Opinion on bike please - For commuting and Galeforce

yop

Guys,
I am a total newbie, I have an MTB at home and it has big dogs of tyres, decent bike but for the 8km commute to work and for gaelforce it might be a little heavy.

I have been looking about, a mate as a Giant OCR 3, costs about 535 euro. But I spotted this bike here today online.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/21255/Viking_Roma_Bike_2009

AS a bike what do you think?

I am 5ft 11", with a 33" leg, so what size frame should I get?

Thanks

kenmc

I'd go with the OCR if it fits.

yop

Thanks Ken,
Why would you pick the Giant over this one??
Thanks

kenmc

the lack of any decent specification on the viking (whoever they are) would be enough to put me off. At least with the giant you are buying a reputable brand, with branded components, and it will likely last you a lot longer than the viking.

thebouldwhacker

I could be wrong but a came across this in a lbs and the frame weighed a ton, try and find out how hevey it is before you buy.

The as ken said the giant defy 4 or 3 is simular price and maybe a better buy

Raam

Doesn't Huirin have a Viking? They have been around for ages, assuming they are the same make.

thebouldwhacker

Yea, they are like Raleigh (as in been around)... The bike i looked at was def a few kg more than entry level giant (same shop)

CheGuedara

Hi yop - just giving my 2c.

Many of the cyclists in my club started out with SCR/OCR bikes - now called the Defy - before upgrading with time and experience. I myself started out on one (OCR zero) and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a first racer.

The geometry is nice and relaxed so they're comfortable to ride and are nice and stable (yet fast on the descent). They also are very reliable and from the number I've seen used mechanicals won't/shouldn't be a problem with them. And they are respectably light with even the entry one now coming with a carbonfibre fork which is a nice touch and helps reduce the feel of road buzz at the bars. I couldn't call the Viking a close equivalent.

At 5'11 you'd be looking at a size M (I'm 6'1 and take a large).

(Jeebus, looking back at this I should be getting commission from Giant if there's a sale outta this...)

yop

Cheers lads, I understand what you are sayin now for sure.

It was the euros I was watching to be honest as 550 euro for the Defy 4 was a little out of my budget.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=23608

Is there are any equivalent around the 350-400 euro mark??? (I know it maybe a piece of string question)

Thanks for your help

Morgan

Do you have the option of participating in the Bike-To-Work scheme? You'd make a considerable saving on a bike under €1000.

CheGuedara

yop wrote: »

Is there are any equivalent around the 350-400 euro mark??? (I know it maybe a piece of string question)

You'll be hard pushed to get anything close to it for the money.

If you start looking at lower prices that what reputable companies sell as their enthusiast entry level bikes e.g. the defy 4, you really do run the risk of buying an expensive BIKE SHAPED OBJECT - which is false economy as the cost of future repairs mounts up. There is a kinda threshold after which point you get a good reliable machine that will do the distance - I'd put that in the e500 region realistically.

Do check out the bike to work scheme or if possible save for just a wee bit longer, it'll be worth it.

kenmc

read this thread to see the false economy of buying cheap.

yop

the bike to work scheme is akward, lack of funds in the company mean I have a few months outstanding in salary, so getting them to pay the 550 euro up front for the Giant defy is slim!

But I can see what your saying now for sure. Maybe it would be worth the while paying the 550 and that will be saved in reliability and cost of repairs down the line!!!

DePurpereWolf

I have a Viking, it's a cheap brand, go for the Giant.

yop

DePurpereWolf wrote: »

I have a Viking, it's a cheap brand, go for the Giant.

Thanks for that Wolf, I am thinking I am 99% sure of the purchase now.

Now to decide where to buy!!! Must shop around!

Actually out of interest, would I expect to get anything thrown in like a helmet or that??

Also for the gealforce I am probably well to put on "hard tyres" am I not?

CheGuedara

Freebies - well, maybe if you buy from a small LBS, just coz they might appreciate business more than the bigger shops, but lights are more likely than a crasher. Then again the bigger shops might be able to do a bit better than RRP unlike the smaller shop and you'd make up the cost of a set of lights the same way. Either way a crasher is unlikely just coz they cost a bit (usually).

Best idea, haggle a wee bit on price - if they drop the price then pony up for some lights (& a crasher). And if not then be cheeky and see if they'll throw in a set of Cateyes gratis instead No harm chancing it.

Re tyres - well the Defy 4 & 3 come with 700X25 which are a 'medium' width as road tyres go and might be ok (from what I've read the course is over rough road as opposed to actually off-road). In anycase there's the option of firing something a bit wider on if needs be (such as these 700x 30 ones - should be enough air in them to take the sting out of most bumps and they've a bit of a tread on them too)

thebouldwhacker

yop wrote: »

Must shop around!

LOL,

You make it sound so easy...:D

yop

CheGuedara wrote: »

Freebies - well, maybe if you buy from a small LBS, just coz they might appreciate business more than the bigger shops, but lights are more likely than a crasher. Then again the bigger shops might be able to do a bit better than RRP unlike the smaller shop and you'd make up the cost of a set of lights the same way. Either way a crasher is unlikely just coz they cost a bit (usually).

Best idea, haggle a wee bit on price - if they drop the price then pony up for some lights (& a crasher). And if not then be cheeky and see if they'll throw in a set of Cateyes gratis instead No harm chancing it.

Re tyres - well the Defy 4 & 3 come with 700X25 which are a 'medium' width as road tyres go and might be ok (from what I've read the course is over rough road as opposed to actually off-road). In anycase there's the option of firing something a bit wider on if needs be (such as these 700x 30 ones - should be enough air in them to take the sting out of most bumps and they've a bit of a tread on them too)

Thanks for all the info, I will see what they will do!

yop

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

LOL,

You make it sound so easy...:D

LOL aye, well I found a 40 euro difference from shops online

DePurpereWolf

I sound a bit harsh, my Vikiing is not that bad, While my wife's Trek bought at the same time has already rust spots on the steering wheelhandlebars, my Viking frame is spotless. Most of the important parts, bottom brackets, brakes, wheels, derailer, are pretty low value.
I'd say it's a semi-cheap bike.
Somewhere in between a Goldrush BSO and a Giant.

Lumen

DePurpereWolf wrote: »

While my wife's Trek bought at the same time has already rust spots on the steering wheel

?

DePurpereWolf

Lumen wrote: »

?

:pac:

Handlebars.

pgibbo

Have a look in a few of the shops in Castlebar. You might pick a secondhand one. I have the OCR3 and used it last year. Lovely entry model. I'll check a couple of LBS here in Galway for you to see if there is anything half decent in the secondhand market.

yop

Cheers Gibbo, I contacted Marrney Bikes in Ballinrobe and he may have an OCR 4 coming in next week.
In fairness to the lad he would do the Defy 4, a helmet, lock, multi-tool, 2 bottles and holders and pump for 565 euro. So not a bad price.