Total Noob: Which bike. Edinburgh/Commuting/Cycle to Work Scheme

[Cycling Toad]

TL;DR in Bold.

After talking to a lot of people I have narrowed it down to Evans Cycles and a local shop. I'm leaning towards the later as I usually prefer the small time business as opposed to the nation-wide franchise (I'm aware of the pros and cons of both) and because I really liked the guy that advised me (could be the owner? not sure, but was really nice and helpful)

But! to be honest I don't know anything about bikes. The only bikes I have ever owned were my 1st Communion's red motoretta (aged 9 to 13) and then a a BH California (BMX style I used as a teenager)

Ever since I moved into Edinburgh I have mostly done my commuting either walking or by bus. Bus services have become unusable for me due to unreliable schedules and lack of services where I stay. My commutes to work is about 35min walk or 10-15 min bike mostly through the river/canal paths and bike lanes with only a few ups and downs. I would also like to use my bike for sporadically/Sunday recreational trips off road but not off-track/path (such as riverside and countryside paths)

I have had test rides with the following bikes:

The following two from Evans

Pinnacle Lithium 3 (2016) (£450ish)

Pinnacle Lithium 3 (2014) (£300ish)

The following from the local shop

Ridgeback Vanteo Open Frame (2016) (£500ish)

SARACEN Urban Response 2016 (£350ish)

I have test ride them all and in all honestly I like them all the same. They all are great and comfy to ride. The budget of the C2W program is up to £1000 but because this is my 1st commuting bike and I'm not going to use it heavily people I trust have advised to spend 300-500. My question is, out of those bikes which one do you think it's the best buy if I want to keep it for a good few years with low maintenance? is the price difference between them relevant in the long term?


Thank you all!

I am of course open to suggestions if you think my shortlist isn't good.

 

[midlife]

I'm a bit biased here as we have 2 Ridgebacks in the garage and both do exactly what they say on the tin.

Seem to be built with enough solid kit to keep them going despite the lack of attention they get. The only niggle is the grip change thingy that the youngest finds tricky at times.

Plus I like the grey

Shaun

 

[Cycling Toad]

I'm a bit biased here as we have 2 Ridgebacks in the garage and both do exactly what they say on the tin.

Seem to be built with enough solid kit to keep them going despite the lack of attention they get. The only niggle is the grip change thingy that the youngest finds tricky at times.

Plus I like the grey

Shaun

thank you for your response are your Ridgebacks hybrids too? What's your commute, bike-use like?

best wishes

 

[Scoosh]

If you have the choice of Cycle to Work scheme, it's worth checking out what you get with the package. I assisted an Edinburgh council employee to get a bike a couple of months ago and the council use Evans. The package seemed to be a pretty good deal:

• your choice of bike (I think up to £1,000 but the person was only wanting around £500-600)
• once the bike choice is made, you can choose £50 worth of accessories (pump, clothing, bottle cages, water bottle, rack, pannniers etc) and Evans throw this in at no cost to you
• 6-week, annual and (I think) also second year service are included gratis

Check with both Evans and your LBS, as this could make a difference/ be a persuader ...

The Pinnacle Lithium 3 looked quite a good bike/deal when I was assisting and the main difference between the 2 you have indicated is in the components - and I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable to know if the chainset/ cassette/ hydraulic brakes ... on one is better than on the other.

 

[Cycling Toad]

My local shop has this Ridgeback on promotion. Allegedly cut off £200 of the price down to £350 which puts it in the price league of the Lithium 2 rather than the lithium 3/4

http://www.biketrax.co.uk/m1b0s18p2737/RIDGEBACK-x2-2014

But specs wise, is it in the league of the Lithium 2 and thus comparable or am I getting a bargain here and a really discounted bike that was marketed over 550GBP just a couple years ago?


I ask because, I like all these bikes and they all feel goodon test-rides. I am a total noob and probably I wont be able to tell the difference until I've owned it for a couple years and gotten in better shape.

