Decisions, decisions... Which bike, please?

[JimmyHill]

Hello Forum

My trusty old Claud Butler has served me well for the past 30 years. But now I'm in my 50's and finding new joys in cycling... for fitness and for touring/camping. So, I'm hankering for something new.

And this is what's taken my fancy so far:

• Dawes Clubman: http://www.dawescycles.com/p-395-clubman.aspx
• Specialized TriCross: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-2011-road-bike-ec025019
• Marin Fairfax: http://www.marin.co.uk/2011/bikepage.php?ModNo=11FF

I realise they are quite different, but that sort of sums up how unsure I am about what to go for. Currently I ride daily for fitness and I'm covering 100miles a week (around lanes in North Norfolk), which I do set against myself (using Cyclemeter) - I also like to pack the panniers and tent etc every few weeks and go jaunting, sometimes along rough track (nothing hardcore, mind you)... So something that'll whizz around the lanes, but won't buckle with bags attached, please.

I'd very much welcome any thoughts, additions, observations...

Thank you kindly,
Jon

 

[smokeysmoo]

I can't comment on your 1st and 3rd options, but if a CX bike such as the Spesh Tri Cross takes your fancy, I'd strongly recommend having a look at the Focus Mares range of CX bikes HERE

Unless you got a really good deal one of the mainstream manufacturers such as Specialized, no-one can touch Focus bikes for value for money.

I've got a Mares AX1.0. I paid under £1k, and for componentry it far outweighs the competition from Scott, Specialzed, Giant etc at the same price point.

Factor in 30 day test rides and you can't go wrong.

Of course, if you decide on the tourer option, ignore everythig I've said

 

[JimmyHill]

I can't comment on your 1st and 3rd options, but if a CX bike such as the Spesh Tri Cross takes your fancy, I'd strongly recommend having a look at the Focus Mares range of CX bikes HERE
Factor in 30 day test rides and you can't go wrong.

Thanks, looks good and added to the possibilities.
hmmm... '30 day test rides'? What's that? Do you mean that I should get my hands on a machine, somehow, for 30 days?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks, looks good and added to the possibilities.
hmmm... '30 day test rides'? What's that? Do you mean that I should get my hands on a machine, somehow, for 30 days?

Wiggle offer 30 day test rides on Focus bikes, details HERE
In an nutshell, you buy the bike, but if you don't like it you send it back

A further advantage of this is they regularly sell 'ex-demo' bikes, these are often bikes that have come back, or have been used for press demos etc, they are fully checked and offered with the same warranty as a spanking new one.

They've no ex-demo Mares currently, but you can check what they have got HERE

 

[JimmyHill]

That's Brilliant! Thank you so much, I'd never have known that...

Wiggle offer 30 day test rides on Focus bikes, details HERE
In an nutshell, you buy the bike, but if you don't like it you send it back

A further advantage of this is they regularly sell 'ex-demo' bikes, these are often bikes that have come back, or have been used for press demos etc, they are fully checked and offered with the same warranty as a spanking new one.

They've no ex-demo Mares currently, but you can check what they have got HERE

 

[smokeysmoo]

No worries Jon,. I guess your discovering how mind boggling the array of bikes is nowadays

There's obviously no substitute for actually trying a bike for size, this is probably why Wiggle offer the 30 day tests. You can of course trawl round bike shops trying bikes and gauging what frame size suits in the type of bike you fancy, then just use this to place an informed online order.
When you actually order a bike from Wiggle you have to input your height and inseam measurements as well. All 3 bikes I've had from them have come set up perfectly for me

 

[JimmyHill]

No worries Jon,. I guess your discovering how mind boggling the array of bikes is nowadays

Mind-Boggling indeed... I guess you just have to trust the gut feeling at some stage and jump in. But the vast selection doesn't make it easy for indecisives like me.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Heres my Mares AX1.0

It's a cracking ride. I've swopped the tyres to Schwalbe Marathons for commuting, but with the original Nobbly Nics on this bike will go almost anywhere.