Dawes Discovery 401 - Is It Any Good?

jozi · 18-09-2008 11:29am #1

Was collecting GF's bike from a service the other day when is seen a dawes discovery 401 in the shop for 300 euro.

I didn't really give it a good look but from what i could see it looked like a nice bike. Having googled it a little it comes up in the uk for 300+pounds so 300 euro looks like decent value?

Here's the dawes page

Only found 1 page with some reviews, no major complaints from users. I'd be using it to commute and cycle for leisure.

As an aside, I had used a bike with disc brakes (mechanical) in the past and really like the stopping power they had, hence me being even more interested in this bike.

Gavin · 18-09-2008 11:32am

Dawes have a good rep. Do you need the front suspension though ?

jozi · 18-09-2008 11:39am

Prob not, maybe for comfort reasons

My GF's bike has suspension as well and does feel more comfortable cycling.

blorg · 18-09-2008 12:14pm

€300 is a bargain for a Discovery 401. You seem to have lock out on the fork also which would help for smooth pavement/climbing etc.

Dawes make good reliable hybrids mainly at the lower end; the 401 is middle of their range. Hybrids would be an area they have something of a specialism in (along with touring bikes) - I'd happily buy one and own a Discovery 201 myself as a hack bike. The Discovery range is their "sporty hybrid" range comparable with the Trek FX series, etc.

Only issue I would have is the extra weight you are getting with the arguably unnecessary suspension, 14.5kg is 2.5kg heavier than their entry level bikes (101 and 201 at 12kg.) But €300 is certainly a good deal so if you want suspension go for it.

John_C · 18-09-2008 12:15pm

I have one and I like it. My only complaints would be that it's a little heavy and the handle bars are a little wide.
The suspension in the front and in the seat post are both adjustable so you can set them reasonabley stiff. It's as fast as I'd ever need to go in a city and it's solidly built so dodgy cycle lanes and the various other hazards don't put out too much with it.
I paid 350 sterling for it a few years ago.

Stark · 18-09-2008 12:17pm

Sounds like a bargain for €300. A friend of mine paid the same price for a 201 about two years ago.

jozi · 18-09-2008 7:07pm

I called them earlier, i think maybe the price is wrong or i remember it wrong.

Would 399 still be a good price for one? Have a feeling thats what it might have been. Going to try check it out in the morning or after the weekend.

The comments here are in the same line as the few i found on a review site.

Dawes Discovery 401 - Is It Any Good?

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