Seeking Reassurance on my shortlist..

[pad]

Hi guys, I joined recently and I've been lurking a bit...

I'd like to ask your advice about my shortlist..

I'm looking for an urban/hybrid for commuting and road cycling to improve my fitness having realised that the time in the car is dead time that could be fitness time if I ride. I used to cycle a lot but got out of the habit when my Peugeot tourer wore out after three years at university in London and another seven years commuting around Birmingham and Manchester. I am choosing to blame my gut on stopping cycling is one of the reasons I'd like to start again.. I really loved my Peugeot, even though it was heavy and the MTB tyres weren't idea for roads, and I'm looking for a new bike that will last me as well ..

After a lot of umming and ahhing I have finally narrowed my choice of new bike down to a Cannondale Bady Boy 700, a Trek Soho 3.0 or a Scott Sportster P45.

My heart lies with the Cannondale, although I need some more test rides before I finally choose.. but the other two seem good solid bikes too. I'm very taken by the Cannondale's looks but for the amount of money I'm considering spending I just want to feel like I'm doing the right thing.. My second choice is the Trek I think..

My commute at the moment is 12.5 miles each way and on my current generic mountain bike it takes two hours there and an hour and a half back (Manchester to Bury and back again).. Bury is much higher than Manchester, which is why it's quicker back) but the inclines on the route are long climbs, it's not too steep. I have always made good use of the 21 gears on my MTB, so I'm looking for a bike with plenty of gears. I'm hoping that with a new bike I can cut the time down a bit, the journey times aren't every day practical yet, but I'm sure I can shorten them with a new bike..

I'm keen on skinnier tyres too .. my Peugeot tyres had solid rims for road cycling and they made a big difference that's missing from my current bike. I think I'm too big (19st) for a road bike and I don't find them particularly comfortable at the moment, my back grumbles and my gut gets in the way a bit (sad but true).. so that's why I'm looking at hybrids..

The final consideration is disc brakes, which the guys at Evans told me might be more appropriate given Manchester's wet weather and the hilly route, stopping a big bloke more efficiently - nice but not vital they said .. but from my point of view they are also an advantage because I'm not that good at adjusting brakes, it always takes ages which makes changing the wheels less practical - I know with some of the hybrids you can fit chunkier wheels if you want to go more off road..

Ultimately, I just need to check the three out again, make a choice and get it ordered!! but as I said, for quite a lot of money I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing..

What I actually wanted to ask is if anyone has any strong opinions about my shortlist .. If I choose from one of those three will it be a decent choice.. I'd really like not to have to extend my shortlist (again!) but if you think they are rubbish choices I'd like to know..

thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post..

pad.

 

[Tynan]

you're not too big for a road bike, I'd say get one for that mileage, consider something more audaxey if you want an easier ride, you are going to lose weight if you ride 25 miles a day

I had a £500 Cannondale Adventure one a while back and it was a lovely bike, I liked the disc brakes but regular brakes are fine, really, and you'll be looking after a bike doing those miles, a modern and new bike will be far easier to maintain

can't help beyond that, sorry

 

[ed_o_brain]

Pad,

Nice to meet you. I know someone who does a similar commute to you each day, from Bury to near Rusholme at least anyway.

Firstly, lets take a look at your MTB. If I wanted a commute bike, I think my starting point would be a good old steel framed MTB without any suspension. I find Alu frames can be harsh. It certain was true of my Trek Soho S which I had up until a couple of months ago before some tea leaf relieved me of it.

I can see you are leaning toward disc brakes by your short list, but at that price point, I really don't think they make that much difference. A decent set of V brakes will give you all the stopping power you need. I think on road, discs are a fine idea in principle but it's harder to see when they are worn down, the pads are expensive and rotors aren't cheap to replace either when they have worn out. They did sound attractive to me as you didn't have to replace worn out rims, but the extra costs involved aren't convincing me. I'm sure someone else will be along to comment more on this aspect shortly.

Of the bikes you have chosen, the only significant difference I can pick between them, is that the Scott has suspension, which really for an on road commute is unnecessary. However, if you are going to tackle trails at weekends, you will appreciate them.

