Standard Question - "Which bike?" but have a shortlist!

[debk123]

Hi everyone,

Here I am, bashfully asking the same questions as everyone else, but tailoring the request around fairly specific requirements which I hope will be helpful to those potential advisors...

I want a bike primarily for my (very) short 2 mile commute to hospital every day. I’d like to think that once I’ve got it I’ll be using it for other longer journeys and for leisure riding too e.g. parks/canal paths.

I want a ladies style frame, hybrid (i.e. upright handlebars, semi slick tyres, no, or front suspension only), and around the £300 mark. Additionally, pannier rack and mud guards need to be included, or at least within the max budget of £350 (so around £310 if the bike is not equipped). Also, it needs to be fairly light as I am pretty weedy and I may well have to cart it up a spiral staircase to store it. Knowing what I’m like I don’t want to be put off riding it thinking about getting it up those stairs.

I’m going to be living in the Salford area and I need a local bike shop (that runs the cyclescheme) as my bike will not fit in the boot of my car and in case of any problems I’ll either have to ask someone to give me a lift, or walk it! I’ve found four LBSs I like with some different bikes:

Harry Hall Cycles:
Trek T30 Ladies £300 (equipped)
Trek 7.0 £290
Specialized Sirrus £293.91

Ken Foster Cycle Logic
Claud Butler Classic Ladies £279.99 (equipped)
Giant CRS 3.0 City £350 (equipped)

Eddie McGrath Cycles
Dawes Discovery 201 EQ £299.99 (equipped)
Giant CRS 3.0 FS £295

Withington Cycles
Claud Butler Classic Ladies 2009 £279 (equipped)

Out of the ones I saw, I liked the CB Classic, and the Giant CRS City. I tried the Trek T30 and wasn’t as enamoured as with the CB although I’m happy to go for a second look at any of them – when I first looked I wasn’t really thinking about weight. I’m not sure how heavy the CB Classic is which is a small concern.

One thing I wanted to ask is, the two CB Classics I saw had different colour schemes, does this mean they’re from different years? Does the colour of the bike depend entirely on the year it’s manufactured or do they make the same model in different colours?

I’ve given a bit more history about me in the Welcome Mat thread but I think that’s all the relevant stuff. Basically I have no real idea what to go for, I’m not too sure about brand reputations, I like all of the bikes I've mentioned and have had a look online for prices and they seem fair. Any help appreciated!

THANK YOU!

Deborah.

P.S. I think it says something about the length of this post that I just caught a spider making a web between my hair and the computer desk!

 

[debk123]

Any advice? From anyone? Please!

 

[HelenD123]

Hi Deborah,

Have you had a ride of any of the bikes? That should help you make your mind up. It's great to see that you're using your local bike shop as they'll be there for you if you have any problems. Also, if you're buying an unequipped bike ask whether they will do you a deal on the accessories you need. They're usually willing to negotiate.

 

[Bman]

Im no expert in bikes, but I suggest test-riding a few. See what you like

Most LBS's will be happy to oblige, I'm sure.

 

[Banjo]

For your short commute any of those would probably do. The Spec Sirrus seems to get a lot of praise on here .At less than 10 kg it is probably the lightest of your choices. I have short listed one as a possible new bike if the company I work for does the cycle t. w. scheme.I also do a short commute plus leisure rides .

Good Luck

 

[debk123]

Thanks very much for the suggestions/advice so far!

Does anyone have any feedback on the bike shops I've mentioned? I know Withington Cycles offer a couple of free services in the first year, and I think the others all do the 8 week check. I did have a look on the LBS recommendation sticky but only a couple of them were listed.

Also does anyone know about whether the different colour schemes on the same bike mean it's been manufactured in different years?

I test rode the CB Classic and liked it (though only up and down the street), and tried the Trek T30 and didn't find it so comfortable. It's tricky when I'm not really sure what it should feel like - is it just a matter of personal preference?

Thanking you all in advance,

Deborah.

 

[accountantpete]

For the short journey any of those bikes will do but the Specialized gets my vote for the pleasure trips.

 

[ianrauk]

You cant beat a Specialized.
And the Sirrus is a very good bike.
However as previous posters have said, best try first

 

[Sittingduck]

Any advice? From anyone? Please!

Yeah... Spesh Sirrus!

/Duck Out

 

[debk123]

There definitely seems to be a theme! I'll go and try it tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed it's not been sold already!

 

[Sittingduck]

*crosses fingers and webbed toes*

 

[debk123]

I am wondering why it's so popular with forum readers compared to the others - as a totally genuine question: what's so great about it?

I know that Specialized is a well respected 'cool' brand but my knowledge stops there!

 

[HLaB]

I am wondering why it's so popular with forum readers compared to the others - as a totally genuine question: what's so great about it?

I know that Specialized is a well respected 'cool' brand but my knowledge stops there!

I own a sirrus (Sports '06) and its a great handling light/ fast bike. Compared to other bikes I've had in that region I've found it great value for money. Many other's have had a similar experience.
I dislike that since mine, Spesh have got rid of the 52T (larger) chain ring but thats just me (better for top speed), spesh now fit a smaller (48T) chainring that makes hills easier.

 

[debk123]

Slight spanner in the works...

They're out of stock of the Sirrus in my size, not just at the shop but at Specialized themselves. They're waiting for the 2010 stock to come in, which will be about another four weeks, and an extra £30

So... is it so much better than the others it's worth waiting (don't fancy walking to work for the next month though...) or is one of the others a close enough second I should go for it?

Thanks in advance from a slightly jaded Deborah

 

[accountantpete]

Personally I'd wait as the new bike will presumably have some upgrades to it. But you want to get a delivery date fixed if you can - bike shops have been known to let matters drift in terms of delivery times.