New bike recommendatiom

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Hi all,

Looking for some recommendations on the best bike to purchase for commuting to work/college (1 hour trips generally) but also one that will do me for longer cycles, cycling trips.

I'm thinking a hybrid is the best bet. What do you think? Looking for something light but fast enough to get me from A to B on different terrain easily.

I was looking at a budget of around the €500-€700 mark.

Thanks!

magicbastarder

are you availing of the cycle to work scheme?
i.e. are you looking at the secondhand market as an option?

Curb Your Enthusiasm

magicbastarder wrote: »

are you availing of the cycle to work scheme?
i.e. are you looking at the secondhand market as an option?

I'm looking into the cycle to work scheme, but would be open to buying second hand if it offers better value for what I'm paying.

Is Decathlon a good option?

Thirdfox

I got a Trek 7.4 hybrid with carbon forks came to 400ish after the cycle to work scheme tax savings back in 2012. I used to do a 22km round trip on it into town 4 days a week and it was a great bike.

I see this line is discontinued now but I would imagine its replacement would cycle even better? Definitely worth considering at least.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Thanks!

Any opinions on this https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-en-s300777.html or the 900 Hybrid series?

Does not having a front derailleur cause many issues?

Canis Lupus

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Thanks!

Any opinions on this https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-en-s300777.html or the 900 Hybrid series?

Does not having a front derailleur cause many issues?

Shouldn't do. 1x systems are very popular now although that's Btwins own set up there so I've no idea on the quality of the product or the shifting etc. The gearing ratio seems reasonable enough however for a commuter.

People have different opinions on this but I don't think the front suspension adds much at this price point other than weight, cheap unit part to break and sapping energy.

Also not sure I'd want to cycle for an hour on it.... I always say if you're going to be commuting but think you might also want to do leisure/fitness cycling get a road bike with drop bars.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Thanks!

Any opinions on this https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-en-s300777.html or the 900 Hybrid series?

Does not having a front derailleur cause many issues?

To be honest that bike looks like the type of bike someone looking for something cheap and cheerful to go cycling with the kids with would buy...not commuting on or using for anything purposeful.

Thirdfox

Here's a review (seems like the review is for Indian audiences with the currency used).
https://www.choosemybicycle.com/en/woc/expert-reviews/btwin-riverside-500-2018-review

It's 13.2kg for a medium bike - I imagine that's on the heavier side of things - my Trek is 11.4(?) I think.

At the bargain price end I think disc brakes and front suspension forks don't add much other than weight. So you'd save some weight finding something that doesn't have a suspension fork and uses v brakes - taking 2kg off can make a big difference in how something feels to ride.

Having said that I ride the Dublinbike bicycles every so often and those are exactly carbon frames - just checked 24kg - not sure I'd be doing anything other than quick commutes intra-city in that though

And while the cost difference between a 450 euro bike and a 250 euro bike is almost 100% more percentage wise - I think if you will be using it for any amount of time distance it hopefully won't break the bank to give 60c a day extra to have a bike you'll feel easier pedalling somewhere. Having had my bike for around 5 years now it's still going strong (partly down to the fact I haven't used it as much as I would like to) - so the upfront cost is now spread out down to 90 euro a year...

The pros on this forum here probably have more expert advice but for someone who might be in a similar position as I was those years ago I'm glad I spent the little extra to make my life a lot easier pedalling to and from work. Pros will laugh but the last 2km of the 11km ride going up the "hills" of the N11 on a dark and rainy winter's night were made just a little easier with having a lighter, faster and more well built hybrid bike.

Good luck with your choice anyway - the main thing is to get started riding I've found - buying a better bike can help ensure you keep riding

patspost

What is equally important is to consider if the bike will take a pannier or some other type of bag mounting system.

Do you plan on wearing your backpack for an hour commute or would you like something to mount it?

Are you paying top rate tax to take advantage of the BTW scheme or is somebody at home getting you the bike?
Just if you aren't paying top rate tax, the BTW scheme may not be as attractive to you, maybe making a second hand bike more appealing.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Wouldn't be paying very high taxes - so would definitely be open to second hand.

Would ye have any more recommendations by chance, of other hybrid bikes to consider around the 400-500 mark?

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Was also considering the Trek range. FX2 Disc 2019 maybe?

Thirdfox

I'm such a noob - just checked again and I got a fuji absolute 2.0 (I was all set to purchase a trek 7.4 fx all those years ago). Still has carbon forks and shimano tiagra rear derailleur so I've been very happy with it.

Egg on my face though - at least it's another brand to consider :pac:

Canis Lupus

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Was also considering the Trek range. FX2 Disc 2019 maybe?

Nothing wrong with it, the running gear is low end but looks like a triple up front so you'll not be struggling for gears. It's reasonably heavy as well but for your price point you're probably on the money there.

I'd probably browse adverts and see if anything useful shows up there as well. Can get a bit more bang for your buck second hand although not sure how good the hybrid market would be.

As above it you need to see if you'll be wearing a bag on your back or want to consider a rack and pannier.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Thoughts on the 2020 Trek model? https://cyclesgalleria.com.au/products/trek-fx-2-disc-2020

Should be out here next month, around €550.

Canis Lupus

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Thoughts on the 2020 Trek model? https://cyclesgalleria.com.au/products/trek-fx-2-disc-2020

Should be out here next month, around €550.

Looks like more or less the same.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

https://www.trekbikes.com/ie/en_IE/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/21572/

Spotted a used FX 3 Disc for around 500. Is that a good buy?

Canis Lupus

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

https://www.trekbikes.com/ie/en_IE/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-3-disc/p/21572/

Spotted a used FX 3 Disc for around 500. Is that a good buy?

As a bike in terms of components yeah that's a small bit nicer. The derailleurs etc are mix of nicer entry level kit that shouldn't be as shonky as the cheaper variant so shifting will be nicer and more reliable.

Obviously without seeing the bike I've no idea if it's worth the 500. Someone with better experience of the 2nd hand market in Ireland could give you a better idea. Obviously you could bargain with the chap but if it's good nick I don't see why not.

OleRodrigo

There was a rule of thumb back when bikes were the main means of transport that something reliable and roadworthy would cost about the same as the average industrial weekly wage.

I think that still holds true today - between 800 and 900 euro. Anything less and it will end up discarded and destined for landfill, sooner rather than later.

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-al/

at1withmyself

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Thoughts on the 2020 Trek model? https://cyclesgalleria.com.au/products/trek-fx-2-disc-2020

Should be out here next month, around €550.

That looks like a good deal.

Also check out Giant & Cube bikes, great value for money and easy to source from local bike shops.