Thank you for your responses so far

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

I think the basic specs of the Lithium 2 and the Ridgeback, frame material, tyres, drivetrain, wheels etc, are all pretty similar. Personally I would go for the Lithium.. The Ridgeback has front suspension and disc brakes, both of which are going to add to the weight of the bike if that's an issue. The v-brakes on the Lithium will probably be easier to adjust and become familiar with than the discs on the Ridgeback, especially if you're new to discs. Do you need suspension? Lot of extra weight, and many say for little, if any benefit. Both bikes can take rack and mudguards, if you need them.

Disc brakes are cool looking and work well when they work well, and the front suspension gives the Ridgeback a go-anywhere kind of appearance... It'll probably come down to your own personal feelings, which bike says something to you when you look at it. For ease of use and maintenance, the Lithium. For looking cool, the Ridgeback.

I'm rambling so I'll shut up now.

 

[Scoosh]

My commutes to work is ....... mostly through the river/canal paths and bike lanes with only a few ups and downs. I would also like to use my bike for sporadically/Sunday recreational trips off road but not off-track/path (such as riverside and countryside paths)

Unless you are intending to go off-road (a la Glentress) you probably don't need front suspension. As stated above, it adds weight, for little benefit - other than looking 'rough and rugged'. Also front sus forks at this price point will not really be worth it.

 

[Cycling Toad]

Unless you are intending to go off-road (a la Glentress) you probably don't need front suspension. As stated above, it adds weight, for little benefit - other than looking 'rough and rugged'. Also front sus forks at this price point will not really be worth it.

Will suspension make the ride harder or more uncomfortable than no suspension? I'm not a speed maniac and weight in principle is not an issue thogh I do notice the Lithium 2 is almost 2 kg lighter. Since both are the same price but the ridgeback seems to be heavily reduced whereas the Lithium 2 is as it's RRPP , doe sthat mean the ridgeback is likely to have better quality components- likely to last longer with less maintenance? (ie. salesman told me discbreaks last longer than regular breaks before needing replacement and also pointed out that regular breaks erode the wheels faster...)

 

[Cycling Toad]

Thanks to your friendly advice I surfed through Edinburgh Bycicle and found one more bike that looks a lot like what I need. So now it boils down to 4 models.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/marin-fairfax-sc1-16

http://www.biketrax.co.uk/m1b0s18p3130/SARACEN-Urban-ESC-2016

http://www.biketrax.co.uk/m1b0s18p2737/RIDGEBACK-x2-2014

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-2-2016-hybrid-bike-EV244088


additional info : 25 miles per week Edinburgh commute + At least 1 weekly 5-10 mile leisure rides occasionally off-road but never off-track if that makes sense. Mid-paced rider valuing comfort and low-maintenance slightly over top performance.

 

[lmow20]

I got a planet x pro carbon with Ultegra gruppo on the Cycle to work scheme. Planet x spec is off the chart. Have a browse there too

 

[Cycling Toad]

I got a planet x pro carbon with Ultegra gruppo on the Cycle to work scheme. Planet x spec is off the chart. Have a browse there too

Somehow twice my original budget but I shall look into Planet X too... ah what a headache @P thank you for your tip!

 

[vickster]

Somehow twice my original budget but I shall look into Planet X too... ah what a headache @P thank you for your tip!

They also do the pro carbon in flatbar guise, as that seems to be what you want rather than drop handlebars? More road oriented though that you are perhaps seeking?

 

[mybike]

I'd suggest that if where you are going to ride is walkable in town shoes or trainers then there is little point in suspension. I bought a Claud Butler with a fairly low travel suspension because out local towpath is boot rough, but had it been paved I don't think I'd have wanted suspension.

 

[Southside Mike]

For commuting in a city in Scottish weather I really do advise you to get a bike with disc brakes. The difference in stopping distance in the wet is massive. At your price point you may only get a bike with fairly cheap mechanical discs which may need a bit of adjustment, but the bike will be disc compatible and down the line you could upgrade to something like Shimano SLX for less than 100 quid - they are pretty much fit and forget. If you are going to be playing tag with buses and taxis being confident that you can stop quickly is the number one priority.

You don't need suspension btw

Someone earlier suggested a look in Edinburgh Cycle Coop - good advice