Much needed advice

[odessouky]

Cheers everyone.

This is my very first post, so please go easy on me.

I am in the process of buying a bike. It will be mainly for a daily 5 mile commute to work and back, which will be on roads, and on weekends for some off road cycle path riding.

This will be my very first bike I own, so I am totally clueless. I lived in Italy for a year, and rode there regularly, but on a friend's bike.

I have to go to work dressed formally, sometimes even a suit. Speed is not essential. What is essential is comfort and good quality.

I live in YORK, and I tried a few bikes at my LBSs, and I was given good advice, however i need to get some feedback from all the gurus here

I think what suits me best is the Hybrids. I have narrowed down my search to a few ones, but my major dilemma is the quality of the brands I can afford, and the comfort of the ride:

I tried out the following:

Claud Butler Classic: Very comfortable seat, but was surprised at how clumsy the gear change was. The chain is covered, and the mudguards will protect my clothes. Bike doesn't look really good, but practical, I think.

Claud Butler Urban: Looks better, but after a 10 minute ride, my bottom really hurt, and I felt my back a little strained. I think I will not be able to handle those thin sporty seats. Smoother gears than the classic, but still quiet clumsy. Brakes not so good. No chain cover or mudguards. Not practical for commuting IMHO.

Dawes Graduate: Will try tomorrow. Looks very classic. Everything is sealed, so very good for riding to work in a suit. Hub gears, only seven, which I think is easier for me. Lifted the bike, felt like a ton! Very very heavy!

Specialized Sirrus: Looks beautiful. Will test drive tomorrow. Think will have to change the seat.

Ridgeback Velocity: Like Sirrus. Looks very good and fast. Test drive tomorrow.

Cannondales: 2 models with hub gears. Salesman says its best suited for me. They look like dutch bikes, with comfortable wide seats, upright position, but very expensive for me: £700+!!


Basically, I'm in a real dilemma and need advice. Obviously for a novice like me, the dutch look alike bikes will suit my purposes more, but i don’t know if Claud Butler or Dawes will be good buys? They felt quiet poor quality to me? Am I wrong?

Also, would buying a basic Specialized Sirrus or Ridgeback and fitting with mudguards and comfy seat be a better buy?

I am willing to go up to £400.

Many thanks, and sorry for the stupid questions. I'm totally clueless here!!

 

[Globalti]

Good morning and welcome.

I have no knowledge of the bikes you list but you are certainly doing the right thing by testing them all and not falling in love with the first one you ride. The difference will be clear and one of them is sitting there with your name on it!

FWIW if I were you I'd go for a nice fast lightweight hybrid and make sure the shop fits a saddle I like.

 

[Steve Austin]

I would go for the sirrus. There is a reason you see loads of them on the roads. they are a cracking good deal for what they are.

 

[The Jogger]

sirrus is a brilliant bike on the road. the seat is a lot more comfy than it looks, honest , I have one.

 

[Sittingduck]

Specialized for the win!
Also made a close inspection of the RB Velocity in my LBS (researching for a friend) and it's a nice bike for the price - could do a lot worse.

Cheers
SD

 

[odessouky]

Thank you all for your input....

mmm....it seems its unanimous....eveyone seems to recommend the Sirrus...

I will have to try it today. My LBS has the basic one in store for me to try...but if I decide to buy, can order any of the Sirrus's

So...is the basic one the one to go for? Last I checked there are:

09 SIRRUS PRO
£1,663.82
09 SIRRUS EXPERT
£831.91
09 SIRRUS COMP
£685.10
09 SIRRUS ELITE
£538.29
09 SIRRUS SPORT
£391.48
09 SIRRUS £293.61

Ridgeback Rapide Velocity 349.99

I'd rather not exceed £400

So, WHICH ONE?


When I ride to work, is it a given that I will soil my trousers on these bikes?

Or can I avoid that?

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[wilko]

I would recommend the Sirrus Sport. I have one and it's a cracking bike. The seat is more comfortable than it looks and you can fit mudguards. No need to mess your trousers up, you could wear cycle clips, a bit old fashioned perhaps, but do the job, or just tuck 'em into your socks. Have a test ride I'm sure you will be impressed.

 

[peanut]

get a sirrus.....simples

 

[Sittingduck]

When I ride to work, is it a given that I will soil my trousers on these bikes

Only if you fly down a hill and realise the brakes haven't been setup correctly

I think any of the Sirrus' will be a fine servant. Do you have secure parking at work or will you have to lock it up on the street?

Cheers,
SD

 

[odessouky]

Only if you fly down a hill and realise the brakes haven't been setup correctly

I think any of the Sirrus' will be a fine servant. Do you have secure parking at work or will you have to lock it up on the street?

Cheers,
SD

I work at York Hospital. It seems there are loads of bays for parking bikes.

 

[Sittingduck]

Remember to budget for a decent lock and lights, etc. The spending on the bike itself is only the beginning

Anyway - good luck with it and let us know how you get on.
SD

 

[just4fun]

thats a really good point and you can easily spent over £100 on mudgaurds,lights, locks, a bottle and decent cycle shorts.

 

[montage]

Remember to tuck your suit trousers into your sock or have an elastic band so that it doesn't catch on the chain

 

[odessouky]

get a sirrus.....simples

So which Sirrus then?

Went to the LBS, and the sale man recommends the second one up: the Sport...which is £100 over the basic Sirrus..

Is the £100 premium worth it over the basic Sirrus?

 

[peanut]

So which Sirrus then?

Went to the LBS, and the sale man recommends the second one up: the Sport...which is £100 over the basic Sirrus..

Is the £100 premium worth it over the basic Sirrus?

well I typed a lengthly response with reasoned argument and advice which was promptly ignored so I just edited my post to a nice simple one liner .
At this price level to be honest its all rubbish. Knowing what I now know about bikes I'd always recommend buying used for a first bike.
You'll get twice the value for money with no depreciation and you would probably get the same price back on selling it a year later. But heck what do I know