What bike should I buy?

[Serge]

Personally if I had £2k and wanted fancy / special, Decathlon would not be on my list. There is a big one on Purley Way however

GB and Pearsons etc will offer lots of help with spec and sizing

These are v pretty in the “plastic” and even around SW London you’ll rarely see on the road. They’ll spec it to your needs, unlike buying off the peg when you may need to change bars, stems, even cranks esp if buying men’s / ‘unisex’

https://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/pearson-i-m-not-a-number.html

Nice, lovely looking bike. (Can anyone lend me 1600 quid?).

 

[vickster]

Can't fix pannier racks easily to a carbon frame and beam racks are a poor substitute

 

[vickster]

Nice, lovely looking bike. (Can anyone lend me 1600 quid?).

An interest free credit card provider wil likelyl do so....the last one gave me a credit limit of 12.5k

 

[vickster]

Another one to consider are the BMC Alpenchalenge range at Evans and elsewhere. There is a choice of hub of derailleur or hub gears, the latter might suit you if you want low maintenance.
https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-alpenchallenge-01-four-2018-hybrid-bike-EV302758
Or how about this carbon framed Trek;
https://www.evanscycles.com/trek-fx...ing&utm_campaign=noU-10d&utm_content=VISITORS
There are plenty if choices so get down to Evans or your LBS and try a few out and see what appeals.

I should stear clear of anything with a press fit bottom bracket, you might be lucky but there have been too many problems with them.

Evans closed down in Croydon, nearest probably now in C London or Gatwick by car

Are hub geared bikes light and good for hills?

 

[Serge]

An interest free credit card provider wil likelyl do so....the last one gave me a credit limit of 12.5k

The last one I tried wouldn't even give me £200!

 

[smutchin]

Personally if I had £2k and wanted fancy / special, Decathlon would not be on my list.

For £2k, the Btwin Ultra 920 is a superb bike - and currently available for £1700. Not suitable for the OP's needs though, so that's not a recommendation.

 

[jefmcg]

Evans closed down in Croydon, nearest probably now in C London

Wandsworth.

 

[vickster]

For £2k, the Btwin Ultra 920 is a superb bike - and currently available for £1700. Not suitable for the OP's needs though, so that's not a recommendation.

I still wouldn't buy one even if the spec is good (as it's Shimano) (And it's 2k on website, down from 2.3k)

 

[vickster]

Wandsworth.

Not v accessible though Maybe reachable and closest more accurate and with a big choice

 

[jefmcg]

Not v accessible though

Express train to CLJ, then one stop to Wandsworth Town. So not accessible compared to the Croydon one (I didn't even know Decathlons could close!), but still pretty accessible.

 

[vickster]

Express train to CLJ, then one stop to Wandsworth Town. So not accessible compared to the Croydon one (I didn't even know Decathlons could close!), but still pretty accessible.

Not decathlon, Evans was suggested which closed in Croydon (not long after it was looted in the riots IIRC), the Purley Way one is still there as far as I know (is there still that Evans in Wandsworth?h

 

[jefmcg]

Not decathlon, Evans was quoted which closed in Croydon (not long after it was looted in the riots IIRC), the Purley Way one is still there as far as I know (is there still that Evans in Wandsworth?h

Ah, apologies. But, yes, there is still an Evans in Wandsworth.

The directions above, 1 change two stops still applies, though more of a walk to get there.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Cycleops]

Evans closed dow
Are hub geared bikes light and good for hills?

I just said it was an option. I think we all know that hub gears are not particularly light but you get low maintenance, that's the trade off. As for hills I'm sure somebody with an hub geared bike could comment and Evans or whoever should also be able to advise.

 

[smutchin]

I’m currently riding a Tifosi Cavazzo and I love it. Full carbon frame with mounts for rack and mudguards. It’s fast, not too heavy and the huge tyres make it comfortable too. The one I’ve got is the ‘Gravel’ spec but it is available off the shelf in four configurations, including a flat-bar option.


https://www.tifosicycles.co.uk/shop/bikes/cavazzo/

 

[bpsmith]

What sort of frame material, Steel, Aluminium, Titanium or Plastic.

Shouldn’t that read Metal, Metal, Metal or Plastic?