Which would you buy...

[vickster]

...as an upgrade from a 2010 Sirrus Sport for commuting on bumpy roads. Flat bars only

http://www.wiggle.co...cape-disc-2011/

OR

http://www.wiggle.co...-escape-0-2011/

OR

http://www.cyclesuk...._2011_W11ST2M-1

OR something else in the £500 to £800 bracket

like
http://www.cyclesurg...p-product/20854

http://www.cyclesurg...p-product/20288

http://www.cyclesurg...p-product/20077

...I like a deal so don't want a 2012 £600 rrp model


as an upgrade from a 2010 Sirrus Sport for commuting on bumpy roads. Flat bars only

(I realise the Whyte is a more expensive bike but putting that aside, it is under 10kg and has been calling to me)

Blimey, there's a lot of choice!

 

[Moodyman]

Both the two Giants look good, especially the one with disc brakes.

In my opinion disc brakes are far better for commuting (especially winter), as you don't get rim wear and braking is consistent.

One thing to bear in mind is warranty...Giant offer a lifetime warranty on their bikes if you're the original buyer and are generally quite good with replacements. Whilst bike frames don't fail often, this is a good feature to have.

 

[Easytigers]

What do you think the Sirrus Sport is missing? You after a lighter set up or want disk brakes?

 

[vickster]

Lighter and better components, disk brakes a bonus...also the Sirrus is a size too big for me, so could be more comfortable

There's nothing wrong with the Sirrus per se just fancy an upgrade

 

[vickster]

What is giant's hybrid sizing like? i seem to be a bit in between at 5'10 ish, 32" inside leg

There is also this as another option but the Sterling does seem a better bike http://www.cyclesuk.com/product/Cambridge_2011_W11CAM1S-1 I have Apex on my roadbike, prefer to stick with a Shimano triple on the commuter

 

[HLaB]

The Rapide catches my eye but I have more of a leniency to speed at the moment, you maybe after something that is more comfortable (wider tyres) and better brakes (disc). As for whyte, I don't really no much about them so can't really comment there.

 

[vickster]

Whyte are very much an MTB specialist, but they are a British company and a bit different which appeals to me over the US mega-brands

I would put skinnier tyres on, 28mm suit me for commutin. It needs to be fairly comfy, has to take mudguards and preferably a rack should I go down the pannier road

 

[MacB]

What is giant's hybrid sizing like? i seem to be a bit in between at 5'10 ish, 32" inside leg

I had a CRS Alliance in Large at my 6'1" and it was fine, but I think you'd fall on the junction of mediuam and large

What do you want the bike to be able to do, and what bits do you want on it, ie mudguards/rack etc?, and how much versatility are we talking here?

I know you moved from a Crosstrail so does that mean front suspension is out not required?

How about a fully rigid 29er that can take rack and guards if need be? set of 29er wheels with 622-19 rims and you can run anything from 700x28 slicks up to 700x60 knobblies.

 

[Moodyman]

What is giant's hybrid sizing like? i seem to be a bit in between at 5'10 ish, 32" inside leg

There is also this as another option but the Sterling does seem a better bike http://www.cyclesuk....2011_W11CAM1S-1 I have Apex on my roadbike, prefer to stick with a Shimano triple on the commuter

If you fall between two sizes, the recommended advice is go with the lower one.

 

[vickster]

Just for pootling to work, around the shops etc

Yes to guards and possibly rack
Light as possible
No to front suspension as heavy
Disk brakes if not going to add a load of weight
700x28mm tyres
Carbon forks

Mainly (potholed) roads, sometimes some gravelly, slippery leafy stuff, fairly smooth 28mm tyres are fine

Need to look good - I don't really want anything in matt black or a dull grey, need to stay in touch with my feminine side

 

[MacB]

Well this is my 29er, not complete as new wheelset is on order, but everything else is in place:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37729119@N08/6181361467/in/photostream

Obviously this is different in price range(the wheelset I'm waiting on is Rohloff and SON Delux) but the concept would give you a lot more versatility, the only proviso being that you don't find skinny tyres, in a big clearance frame, aesthetically displeasing. I've had a couple of test runs with the temporary wheelset, using Halo Twinrail 2.2" tyres and Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700x40 tyres, so far I'm delighted.

I think of this as an all purpose bike, it's quick enough, and can accomodate everything I need, for commuting duties. It can do full MTB duties, or as full as I need at present and it could also do touring duties. The forks are the On-One carbon rigid 29er ones and they're as light or lighter than most sets of rigid steel disc forks.

It really depends on the sort of riding you envisage doing and whether you want to increase the bike stable to accomodate any variety or aim for versatility within a smaller stable. I've changed mine significantly from a few weeks ago and I'm not done yet. I should end up with a road/commuting bike, 29er/commuting bike and a folder. All 3 having a fair amount of versatility but each being best suited for one use.