I can't see much in it between the specification of the Cannondale and the Trek, except to say the Trek has better mechs/shifters and an extra cog on the back but the cannondale is better looking!

The trek appears to be specced with an aluminum fork. Cro-mo or carbon fibre would be much better for comfort. It's not clear to me from the specifications I ahve seen what the fork on the Canondale is made from. If it wasn't aluminium, that would swing it for me.

I think I would be looking at a Specialized Sirrus Elite or Comp. 2008 models are discounted now. The Elite comes with carbon fork and the Comp also with carbon rear stays which will make it more comfy. Both have mudguard clearances and the Elite should take a rack, but I can't see whether you would be able to mount one on the Comp.

There are plenty of other alternatives to, from Felt, GT, Kona. Have a good look around. Take your time. Suggest you try Harry Hall's cycles, near Oxford Road Station, Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme (Dickenson Avenue I think) and GBH Custom Hacks in the Northern Quarter. Even take your old bike to GBH and see what they can do for you in terms of making it more suitable for your commute!

Good luck.

 

[Scoosh]

pad and good to hear from you !

I agree with Tynan would add that:
1. you are not to big for a road bike
2. for that sort of distance, a road bike would be so-o-o much faster
3. there are plenty of comfortable road bikes available - the audax/sportive bike is the sort of thing to look out for
4. you will lose weight and therefore go up hill and down dale much easier and quicker
5. a triple chainset should see you up any hills on the way
6. something like a Giant SCR3 or the equivalent from Trek, Spesh etc are well worth a look. (Giant are changing their range at present, so some good deals should be forthcoming)
7. if you are going the hybrid route, Spesh Sirrus always gets a good report on this forum
8. I guess it all comes down to £££ (as usual )
9. take your time and try before you buy

HTH

 

[Priscilla Parsley]

Pad,

Suggest you try Harry Hall's cycles, near Oxford Road Station, Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme (Dickenson Avenue I think)

its Dickenson Rd

I agree with this, I have been shopping around at the moment too and I found Evans quite disapointing in terms of service, the bicycle doctor is really friendly and spend time with you as do Harry Halls but they do have a bigger selection.

I think you should get a road bike too, that is a decent commute and once your into it I reckon you will start wishing you had got one.

take care

 

[ed_o_brain]

Pad,

I've got a large hybrid in my loft (I forgot about it.. it's too big for me).

It's a Spesh Crossroads. It's on the trekking end of Hybrid. Your welcome to try it. It might give you some ideas.

Best thing is to go around the shops. Keep an open mind. Don't get sucked in on a deal until you are sure.

Regards
Ed

 

[pad]

Well thanks for taking the time to respond everyone .. I have decided to hold of for the moment and go and have a look at some road bikes at the weekend. I am coming to the conclusion that I may well buy two bikes in the end, a hybrid for trotting around town and a road bike for longer journies.

I had to go to Buxton on business last Friday and I came back on Saturday morning up through the hills and via Macclesfield. I was struck by the number of cyclists I saw up there and they were all on road bikes..

I had been thinking about a hybrid partly because I do mostly travel around town, partly because of my weight and partly because although my commute is 13 miiles each way at the moment, we're due to move offices soon, after which it will be 8-10 miles each way on much flatter terrain. I can do that quite easily on my MTB, especially if I fitted some thinner tyres but to be honest I want to treat myself!! I just want to make sure I don't waste my money..

It's easy to forget how close Manchester is to some seriously challenging country roads and I'd love to be able to go and ride some of them.. I have been reading a lot and gave it a lot of thought and if a road bike can take my weight it would be a better option for the longer journies; and from what I have read it seems that riding a road bike around town is preferable to riding a hybrid up in the hills.. so it's back to the bike shops to have a good nosey around to see what's what..

From my first look around I was thinking that something like a Specialized Allez 27 would be a decent choice? (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-27-2008-road-bike-ec001389) or perhaps a Scott Speedster S60 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/speedster-s60-24-speed-2009-road-bike-ec016351) although I'm just musing at the moment, I'm not going to choose anything until I can go and try some.

Anyway, thanks again for your time and comments - I appreciate it.

pad.