Choice of Three

[Beelzebub]

Further to my earlier thread in this forum, where I received some excellent help from vickster, I've read some more content on this fab site and have now reached the point where I can't decide between 3 bikes.

A c2w scheme, and an eagerness to get started mean I'll be buying the bike from Halfords. I've already made arrangements with LBS to have the bike thoroughly checked immediately after purchase for a reasonable fee and I promise I'll go there for parts

So the choice is:

Carrera Gryphon Disc Spec £300
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534

Carrera Subway ltd Edition £ 225
http://www.halfords....yId_165534#dtab

Carrera Subway 2 £280
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534

I'm 100% sure Hybrid is the way I want go for now, so I'd really appreciate it if you could just give me a one word answer - Gryphon, Two Or Ltd. If you're feeling really kind, a brief reason why your choice is better would be very much appreciated.

Thanks again to everybody for making this site such an informative place for a new starter.

 

[Beelzebub]

added a poll, if I may be so bold

 

[PaulSecteur]

Gryphon.

Because it the most like a road bike, but if you intend to do trails then get a subway.

 

[Beelzebub]

Thanks for the reply, Paul.

Will a Gryphon handle anything off-road? For example a canal towpath, a dedicated cycle path, or even a footpath through a park?

 

[Beelzebub]

I can see this was HUGE hit. Thanks guys, I'll try another forum.

500+ online, so save the excuses.

 

[ACS]

I can see this was HUGE hit. Thanks guys, I'll try another forum.

500+ online, so save the excuses.

71 minutes.

Patience not one of your strong points then?

Bye

 

[vickster]

Oh dear, you only posted about an hour ago!!

I don't actually know anything about the bikes per se, but the recommendation is always to go sit on them, test the weight, look at the components and (if Halfords allow) have a test ride. Weight is always the most important thing for me to be honest (being pretty heavy the less bike weight I have to drag up a hill as well as me the better )

This thread is running too

http://www.cyclechat...pinions-please/

Also, I reckon if you search on Carrera, Subway or similar a load more stuff will come up

 

[Beelzebub]

Maybe I'm impatient. There seems to be enough traffic on this forum to warrant more than one reply in an hour.

Sorry if I appear eager, but I'm just dying to get into it.

Oh, and vickster was the only one who could be bothered to summon up enough effort to post in my first thread.

So, more a forum for spec-snobs than newbies then?

 

[vickster]

It is beginning to look like I need to get a life

Personally, I'd go for the lightest bike with more gears and the right type of tyres for the terrain you will be riding...no idea what the spec stuff is all about to be fair If mainly road, then go for slimmer smoother tyres, if rough, parks, paths, grass etc the fatter ones. If you are unfamiliar with riding and a bit nervous, get fatter tyres - you can always swap for thinner ones when confident to get more speed up. If you start skinny and want fatter, it can be quite hard to increase size as there may not be space

I certainly wouldn't bother with suspension at that price point (or for anything other than an MTB really)

 

[ACS]

Maybe I'm impatient. There seems to be enough traffic on this forum to warrant more than one reply in an hour.

Sorry if I appear eager, but I'm just dying to get into it.

During the early evening a lot of contributors dip in and out of the forum sometimes it can be very busy other times a bit steady.

It would be really useful to know what you are going to use the bike for, fitness, commuting, on road, off road, track, trail etc.

A little bit of background can make a substantial difference when others are offering any opinion.

It will happen and we commend your enthusiasm.

<quote>So, more a forum for spec-snobs than newbies then?</quote> NO. Every type of rider is welcome on this forum regardless of what aspect of the sport they enjoy the cost, type and age of their bike(s) is totally irrelevant.

 

[Garz]

The gryphon is good but for me the LTD edition edged it.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Thanks for the reply, Paul.

Will a Gryphon handle anything off-road? For example a canal towpath, a dedicated cycle path, or even a footpath through a park?

Just based on my opinion, not experience, I woud say that footpaths through parks, and tow paths will all be fine. The only problem you might get is when the tow path turns to a mud track as the tyres look smooth. Might be worth looking at 32mm with a bit of a nobble on them when the originals wear out.

If you take a bike like this off smooth surfaces be prepared to take your weight on your pedels and let the bike pivot under you when you come across a bumpy section, a bit of mechanical sympathy goes a long way.

 

[NormanD]

Subway LTD .. you can't go wrong, it'll do everything you want and you'll save a few quid (over the gryphon) to buy a decent camelbak for longer rides

 

[WychwoodTrev]

I have gone for subway ltd as its the only one on the list I have ridden. But I would claify this as a mtb

 

[fimm]

I've voted for the gryphon and if it was me I would take the package that adds the mudguards. One thing that crossed my mind while I was having a look is, do you want to put panniers on the bike (or do you think you might want to in the future)? If so, you will want a bike that can take them - some of the specs mention this but not all of them do.