BrumJim
Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
- Location
- Selly Oak, Birmingham
I need some emotional support, fellow forum members:
5 years ago I bought a new bike, and got rid of the old hack. I got a Specialized Allez 16, with the purpose of beating myself in a car into work, so wanted something fast and light for the commute.
5 years later, things have changed. My commuting bike has now become a do-everything machine, taking the worst of the winter weather, Audaxes, Sportives and social riding. Poor thing gets used most days, and gets cared for only one day a week, regardless of weather. I'm also a Dad now, to a 20-month old boy who is a bundle of energy. He's been on the back of a bike once - whilst on holiday on a hire bike around a reservoir. And loved it like nothing else he has done.
Despite my transport to work becoming a hobby, a challenge, and a source of wonder to my son, I've still only got the one bike. However I now have permission from my wife to get a second, with the purpose of all-weather commuting and taking my son out with me. I have two options:
1) Avanti Inc 2, new. Aluminium frame, 8 speed hub gears, flat handlebars, bigger tyres, frame drilled for mudguards, disc brakes and rubber belt drive. Should be robust, take little maintenance, and handle crap weather well - stopping, going and cornering. £900 and a trip down to Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. On the down side it is available only in stealth black.
2) Ridgeback Journey 2013. Also 8 speed hub gears, bigger tyres, and mudguards and rack already fitted. Versa shifters and interrupter brake levers means that it is usable on the drops, hoods or tops. However no disc brakes (forks not suitable either), standard chain, steel frame. On the positive side, it has touring wheels (HOW many spokes?), gorgeous British Racing Green frame and the right size for me, second hand and hardly used, just up the road and half the price, so money left over for child's bike seat, winter tyres, etc.
Do I need help in deciding which one? No! I need help in actually buying one of the two, and not spending the next two months thinking about it, loosing one of the options, giving up and searching the market again for other ideas.
5 years ago I bought a new bike, and got rid of the old hack. I got a Specialized Allez 16, with the purpose of beating myself in a car into work, so wanted something fast and light for the commute.
5 years later, things have changed. My commuting bike has now become a do-everything machine, taking the worst of the winter weather, Audaxes, Sportives and social riding. Poor thing gets used most days, and gets cared for only one day a week, regardless of weather. I'm also a Dad now, to a 20-month old boy who is a bundle of energy. He's been on the back of a bike once - whilst on holiday on a hire bike around a reservoir. And loved it like nothing else he has done.
Despite my transport to work becoming a hobby, a challenge, and a source of wonder to my son, I've still only got the one bike. However I now have permission from my wife to get a second, with the purpose of all-weather commuting and taking my son out with me. I have two options:
1) Avanti Inc 2, new. Aluminium frame, 8 speed hub gears, flat handlebars, bigger tyres, frame drilled for mudguards, disc brakes and rubber belt drive. Should be robust, take little maintenance, and handle crap weather well - stopping, going and cornering. £900 and a trip down to Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. On the down side it is available only in stealth black.
2) Ridgeback Journey 2013. Also 8 speed hub gears, bigger tyres, and mudguards and rack already fitted. Versa shifters and interrupter brake levers means that it is usable on the drops, hoods or tops. However no disc brakes (forks not suitable either), standard chain, steel frame. On the positive side, it has touring wheels (HOW many spokes?), gorgeous British Racing Green frame and the right size for me, second hand and hardly used, just up the road and half the price, so money left over for child's bike seat, winter tyres, etc.
Do I need help in deciding which one? No! I need help in actually buying one of the two, and not spending the next two months thinking about it, loosing one of the options, giving up and searching the market again for other ideas.
pic needed though
