Too much choice, help please! (longish)

[sunnylady]

Hello,

I've recently joined CycleChat and would like some advice if possible before I buy a new bike. I love getting out on my bike and have enjoyed reading the posts on this forum.

I've had two consecutive hybrid style Raleigh bikes for the last thirty years. My current one is a recycled heavy 1980's Pioneer Trail, with steel wheels.

Looking for a similar type, but lighter and presumably faster.

Main priority is reliability, especially for commuting, so ease of fitting a new tube, or preferably eliminating punctures as much as possible. (Clueless when tried to fit new inner tube before, even after going on courses!)

Would like step through frame, rack and mudguards and ability to go on roads, canal towpaths and forest trails.

Commuting on average 15 miles a day. Also would use for shorter shopping trips, forest trails in Lake District and Scotland and hope to do a couple of two to three day tours staying in B and Bs.

Taken advice while reading through posts on here and looked in 6 LBS and Evans and Halfords.

Tested the Raleigh Pioneer,

Marin Redwood,

Giant Realm and Escape

Dawes Sonoran

Claud Butler Classic

Viking Keswick.

All felt similar in carparks and each shop seemed to promote their own brand and did not get any real independant advice.

All bikes around £250 to £500, but looking out for any 'deals'

Looking forward to any advice and comments. Thank you in anticipation.

 

[Cubist]

http://www.cyclecentreuk.co.uk/products.php?plid=m13b0s167p12047

If this is in budget then I don't think you'll find better for what you want.

 

[vickster]

Or I'd look at one of these - some good deals on the 2011 models

http://www.evanscycl...031?query=ariel

Disc brakes for muddy stuff, lockout forks for the road, take a rack and guards, good solid tyres, Specialized bikes are very reliable, am on my third, not had a jot of trouble with any (well apart from a theft but that wasn't the bike's fault)

How tall are you? And where do you live?

 

[gbb]

Hiya Sunnylady (and welcome )
Sounds like youve done some good homework and picked out a good few options.

The choice is huge, thats why its so hard to pick the one that seems best.
Get a pen and paper and note each of the different models, price, how many gears (the more the better) and perhaps the weight. I say the weight because when we got the wifes hybrid, we made one critical mistake and didnt take into account it was a steel frame that was heavy, something she regrets now.(that was a Dawes Kalahari, a nice bike...but heavy)

With them side by side on paper, its easier to compare specs against price, easier to see which one is a bargain perhaps.

And don't forget, most bikes are similarly specced at a certain pricepoint, so don't be afarid of going for the one that just does it for you, the one that you like the look of most. It'll become your cherished posession, it wont become that if you don't like the look of it from the beginning.

 

[cyberknight]

Hiya Sunnylady (and welcome )
Sounds like youve done some good homework and picked out a good few options.

The choice is huge, thats why its so hard to pick the one that seems best.
Get a pen and paper and note each of the different models, price, how many gears (the more the better) and perhaps the weight. I say the weight because when we got the wifes hybrid, we made one critical mistake and didnt take into account it was a steel frame that was heavy, something she regrets now.(that was a Dawes Kalahari, a nice bike...but heavy)

With them side by side on paper, its easier to compare specs against price, easier to see which one is a bargain perhaps.

And don't forget, most bikes are similarly specced at a certain pricepoint, so don't be afarid of going for the one that just does it for you, the one that you like the look of most. It'll become your cherished posession, it wont become that if you don't like the look of it from the beginning.

+1
try a few and see which one you like best and offers what you want in a bike.

Do you want a bike with a low top tube , rack points, disk brakes etc etc ?

This looks a bargain ...
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/trek-72-fx-item160103.html

I would have said the baordman comp hybrid at £500 as i know some one who really likes the bike but you can get better deals on other bikes atm

 

[sunnylady]

Many Thanks!

I live in Carnforth, North Lancashire.

I contacted Evans in Kendal today. They don't have a Specialized Ariel in stock but will get one for me to try by the end of the week, so hopefully I will be able to try it soon. I am 5'2'', so will probably need a small size.

I am looking out for a Cube Ltd CLS Pro Ladies. I have been to both Leisure Lakes in Lancaster and Wheelbase in Staveley this week but neither place suggested that bike, or had them in stock, though they are both Cube stockists. I will contact them again this week.

Although there are some bargains on the net, I would feel happier buying from a relatively LBS, as I am technically hopeless at putting things together, ordering online.

I am working in Carlisle tomorrow and have just noticed that Scotby Cycles have the Trek 7.2 FX WSD Ladies hybrid bike for the same price as JE James, (£320). Hopefully, I should have time to at least have a look.

I hadn't been thinking along the lines of such aggressive types of bike. I do more on-road than off road, but a mountain-type bike could be very useful on our trips to the Scottish Highlands. I'm more used to a bike with a handy basket at the front!

Thanks again for the helpful comments. I've started a pros/cons/spec list and am looking at some weights too.

Any thoughts or advice about any of the above bikes that I was initially trying would be much appreciated as well.

Happy cycling!