 

[vickster]

Looks nice but I think a bit rugged. I only really have room for 2 bikes so this needs to be a practical commuter, and you never know, I may even tour a bit?

The roadbike is really just that, sunny day, out for a longer ride stuff, carbon, not able to take mudguards or a rack - it's not a practical machine, but pretty! I don't expect to see it much between December and February

I do like the idea of the disc brakes, and the price of the Giant appeals...what is the LX derailleur like? I have Alivio on the Spesh, would like something better, Deore?

Size wise, I tend to go for something a little bigger as I haver a less than perfect knee and cannot be too cramped. This is the problem with buying online, cannot try out...and Wiggle don't do their test rides on the bargains

 

[MacB]

In which case I give you this one:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37729119@N08/6094072139/in/photostream

Same idea but this is more road orientated, so carbon disc forks, deraillers, mudguard and rack mounts, clearance for up to a 700x42 tyre with the guards. In actual fact pretty darn similar to a Salsa Vaya, hence why I sold that frameset

The lines out at the moment are ok but you should have a nose at some of the US sites, or look at Gaint/Trek/Specialized etc, but view their US website rather than the UK one. You'll find a lot of these 'adventure' type bikes springing up, even the Surly Crosscheck will now have a disc brake option for next year. You'll also find that US equivalent models have moved to the 29er/disc brake option as standard, 26" bikes are becoming quite rare there by comparison. Closer to home the Boardman range has got a couple of models that could be of interest.

If you only want to go as far as a 700x28 tyre then there are loads of flat bar road bike options, again with more appearing with disc brakes. It then comes down to a case of making a list of what you want, particulalry if you have any deal breakers, and then downloading specs for all the close matches you can find. Use your list to narrow it down and then see how many of them you could maybe get a test ride on.

 

[vickster]

Thanks Mac

Weight is a deal breaker - I finally found some specs on the various Giants - they all weigh in at a hefty 27lbs or more The Whyte Sterling is 20lbs!

I did find this but expensive for the spec http://www.globalbike.co.uk/products/2011-Orbea-Carpe-H20.html

I shall bide my time, keep an eye on CyclesUK and see if the Sterling drops more (either there or elsewhere) ... it does seem to tick all the boxes, dull colour but I am sure I can tart it up

I am not sure disc brakes are essential but the Sirrus brakes have definitely felt ropey at times when very wet!

 

[MacB]

Hmmm, weights, I know exactly what you mean there but that's something that should improve as more disc brake options come on the market. The Boardman Team Pro hybrid is billed at 20.5lbs with 700x28 tyres and disc brakes, that's pretty darn light:-

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_pro.html

if you want to get much under that, and have disc brakes and tyre clearances, then you'll be talking a lot of dosh.

IMO, if you already have a skinny tyre road bike for good weather, and you want flat bars and disc brakes, then you'd be limiting versatility if you aim for something that only has clearances up to 700x28...but that's me. If this is for year round commuting then I'd want to be able to put larger tyres, or studded tyres, on when need be in Winter.

I'm going to be guessing a little here but I wonder how much experience you have of a larger quality slick tyre. For example, I bought a Crosstrail Comp for my eldest and it was the wheelset from that I used to test out my 29er. First run was with the wheeslet as stock, so the 700x44 semi knobblies it came with. The rigid 29er felt much faster, nippier and lighter than the Crosstrail, I really noticed the difference on the front end. When I put the Halo Twinrail 2.2" tyres on I didn't notice much difference, they felt as fast and I preferred the feel, I really don't like those stock tyres though, horrible feel on corners. But then putting the 700x40 Marathon Supremes on was a huge difference, everything felt faster, and they're pretty light for a big tyre, about 500g each.

When I was commuting 40 miles a day my best average speeds were 18mph and 16.5mph on two different bikes:-

18mph - Giant CRS Alliance flat bar hybrid, carbon forks, half carbon half alu frame, 27 speed deraillers, using butterfly bars, and with 700x23 tyres, all in bike weight was 22lbs

16.5mph - Surly Crosscheck steel F&F, 9 speed hub gear, butterfly bars, 700x35 M+ tyres, rack, guards, all in bike weight about 35lbs

If I had run the Xcheck with Marathon Supremes instead of M+, about half the weight, I reckon the difference would have been less than 1mph. Though I'm sure I had to work harder on the Xcheck for the 16.5mph than for the 18mph on the Giant, I found I preferred the Xcheck as I didn't feel as battered at the end of the week, and I think that was mainly due to the suspension effect of the bigger tyres. Since trying the Supremes I now wouldn't go back to the M+ unless I had a ridiculously glass/thorn strewn commute.

Lastly, if you're trying to decide between specs then I'd opt for the best frame option, if you get a good enough frame then you can always upgrade the bits as they wear out, especially if it's something with a lifetime warranty.