Budget Bike for 2011

petethedrummer

With the good weather arriving we're going to need a cheap bike to recommend to the casual cyclist. For a while there, the Carrera Subway was the best of the cheap bikes but seems to be discontinued.

Is the Carrera Gryphon worth recommending now instead? Or what is the new budget bike king?

kona

petethedrummer wrote: »

With the good weather arriving we're going to need a cheap bike to recommend to the casual cyclist. For a while there, the Carrera Subway was the best of the cheap bikes but seems to be discontinued.

Is the Carrera Gryphon worth recommending now instead? Or what is the new budget bike king?

Subway have a 2011 range.

petethedrummer

kona wrote: »

Subway have a 2011 range.

So they have. Subway it is so.

50% off!

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_786863_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

BostonB

I'm guessing, the Gryphon would be a much faster bike. But the Subway might be more comfy for the casual spin.

langdang

The SRAM SX4 shifters specced on the Gryphon have no place on anything other than a BSO.

petethedrummer

langdang wrote: »

The SRAM SX4 shifters specced on the Gryphon have no place on anything other than a BSO.

Right so the Gryphon is out.

So we're sticking with the Subway when someone says "I need a new bike, I'm not sure what type. I have €250 to spend."

kona

Sram X4 isnt as bad as gripshift (nothing is! ), however one thing is I dont think Sram make 7 speed Sx-4 shifters anymore

BostonB

Theres always the disk option.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-carrera-gryphon-18314/

I really dislike twist shifters too.

The spec in shop might be different maybe? I assume you could upgrade the shifters part and derailleur if you have problems Though I don't think speed it the primary concern for the OP.

petethedrummer

BostonB wrote: »

I assume you could upgrade the shifters part and derailleur if you have problems

No talk of upgrades. This bike should last for 10 years with no servicing like bikes did when I was young.

kona

petethedrummer wrote: »

No talk of upgrades. This bike should last for 10 years with no servicing like bikes did when I was young.

Use the force :P

studiorat

in the spirit of helpfulness here's a review from steve in the south-west.

very slick ride,light yet strong and of a very good quality.
Really good gears easy and clear to use with cool dials on gear lever so you can see which gear you are in.
Only bad thing is that the seat is a bit uncomfortable.

petethedrummer

Steve's a good guy.

BostonB

petethedrummer wrote: »

No talk of upgrades. This bike should last for 10 years with no servicing like bikes did when I was young.

That might be Harry Potters bike. That said my MTB bike is 16yrs old. Though since I started commuting on it, its got more wear and things breaking, in 2yrs than those previous 14.

ontheditch2

I am currently looking for a new hobby, after deciding to take a year out from my usual, Hurling and Football.
Want to do a bit of cycling.
So, without spending too much money, i want to get a good road bike for myself and i don't want to spend too much. And i dont want a hybrid, hence not going for the recommended.

Thanks in advance..

SomeFool

ontheditch2 wrote: »

I am currently looking for a new hobby, after deciding to take a year out from my usual, Hurling and Football.
Want to do a bit of cycling.
So, without spending too much money, i want to get a good road bike for myself and i don't want to spend too much. And i dont want a hybrid, hence not going for the recommended.

Thanks in advance..

This is the latest CycleSuperStore deal, might be worth looking at. Are you entitled to the bike to work scheme?

Lumen

langdang wrote: »

The SRAM SX4 shifters specced on the Gryphon have no place on anything other than a BSO.

kona wrote: »

Sram X4 isnt as bad as gripshift (nothing is! ), however one thing is I dont think Sram make 7 speed Sx-4 shifters anymore

I don't much about this stuff, but I'll probably be buying this kids bike which comes with a SRAM X4 rear mech and Sram 3.0 Comp 7sp shifters. Wondering whether this was obselete kit I found the SRAM 3.0 Twist shifter (7/8sp) on the SRAM website which sugggests that 7sp is still current. That shifter is only £12.77 from SJS, so it's an obvious choice for a budget bike.

I don't know whether "SX4" shifters are the same as "Sram 3.0 Comp" shifters.

edit: ok, it appears that SX4 is a trigger shifter whereas "SRAM 3.0 Comp" is a grip shifter, which probably makes this whole post an off-topic ramble.

ludermor

http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/trek/3500-2010

One of my mates was enquiring about the bike above? What would the views be on this against the Subway ? The bike would be used almost completely for commuting with the possibility going on some tracks

langdang

Lumen wrote: »

I don't much about this stuff, but I'll probably be buying this kids bike which comes with a SRAM X4 rear mech and Sram 3.0 Comp 7sp shifters. ...
ok, it appears that SX4 is a trigger shifter whereas "SRAM 3.0 Comp" is a grip shifter, which probably makes this whole post an off-topic ramble.

Lumen, the internals of the SX4 trigger shifters are made from butter. Herself managed to break a set FFS. Even when they work they are the vaguest shifters ever. You probably have the bike bought now tho!

kona

langdang wrote: »

Lumen, the internals of the SX4 trigger shifters are made from butter. Herself managed to break a set FFS. Even when they work they are the vaguest shifters ever. You probably have the bike bought now tho!

This is true, they are very vague and feel crap, but they are fine for what they are. Its doesnt matter who broke them, they were forced and snapped, they dont just break, however they are one of the reasons I think Sram are not as durable as shimano, the Sram road stuff seems better though.

Most kids bikes will come with gripshift, because they usually only come with 6 gears.

ontheditch2

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_786805_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

Good value or not?? Going to bite the bullet and make a purchase in the next few days..

Shikei

What about ladies' bikes? Or does it really make any difference? I don't care much what my bike looks like as long as it gets me to college with as little hassle as possible Budget of about 300-400 euro.