Trek 7.2 FX v Giant Escape City v Ridgeback Speed

blatantrereg

I'm looking at getting one of these bikes. Also considering Ridgeback Meteor and Giant Escape 2

Typical use would be 2-4 mile journeys on road often in traffic, 4-10 times a week. The occasional longer spin would be likely (10 miles probably maximum). Unlikely to go off road with it - I have an old but decent mountain bike I can get fixed if I get an urge to also. I tend to cycle fast, though I wouldn't be interested in racing. I'm 6'2 and 12 stone. I would often be carrying a bag.

I would like the mudguards and probably the carrier, but I could just transfer them from the aforementioned mountain bike if they aren't included.

Robustness and reliability would be important factors for me. I also like to go fairly fast, as I mentioned.

I'd prefer not to have quick release tyres as I'll be using it in an urban setting and would feel a need to use two locks.

Prices:

Rb Speed 389
Rb Meteor 459
Giant Escape 2 499
Giant Escape City 559
Trek 7.2 FX 549

How are those prices? Anything stand out as being good/bad value? (Taken from http://vccycles.com - the shop where I will probably get bike).

Are the Ridgeback tyres puncture resistant (Continental Contact)?

Is the Giant City the same bike as the Giant Escape 2, but with
kickstand/carrier/bell/mudguards added?

I've seen a few problems mentioned with people talking about the Ridgebacks (and comparable other Ridgeback bikes), which conflicts with a lot of mentions of a reputation for reliability etc. Are they robust and reliable at this level, or is that reputation based on more expensive models maybe?

I've seen a lot of good things said about the Trek, particularly in terms of it being fast. Would it be noticeably faster than the others I've listed?

What would people recommend? How do the bikes compare in general?

Thanks

rollingscone

blatantrereg wrote: »

I'm looking at getting one of these bikes. Also considering Ridgeback Meteor and Giant Escape 2

Typical use would be 2-4 mile journeys on road often in traffic, 4-10 times a week. The occasional longer spin would be likely (10 miles probably maximum). Unlikely to go off road with it - I have an old but decent mountain bike I can get fixed if I get an urge to also. I tend to cycle fast, though I wouldn't be interested in racing. I'm 6'2 and 12 stone. I would often be carrying a bag.

I would like the mudguards and probably the carrier, but I could just transfer them from the aforementioned mountain bike if they aren't included.

Robustness and reliability would be important factors for me. I also like to go fairly fast, as I mentioned.

I'd prefer not to have quick release tyres as I'll be using it in an urban setting and would feel a need to use two locks.

Prices:

Rb Speed 389
Rb Meteor 459
Giant Escape 2 499
Giant Escape City 559
Trek 7.2 FX 549

How are those prices? Anything stand out as being good/bad value? (Taken from http://vccycles.com - the shop where I will probably get bike).

Are the Ridgeback tyres puncture resistant (Continental Contact)?

Is the Giant City the same bike as the Giant Escape 2, but with
kickstand/carrier/bell/mudguards added?

I've seen a few problems mentioned with people talking about the Ridgebacks (and comparable other Ridgeback bikes), which conflicts with a lot of mentions of a reputation for reliability etc. Are they robust and reliable at this level, or is that reputation based on more expensive models maybe?

I've seen a lot of good things said about the Trek, particularly in terms of it being fast. Would it be noticeably faster than the others I've listed?

What would people recommend? How do the bikes compare in general?

Thanks

I started out on an Escape 2 with 28mm Bontrager Racelite hardcase tyres and found it great until I got the bug and acquired a road bike.

The escape still soldiers on as a modified commuter/tourer (drop bars, bar end shifters and racks) but even before this it was easy to maintain 28kph and handles well in traffic. For the short ranges you're talking about it's optimal.

With regards to QR skewers, they can be changed out to old fashioned bolt skewers very easily by any bike shop but you'll probably appreciate the qrs more if/when you get a puncture.

Get a good quality u-lock with a loop of cable and lock the frame to something with the u then loop the cable through your front wheel. http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html


I honestly see no point to a kickstand in a city where you'll lock the bike to something every time you get off it.

blatantrereg

Thanks that sounds great. I was almost ready to commit to a purchase and then I found out I can use the cycle to work scheme. (I'd just assumed I couldn't because I'm on contract not permanent.)

Given I'll get a chunk of the money back now, do people have an opinion on whether it would be worth considering more expensive options? I don't think I will. The bikes I'm looking at seem more than adequate for my purposes already. Also if I got something worth much more I'd end up using it less, for fear of thieves and vandals.

rollingscone

If I could go back in time, I would have saved my cycle to work for a roadbike/sporting machine. It seems a waste to spend on a commuter.

You can get a very functional 2nd hand bike from Rothar or similar for about €150.00 that will look decent without attracting too much attention, pick one that you enjoy riding* since you'll use it more.

Once you're using a bike regularly you might start to get an idea of what you want...whatever that is it probably won't be a hybrid commuter like the Escape/Trek 7.5 some people like pottering around on relaxing uber practical dutch style bikes (those big cast iron looking things) Roadbikes are obviously hugely popular these days, and mountain bikes are cool if you're going to do some technical mountain biking.

Believe me when I say you don't want to find yourself in the "I wasted my bike to work on a hybrid club" I was there, and was blessed to get a gift of an unwanted roadbike. Take your time, learn to relax and enjoy cycling, your first month or so will probably be a bit confusing even intimidating at times.

*If you're coming back to cycling after years away like I was it'll take a bit of time to relax and stop worrying.

blatantrereg

Thanks for your post. I got a chance to drop into the shop today to have a quick look around and chat with the [helpful] salesman there. He suggested the Ridgeback Velocity (459) as the best option along the lines of what I was originally looking at. I mentioned what you said about making better use of the bike to work scheme, and he suggested the Ridgeback World Tour (739).

What do people think of those two bikes?

I think a tourer might fit the bill nicely if I did opt for something more upmarket than a hybrid, as really what I want is something robust that also lets me go fast and is efficient. I know if I got a racer type road bike that I would either damage it frequently, or just not make good use of it. I've had a few bikes, and I tend to accrue punctures and other maintenance issues. I tend to be slightly reckless sometimes when it comes to things like going downhill and traffic. [I've avoided serious injury but had the odd tumble from braking too hard at high speed, and taken a knock from a car hard enough to dent their bumper and wreck my bike]

I saw a thread about Dutch bikes on this forum before, but dismissed them as outside my price range before realising I can get money back. I like the idea of them, insofar as much as I'm aware of it. I'll read up a bit about them. Are they upright bikes? I'm not sure I would like an upright bike so much.

rollingscone

You can also get lovely robust steel framed Road bikes that will only be a disadvantage in terms of competitive cycling.

I would perform unspeakable acts to get my hands on a Surly Pacer or Charge Juicer and maintenance issues will the same regardless of style. As a general rule your key to smooth running is:

Keep your tyre pressure up (armoured tyres are worthwhile) i.e. pump the tyres every few days.
Keep the drivetrain clean and oiled
Take action when you get any unusual noises, sensations - unlikely to happen if you follow one or two, but you may need to replace your brake pads at some point.

I'm 6'2"/188cm and 100kgs and I'm fine on a roadbike, if I had to go back to just one bike it would definitely be road, but that's just me.