Claude Butler Question

[Freelander]

Hi All

Her in doors and I are returning to the hobby after a few years break, we both have Claude Butler mountain bikes but these are 20 years old and showing it. We are looking at hybrids to update them and like the look of the CB Urban Range. The wife is going for the ladies Urban 200, dedicated ladies cycle and available in 15” frame ( she’s only little.)

I am torn between the Urban 200 and 300 in a 18” Frame. I have negotiated a price difference of £50 between the two. As we will be doing mainly road and light track in the local area what are the views as to the choice and is the extra cash for the Urban 300 justified ?

Thanks for the anticipated help

Ian

 

[gbb]

Hi Freelander, and welcome.

200 or 300 ?
The only noticeable difference between the two is..
200 is 7 speed (total of 21 gears)
300 is 8 speed (total of 24)

Obviously more range on the 300

But then, the front chainwheels on the 200 are 28/38/48...better gears if you want to move at a reasonable pace and have the fitness to push along.

The 300 has 22/32/42, which could be better if you're spending more time on tracks etc, or if your fitness is low, or you just want to potter along.

The only other point worth mentioning are the wheels. The wheels 'look' better on the 300. Will they be more durable ? Who knows.

I think you'd find the 200 may be a faster bike because of the front chainwheels. Difficult to be sure because they dont state what rear cassette is fitted to either bike.

Hope that helps

 

[RedBike]

If the 200 is 7 speed it is likely to have a freewheel not a cassette. As freewheels rarely have small sprockets (they don't fit!) larger chainrings are needed to compensate.

I doubt the 200 is any quicker.

As we will be doing mainly road and light track in the local area what are the views

I wouldn't want a suspension fork.

 

[gbb]

If the 200 is 7 speed it is likely to have a freewheel not a cassette. As freewheels rarely have small sprockets (they don't fit!) larger chainrings are needed to compensate.

I doubt the 200 is any quicker.

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I wouldn't want a suspension fork.

Good point.
The best way of knowing is to ask your LBS (if thats where you're buying from Freelander) for a test ride of both.
Pay attention to how fast you have to pedal to maintain a 'normal speed' on each bike.
You might (only might) find one will have you pedalling like the clappers to maintain a reasonable speed.... and even then, you may not be bothered anyway.
I suspect it won't be such an issue for you either way. It only seems important to me because i want to go as far as i can, as fast as i can. The correct gearing is then important. If you're just pottering and leisure riding, it shouldnt be an issue anyway.

 

[Scoosh]

I wouldn't want a suspension fork.

+1
Front suspension on lower cost bikes is not worth it - it adds weight, without any real comfort benefit. It "looks good" - but isn't really.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

I have the Urban 100 (2007 model), and I've ridden it to work for the last year or so. Obviously it's cheaper then the other ones, but for £200 it's not too bad. It is pretty heavy but I've found it reliable. I did break the rear axle a little while back but then I do go over an awful lot of speedbumps on my commute and I rarely slow down for 'em.

If I was to buy another hybrid now, I'd probably pay a little more and go for something like the Specialized Sirrus.

 

[spandex]

where do you live?

 

[Smokin Joe]

Personally I'd buy the best that you can afford.

Much more fun to buy the best you can't afford

 

[Ivan Ardon]

I had an Urban 300. Far nicer components than the 200 well worth the extra £50. Nothing broke, nothing fell off. The only low-rent bit of the bike was the tyres that it came with had weak sidewalls with next to no p* resistance, but these are easily changed.

BUT.....

The bike was ruined by the front suspension, making it far heavier than it needed to be, and energy sapping up hills.

I took the loss, and sold it on. Knowing what I do now, I should have bought the 100 or the 500 to get the rigid fork.

Or better still buy the EBC Courier Race that I bought to replace the CB which is a much better bike.

 

[Freelander]

Hi All

Thanks for all the advice I have arranged to try both of the bikes here in Peterborough on Saturday plus a couple of others and I suppose a head to head is the best test but all your points have given me a lot to consider.

A friend of mine has just completed O'Groats to Land's end on a six year old Urban 300 and loved it

Regards

Ian

 

[gbb]

Hi All

Thanks for all the advice I have arranged to try both of the bikes here in Peterborough on Saturday plus a couple of others and I suppose a head to head is the best test but all your points have given me a lot to consider.

A friend of mine has just completed O'Groats to Land's end on a six year old Urban 300 and loved it

Regards

Ian

Hi again Freelander.
I assume if you're coming to Peterborough, are you going to Terry Wrights or Bristows...both very good LBSs.

 

[Freelander]

Hi gbb

Pell and Parker at Newborough/Peakirk

They are a wholesaler open to the public, have always received good advice and service in the past and they are alot cheaper

Regards

Ian

 

[gbb]

Hi gbb

Pell and Parker at Newborough/Peakirk

They are a wholesaler open to the public, have always received good advice and service in the past and they are alot cheaper

Regards

Ian

I'd forgotten about them. A friend has brought two bikes from them in the past (both Claud Butlers funnily enough). He had no problems with either.

 

[Mr Creosote]

Other than the fact that you already have CB bikes, is there any other reason for sticking with them?

I had short listed CB Urban 500 recently along with the Trek 7.5 FX and the 7500. After test riding the bikes I have decided to go for the Trek 7.5 FX. It may be a little outside your budget but they also do cheaper bikes in the range.