Vitus bikes (Mach 3 and Mach 3 VR) any good?

spupazza

Hi guys I'm interested into buying a "fast" hybrid bike.
I found those on chainreactioncycles.com/ie:

http://www.vitusbikes.com/city-bikes-2014/mach-3-2014#description

and this one:
http://www.vitusbikes.com/city-bikes-2014/mach-3-vr-2014

There's a 130 euros in difference. Do you think the difference in price is justified?
(considering I rarely change gears).

Both have carbon forks and are very light.
Tires are kenda 25c ,exact model is not mentioned.

What do you think? Is Vitus a quality brand?
Does chainreactioncycle provide a good service?
Can I get any better in the range of 500 euros?

Seaneh

Biggest problem with either bike is that hybrids are a total waste of time.

spupazza

Seaneh wrote: »

Biggest problem with either bike is that hybrids are a total waste of time.

Why is that?

Hunterbiker

spupazza wrote: »

Why is that?

I ride a hybrid. Its an old Genesis. I really like it.

BUT!

Now I am getting into this cycling lark I am looking for a road bike. It offers more than hybrid does in that it will be more comfortable on longer spins / the drop handlebars allow more positions and if its fitted to you properly will ease lower back strain.

Its not an exact science though and for every voice to say get a road bike there will normally be a few who say no need.

Based on my feelings, despite how much I enjoy my hybrid in hindsight I should have bought a roadbike years ago. Whn the Bank of Me allows I will be getting one very soon.

rollingscone

spupazza wrote: »

Why is that?

Hybrids are fine but it's a common experience to blow your money on a hybrid thinking you'll never want to do more than you're currently capable of, only to end up pining desperately for a road bike 4 months down the line. If you can afford both, hybrids are useful multifunctional bikes.

The main difference between the two versions appears to be the groupset with Tiagra gearing being that bit lighter and smoother but probably not worth your while on a hybrid imho.

As for Vitus, the few times they've been mentioned on here it has been positive.

If you are just looking for a run about in the city they do a single speed that's meant to be pretty damn good...assuming you don't deal with too hilly a route.

spupazza

rollingscone wrote: »

Hybrids are fine but it's a common experience to blow your money on a hybrid thinking you'll never want to do more than you're currently capable of, only to end up pining desperately for a road bike 4 months down the line. If you can afford both, hybrids are useful multifunctional bikes.

The main difference between the two versions appears to be the groupset with Tiagra gearing being that bit lighter and smoother but probably not worth your while on a hybrid imho.

As for Vitus, the few times they've been mentioned on here it has been positive.

If you are just looking for a run about in the city they do a single speed that's meant to be pretty damn good...assuming you don't deal with too hilly a route.

thanks a lot for your advice.
My main use would be to go to the gym (9km to go and 9km to get back, occasionally I ride for 30km).
But I also use it to bring my daughter at school (only 1.5 km, but the main issue is that I should mount a child seat, although I could use another bike for this)
I'm already using a bike to go (an viking city bike), but I'm going to change it .
I'd like to buy a faster bike than I'm using now, so that I don't get too tired while cycling to the gym as also a faster bike would save me time.
At the same time I'm scared that a road bike could be too fragile, considering also that I often face bumps on the road.
As also I'd be worried about the thinner tyres and the likelihood of being punctured.
I never had a road bike so I'm a bit unsure about having one.

Do you think a bike like this one would be much faster?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-peloton-compact-road-bike-easton-2013/rp-prod116088
This model look similar but costs 25 euro more
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-peloton-compact-road-bike-2013/rp-prod111953
Are those 2 bikes any good, and what would you buy?

spupazza

Hunterbiker wrote: »

I ride a hybrid. Its an old Genesis. I really like it.

BUT!

Now I am getting into this cycling lark I am looking for a road bike. It offers more than hybrid does in that it will be more comfortable on longer spins / the drop handlebars allow more positions and if its fitted to you properly will ease lower back strain.

Its not an exact science though and for every voice to say get a road bike there will normally be a few who say no need.

Based on my feelings, despite how much I enjoy my hybrid in hindsight I should have bought a roadbike years ago. Whn the Bank of Me allows I will be getting one very soon.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I always cycled but never rode a road bike.
I have always been tempted to get one, but I always thought that road bikes sacrifice robustness and comfort in riding along with getting tires flat out more frequently. I realize I might be very well wrong about it.

rollingscone

spupazza wrote: »

Thanks for sharing your experience. I always cycled but never rode a road bike.
I have always been tempted to get one, but I always thought that road bikes sacrifice robustness and comfort in riding along with getting tires flat out more frequently. I realize I might be very well wrong about it.

You don't need super robustness for commuting. And the tyres are no more vulnerable but you do need to spend a few seconds topping up the pressure every day. Comfort is a personal thing but most road bikes are comfortable as you like. Certain super aggressive bikes sacrifice comfort for performance but there are plenty at the other end of the scale.

spupazza

rollingscone wrote: »

If you are just looking for a run about in the city they do a single speed that's meant to be pretty damn good...assuming you don't deal with too hilly a route.

What single speed would you suggest?
My main concern is that many single speed don't allow a fast speed in reason of the only gear which is meant for every inclinations on the road.

I don't have a problem of hilly routes. But I have no idea which one to buy, O looked over the net for some good deal (new bikes only)

rollingscone

spupazza wrote: »

What single speed would you suggest?
My main concern is that many single speed don't allow a fast speed in reason of the only gear which is meant for every inclinations on the road.

I don't have a problem of hilly routes. But I have no idea which one to buy, O looked over the net for some good deal (new bikes only)

Chain reaction do a Vitus single speed (http://www.vitusbikes.com/mountain-bikes/vee-1) but for us mortals single speeds are city bikes mostly. I use a single speed MTB for getting around Dublin City centre and it's great, but I wouldn't want it in Cork.

imskilguy

I think those Vitus bikes look pretty good. I do remember a mate having a frame and the bottom bracket was a bit low so pedals could scrape the ground for cornering which annoyed him