Recommend commuter bike with gear hub in South Dublin

inigo

I would appreciate suggestions for a new commuter bike (exclusively) with 7 or 8 gear hub, built-in guards, etc. budget €500-600 in total (250-300 after the Bike to Work Scheme) and where to buy/look in South Dublin preferably. I would like to get good size paniers and other accessories at the same time. I'm a slim 5'9'' man and I'll be carrying a toddler preferably in front of me (when I get fit, that is ).

inigo

This looks nice if a bit above budget. I have read good reviews about Lapierre in general but am concerned about the "Crankset: Suntour SCX, City Single Speed" + "Shimano Twist shifter Nexus 3S". Will it be too demanding in the hills between Dun Laoghaire and Dublin City Centre (N11)? Will I be better of with a 7 gear hub?

L'Enfer du Nord

inigo wrote: »

I would appreciate suggestions for a new commuter bike (exclusively) with 7 or 8 gear hub, built-in guards, etc. budget €500-600 in total (250-300 after the Bike to Work Scheme) and where to buy/look in South Dublin preferably. I would like to get good size paniers and other accessories at the same time. I'm a slim 5'9'' man and I'll be carrying a toddler preferably in front of me (when I get fit, that is ).

Fitzcycles in Stillorgan have nice range of commuters and city bikes, most of the ones with hub gears seem to be listed as cruisers -
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/categories.php?category=Bicycles/Cruisers

Also

2 Wheels in Sandmount and Monkstown stock Gazelle:
http://www.2wheels.ie/?cat=14

Think Bike in Rathmines also have a lot of city bikes some of which have hub gears:
http://www.thinkbike.ie/index.aspx

I'd recomnd all three in terms of customer service.

bloomfield

A little above your budget, but I have last year's model of the Cube Hyde from the Cycle Superstore in Tallaght, and I really like it. I added some mudguards and a rack for a pannier bag.

inigo

Just realised that I will not be able to carry a toddler on the cross bar on the Lapierre!! There's none! I really liked the look of that bike. It looks like I am going to have to stretch it and go for the Giant Expression N7... Unless someone tells me that I cannot carry a toddler on a seat on the front bar because it's not completely horizontal?

inigo

bloomfield wrote: »

A little above your budget, but I have last year's model of the Cube Hyde from the Cycle Superstore in Tallaght, and I really like it. I added some mudguards and a rack for a pannier bag.

Thanks for that bloomfield. I really wanted something more comfortable (straight back) like the Lapierre or the Giant Expression. Plus they come already with mudguards and racks.

Lumen

inigo wrote: »

Unless someone tells me that I cannot carry a toddler on a seat on the front bar because it's not completely horizontal?

Front seats are dangerous and awkward, IMO.

inigo

I find them more stable (very limited holiday experience), or easier to control, particularly when carrying heavy panniers at the back. Plus I can see the toddler. BUT I am ready to change my mind.....

inigo

Ok, so I think I've changed my mind reading this I found in another thread in this forum. The Lapierre is back on the cards if I can manage the hills with a 3 speed Nexus!

BostonB

Are there any issues with getting hub gears services in Dublin?

tomasrojo

BostonB wrote: »

Are there any issues with getting hub gears services in Dublin?

I've been given to understand that three-speed hub gears are well understood by bike mechanics. More than that and you might have trouble finding someone with the expertise to service or repair them.

EDIT: I can't comment on the accuracy of this, since I've only been running a three-speed hub gear for a year and even that on an occasional basis, but I've read that three-speed hub gears are extremely reliable, to the point that there are examples of units running for fifty years or so. I don't know whether such units have seen any services in that time, but I presume somebody at least dripped some oil into them.

Bikerbhoy

This is an excellent rock solid set up check it out http://www.weeride.com