Revolution Shadow '13

[beatlejuice]

I noticed that Edinburgh Bicycle Coop is selling the Revolution Shadow '13 for £750, reduced from £1000. That's one heck of a price drop! Surely this must be a near ideal commuter bike? If it isn't, why?

 

[Pale Rider]

Not sure about belt drive.

I'm told the set-up - belt line and tension - is more critical than a chain.

On the Gates website the predicted life is only 'more than twice' as long as chain, and if the belt does break you are a lot more stuffed than if a chain breaks.

http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/products/faqs.aspx#faqId={0C651E99-C81B-4A03-907E-E65E25FDF7FC}

 

[beatlejuice]

It's got descent disc brakes, wide enough hub gears for most commuters and low maintenance. So once a year you get your LBS to give it a through check over and many be they just change the belt in case. Sounds good to me.

 

[Jezston]

It's got descent disc brakes, wide enough hub gears for most commuters and low maintenance. So once a year you get your LBS to give it a through check over and many be they just change the belt in case. Sounds good to me.

Not sure how easy Alfine hubs are to service, and how many LBSs have expertise in doing so.

Not sure how many LBSs keep suitable belts in stock - and how much do they cost? My googling could only find US websites selling replacement belts for $70-90! That's a hell of a lot more expensive than a traditional chain.

And like Mort said, no mudguard fittings is a total killer for commuting. What a stupid oversight.

 

[Frood42]

[QUOTE 2719078, member: 259"]It looks great, but apparently you can't fit a rack or permanent mudguards, so as a commuter it would be completely useless for me.[/quote]

No mudguards
I don't need a brown stain up my rear, thanks, but, no thanks.

 

[beatlejuice]

The more I look at this bike the more I realise that someone at Edinburgh Bicycle Coop made a blunder! Fittings for rack and mudguards essential for most commuters. For a very, very, short period of time (<2.8µS) I thought about buying it for the bits and fitting them to a Ridgeback Nemesis frame I happen to have. The I realised that I would have to take a hacksaw to the rear to get the belt in!!

 

[hennbell]

I have a Scott sub 10 with a similar set up ( but it has fender mounts) love the very quiet maintenance free belt drive have used it for 6 months no issues. I am heading into a Canadian winter and expect to use it a lot over the next 6 months, expect a report later.

 

[rovers1875]

Sounds like your from Manchester, if that's the case take a look at Edinburgh cycles on Oxford road, They have some seriously nice bikes in their Revolution range. I have a Revolution Courier Pursuit which from what you seem to be looking for would be right up yours street (Although a little over budget possibly) But take a look they have some seriously good bike in the lower end of the budget range.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Not convinced by belt drive. I can see the whole "no oily chain" thing but (a) chains shouldn't be "oily" (b) don't ride in your suit then!

People bang on about how quiet they are but since when was a clean chain on a properly adjusted bike noisy?

 

[Leodis]

It got slated in EBC by the staff member for the frame shape which gives a poor riding position. You might be best with the Focus in there with hub and belt.

 

[Minimadmalc]

Have you looked at the Avanti inc 3. Best value for money commuter bike you will find. There are a few shops selling them bellow £1K down from £1400. I compared this bike to the Scott sub 10 and it comes out way above. 11 speed hub scott 8. CDX drive Scott CDC & better quality brakes. Its a no brainer for me. I have mine on order!!! People need to move on ok to have a chain bike with 20 odd speeds but how often do you use them? Best thing about the hub gears in traffic is when you come to a standstill you can select the correct gear to move off without setting off in the wrong gear. How many times have you had to lean on the pedals to get away from say the traffic lights in the wrong gear. With a Alfine hub select and away you go! For commuting can't think of a better system. I just love the clean looks and the low maintenance!!!

 

[beatlejuice]

The Avanti inc 3 is on offer at the moment at £874.99 from these guys: http://www.realcycles.com/m49b177s307p4653/_AVANTI_Inc_3_3_0_(2013)