Need advice on bikes and weights please

[Angela Fraser]

Hi there

I am looking to buy a new bike.
I want a hybrid bike but I need a lightweight one for the back of the car.

Can anyone advise on these bikes and weights please. I have looked through the net but can't get any answers.

Thanks
Ang

Raleigh Varsity Classic ladies
Viking Prelude black
Viking Paris
Ridgeback Avenida 1

All bikes are on the Bikes2U website

 

[vickster]

What's your budget? I think all of those will be weighty

 

[Widge]

I called at my LBS today and for no particular reason lifted a 'Stepthrough' hybrid the ones you list just to see how much they weighed.

I was flabbergasted! You'll need at least 2 people in the car to stop it tipping over backwards with one like the one I lifted on the back.

Having said that.....the 'Ridgeback' is the only one that makes a virtue of being made of aluminium...so might be the one to go for? Shame you can't get any specified weights. The ridgeback is also a singlespeed.

What is your budget and what do you want to use the bike for? These sorts of bikes are not really hybrids.....they are bottom dollar trundlers. Fine if you never intend to ride more than a mile or two on the flat...but there are plenty lighter and more versatile out there.

 

[AndyPeace]

A lot of manufacturers don't list bike weights as there are too many variables- like changes to the specs, frame size and manufacturing process. If you want a bike that you don't have to set up headset, gears and brakes on, I'd go to a shop not online.

 

[Widge]

Yup.........I don't mean to be disparaging. These sorts of bikes don't tend to advertise their weights!

They are (sort-of) what are known as 'Dutch-bikes'.......for the same sort of money you CAN get something closer to a 'Hybrid' (ie.....a loose amalgamation of a road and ATB) bike from the likes of Decathlon. £200 could buy you a lighter, traditionally connstructed diamond frame bike...with a healthy and useful assortment of gears and room for bags, baskets,racks and kickstands etc. It depends entirely on your aspirations. The bikes you list are really very limited in usefulness....but you may have very valid reasons for wanting one?

These tick more boxes whilst being broadly similar to the ones you post......and if you feel you would like to do a bit more than go to the shops twice a year.......http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-376962-hybrid-and-touring-bikes. For a few dollars more-the world is your oyster.....plenty of entry level mtb's and urban bikes/hybrids. Quality will cost that bit more 'though.

As Andy says....if you are not too sure what is going to best suit you...the internet is not the best place to make a speculative purchase. Your Local Bike Shop will point you in the right direction and ask you what you want to get out of your cycling.

HTH

w

 

[Angela Fraser]

Thanks all for your comments. My max budget is only £250 as I can't justify anything more just for me.

The 'Dutchie' style is what I like and especially where I live, I would be more of a relaxed cyclist. The reason for the lightweight bike, appart from carrying it on the car, is I will have a childs trailer on the back too.

All help is greatly appreciated. I was also looking at these bikes for weight purposes

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810713_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5166.html

Thanks

 

[Uncle_Fluffy]

I have the gents Carrera Crossfire 1 with an XL frame and it weighs approx 14.5kg.

If you intend to stay on roads, pavements, cycle tracks etc then I would recommend a change of tyres to a narrower commuter style tyre. That way you gain the full benefit of the larger wheels.

Both the bikes you linked to have suspension on the front which just adds weight as the suspension is of no use unless you go off road.

Ian.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Carrera Subways get good reviews £200 at Halfords 14.2KG's

 

[Cycleops]

If you are using it on fairly flat terrain with a trailer weight shouldn't be too much of a factor. Unless your car is a estate or quite large you will need to remove one or both wheels to put it inside. Sorry I have just noticed you say "on the car". Does this mean you will put it on a rack? I would endorse Uncle Fluffy's comments regarding front suspension, you don't need it. Also forget about mountain bikes, they usually weigh a ton at that price point. Your spec should be: narrow wheels and rigid forks.

 

[Angela Fraser]

Thanks for all your comments.

The Bike website got back to me with an approx for the Viking Paris at 16kg. Not sure if that's any good. I just don't want a heavy bike pulling a child trailer too.

I'll keep looking for a light rigid forks bike.

Thanks again for your help

 

[Pale Rider]

My max budget is only £250 as I can't justify anything more just for me.

Dreadful comment, of course you are worth more than that.

At £250 you are only just into proper bike territory.

Giving serious consideration to upping the budget by a hundred or two if you can, at this level that extra money will make a big difference.

 

[cyberknight]

Carrera Subways get good reviews £200 at Halfords 14.2KG's

I have a subway and for the money its a cracking bike, unless your off roading you do not need a suspension fork,stick some slick tyres on it and its pretty speedy as commuted 10 miles each way on one for over a year before i got a road bike .in fact i just bought the disc brake version for £280 via C2W as i missed my old bike so much.

 

[Boon 51]

Got to agree with Pale Rider by upping your budget you will get a better bike, but have you looked at second hand bikes from a local bike shop?