Advice wanted for buying a new bike after bad advice from bike shops!

maireincork

Hi all

I am hoping to get some advice from more experienced people here about which bike to buy as I have been to both Halfords and my own local bike shop and the 3 different bikes they recommended seem to have been slated online when I did my research.

I used to live in Dublin so was a regular cyclist a few years ago - cycled to work every day, cycled into city when going out etc etc. Then we moved away and bought a car and haven't cycled in about 5 years.

I live in the country now so am looking for a bike I can cycle on rural roads with my family (we have 2 children). Plan is that hubbie (who does cycle more regularly) will take them in one of those child bike carriers -(might have to get advice on that in a bit, but will start on my bike first!!), but as I build up my confidence and strength on a bike again, would hope that I would also venture out with children on back of bike. Occasionally will be using it in a town/city - plan to bring the bike up when I go to Dublin and cycle around when up there (much easier then driving).

Halfords recommended the Carrera Crossfire 2:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810667_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

My local bike shop recommended either the:

Giant Roam 4 retailing at €399

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Roam-4-Womens-2012-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_48772.htm

or the

Claude Butler Legend - €579

http://cscycles.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=214698

The guy said the latter was a really really fantastic bike and would highly recommend it, but when I checked online the reviews were not good. (so I won't be buying from him as you can imagine). Neither were the reviews for the Giant Roam.

I am planning to buy it on the Bike to Work Scheme. I would love to get a really good bike that will last me - I bought my husband his bike 12 years ago now (paid a huge price for it), but he still has it - so although I want value for money I will pay a bit extra if I have to. My budget is around the €400 - 500 mark.

I would appreciate any recommendations from people here as I am now reluctant to venture into a bike shop for a recommendation. Or if you have any bike shops in Cork that you would recommend instead?

Many thanks for your help

Mary

kincsem

I would internet
http://media1.roseversand.de/catalog/gb/katalog_2011/index.html
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/
http://www.slanecycles.com/new-bikes-city-trail-hybrid-bikes-c-352_359.html?sesid=k4teknqt7r1v7lsh6f7b294ia0

One of the bikes you linked to had front suspension - in my opinion that is for mountain bikes, and is a waste on a street bike (paying for something you don't need.)

You can get a Rose catalogue for free. Its a bit like an Argos catalogue.

Maybe some of the women on here will be along in a while with advice. Try to be specific on your height (for bike frame size), how far you will go for a spin, and how hilly / flat are the roads (gearing), and will you need to carry luggage (e.g.rear pannier bag(s)), will you need a rear rack / back carrier / child seat.

maireincork

Thanks a mill for getting back to me. By use internet do you mean you would actually buy the bike online? I think the frame I need will be about 21 inches (how do I know this? the guy in the bike shop didn't tell me the height I need he said I could just adjust the saddle). I would say this summer anyway the furthest I will cycle is about 12 miles. I am hoping to build up my stamina though and by next year perhaps be doing longer cycles. It will be mostly on country roads. I would like a back carrier and would perhaps eventually have rear panniers - does this make a difference in the type of bike I choose? I might eventually be having a child bike trailer on the back (like I said at first as I am just getting used to cycling again my husband will mainly use this).

Thanks for your advice

Mary

Jonny7

I'm not sure what your height is, but bike shops tend to recommend enormous bikes for everyone.

Yes the saddle can be adjusted, but get a sensible size, too big and bike can be harder to control.

Sit on the bike, is the seat comfortable? can you pull the brakes? have a little test cycle does it go all the way up and down the gears? does it feel nice?

At your price range for your purpose its best to try a few bikes and pick the one that feels best for you.

kincsem

maireincork wrote: »

By use internet do you mean you would actually buy the bike online? I think the frame I need will be about 21 inches (how do I know this? the guy in the bike shop didn't tell me the height I need he said I could just adjust the saddle). I would like a back carrier and would perhaps eventually have rear panniers - does this make a difference in the type of bike I choose? I might eventually be having a child bike trailer on the back (like I said at first as I am just getting used to cycling again my husband will mainly use this).
Mary

I have five bikes, the first two bought in a bike shop, the last three bought on the internet.

