Excuse me, my friend fancies you...

rollingscone

Says RS to a bicycle or two.

The best mate is on the hunt for a new all purpose bike on the BTW and despite months of dithering has vaguely zeroed in on a few options but is still too lazy to make this post himself (blames dyslexia!).

Basically his definition of all uses is - commuting and the occasional 100km+ spin.

He wavered from MTB, but then admitted he probably won't do too much MTBing, to a crossbike (one of the horrible can do everything but race cross on them variety).

With a bit of nudging from the Angel on his shoulder he is now interested in a steel framed road-bike with fairly relaxed geometry.

So far the two he looked at were the Surly Pacer and Charge Juicer. Are there any better suggestions out there for something relatively bombproof and relaxed but still nippy enough for non competitive road spins?

Any feedback on the options above?

He isn't scared off by the budget on the Pacer or Juicer (about 1500 each) so that gives you an idea of his price range.

Edit: I should also state that said friend is an experienced road cyclist.

DirkVoodoo

Deliberately misleading thread title. I am disappoint.

rollingscone

if you saw the standard of my female friends (assuming that's your wheelhouse) you would be "relieve".

Seaneh

What about this Ribble Reynolds 525?


€865 for a beautiful bike in tiagra or €1041 for it in 105, or if you're feeling really flash, €1351 with ultegra.
Comes with everything you'd need for Irish weather and I think it's bloody gorgeous.

You could if you want even get it with campag centaur with carbon cranks and shifters and Khamsin wheels for €1311 if that sort of thing appeals to ya.

DirkVoodoo

Two things to consider with commuting: Mudguards and maintenance!

Mudguards are a bloody miracle, full wheelbrows, none of your raceblade lark.

Also, if it's just for commuting, consider entry level 10 speed: Veloce, Tiagra, etc.

Replacing a busted Veloce shifter (100 euro a set) is a lot better than replacing an Ultegra or Rival set (about 300 euro!)

You don't need top of the line 10 speed for commuting.

C-Shore

Saw these new bikes at the Irish Cycling Show and they have a steel bike.

Didn't get to try it out, but it had a nice SRAM group set on it and this one has Apex and as mentioned above, full mudguards.

http://www.eastwaybikes.com/product/eastway-st1-0-steel-road-bike/

reallyunique

Unlikely to be appropriate but I love this thing
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m14b0s21p8311/SALSA_Casseroll_Complete
Good price for what it is.