Thinking of changing my hybrid commute bike to a suspension bike

[Nigeyy]

Well, look, people don't commute on full sussers for a reason: they usually suck up a lot of energy. While there are designs out there that reduce pedal bob considerably (e.g. Giant Trance/Anthem), they are tad more than $85. And even then, I'm not sure they are the best for commuting even then.

Having said that.... if you have a bad back, a quick and relatively cheap potential solution could be bigger fatter tyres to soak up the bumps, as well as seatpost suspension (this is assuming you stand on the pedals as much as you can going over big bumps already and you still need something more). You may also want to try experimenting changing your riding position too. But just to be naysayer as well, you can commute on a full suspension bike (e.g. I have to ride my full suspension on the road to get to an off road circuit), and even a really cheap one. Yes, you'll be using much more energy and the bike may weigh a ton, but if it keeps you cycling (albeit more slowly) go for it.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

That's true but that £85 of junk wont last long with regular use.

 

[Licramite]

Check out E bay - you can get some good bargins there, £80-90 will get a good bike on ebay , if you get a mtb you would be wise to change the tires - thats another £40

 

[Moodyman]

Your best bet would be to get wider tyres on your existing bike for better suspension - ie Schwalbe Big Apple or similar if you can fit 'em

 

[Hip Priest]

Why are cheap bikes for men always described as a 'gents bike'.

Makes me think of toilets.

 

[PBB]

Well something went a bit wrong with my original plan!

Thanks to some unexpected cash from the relatives for Christmas, I blew the lot on a Carrera Subway Limited Edition Hybrid Bike 2012 from Halfords. Lots of good reviews on their site.

Got 10% off for reserving it online on Christmas Day (yep, bored!) so mine for £180.

That's more than I got for Christmas, but man-maths somehow justified it on the basis that I would have had to spend a bit anyway swapping my existing tyres to the wider ones that the Carrera comes with

Looking forward to assembling and testing this weekend.

Appreciate all your advice, will report back.

 

[HovR]

The Carrera Subway is a great commuter/hybrid bike, so you made a good choice! If you have any questions when setting it up feel free to ask.

 

[roadrash]

when youve used the Carrera Subway for a week or two , ask friends if you can borrow a full susser for an hour , my bet is that you would give it back in less than 30 mins

 

[PBB]

Today was my first proper day on the Subway, had to use the old bike last week pending arrival of mudguards.

First impressions - slightly disappointed. It started badly when I discovered that the handlebar height is fixed and I will need to buy a different riser to raise it! Not a great recipe for my dodgy back. I didn't even think to check before buying, to be honest.

So my ride was a bit hunched-forward uncomfortable, then the EV shifters didn't seem to.. well shift cleanly, and there isn't any "twiddling" to be done to get into gear when it misses and is clattering away.

Now this might just be buyers remorse and a bit of further adjustment at the weekend will help with the gears at least. This remorse happens to me when I spend a lot of money (not an expensive bike in reality I know, but it was for me!).

Anyway the brakes are good, the wider tyres did give me a smoother ride than the 700c on my Tesco commuter bike, and I think my commute was quicker, so there are positives!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Sounds like the grars aren't indexed properly, bit of a twiddle with the adjusters should do it (Halfords don't have stellar reputation for setting bikes up). in the meantime you can often help a misfiring rapidfire to change by just giving it a little extra push once it should have shifted and is clattering.

as for the stem height, it was your first ride,its bound to feel a little different to what you are used to so don't splash the cash too hastily, but if you are sure the present combo isnt for you, maybe try an adjustable stem like this from the same place to better fine tune your height and reach to suit your back rather than simply adding height.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_568847_langId_-1_categoryId_230508

Edit: the link is being an a**e for me but I'll leave it just in case it works for others, if not, then if you go to halfords site, bike parts & accessories section and look in handlebars & steering bit for an adjustable stem, you'll see what I mean.

 

[PBB]

Hi shouldbeinbed, thanks for your pointers.

I just popped out of the office to make a quick adjustment to the seat angle to stop me sliding forward, and found I can only adjust fore and aft, or up and down, but not the angle!

Re-read the reviews of Halfords and no-one seems to be as annoyed as me at the lack of adjustment on this bike. Maybe Halfords only publish the positive reviews!

Oh well, it will probably sell if I haven't made friends with it soon!

 

[fossyant]

You can adjust the angle on any saddle, just undo the bolt at the top of the seat pin and rotate the saddle rail clamps. You may want to dissassemble to see how it works.

Handle bars are usually adjustable up/down with the spacers, but it's probably not high enough for your dodgy back. Suits most folk. Adjustable stems aren't expensive.

Gears will be the indexing - I've always bought bikes in boxes from Halfords and sorted that myself (bought 2 Carrera MTB's for the kids last year).

 

[MontyVeda]

...

This is £85 and has both front and rear suspension:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/cycling/silver-fox-vault-26-inch-mountain-bike-mens-932174

Question is - at that price point is it likely to be rubbish? Unuseable?

...

A couple of years ago a friend of mine bought a bike like that... full suspension and £85... but his was buy one get one free!!!!

One got nicked from his back yard and was found dumped in an alley a few streets away, the other is rusting away in his back yard and, to my knowledge, has never been ridden.

everything is cheap in these bikes, the brake levers and gear shifters look and feel like they'll snap if you sneeze on them, and the frame, contrary to Drago's post, would make a good anchor!


I ride a rigid steel MTB and the other week i had a bash on a friends aluminium road bike... that shook the bones out of my arse in comparrison. Maybe you're more suited to a steel frame, fatter tyres, and a seat with a bit of gel in it.

 

[MickL]

I brought subway just before Dec, the seat can be leveled you just have to undo the bolt as little more, the only thing Ive changed on my Subway was the tyres as the Kenda dragged so much, I stuck some 26-1.75 Schwalbe Road Cruisers, bike rides like a dream now.

 

[HovR]

As fossy said, you can definately adjust the angle of your saddle. I'd recommend taking the bike to a good LBS (not Halfords), and ask them to set it up for you, telling them the issues you are currently having.

Everything you've described is just an adjustment which needs making (possibly with a new stem).