Carrera Crossfire 2 or Subway 2 and what frame size?

DoJo91

I am thinking of buying either the Carrera Crossfire 2 or Subway 2 from Halfords. I don't know much about bicycles and was hoping someone could offer some advice as to which is better. I mainly want to use the bike for commuting to work and exercise on weekends.

I'm also confused by Halfords bike frame sizing guide. I'm 178cm in height (5'10), which seems to be in between a Medium and Large sized frame for those bikes. In that situation, is it better to go for a larger or smaller frame?

If you think they both suck, i'd love to hear some other recommendations. My budget is 450 euro.

billyhead

DoJo91 wrote: »

I am thinking of buying either the Carrera Crossfire 2 or Subway 2 from Halfords. I don't know much about bicycles and was hoping someone could offer some advice as to which is better. I mainly want to use the bike for commuting to work and exercise on weekends.

I'm also confused by Halfords bike frame sizing guide. I'm 178cm in height (5'10), which seems to be in between a Medium and Large sized frame for those bikes. In that situation, is it better to go for a larger or smaller frame?

If you think they both suck, i'd love to hear some other recommendations. My budget is 450 euro.

If you have no plans for cycling off-road I wouldn't get the crossfire. I am intending to get a subway but none are in stock. The sizing is available on the site.

kingoffifa

buy medium anyways. easier to make a bike slightly small for you bigger with a stem change. (bit that hold the handle bars)

billyhead

DoJo91 wrote: »

I am thinking of buying either the Carrera Crossfire 2 or Subway 2 from Halfords. I don't know much about bicycles and was hoping someone could offer some advice as to which is better. I mainly want to use the bike for commuting to work and exercise on weekends.

I'm also confused by Halfords bike frame sizing guide. I'm 178cm in height (5'10), which seems to be in between a Medium and Large sized frame for those bikes. In that situation, is it better to go for a larger or smaller frame?

If you think they both suck, i'd love to hear some other recommendations. My budget is 450 euro.

Halfords have a Carrera Parva in stock. Looks similar to the Subway except it has v brakes instead of disc brakes. It's cheaper though.

For the budget you could get something in the Giant - Escape or Trek - FX ranges. They would be decent bikes and likely have better frames and components and almost certainly 2-3kg lighter at least.

If you upped the budget a little you could get a hydraulic disc brake model in those rages for about €530 or so last I checked.

If pushed on choosing one of the Halfords ones, I'd go with the Subway.

MojoMaker

Had a rim-braked Subway 1 about 10 years ago - cracking "off to the shops" bike, couldn't fault it. Saddle was a bit soft is about the only negative I can remember.

I'd happily commute on one, it is a very versatile rothar.

byrnem31

Yeah as mentioned a giant or trek would be a better bike.
2nd hand would even get you a better bike yet again.

billyhead

On a side note are Mechanical or Hydraulic disc breaks worth it? I heard they are high maintenance.