that would be much, much better and you'll get for less than this. Although I'm sure you'd probably be better served by a touring bike.
If you want to buy new, though, this is as good a choice as you'll get anywhere at this price point.

 

[jimboalee]

I had a Subway. An 8. It was nicked out of my shed.

I had set it up with slicks, different stem and bars so it looked unique.
I have seen it being ridden around.

Early reports on the Subway frame were that it was designed by an ex British MTB champ and I cannot recall her name.

Yes, the frame is fairly light, but enormous clearances.

 

[ed_o_brain]

If you are comfy on your old bike, I wouldn't bother.

Carerra Subway's seem to be a magnet for bicycle thieves and I strongly doubt, loaded up, it will be that much lighter than your current bike.

I tooled around on an 90s Raleigh something or other MTB with slick tyres/rack/mudguards for quite some time. In eighteen months of almost daily use I think I only had to fettle it once.

 

[Pompey Princess]

Stop it!!! Now I really want one!!!!

But I'm also thinking that I should leave well alone as my Max has been fab (if a little heavy)

 

[ianrauk]

Carerra Subway's seem to be a magnet for bicycle thieves and I strongly doubt, loaded up, it will be that much lighter than your current bike.

You got that right, had a Subway 2 for all of 2 weeks a couple of years ago before some low-life scumbag tosser half inched it. Then got the Subway 1 as a replacement. It is the only one of my bikes with flat pedals so I can bugger off down the shops, station, pub etc.

IMVHO Subway's are very well made, great bikes and as the OP said take to your lbs to set it up properly and for servicing, they will be grateful for the custom.