Which bike??

tober

Hi,

Was considering buying a new hybrid bike , haven't cycled in a few years and want to take it back up. Just looking for a bike to do 5-10 miles journeys on road surfaces

I have went in my LBS (west of Ireland) and identified the below. (Links may not correspond exactly). Any views on what I should go for?? Is the Giant worth the extra money?? Are there any you would rule out??

Any help appreciated

Saracen Venturer €225 (although 2007 model) http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?ProdID=5360032975&referid=shopz

Viking Urban Trail €325
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Viking-Urban-Trail-Gents-Hybrid/dp/B000VAK0P4

Giant CRS 2.5 €445
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=20924

Land Rover €289
http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=4304

Goldrush Parkland €225
http://www.barryhicklandcycles.com/product_info.php?products_id=139&osCsid=3413a747eb53ab3cba5712cb225b4165

Stark

I don't think Land Rover is a very well respected bicycle brand. Out of those brands, Giant would be the one I'm most familiar with and they're a good make. It also helps that the store is based in Ireland, so you can call in and they'll have the bike all setup and assembled for you. If you ordered from the UK, you'll have to do a certain amount of assembly yourself.

blorg

I would say the Giant is the best of that lot and as Stark says there are many advantages to buying locally- you can try the bike out for size, have somewhere to go back to if you have problems, etc. (and you will need to have a new bike serviced after stuff beds in - this is something local bike shops do for free.)

If buying online there will often be a fair bit of assembly, but not with Wiggle- they set the bikes up very well and you just have to add the handlebars and pedals, which is really easy (they send all the tools you will need to do this- although you should also get lithium grease for the pedals.)

tober

Still undecided which bike to go for. Can anyone recommend a good website that reviews different bikes?

PS I intend to buy from my local bike shop

paddyb

try Bike Radar for reviews