Carrera Subway 1 any good for C2W ?

[vtailor]

Does anyone have experience of the Subway 1? The spec seems pretty good for the price? and reviews seem to be good on the web.

Subway 1: http://www.halfords....zone=PDPz1#dtab


I need a bike that will get me to work (5km each way) and stand up to some park & trail cycling.
Eventually I want to be able to cycle longer distances (London to Cambridge, London to Oxford) -will the subway 1 be able to handle longer distances?

I am torn between the Subway 1 or spending extra to get the Boardman hybrid...Is the Boardman really worth twice as much?I've heard the Boardman is more of a racing bike, although lighter it won't stand up to much abuse.

Boardman: http://www.halfords....yId_165534#dtab

Any feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[HLaB]

If you search the forum you'll find both bikes are excellently reviewed good specs for money, etc; it just a pity you have to deal with Hellfrauds.

For 5km I quite like the idea of the subway but for longer I'd prefer the Boardman. I have a similar flat bar road bike (the Sirrus, its now got drop bars) and it has been plenty robust in the 10,000 miles it has done. Also before making a choice see what bike you prefer the feel off and most of all enjoy

 

[vtailor]

If you search the forum you'll find both bikes are excellently reviewed good specs for money, etc; it just a pity you have to deal with Hellfrauds.

For 5km I quite like the idea of the subway but for longer I'd prefer the Boardman. I have a similar flat bar road bike (the Sirrus, its now got drop bars) and it has been plenty robust in the 10,000 miles it has done. Also before making a choice see what bike you prefer the feel off and most of all enjoy

Thanks for the tips!
Unfortunatly halfords only stock Boardmans in their Bikehut stores (St.Pauls london) so I will have to head into town to see it in the flesh.
My only worry about spending extra on the boardman is that it won't stand up to a bit of rough treatment on parks and trails-i've also heard it is a thief magnet!

 

[ianrauk]

Subway's are also thief magnets.. I speak from experience

The Boardman will stand up for a bit of rough treatment no problem unless you go for skinny tyres ie under 23's.

Thanks for the tips!
Unfortunatly halfords only stock Boardmans in their Bikehut stores (St.Pauls london) so I will have to head into town to see it in the flesh.
My only worry about spending extra on the boardman is that it won't stand up to a bit of rough treatment on parks and trails-i've also heard it is a thief magnet!

 

[Mystique]

I bought myself a Subway 1 a couple of months ago and have been really pleased with it. I got rid of the stock tyres and replaced them with some Marathon Pluses for durability and have had no problems at all. I had to make some early adjustments to the derailleurs but nothing much since although I did tweak everything on my bike as I was returning to cycling after about 16 years away from it so I need to re-familiarise myself with everything again.

I do 90% of my cycling on roads and cycle paths and the remaining 10% on canal tow paths and can honestly say it holds up pretty well to some hard bumps even if my wrists don't do as well.

For the price you can't go too wrong with a Carrera in my opinion but just be very wary of the build quality from Halfords and ensure that you check every nut and bolt over before you get on the damn thing!!!

 

[vtailor]

I bought myself a Subway 1 a couple of months ago and have been really pleased with it. I got rid of the stock tyres and replaced them with some Marathon Pluses for durability and have had no problems at all. I had to make some early adjustments to the derailleurs but nothing much since although I did tweak everything on my bike as I was returning to cycling after about 16 years away from it so I need to re-familiarise myself with everything again.

I do 90% of my cycling on roads and cycle paths and the remaining 10% on canal tow paths and can honestly say it holds up pretty well to some hard bumps even if my wrists don't do as well.

For the price you can't go too wrong with a Carrera in my opinion but just be very wary of the build quality from Halfords and ensure that you check every nut and bolt over before you get on the damn thing!!!

I'm new to cycling and from what I have read the Carrera does look really good value for money . Didn't think such a common bike was a theft magnet -but that must say something about the quality!

 

[John the Monkey]

+1 for the Boardman - my boss has one & runs it along some rough-ish stuff through the local water park on his commute - no probs so far.