Another 'What Bike?' thread

[GreatGranny]

I have about 300-400 to spend on a commuter bike.

Nipped into Halfords at the weekend and saw the Boardman bikes and also the Carrera Gryphon which I've always thought was good value. It had mechanical discs which are a bit OTT for a road bike.
I want flat bars and road bike geometry so no MTBs with slicks or hybrid bikes.

Any other ideas?

[Roman]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?... Have a branch in Leeds

Genesis day00 or Specialized Sirrus - both light road focused hybrids

... Or a Giant FCR

Edited by Roman on Monday 30th July 10:40

[GreatGranny]

Also saw this which has been mentioned in another thread.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

Anyone know about the Shimano Nexus hub that is fitted, only gives 8 gears, can you fit a front double chainset and front mech to give 16 gears?

Really like the look and seems like good value.

[Rico]

The Genesis bikes are fantastic. They're made by Ridgeback I think and are basically designed for UK trails. So good mud clearance.

Quality of the frames I've seen is excellent too.

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk

[Rico]

GreatGranny said:

Anyone know about the Shimano Nexus hub that is fitted, only gives 8 gears, can you fit a front double chainset and front mech to give 16 gears?

Really like the look and seems like good value.

Nexus hub is mainly for road use. Can't really fit a front mech and double chainset as would cause problems with a slack chain on smaller ring.

The Nexus hub gives a full range of gears, just bigger jumps between them.

[GreatGranny]

I will be looking at the Genesis Day 00, as you say quality looks good, 52 big ring (alot of commuter bikes seem to have 48 which is too small for Sheffield downhills), all Shimano kit and in black as well. I will have a scout up to Leeds this weekend.

[Roman]

GreatGranny said:

Also saw this which has been mentioned in another thread.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

Anyone know about the Shimano Nexus hub that is fitted, only gives 8 gears, can you fit a front double chainset and front mech to give 16 gears?

Really like the look and seems like good value.

You can't as there is no rear mech to take up the slack. 8 speed hubs usually have a good range of gears anyway and can change gear at a standstill. I think they make a lot of sense for commuting.

[GreatGranny]

Roman said:

GreatGranny said:

Also saw this which has been mentioned in another thread.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

Anyone know about the Shimano Nexus hub that is fitted, only gives 8 gears, can you fit a front double chainset and front mech to give 16 gears?

Really like the look and seems like good value.

You can't as there is no rear mech to take up the slack. 8 speed hubs usually have a good range of gears anyway and can change gear at a standstill. I think they make a lot of sense for commuting.

DOH! Good point, you wouldn't believe I've been cycling for over 25 years!

I'm just wondering if there's going to be enough gears for Sheffield especially as I am 42 and basically a lazy git.

Now if it was a Rohloff hub which has 14 gears i would be happy

[Roman]

Fair point there!

You probably would want a very high top gear and very low bottom gear for all the hills in Sheffield!

The Genesis is much lighter than the Revolution too..

[GreatGranny]

Thanks for help Roman, Genesis is lighter and has the gears I need, I will have a look at the weekend.

[GreatGranny]

Ok, so have decided on the Genesis Day 00, can get it for about £350 which seems to be the price everywhere. Do you think there will be discounts soon now 08 models are filtering through?

[Roman]

Good deals on 2007 00 model and 2006 02 Genesis here...

http://www.irvinecycles.co.uk/

[GreatGranny]

Roman said:

Good deals on 2007 00 model and 2006 02 Genesis here...

http://www.irvinecycles.co.uk/

Thanks, ordered it Friday afternoon so hopefully arrive Wed, thurs this week. I will post pics when it arrives.

[ALawson]

What are peoples thoughts on a Specilized Rockhopper Disk 07 , rrp is 650 but I can get one for 580 ish. It will only be used for single track and a bit of mucking about on.

I used to be full sus a few years ago but just want something fairly simple. What else should I be looking at as I haven't been on a bike for 5 years! Are the ususl suspects still good, marin, kona, gt, gary fisher etc? Or are there any new and good value names on the block.

Cheers

[GreatGranny]

The Spec is an excellent mid range hardtail with an excellent reputation. Guy at work has one and loves it. Good solid spec with a good frame.
All the usual names are still around, what has changed is the internet based bikes available. I bought a Merlin on the web and its great value. They have gone up in price since I bought mine but they all have disc specific frames. Check out their sale as well http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Sale_Bikes....