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Yet another Bike to Work query

Comments

  • #2
    Highway_To_Hell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 721 ✭✭✭Highway_To_Hell


    schemingbohemia wrote: »
    My main criteria are ease of maintenance, ease of use (not an experienced cyclist) on a relatively flat cycle of 12kms from Dalkey to work and build quality.

    Form a maintenance perspective and with the route you are planning a single/fixed geared bike would fit the bill.

    When I started commuting by bike I qiuickly changed to a fixed gear bike as my road bike was getting destroyed. (was also able to use panniers which I prefer to a backpack. A few times a week I travel out from City centre to Dalkey/Killiney and the only time I miss gears would be up Dalkey ave.

    HTH


  • #3
    schemingbohemia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,606 ✭✭✭schemingbohemia


    wow! hadn't really even considered a single/fixed gear bike, memories of struggling up hills as a kid on a bike without gears made me think they weren't an option even given the flat terrain i'll be on.
    though if i decide to cycle more often than just commuting would it not be a limiting factor?


  • #4
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,753 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    I can recommend the Charge Tap. I got mine from Cycleways. Perfect for Dublin streets. Bullet proof and fast.

    What did you get in the end?


  • #5
    schemingbohemia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,606 ✭✭✭schemingbohemia


    Thanks for that recommendation, I'm still looking. Going to check this out at lunchtime today, seems to be very good value at Eurocycles.

    http://www.eurocycles.ie/Felt_XCity_1_2010/3139_p.aspx

    Here's a review I found on it.

    X-City 1

    The US$1,499 (approx £900) X-City 1 is a 700c-wheeled urban commuter using Shimano's Alfine internal eight-speed hub. It's made with Felt's custom-drawn, double-butted 6061 aluminium tubing and boasts a signature hydroformed top tube.
    An eccentric bottom bracket ensures correct chain tension. The carbon unicrown fork is painted to match. The component package includes Shimano Alfine hydraulic disc brakes; Felt dual density ergo grips, Moon Unit bar, aluminium stem and seatpost; and a Selle Royal Viper saddle.
    Mavic A-317 rims are laced to a Shimano Alfine SG-S500 eight-speed internal rear hub and RM-65 Centerlock front disc hub with butted stainless spokes. Felt spec their X:City 120tpi tyres with a folding bead. Colour is Super White. Sizes include 48, 52, 55 and 58cm (men's), and 44 and 49cm (women's).


  • #6
    rp
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭rp


    For that kind of money, at €925.77 the On-One Pompetamine Alfine would be a sweet option.

    I heard Planet-X/On-One has a shop in Athlone now?


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  • #7
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    I like the X-City 1 and the Tap, was thinking of one of those myself. But my old MTB is still running fine, so still dithering. I think I'd prefer the Felt.


  • #8
    schemingbohemia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,606 ✭✭✭schemingbohemia


    Fairly certain i'm going to get the Felt, I work not too far from the eurocycles shop in town so popped in there and it's a lovely bike - so light too, not alone was the price really good but they have a 15% worth of accessories free, so was able to get a load of extras free and then will pay for the rest (well, work will).

    That on-one looks really nice too and has fairly similar spec but Athlone's a bit of a trek and the Felt seems right for me. And I couldn't find the charge tap in any shops to have a sit on so the bricks and mortar wins.

    Thanks for the help.


  • #9
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    To my uneducated eye the Felts seem to be good quality. The only think I don't like is the angle handlebars, as I like to use bar ends. But they say the angle bar is more comfortable.


  • #10
    rp
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭rp


    schemingbohemia wrote: »
    That on-one looks really nice too and has fairly similar spec but Athlone's a bit of a trek and the Felt seems right for me. And I couldn't find the charge tap in any shops to have a sit on so the bricks and mortar wins.
    Why I'd go for the On-One (other than the fact I already have two On-One bikes) is the steel frame - same weight as the Felt too. Steel makes for a more comfortable ride, plus it lasts a lot longer. I've had Ally frames crack, especially on Irish roads.


  • #11
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,753 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    + one for the On One. Two things that I'd look into on the felt is the fat tires (slow) and the eccentric bottom bracket which have a tendency to creak and also will be a nightmare if you ever have trouble with it. I like the bars angled back, I put a noahs arc bar on my tap.

    Like I said earlier, Charge bikes are imported by cycleways on parnell st, Dublin & you are unlikely to find them elsewhere.


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  • #12
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    My MTB is steel and is starting to rust now after 3 yrs commuting. Maybe newer steel bikes are better. I thought most alu frames are guaranteed. You might want to check that for each bike. Is Frame cracking on ALU bikes more common than steel bikes? Are not most bike alu these days?

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/EFBe/frame_fatigue_test.htm


  • #13
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    I thought the point of the eccentric bottom bracket on the charge was for chain tension adjustment and keep the clean looks. How is that done on the On One?

    There some talk of the bracket on the charger mixer in the comment at the bottom here...

    http://howardstredwick.posterous.com/charge-mixer-500-mile-detailed-review


  • #14
    Bluefoam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,753 ✭✭✭Bluefoam


    The eccentric BB is on the felt. An eccentric BB is a compromise, it is designed as a solution to using an off the shelf frame for a hub gear/single speed/fixed gear, therefore cutting cost for the manufacturer.

    The charge tap has a regular BB and a horizontal dropout, which is the best configuration.

    The mixer might have an eccentric bb due to the disc brakes, which are not 100% necessary on an urban bike


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