Could I ask your advice? (What bike thread alert)

[Pieman68]

Afternoon everyone,

Looking to get hold of a bike to get back out there on a budget. Want a hybrid due to the geometry and my size

I have seen a Forme Peak Trail 2 2014 model that looks pretty good value at about £320

Could I ask you venerable advice on this spec and whether this looks good value? Have to say that it looks attractive with the disc brakes as well at this price

Frame: Forme Hybrid Lightweight AL6061.
•Fork: Suntour SF13-NEX, Travel:63MM, Coil Spring with Preload Adjuster. Manual lock-out.
•Wheelset: Formula Alloy Hubs with ZAC-19 Rims.
•Shifter/Lever: Shimano ST-EF51.
•R.Deraileur: Shimano Acera 8SPD.
•F.Deraileur: Shimano FD-M191 31.8MM.
•Chainset: Shimano FC-M171 170MM, 48X38X28T.
•Cassette: Shimano Altus CS-HG31; 8-SP, 11-32T.
•Chain: KMC Z7.
•Brake Callipers: Tektro Novela Mechanical Disc Brake.
•Tyres: Kenda 700X32C Small Block 8 with Presta Valve..
•Handlebar: Forme Alloy 6061, Width:600MM, Rise:45MM, Bar Bore:31.8MM.
•Stem: Forme Alloy 6061. Extension 105mm. Adjustable angle.
•Saddle: One23 ErgoFit.
•Seatpost: Forme Alloy Pillar with Black Clamp 27.2MM, 300MM.
•Headset: FSA NO.23/CC, 1-1/8" Integrated, Sealed Angular Contact Bearing.
•B/B: Shimano CH-52 Square Taper, Sealed Cartridge Bearing.
•Spacer: Forme Alloy 3 x 10mm.
•Bartape/Grips: Forme ErgoFit Dual Density.
•Frame Colour: Black/White.
•Fork Colour: White.

[Pieman68]

Bump

Any help much appreciated

[S10GTA]

Forme bikes are alright, bit budget. Might be worth searching Gumtree etc for a 2nd hand bike?

[cirian75]

do you really need a suspension fork?

[S10GTA]

cirian75 said:

do you really need a suspension fork?

Yeah, and that. They will be crap at this level.

[cirian75]

I have tested a sub 500 pound bike with a short travel fork

It was horrible, flexy and twangy, didn't like it all all, better off with a steel fork at this price range.

[richardxjr]

Carrera Subways are still the benchmark cheap hybrids. Subway1 has the same brakes but a rigid fork and is £230 at the mo. Possibly less with British Cycling and/or other discounts if you can be bothered.

Tektro mechanical brakes are a bit st tbh. If you end up using it a lot you can use Shimano BR-M396 hydros with the same disks and they are incredible for £32.99 the pair at Chain Reaction.

Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 23 September 11:55

[Pieman68]

Thanks gents, advice much appreciated

[cirian75]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...

this is ok

[cirian75]

just a little more and there's this beast

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bike...

[yellowjack]

richardxjr said:

Tektro mechanical brakes are a bit st tbh. If you end up using it a lot you can use Shimano BR-M396 hydros with the same disks and they are incredible for £32.99 the pair at Chain Reaction.

This. Exactly this. OK, mine was a cheaper MTB, but this is exactly the upgrade route I went down when my tektro mechanical brakes stripped a thread on the adjuster screw side of the caliper. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes cannot be beaten for value-for-money, and I'd never go back to mechanical discs again. Far too much maintenance needed to keep them adjusted and in tip-top operation. The only 'upgrade' I've ever done on a bike. Everything else I've ever replaced has been down to wear and tear.

And I'll vouch for cheaper coil forks being crap too. I thought mine were OK, until my youngest got a bike with some decent forks on it. Riding that is worlds apart from the banging and crashing I experience on my SR Suntour XCM forks which, aside from being generally poor performers, have now decided to die as well. Grrrr!

[Barchettaman]

cirian75 said:

just a little more and there's this beast

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bike...

Avid BB5 brakes, avoid. I have *no idea* what Boardman is thinking of speccing that junk on any of his otherwise excellent bikes.