Andrew Wood
New Member
Have just bought three weeks ago a Charge Mixer 2010. I bought it because I wanted the strongest possible frame (roads in E London are terrible), hub gears and disc brakes. Also have a San Anselmo 2006 which is similar but I needed a second bike as the San Anselmo has been suffering a lot from the harsh roads where I live (although faults are mainly tire or component related not Marins fault)
So far it has been excellent and I am very glad that I purchased it but see my comments below;
Good
- although slightly heavier then my previous bike (steel frame versus aluminum) it feels very solid on the road and I do not notice the extra weight
- Alfine hub gear is excellent, only 8 gears but 95% of the time that is enough but I love being able to change gear whenever I want
- disc brakes - OK so far but I bought them in case one day I need a really safe stop in an emergency which touch wood so far has not happened
- riding the bike has been really good, solid, quick and stable
- all the components are from abroad but final manufacture is in UK which probably adds to the price but I was willing to pay
Negative
- potential theft magnet, I ordered in black as the steel colour was just too good looking but I have noticed people admiring the bike so it does stick out a bit so you will need good locks
- hand grips are very basic and provide very little cushioning
- be careful about the size, ordinarily I would have ordered a medium size based on my height 5ft 8/173 cm's but in the shop a medium was too big for me so I ordered a small which was fine.
How puncture resistant the tyres are I do not know but I will probably upgrade the tyres to a more puncture resistant model before I find out.
I summary an excellent bike and highly recommended if you are careful about the size and are OK with the slightly extra weight and price
So far it has been excellent and I am very glad that I purchased it but see my comments below;
Good
- although slightly heavier then my previous bike (steel frame versus aluminum) it feels very solid on the road and I do not notice the extra weight
- Alfine hub gear is excellent, only 8 gears but 95% of the time that is enough but I love being able to change gear whenever I want
- disc brakes - OK so far but I bought them in case one day I need a really safe stop in an emergency which touch wood so far has not happened
- riding the bike has been really good, solid, quick and stable
- all the components are from abroad but final manufacture is in UK which probably adds to the price but I was willing to pay
Negative
- potential theft magnet, I ordered in black as the steel colour was just too good looking but I have noticed people admiring the bike so it does stick out a bit so you will need good locks
- hand grips are very basic and provide very little cushioning
- be careful about the size, ordinarily I would have ordered a medium size based on my height 5ft 8/173 cm's but in the shop a medium was too big for me so I ordered a small which was fine.
How puncture resistant the tyres are I do not know but I will probably upgrade the tyres to a more puncture resistant model before I find out.
I summary an excellent bike and highly recommended if you are careful about the size and are OK with the slightly extra weight and price
