So I was tightening up my saddle when...

[Night Train]

How can you judge a bike by it's brakes? Things can be upgraded.

The brakes on any vehicle are the most important parts, for safety. If the brakes have been skimped on then so will everything else.
The manufacturer wouldn't use the highest quality steel tubes and bearings and then put on plastic brake parts.

However, if you get used low cost, or free, parts that are better then that will be a worthwhile improvement.

 

[Peteaud]

Let me put it this way
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_770971_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

£80, brand new and has steel brakes, and its brand new.

Ok so it a halfords and some will slate it, but for £80 it will be a safe bike and if looked after, reliable.

The wife had an apollo bike for years and never had a problem.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Let me put it this way
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_770971_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

£80, brand new and has steel brakes, and its brand new.

Ok so it a halfords and some will slate it, but for £80 it will be a safe bike and if looked after, reliable.

The wife had an apollo bike for years and never had a problem.

Trax are genuinely awful bikes. Even though it has rigid forks, it's unbelievably heavy.

 

[Peteaud]

Trax are genuinely awful bikes. Even though it has rigid forks, it's unbelievably heavy.

Ive seen road bikes 4 times that price that weigh more, and it has steel brakes.

Fair enough its not a fantastic bit of kit, and yes i would spend my money on an older but better quality bike.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

You're gonna have to show me where that is, I don't know much about Glasgow

Here it is, with map

 

[swee'pea99]

Ive seen road bikes 4 times that price that weigh more, and it has steel brakes.

Fair enough its not a fantastic bit of kit, and yes i would spend my money on an older but better quality bike.

Something like this, eg...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Veloce-Road-Bike-/120929921267?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item1c27fc28f3

 

[fatblokish]

Now, what is a gusset grip and could I be arrested for requesting one (or more)?

 

[Peteaud]

Something like this, eg...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Veloce-Road-Bike-/120929921267?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item1c27fc28f3

Spot on.