Best bike for me?

Piste

Ok so while it feels like a betrayal to be thinking about a new bike so soon after my previous one being stolen, the commute from Ranelagh to Beaumont is horrible on the Luas/Bus, so time to start looking at new bikes!

There are a few things I'd like different to my old bike, first of all I definitely want a lighter frame. My old bike was 17Kg and was a beast of a thing which made hills a bit of a struggle. A lot of the bikes I've been looking at are around 13Kg, which seems much nicer. I also had a go on my friend's Specialised yesterday and that was really comfortable and lovely and light. I also want suspension on my new bike, I had it on my old one and never realised what a difference it made until I was cycling my bike from years back and the teeth were rattling in my head!

I've decided to do a Triathlon sometime next year, is a road bike a must for that, or would hybrid do? Bear in mind I'm just doing this for the challenge, I don't really care about speed/times. The bike would mainly be used for commuting. I want to get from A to B pretty quickly (longer lie-in in the morning :pac:) but I also like the idea of doing longer spins, maybe on country roads, in the future, which is why I'd like a hybrid (also my last bike was a hybrid, and I really liked it)

So these are the bikes I've seen and think would suit me, I'd just like people to comment on how good they seem. They all seem pretty good and the kind of bikes that would suit me, but I don't understand a lot of the technical lingo, so some direction would be appreciated!

http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/45842/2010-Specialized-Globe-Vienna-1-Ladies-M/

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/2010_KELLYS_ATHENA.aspx

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/DAWES_DUTCHESS.aspx [probably too heavy for me...but it's sooo pretty!]

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/2010_Trek_7100.aspx

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/2010_KELLYS_COACH.aspx

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=36623

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=31105

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=36592

http://www.eurocycles.ie/Felt_Cafe_7/3590_p.aspx


At the moment I'm leaning towards either the Specialised (cos of riding my friend's bike) or the Felt 7 (because there's 20% off and it seems to have everything I need (e.g. a cupholder) )

Piste

So I went to Eurocycles to have a look at the Felt. It felt (lol) very nice to ride but there was no suspension and only 7 gears, which is a pity because it was a lovely bike. Had a ride around a Giant Express in Think Bike which was very nice, 21 gears but again no suspension. I've made another list of bikes all with suspension, which I need because of the godawful state of the roads. I kind of like the idea of mountain biking and the guy in the shop said it would be a good idea to get a mountain bike and keep hybrid tyres on it for commuting and switch to mountain bike tyres for mountain biking, which seems to be the best of both worlds. Anyone have any idea what would be the best tyres for this?

These are the bikes I've been looking at:

2010 KELLYS FLASH
2010 KELLYS COACH
2010 KELLYS GAMMA
2010 KELLYS VIPER
2010 KELLYS COLIBREE
2010 Trek 7100
2010 KELLYS SAPHIX
2010 TREK 7.2
2010 TREK 7.1
2010 TREK 4300
2010 TREK 3700

BostonB

I don't know why you need a suspension. The roads on your route aren't that bad. You're looking at very heavy (unsuitable?) bikes if you want to do a triathlon.

Maybe consider something like a CycloCross bike
http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/46536/2010-Specialized-Tricross-49cm/
http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/46536/2010-Specialized-Tricross-49cm/
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=272&idproduct=35125

07Lapierre

Piste wrote: »

Ok so while it feels like a betrayal to be thinking about a new bike so soon after my previous one being stolen, the commute from Ranelagh to Beaumont is horrible on the Luas/Bus, so time to start looking at new bikes!

There are a few things I'd like different to my old bike, first of all I definitely want a lighter frame. My old bike was 17Kg and was a beast of a thing which made hills a bit of a struggle. A lot of the bikes I've been looking at are around 13Kg, which seems much nicer. I also had a go on my friend's Specialised yesterday and that was really comfortable and lovely and light. I also want suspension on my new bike, I had it on my old one and never realised what a difference it made until I was cycling my bike from years back and the teeth were rattling in my head!

I've decided to do a Triathlon sometime next year, is a road bike a must for that, or would hybrid do? Bear in mind I'm just doing this for the challenge, I don't really care about speed/times. The bike would mainly be used for commuting. I want to get from A to B pretty quickly (longer lie-in in the morning :pac:) but I also like the idea of doing longer spins, maybe on country roads, in the future, which is why I'd like a hybrid (also my last bike was a hybrid, and I really liked it)

So these are the bikes I've seen and think would suit me, I'd just like people to comment on how good they seem. They all seem pretty good and the kind of bikes that would suit me, but I don't understand a lot of the technical lingo, so some direction would be appreciated!

http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/45842/2010-Specialized-Globe-Vienna-1-Ladies-M/

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/2010_KELLYS_ATHENA.aspx

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/DAWES_DUTCHESS.aspx [probably too heavy for me...but it's sooo pretty!]

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/2010_Trek_7100.aspx

http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/2010_KELLYS_COACH.aspx

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=36623

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=31105

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=39&idproduct=36592

http://www.eurocycles.ie/Felt_Cafe_7/3590_p.aspx


At the moment I'm leaning towards either the Specialised (cos of riding my friend's bike) or the Felt 7 (because there's 20% off and it seems to have everything I need (e.g. a cupholder) )

A light bike AND suspension? , you'll have to choose one or the other.

Here's my suggestion ( only 10kg).

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=30974

Piste

Oh I didn't realise I couldn't have the best of both worlds- pity My old bike was 17Kg, I'm sure I could find one lighter than that with suspension...the guy in the shop yesterday seemed pretty sure an aluminium-framed bike with suspension would be light enough for me. That LaPierre looks really good but is a little out of my price range.

BostonB

You never mentioned price range before. What is it.

Piste

Oh sorry, I'd like to spend around €450 as that's probably what the insurance from my old bike will pay. I don't mind spending a little more of my own money myself on top of that though.

BostonB

Maybe go out to cyclesuperstore or wheelworz and try a few different bikes out.

07Lapierre

Piste wrote: »

Oh sorry, I'd like to spend around €450 as that's probably what the insurance from my old bike will pay. I don't mind spending a little more of my own money myself on top of that though.

I'm pretty sure the prices listed on the web could be "negotiated" downwards if you call in in person.

Piste

Ooh that's a good idea, I might ask them if they could throw anything in....though I'm awful at haggling!

07Lapierre

Piste wrote: »

Ooh that's a good idea, I might ask them if they could throw anything in....though I'm awful at haggling!

Watch few old episodes of "Fr ted".."go on, go on, go on, ya will, ya will ya will"

also,

A good/decent Lock?
Padded shorts/padded gloves?,
rain cape,

the list is endless..bring your credit card!

DirkVoodoo

Honestly, a lot of "suspension" issues can be solved with the right tyre and pressure choice. A front fork raises the cost of a bike to a point where a decent one becomes a little pricey and a cheaper one will end up being awful to ride and cause you hassle?

How tall are you Piste? I have been trying to flog it for some time but I have a mountain bike for sale, 16.5" (see sig). You are welcome to have a go on it anyway and see what you think. It's almost brand new.

BostonB

Thats true you could get a light non suspension bike and put fatter tyres on it.

or pick a better route.

empirix

don't forget the goverments bike to work scheme!!!!