Some advices are needed

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

petrea

Regular
Location
Feltham
Good afternoon ladies and gents!
Back in April 2018 I've finally decided to get a bike for short commuting and light shopping around my area. So my first bike was to be a second hand Carrera Subway 2 for £110, medium size. I liked it a lot at first. As my workplace got changed, I tried it to see if I can use it for c2w as well, as it appeared to be the most convenient means of transport at that time... That was a brave decision given the fact that I was totally unfit for 28m per day. Ooohhh my poor muscles! Then it was 26m for one month and 11m for another 2.
As I liked it more and more, after reading some long hours of web content, I've come to the conclusion that I need a new bike. The budget was stretched twice during my research, until I finally ordered a new Norco Search A Tiagra 2018 blue from Evans for £720.
It took me 20 mins of riding to get used to it. It has proved to be a decent bike to ride during this year until two days ago, when a silly driver was turning right through a traffic jam into a courtyard ignoring the fact that there is a busy bike lane next to it. He gave me a short but painful ride that scared me to death and cost me a half bent front wheel and a 10mm wide hole 40mm up the fork end.
We shook our hands and I left with a huge dilemma and £1200 in my bank account. I was looking to get a new Norco but they're out of stock. Then I spent some hours to find a new or used fork. Now that I see it's impossible to get Norco spare parts even on eBay, I'm not that keen to buy Norco anymore. I've spent the whole evening on searching for a new bike that would be an improvement over my smashed Norco. Here's what I see to be the best so far:
https://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-rdx-bike-shimano-hydro-build.html but I've absolutely no experience in assembling bikes.
What would be the best decision to take? Should I dig more until I find a fork and keep the money for something else? How safe would it be if I'd just buy a new front wheel and use it as it is?
I feel like the best option would be to get a new bike (which one?!) and if possible a new wheel for Norco to be for the poor weather.
Thanks in advance for your advices!

Regards
Peter
 

sleuthey

Legendary Member
You have reported that your crashed bike was a decent bike to ride. Therefore I would get the fork and wheel repaired then you will have a decent bike and a grand in your bank.
 

PaulSB

Legendary Member
I don't know this particular Dolan but it looks very nice. I have a Dolan Dual which is 10+ years old. I only ride it once or twice a year but it still feels great.

I've never met anyone with a bad word to say about Dolan Bikes. Everyone seems to love them.
 

simon.r

Person
Location
Nottingham
Personally I wouldn’t ride with a carbon fork with a large hole in it!

If you decide to repair your existing bike you don’t need a Norco fork. There will be lots of different brand name forks that will fit your bike. Given your lack of experience in assembling bikes I‘d be tempted to go to a good LBS and get a quote for supplying and fitting a new fork.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Personally I wouldn’t ride with a carbon fork with a large hole in it!

If you decide to repair your existing bike you don’t need a Norco fork. There will be lots of different brand name forks that will fit your bike. Given your lack of experience in assembling bikes I‘d be tempted to go to a good LBS and get a quote for supplying and fitting a new fork.
This...given your location you're spoilt for choice of good bike shops within 10 miles or less including Evans
 

tom73

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Try a few LBS and see what price your looking at to get it fixed up and if they can get the right folk.
If it's a bike you really love then it's worth a go.
 
^^^^wot they sed^^^^ repair it if you like it so much :okay:
 
I would get the lbs to check the alignment of the frame, etc too; you'll probably be fine but it's worth it for peace of mind. I was took out in London (Barnet) like that too (I'm glad I was near stationary expecting some muppet to pull in/ out of a supermarket entrance). Bent my front wheel but other than a bit of bruising to my thigh when I landed on their bonnet there was no real damage and I rode home to Peterborough (via Cambridge) with a borrowed wheel the next day. I did another 41,000 miles on the bike once I got it checked out :okay:
 

crossfire

Senior Member
with that money in the bank I would be tempted to get the Norco fixed and buy a cheap or used one as a spare and to learn maintenance on, if you cock up something you still have the good bike. Also look to see if there are any local bike co-ops that offer a course
 

vickster

Legendary Member
with that money in the bank I would be tempted to get the Norco fixed and buy a cheap or used one as a spare and to learn maintenance on, if you cock up something you still have the good bike. Also look to see if there are any local bike co-ops that offer a course
Richmond used to. Not sure they do now
 
Top Bottom