Bike and bike shop recommendations

Gautama

I'm sick and tired of the Planet Newport (http://www.westirelandcycling.com/bike6.html) bike I bought 18 months ago and have decided to buy a decent bike.

I cycle to and from work every day, not far, totalling 45 mins a day and want a reliable hybrid.
Any recommendations for bikes and/or bike shops?
I know what I don't want: plastic pedals, Shimano Tourney gear mechs.

The thing that annoys me most about it is the gear mech, it is has never been perfect (which it should for a new bike) and in my couple of years of cycling I've come to the conclusion that good gears are the most important feature.

That, and the place that the bike is bought. I won't name the bike shop, but I've been to both their shops in Dublin and having just handed over €25 for some repaired spokes, the gear mech still rattles and tries and succeeds in jumping up a gear.

I'd a bad gut feeling the day I bought it, kicking myself for wasting the €300.
My budget this time is €500-800.

Two things I've heard, can these be confirmed:
Firstly, a lot of bikes in the €600-800 range are like €300 bikes, but with the cheap fittings replaced by high quality parts. Basically, when it comes to value for money, by spending a couple of hundred more you are getting a far better bike.

Secondly, a lot of bike shops have sales in the autumn and can be a good time to pick up a bargain.

Thanks.

rigel4

I think you would be better off learning how to tune the gears properly yourself. I bought a book to help me out a few months ago. It was the Park Tool Repair Manual (or something along those lines). It cost 20quid from Cycleways, but you may be able to get it in Easons/Reeds of Nassau Street.

It will work out far cheaper in the long run. Just make sure your Mech hanger or the mech itself aren't bent. Buy a new cable (maybe some outer cables too) and then follow the instructions. I haven't had a problem with gears on my mountainbike since...it gets a bit of a hammering!

*Edit*

This reply was also referring to your post about MacDonalds Cycles in Dublin. You're just better off learning how to do the simple things yourself

Gautama

rigel4 wrote:

I think you would be better off learning how to tune the gears properly yourself. I bought a book to help me out a few months ago.

Yeah, that's what I thought but got me into this trouble in the first place. My book was by Haynes. Had the bike up on a rack, wheels spinning, gears sounded perfect. A few more photos would have helped, with arrows, to explain the precise alignment (a picture speaks a thousand words!!!).

Anyway, have it sounding sweet and changing perfectly, I took it off the rack and cycled it... about 20 meters before the chain came off the largest sprocket into the spokes, breaking two.

So here I am, wary about touching it again because of the above. And pissed off with where I got it seen to... gears still clicking and chain hopping, rear wheel still slightly buckled. I thought that when spokes are replaced the idea is to tune them so that the buckle is gone and the wheel perfect.

Anyway, bottom line is that I was never happy with that bike of the shop.
The above service speaks volumes, as for the bike, plastic cogs, plastic pedals... plastic just isn't good enough.

Thanks for your reply.

Danbo!

i bought a Giant FCR3 bout 2 months ago...

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/large/7278.jpg

its cost €569 in commuting solutions in rathmines. Very helpful bunch, you can get a 2 day trial if you want to get a feel for it first. had one or two small problems, which like yourself, didnt want to attempt to fix in case i buggered it up.. brought it in on the way home, fixed on the spot...

so overall, great commuter/short spin bike and very helpful shop.. Full service after a month was included too. (not sure if most shops offer this, but still great)

Membrane

Gautama wrote:

I know what I don't want: plastic pedals, Shimano Tourney gear mechs.

FWIW I have a Shimano Tourney rear derailer on my hybrid, it works fine (but I know how to set a bike up properly).