Opinions on bike

John37

I am just looking for opinions on this bike. It will be used for general fitness spins in the evening and longer cycles at the weekend aswell as the odd sportive now and then. I know most posters will suggest a road bike but I suffer from back pain (previous injury) when in the crouched position aka drop down position and would rather be more upright on a flat bar bike. The spec looks good


Sorry about that was meant to post this bike which is on sale in Duff cycles today. I think it was retailing at 850 and th one I was shown had carbon forks so was very lightweight
http://www.bicyclehq.com.au/bikes/hybrid-bike/flat-bar-road-bike/giant-cross-city-1-flat-bar-road-bike-2012/prod_1136.html

Also I presume it would be straightforward to set the likes of this up on a turbo trainer

coastwatch

Are you female? Thats a woman bike? The bike weight isn't given in the spec, but I would guess it's quite heavy, so I would think it's ok for short (flat) spins but it's going to be hard work if you're planning on spending a few hours out on it.

coastwatch

Re- Giant Cross City,
That bike looks ideal for what you have in mind, good spec, good range of gears and good value (@€;850). Go for it.

Paul Kiernan

Just because a bike has drops doesn't mean you have to use them!

A major advantage of road bars is that you can vary your body position by changing your hand position. This reduces fatigue and is pretty much essential on long rides (e.g. sportives).

Also frames have different geometries with some more suited to a low aggresive position and others a more upright relaxed position. On top of that you can use a larger frame size with a shorter stem to create a more relaxed position.

In summary, there isn't just one correct position on a road bike, there are many, and two people with identical body measurements could choose totally different bike setup's, where one has the saddle about 10" higher than the bars and the other has them at the same height.

John37

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Just because a bike has drops doesn't mean you have to use them!

A major advantage of road bars is that you can vary your body position by changing your hand position. This reduces fatigue and is pretty much essential on long rides (e.g. sportives).

Also frames have different geometries with some more suited to a low aggresive position and others a more upright relaxed position. On top of that you can use a larger frame size with a shorter stem to create a more relaxed position.

In summary, there isn't just one correct position on a road bike, there are many, and two people with identical body measurements could choose totally different bike setup's, where one has the saddle about 10" higher than the bars and the other has them at the same height.

Thanks Paul

I would really like to keep below my budget of a grand and feel I would not get a good road bike for that amount and also felt the relaxed geometry of a flat bar bike wouldn't aggravate my back hence the reason I was thinking of getting the above. Also I presume I would not have a problem setting the above onto a turbo trainer

Paul Kiernan

A turbo trainer should work with any bike so that won't be an issue.

STI type shifters are expensive and are the main reason why road bikes cost more than equivalent hybrids. However, it shouldn't be a huge difference.

smacl

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Just because a bike has drops doesn't mean you have to use them!

A major advantage of road bars is that you can vary your body position by changing your hand position. This reduces fatigue and is pretty much essential on long rides (e.g. sportives).

True, but if you're not going to use the drops, you're missing out on one of the main positions. I'd personally find a flat bar with bar ends more comfortable than just using hoods and tops, and have done a number of long sportives comfortably with that set-up. I'm not a fan of descending on bumpy roads in the hoods.

What I don't really get is why people think that the more forward position of a drop bar bike is harder on the back than an upright position. As you go more forward your weight is shifted such that feet and arms are carrying a larger portion, and your taking weight off your lower back. Road noise is also dissipated much better with weight on the feet, whereas it tends to get transmitted through the sit bones and into the back in a more upright position. Hitting a bump on the road going fast in the seated upright position can be pretty jarring.

All that said, for a flat bar bike, that Giant looks great.

John37

smacl wrote: »

True, but if you're not going to use the drops, you're missing out on one of the main positions. I'd personally find a flat bar with bar ends more comfortable than just using hoods and tops, and have done a number of long sportives comfortably with that set-up. I'm not a fan of descending on bumpy roads in the hoods.

What I don't really get is why people think that the more forward position of a drop bar bike is harder on the back than an upright position. As you go more forward your weight is shifted such that feet and arms are carrying a larger portion, and your taking weight off your lower back. Road noise is also dissipated much better with weight on the feet, whereas it tends to get transmitted through the sit bones and into the back in a more upright position. Hitting a bump on the road going fast in the seated upright position can be pretty jarring.

All that said, for a flat bar bike, that Giant looks great.

Thnaks for the info. I am torn between the baove bike and this one
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777701_langId_-1_categoryId_212377#tab2

Any idea which one would be best. I will have the bull horn bars put on to gove me more hand positioning options on the bike

smacl

John37 wrote: »

Thnaks for the info. I am torn between the baove bike and this one
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777701_langId_-1_categoryId_212377#tab2

Any idea which one would be best. I will have the bull horn bars put on to gove me more hand positioning options on the bike

Also very nice for a flat bar bike. The only notable difference is the Boardman has disk brakes that may perform slightly better in the wet or in muddy conditions, and a slightly wider gear range. I'd tend to try them both out for a spin and see which you find more comfy and/or attractive. Also worth considering which shop you like better or find more convenient, as that's where you're likely to go for servicing etc... Everything else being equal, I'd rather the Boardman, purely on looks.

Paul Kiernan

I'd go for the Boardman as well. It's very nicely specced and has a good reputation. You know you can get 15% off at Halfords if you have an Axa insurance policy, or if you know anyone who has one:).

John37

How much would the bar ends cost to get fixed onto the bike?

John37

John37 wrote: »

How much would the bar ends cost to get fixed onto the bike?

Just wondering would other posters feel if the extra cost for the Boardman i.e its retailing at 925 euro justify the extra cost off 800 for the Giant flat bar bike in terms of the better spec?

John37

John37 wrote: »

Just wondering would other posters feel if the extra cost for the Boardman i.e its retailing at 925 euro justify the extra cost off 800 for the Giant flat bar bike in terms of the better spec?

Anyone?

smacl

John37 wrote: »

Just wondering would other posters feel if the extra cost for the Boardman i.e its retailing at 925 euro justify the extra cost off 800 for the Giant flat bar bike in terms of the better spec?

Well, you had said €850 for the Giant, which is €75 in the difference. They're both fine bikes, so it's really down to personal preference. Re bar ends, you can fit them yourself very easily.

To an extent you get what you pay for, so if you wanted to stretch to €1250 you could get a full carbon planet-x hybrid or if you wanted to save money, you could get a Raleigh Urban for €250. There isn't a single right answer, you really need to sit on the bikes to see which one you like.

Paul Kiernan

Don't forget the AXA discount! That'd knock the guts of €140 off the Boardman.

Wacky Wallets International

Whichever bike you go for, I'd definitely avoid Halfords. I wouldn't trust buying a bell from that shop never mind the bike

happytramp

Wacky Wallets International wrote: »

Whichever bike you go for, I'd definitely avoid Halfords. I wouldn't trust buying a bell from that shop never mind the bike

Then where would you suggest going if you want a boardman?

colm_gti

And where would you suggest if you want a bell?

kenmc

Either way I'd imagine he's either gotten a bike by now, or abandoned the idea entirely.

But for a bell, I'd head to the local bike shop. It's closer.