Back to Cycling - New bike Advice

[JustinL]

Hi all,

I haven't ridden a bike for a good few years and have decided it's about time to start again. Primarily it's going to be mainly for enjoyment and fitness, also I ride a scooter and will swap using the bike to commute to the station when it's icy or when I fancy, the distance is only a few miles.

I also have 2 young children so plan to use with with the family at a later date. I don't want to spend a fortune but understand you get what you pay for. I have decided to go for a hybrid bike as it is nice and green where I live and as I said will also be using the bike in bad weather. After lots of research from various sites and forums I thought this Focus from Wiggle seemed good value especially with the discount:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Black_Falls_2009/5360037606/

Any comments would be most welcome or any other bikes I should also look at, I am an average build and just under 5'11 so an medium frame would suit me.

Thanks.

 

[accountantpete]

Looks ok but it weighs 27lbs with the forks and brakes etc and I would only consider it if I was doing a lot of off-road stuff.

 

[Arch]

I'd agree you don't need suspension forks. Also, if you intend to cycle with the family in the future, I'd suggest a bike with a rack, so that you can carry panniers with picnics etc.

 

[Arch]

oh, and hello!

 

[snorri]

I would consider mudguards to be a worthwhile addition.

 

[JustinL]

Thanks, so I really need something lighter that will mainly handle road, pavement and trails. I'm not looking to do that much off road. Any suggestions?

 

[2Loose]

Giant Seek series as a starter for ten
Hi btw.

 

[g00se]

Hi there,

Check out Specialized Sirrus range, Trek FX range (7.2FX, 7.3FX etc) and the Kona Dew range (Dew, Dew Plus, Dew Deluxe etc)

 

[JustinL]

Update

Hi there,

Check out Specialized Sirrus range, Trek FX range (7.2FX, 7.3FX etc) and the Kona Dew range (Dew, Dew Plus, Dew Deluxe etc)

Hi all,

Just thought I'd let you know I had a look at the Trek fx7.3 and 7.5 2009, the Specialised Sirrus expert 2010 and the lower range Kona. I liked both the Specialised but at £649 it is getting to my limit, the Trek 7.5fx seemed comfortable with slightly wider tyres, the bike seemed slightly heavier and not as good components. The Kona I was interested in was the Deluxe which wasn't in stock. The basic one seemed fine and the bike was comfortable enough. The guy in Evans was very helpful, he thought for the type of riding I would be doing, mainly road with some trails, paths etc the Trek would be slightly better at handling it than the Specialised. The Kona he thought was an excellent spec with the Hydro Discs and the components he thought were good as well and definitely thought it was worth having on the short list, it is now only £525, £75 cheaper than the Trek. Has anyone actually seen/ridden the Deluxe and also would you agree that the Trek would be better than the Specialised? If so it would be between the Kona and the Trek

Thanks for any comments.

 

[g00se]

Hi,

I'm riding in a very similar environment. My budget was a a bit lower so it was between the Trek 7.3FX and the Kona Dew Plus. I got the Kona in the end - I found it more 'fun' that the Trek. The geometry of the frame is more compact so I found it's easier to chuck around a manouver. The Trek was more 'straight line'. They're both similar weights but the Kona felt lighter when cycling - maybe that was down to the geometry. It also seems more responsive going over rougher ground - that could be down to Kona's mountain bike heritage?

I suggest you try to try the Kona to compare them. It might me worth looking for a Dr Dew too to try in the meantime as that one has a similar frame to the Deluxe (tapered tubes rather than the cylindrical ones on the Dew and Dew Plus) so it might me a more comparable ride.

 

[smarttim24]

Hi
I have a Trek 7.3 had it for about three months up to now have no complaints. Using it for a 10 mile each way commute and also leisure riding. Copes well with tow paths and cycle tracks. During wintery yet weather it may require treaded tyres. I also looked at the specilized sirrus
and the Konas just prefered the riding position 20 inch frame i am 5ft 11ins. Another to look at are the a Claud Butlers hybrids in the same price range.

 

[Alan Whicker]

Another 7.3FX rider here - I'm 5ft 10 and the 20 inch fits me like a glove. I looked at and tested umpteen different bikes before I got this (I'm hoping this is the last bike I'll ever buy) and narrowed it down to the Spesh Sirrus and the Trek. The 7.3FX just felt a bit more 'right'.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Hi all,

I haven't ridden a bike for a good few years and have decided it's about time to start again. Primarily it's going to be mainly for enjoyment and fitness, also I ride a scooter and will swap using the bike to commute to the station when it's icy or when I fancy, the distance is only a few miles.


Any comments would be most welcome or any other bikes I should also look at, I am an average build and just under 5'11 so an medium frame would suit me.

Thanks.

It won't be any safer on the bike.

 

[JustinL]

It won't be any safer on the bike.

Trust me where I live it will, the roads are all gritted and more than passable, it's my side road that isn't and my driveway is also on a slope, so the problem for me is actually getting onto the main road when icy with my scooter, virtually impossible as I have found out . The bike I can just lift and carry for the odd 2 mins it will take

Plus it will give me more of an incentive to keep fit, and I plan on taking the bike to the station in the spring and summer. Still deciding what bike, after lots of reading I reckon the Trek or Specialised should fit my bill though I do plan on trying to see a Deluxe or Dr Dew. It seems a number of people reckon it is just as practical to go for a road bike rather than a hybrid and makes far more sense unless you are planning alot of canal/trails etc, even then they reckon a Specialized Allez Sport would be able to handle it as well as roughish weather. It does seem the lighter the Hybrid the better. Too many decisions to make with too many choices