I thought this might benefit others, and I’ve stuck it here so its easier to find ... this is my own personal findings only, I am no pro rider ! It is not really a review as such, but rather a gut feeling on each bike.
I am 6' with a 32" inside leg ... and have always rode bmx, mtb, hybrids ... I've been riding for 32 years, and have had 15 pushbikes & 22 motorbikes ... and was looking for something slightly aggressive.
The problem for me, was sizing ... large was too big, and medium was normally too small ! Budget was up to £400, cheaper if possible. I wanted a basic bike with no frills & no more than 13kg in weight.
Originally I was looking for something with 26" wheels, cheap & cheerful. First up, Carrera Subway 1 20”. Go for the 09 spec, with trigger shifters / solid stem. Comfortable bike from the off
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_240399_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
Next was Giant Escape M2 in large ... good quality, comfortable, could have covered miles on it, but always found it too tall around the head tube area
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/uk/030.000.000/030.010.000.asp?year=2006&range=229
Marin Muirwoods 20.5" ... I could have easily bought this bike, solid, quality, good fit, but not a great price at the time, you could get an MO with hydros cheaper …
http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3814
Ridgeback Tempest in large. Originally I wanted to try the Cyclone, but it was out of stock … so tried the Tempest instead … instantly too big with a real long reach (no demo in medium, although they were adamant medium would have been too small) … The Tempest is a nice bike for cheap money though … if I was 6’3 it would be a bargain for £300 its now going for
http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/index.php?seriesID=42&bikeID=33
Marin Point Reyes 20.5”. Great fit again, way too much money, just wanted to try the same size in a different model.
http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3818
Specialized Sirrus … I looked at this twice, and I’m sure it’s a great bike, but for me the skinny wheels & too relaxed fit, with the up right position was not for me.
Next, Scott Sub in large … felt very similar to the Ridgeback, too big.
http://scottusa.com/us_en/product/1667/11789/sub_30
While I was in the Scott shop, I noticed a Sportster P3 in medium (has a suspension fork), and instantly felt at home … yes it has 700c wheels, but it fits ! Felt a touch heavy though.
http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/2419/11798/sportster_p3
Now started to look probably at 700c
Kona Dew small 54cm & medium 56cm, large 58, really wanted to like this bike, it was everything I wanted, but it just didn’t fit in any of the sizes, just wrong for me … shame though, great looking bike ... but very short / small / compact, particular the top tube ... watch cornering as you are likely to clip your feet ! Looks great in white
http://www.konaworld.com/09_dew_uk.cfm
Next, Felt QX 95 medium (52) What a bike ! … stunning looks, great ride, but too much money … it was in my local so I had to ride it. Very light, quality bike ... my local was doing it for £550, very tempted
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog-unitedkingdom/urban-alternative/cross-series/09-qx95-int.aspx
Felt QX 75 large (56) … same old story, too big.
Back to Scott for another ride on the Sportster P3 … and finally, I ordered a P6 … the version with the rigid fork … very few reviews on it, and the specs are only average to be honest, but it fits me well, & its cheap !! £280 total, with some quality £20 bar ends fitted for free.
http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/2419/11813/sportster_p6
So far the Scott guys have given stunning service, seriously, a credit to them ... will do a report on the P6 soon.
I would have liked to check the Trek’s really, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
Every manufacturer will measure & size differently … you will just have to try them out for yourself … enjoy !
I am 6' with a 32" inside leg ... and have always rode bmx, mtb, hybrids ... I've been riding for 32 years, and have had 15 pushbikes & 22 motorbikes ... and was looking for something slightly aggressive.
The problem for me, was sizing ... large was too big, and medium was normally too small ! Budget was up to £400, cheaper if possible. I wanted a basic bike with no frills & no more than 13kg in weight.
Originally I was looking for something with 26" wheels, cheap & cheerful. First up, Carrera Subway 1 20”. Go for the 09 spec, with trigger shifters / solid stem. Comfortable bike from the off
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_240399_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
Next was Giant Escape M2 in large ... good quality, comfortable, could have covered miles on it, but always found it too tall around the head tube area
http://archive.giant-bicycles.com/uk/030.000.000/030.010.000.asp?year=2006&range=229
Marin Muirwoods 20.5" ... I could have easily bought this bike, solid, quality, good fit, but not a great price at the time, you could get an MO with hydros cheaper …
http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3814
Ridgeback Tempest in large. Originally I wanted to try the Cyclone, but it was out of stock … so tried the Tempest instead … instantly too big with a real long reach (no demo in medium, although they were adamant medium would have been too small) … The Tempest is a nice bike for cheap money though … if I was 6’3 it would be a bargain for £300 its now going for
http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/index.php?seriesID=42&bikeID=33
Marin Point Reyes 20.5”. Great fit again, way too much money, just wanted to try the same size in a different model.
http://www.marin.co.uk/2008/bikedetail.php?ModNo=3818
Specialized Sirrus … I looked at this twice, and I’m sure it’s a great bike, but for me the skinny wheels & too relaxed fit, with the up right position was not for me.
Next, Scott Sub in large … felt very similar to the Ridgeback, too big.
http://scottusa.com/us_en/product/1667/11789/sub_30
While I was in the Scott shop, I noticed a Sportster P3 in medium (has a suspension fork), and instantly felt at home … yes it has 700c wheels, but it fits ! Felt a touch heavy though.
http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/2419/11798/sportster_p3
Now started to look probably at 700c
Kona Dew small 54cm & medium 56cm, large 58, really wanted to like this bike, it was everything I wanted, but it just didn’t fit in any of the sizes, just wrong for me … shame though, great looking bike ... but very short / small / compact, particular the top tube ... watch cornering as you are likely to clip your feet ! Looks great in white
http://www.konaworld.com/09_dew_uk.cfm
Next, Felt QX 95 medium (52) What a bike ! … stunning looks, great ride, but too much money … it was in my local so I had to ride it. Very light, quality bike ... my local was doing it for £550, very tempted
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog-unitedkingdom/urban-alternative/cross-series/09-qx95-int.aspx
Felt QX 75 large (56) … same old story, too big.
Back to Scott for another ride on the Sportster P3 … and finally, I ordered a P6 … the version with the rigid fork … very few reviews on it, and the specs are only average to be honest, but it fits me well, & its cheap !! £280 total, with some quality £20 bar ends fitted for free.
http://scottusa.com/gb_en/product/2419/11813/sportster_p6
So far the Scott guys have given stunning service, seriously, a credit to them ... will do a report on the P6 soon.
I would have liked to check the Trek’s really, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
Every manufacturer will measure & size differently … you will just have to try them out for yourself … enjoy !