FINALLY.....I got my tourer!!!

[dynamick]

Hi All!

After many months of waiting and many indecisions on my part, after almost buying a bicycle (Specialised Tricross) that I didn't really want.......I held firm and took some good advice from some friendly CycleChat forum members and waited for the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative to open their shop in Sheffield....which they did yesterday and I was there with my 15% off!

Firstly.....the customer service was amazing, the manager was a top bloke - helping the new staff where he needed to and the guy who dealt with me (Dan) was an absolute star. After giving them some ID, I took two tourers out for a good old test ride round and about the shop (big industrial estate and not much traffic!)

The first bike (The Revolutionary Country Traveller '10) £499 was the first drop bar bike I've ever ridden (current bike a Giant Boulder). Quite scary at first getting used to the gear shift and brake position, let alone the ride position...almost fell off in the car park! LOL Well it was a cracking ride, lovely and smooth and nippy up the little hills I managed to find, good gear changing, breaks nice and responsive and just felt really well put together.

The second bike (The Revolutionary Country Explorer '10) £649 similar to the Traveller but steel frame, posher saddle, disc brakes and sora shifters and a different gear setup...was the bike I really wanted. I took that for a ride out, the disc brakes scared me to death, really didn't get on with them that well and made a bit of a whooshing sound (which apparently would wear off after a good ride) but it just didn't do it for me the same way as the Traveller. The gears felt a bit clunky and I didn't feel at home on it.

The lad in the shop knew exactly which one I was going to go for....he said the smile wasn't quite as wide on my return to the shop after the second test ride.

Anyway.....The Country Traveller, set of decent panniers, cycling shorts, underseat bag/tool box, water carrier, gloves, lights etc...all to be delivered this Friday direct from EBC in Edinburgh....all in £530 after my 15% discount....and I'm sure if I'd gone for a well known brand of tourer of similar build....I'd have paid £1k + more for the add-on stuff.

If anyone hasn't been to an EBC shop or seen their website, great quality stuff and great range....they stock "named" brands....but I tell you what....their own brand stuff is top notch and their customer service is excellent......might go back next week as they've got some tasty riding jerseys too (although I'm tempted with a Foska Marmite one! )

Sorry for the long winded post but can you tell I'm buzzing?? I can't wait to take it out for a little run in over the weekend, nothing too daft, just get used to the bike and point it up a couple of hills (surrounded by them here!!)

(also posted this in the tourer thread under the "Revolution Country Bike thread)

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Congratulations on finding your ideal bike. Enjoy your touring.

 

[Dayvo]

Sounds like you have found 'the one'!

Hope you have many happy days of cycle touring.

 

[Muddyfox]

Congratulations Dynamick ...

A new bike is a great feeling is'nt it

Simon

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Know what you mean about the gears on the Explorer being a little "clunky", though they suit me and my "relaxed" style of cycling. I was tempted too by the traveller, seemed a VERY competent bike for the price.

Well done for waiting it out, seems with the discount you got a super deal

Can't wait for Thursday when the shop is open late so I can go over the road and have a look around...only thing is that I am a little tempted by the courier singlespeed so it might be dangerous

They haven't sent me my voucher link yet though

 

[Stephen-D]

Awesome mate, its great when you get good service you can trust and you were actually able to ride out on your chosen bike first so that you could make your mind up which is a must do for choosing the right bike. how about some pictures to make us all jealous??

 

[dynamick]

Know what you mean about the gears on the Explorer being a little "clunky", though they suit me and my "relaxed" style of cycling. I was tempted too by the traveller, seemed a VERY competent bike for the price.

Well done for waiting it out, seems with the discount you got a super deal

Can't wait for Thursday so I can go over the road and have a look around...only thing is that I am a little tempted by the courier singlespeed so it might be dangerous

They haven't sent me my voucher link yet though

Hi Mate!

They didn't send me the voucher either - but I rang head office up and with me (and I'm guessing you also) being registered online......you can go and just give them your postcode and details etc....and you're sorted.

The singlespeed looked great.....the one bike that looked supreme (as a new line for them) was the road bike (continental I think it was called)...serious piece of kit and the carbon option looks nifty too....waaaay too quick for me though! LOL

The gears on the Explorer were ok....just I don't think they were set right (they were going to have a look at it as they'd literally just opened about 5 minutes before I got there!)....I think they've upgraded the Traveller from last year...and the lad who sold me the bike (Dan) said the frame on the Traveller was a good one rebadged....and they've now got a reynolds frame on the Explorer!

It's a great shop, big and lots of stuff in.....like an aladdins cave!!

Thanks so much for your advice mate, along with Bauldbairn - I could have been stuck with a bike I didn't want for double the price!!!!

 

[dynamick]

Awesome mate, its great when you get good service you can trust and you were actually able to ride out on your chosen bike first so that you could make your mind up which is a must do for choosing the right bike. how about some pictures to make us all jealous??

I'm getting delivery of the bike on Friday Stephen.......so I've promised a good few people shots of it and I'll be sure to post some on here.

It'll be weird (but in a good way) not riding my Giant Boulder....ridden that bike just about into the ground...and it's done me proud...onwards and upwards (but I'll keep it for a winter snow bike!)

 

[wafflycat]

Congrats on the new bike.

 

[Stephenite]

Congratulations!

I found the EBC in Manchester was great too.

 

[betty swollocks]

I love to read stories of people getting new bikes: it's so exciting!
Enjoy your first ride and all the many others I hope.

 

[dynamick]

I've posted some photos in my albums after my bike arrived today. I've taken it out for 4 test runs (only a few miles in reality) but wow......what an absolutely wonderful feeling it was - I suppose it's like when someone gets a new car (which I won't as I don't drive).....you want to tell everyone, anyone and I HAVE!!! LOL

Seriously though, EBC have really done me proud both at the shop and in the construction of this bike.....first class all round (apart from me ordering the wrong rear light!!!)

I LOVE MY BIKE!!!!

 

[HLaB]

Sounds Good

 

[bauldbairn]

Thanks so much for your advice mate, along with Bauldbairn - I could have been stuck with a bike I didn't want for double the price!!!!

No problem! Glad to hear you like your new bike....and EBC.

A lot of the accessories in EBC are made by brand names and rebadged Revolution(EBC own brand). Vaude make their panniers and backpacks and some of their other stuff is "Topeak(I think)," so is worth considering.

The new "Continental Sport" is certainly worth a look at too! I've put off my purchase of a new bike until I can get through to Edinburgh to see it in the flesh. I've already got one Revolution bike and had no problem with it at all - just fancied a change.

Remember to take your "Traveller" back for it's free six week tune up, before you do a Mark Beaumont(and tour the world). -

 

[Keith Oates]

Looks good in the photos, dynamick. I'm sure there are many happy miles ahead for you and that steed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!