Bike recommendation (bike to work scheme)

Tusky

Howdy cyclists,

Looking for recommendations on a participating bike to work seller (close to/in city centre) and also a bike. Is there much difference in price between shops?

Also looking for a recommendation on the bike itself. A friend had suggested a specialized sirrus?

Bike will mainly be used for short journeys in city centre, but would also like something that is comfortable for a longer journey too. Don't really have a budget, but guess there's no point spending a fortune if it's only gonna get medium use.

Maybe an upper-end budget of €800 or so?

kincsem

Tusky wrote: »

Howdy cyclists,

Looking for recommendations on a participating bike to work seller (close to/in city centre) and also a bike. Is there much difference in price between shops?

Also looking for a recommendation on the bike itself. A friend had suggested a specialized sirrus?

Bike will mainly be used for short journeys in city centre, but would also like something that is comfortable for a longer journey too. Don't really have a budget, but guess there's no point spending a fortune if it's only gonna get medium use.

Maybe an upper-end budget of €800 or so?

I have a 2005 Specialized Sirrus. They are a good bike.
My guess is the price will be the same or very close in different bike shops as I think there are just a handful of Specialized dealers.
The Sirrus is a flat bar bike and I've found that about 30 km is about the most I like to do with it (although I have gone 100 km on it.) "Road bikes" = "Racers" = "Drop handlebar bikes" are much more comfortable on long journeys.

You must get mudguards fitted when buying. I recommend SKS mudguards. Get the shop to fit them as it is tricky. They will charge for fitting.
These in black are nice http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25793

You must get a proper lock (preferably locks.) You mentioned city centre. If you park a nice Sirrus there you are risking it.
Get Kryptonite and / or Abus Granit U locks (~€100 each). They might slow down the thieves.
Cable is for television. Useless for locking bikes.
The safest place to park a bike is inside your house.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28854
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18394
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=89012

Tusky

Thanks for the reply. Wow, pricey locks. Are the shop likely to do a deal and throw in lights or mudguards?

Also, any other suggestions apart from the Sirrus?

kincsem

You might get some sort of a deal, like you pay for the mudguards and they will fit them for free. Lights can be cheap.
I lock my bike with two Kryptonite locks (standard and mini) if I am parking. And I am back in fifteen minutes.
I lock my bikes indoors and hide the keys.
Giant and Trek others to consider but I don't own so can't advise. But do not buy a cheap bike, or do if you are not bothered about losing it.

kincsem

You could go into Cycleways, Parnell Street (on the corner opposite the Rotunda hospital.) Go downstairs to the basement and look at the bikes.
http://www.cycleways.com/store/

CramCycle

Tusky wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Wow, pricey locks. Are the shop likely to do a deal and throw in lights or mudguards?

Most bike shops will do a deal, if your buying a few things, they usually can meet online prices if your buying a bike at the same time, I got a decent lock thrown in with mine. If they don't budge its unlikely they have any interest in you coming back as a repeat customer so best avoid in my opinion.

A good bike shop looks after you because they know you will be back and recommend them to others.

I like ThinkBike in rathmines from personal experience, BikerBhoy works in there AFAIK Joe Dalys in Dundrum is a bit further out but very nice the few times I have popped in. There are another crowd in town who I also found quite decent blokes, at the town end of Camden St. think its Macdonalds.