I need a hack for trips to town - suggestions?

DonVincenzo

Hi Folks
I need to purchase a hack for the 1 or 2 evenings a week I wanna go into town / go the supermarket & would appreciate any suggestions.

I love my current commuter - a Giant FCR 1 - Its light, strong, quick, and I am lucky to have a safe place to park it in work & in my apartment block. Problem is, for the past 3 years commuting, I just go point to point on it as I wouldn't feel comfortable locking it outside anywhere (quick release / decent looking bike = target).

I am not a fan of Dublin Bus (hate waiting) & although I drive, I get fairly stressed when stuck in traffic when I need to go the supermarket / into town etc... - so I think this is a good enough excuse reason to buy a 3rd bike?

I was thinking of

• Something in the €200 to €400 bracket (would prefer not to buy 2nd hand & end up spending more fixing it up, as have just spent a fortune replacing the wheels on my FCR & road bike).
• Something with mudguards & (maybe) a rear rack
• Low maintenance
• Not too heavy
• Maybe a city bike style - as I hear that they are less likely to get nicked when locked outside (although nothing's safe in Dublin)

I was thinking of a Dawes / Giant city bike (think I read a decent review on here before about the Dawes Discovery) OR even plumping for a Halfords Carrera or their Dutch Style bike called the "Real Classic" - for the fun of it!! (although I'm not a fan of Halfords - it could be ideal for this kinda bike?)

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_700743_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Anyway - would be grateful for any suggestions & opinions.

Cheers

The Don

papac

I have a Carrera subway v brake spec from Halfords as my town hack and I find it hard to fault for the money. 269 euros. I set out to break it about 8 months back and haven't suceeded yet.

I have even started off roading with it and now I have to buy myself a proper mtb. Ain't life a bitch.:D

Halfrauds are ****e and its probably made by 5 year old Vietnamese slaves but what can you do.?Its a great value bike.

DonVincenzo

Cheers Papac

Hard to argue with a decent enough new runaround for just of 200 squids!

Good to hear its fairly robust, as I'd like to think I can justify buying a bike, but dont wanna spend a fortune maintaining the thing too.

At that price, I think I'll be able to invest in a decent lock for town too!

Cheers
Don

papac

I think I'll be able to invest in a decent lock for town

They threw in 30 quids worth of extras with mine--maybe you could get a lock included.

My cables did stretch a fair bit in the beginning but thats to be expected at that price I would say.

DirkVoodoo

I heartily endorse Papac's recommendation. Runabout hack for town = Carrera Subway (probably being unfair, it's not a bad bike).

DonVincenzo

Thanks guys - I'll stick my noggin into Halfords during the week then.

Cheers
The Don