There are frame size guides on those website links, and you will find other size guides if you google for them. Women specific frames are said to suit womens shorter torso, longer legs compared to males (may / may not be true, may be different for individuals.) The most important thing is the distance from saddle to handlebars as it can not be changed (you can fit a shorter or longer handlebar stem to adjust it slightly.) As against that it is easy to adjust for leg length, just raise / lower the saddle.

If you want mudguards and a carrier you should check that the bike will take them i.e. has attachment points. A carbon frame road bike (racer) would not.

Another thing to be careful about is gears. That majority of bikes have two front chainrings. And they will have 8, 9 or 10 rear sprockets. This will give 20 gears for a bike with 2 front and 10 rear rings. If you are carrying (or pulling) a child you will want your lowest gear to be low.

My bike with the biggest spread of gears has three front chainrings with 52, 39, 30 teeth. The 10 rear sprockets range from 12 teeth up to 27 teeth. This gives my biggest gear (fastest) 52/12=4.33 and the lowest 30/27=1.11 (lowest for climbing.) Imo you need to buy a bike with a low gear close to 1.0 (divide the smallest front ring by the largest rear ring.)

You should try to get a light bike around 10 kg / 22 pounds.

All of my new bikes cost €700 to €2,500. One I bought second-hand for €500 but it was twice that when new six months earlier. I found it in the boards.ie /cycling /adverts. You could look through the adverts section for a few weeks or put up an post looking for a women specific commuter bike.

Al Wright

It appears that your cycling is for normal leisure, commuting, shopping etc. For this activity one would not normally require a carbon frame, a host of gears, full suspension or all of the features highlighted on bikes diplayed in most bikeshops.
To start I'd recommend looking up manufacturers catalogues on-line, this shall give you an idea of what's available, two sites are as follows;
http://www.dawescycles.com/c-150-city.aspx
(this is open at 'City models', to change click Products; then 2012 Bikes)

http://www.raleigh.ie/_bikes/viewCat.asp?catID=74

When you have an idea of the style of bike (city, comfort, hybrid etc) then go to your local bike shops and check out the models that you think would suit you. Pay particular attention that frame size is suitable for you, (frames of those particular models come in sizes 15 to 19 inch )

Then there are the gears, the choices are open derailler types with multiple gearing such as seen on racers and mountain bikes, or 3 to 8 speed enclosed gears (shown in the above)

An overview of the whole bicycle range is explained on the following link;

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3331 (just click on the 'What Bike' tab.

Practically all the bikes in the range of interest are suitable for attachment of a child bike trailer, they are attached to the saddle tube using a special coupling.
Generally the bikes of interest from reputable manufacturer are reliable and there is little to choose between them in terms of quality in similar price ranges.

So the best of luck in your search.

Zen0

Those bikes you were recommended are awful looking, and have features (like suspension) which are unnecessary and will make your bike heavier and less fun to ride.

My better half bought a Giant Escape 3 last year like this one

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=44442

They also come in a ladies version with a more step through frame (the ladies version would have a ladies saddle, but the more traditional top tube gives a stronger bike - either is OK).

She loves the bike (maybe not the saddle, but that's easy to fix). There are lots of similar bikes out there by other manufacturers, but stay away from suspension forks, and "mountain bikes" at that price. If you really get back into it, you may eventually want a lighter faster bike, but something like the Giant is a good all rounder.

I'm not sure I would recommend an internet purchase for somebody buying a "first" bike. Your inside leg measurement will give a rough indication of frame size, but people's bodies come in lots of different proportions, so for example if you have long legs but a short torso, some bikes will leave you feeling too stretched out.

smacl

Zen0 wrote: »

My better half bought a Giant Escape 3 last year

As did mine a few years back, ladies version. A very solid reliable no-frills bike that is well loved by my wife and also our 12 year old daughter who often nabs it. If also has a very low lowest gear, so well capable of towing a trailer, or in my wife case having a basket full of goodies on the front.

Donie75

I bought the other half a Specialized Sirrus rather than a specific ladies bike. She loves it and finds it very easy to cycle and very comfortable. She wanted a mountain bike originally but I talked her into buying the Cirrus.

I used to have a Trek 7.2FX and it was a great bike too.

You're better off going for a non suspension hybrid bike.