advise on bikes

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

what do people think of: Gary Fisher Bodega 2011 Hybrid Bike

Dawes Discovery 401 2011 Hybrid Bike
pinnacle colb 2
specialised cross trail / specialised sirrus

 

[CopperCyclist]

Without being able to speak from personal experience, I've heard many people say 'You can't go wrong with a Gary Fisher'.

Mind you, same could be said of a Specialized, and the Sirrius is one of the nicest looking Hybrids out there.

 

[MarkF]

Do you need the front suspension? If not then I'd upgrade to the Dawes 501.

I've had a 401 (and 201 & a 301) and currently have a 501, tours, commutes and is a very solid, sturdy machine. I also have a 2010 Sirrus Sport which is a faster more agile bike, but very insubstantial compared to the Dawes. Sizing (and geometry) is way diferent, the Dawes "large" (58cm) rides big, feels a touch too big for me, the Sirrus "large" (57cm) feels very much smaller, nearly too small. For fun I use the Sirrus, for everything else I use the Dawes, if I could only have one it'd be the Dawes, easy.

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

i am just getting confused with the options available.

the gary fisher bike is currently on sale for £275 as opposed to £425

but it does not come with disk brakes - it is the normal v brakes

in people opinions what do people like with brakes and does it really make a difference - the specialised for example they is a 100 difference between one model as opposed to a other one - the same goes for lockable front suspension

 

[smokeysmoo]

Are GF bikes still just re-badged Treks? If so even, and even though the Evans one seems a bargain, I'd do my homework and make doubly sure you can't source the same bike in Trek livery for less.

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

what about v brakes or disk brakes?

 

[vickster]

Where are you riding and will you be out in the rain a lot? Hydraulic disk brakes are the ones to have not mechanical I believe. They add a fair bit of weight and require some maintenance. Same thing on the weight front for suspension, really not needed if road riiding mainly.

I have had a Crosstrail and am on my second Sirrus - unless going on some quite rough, wet and slippy stuff, the Sirrus is a better bike

Amazon have had some good prices on the Dawes bikes