Buying a bike between €500-600. Are they all pretty much the same?

Cienciano

I'm looking for something for fitness, so an hour here and there in urban areas, roads and canal paths.
Not sure I want second hand as I have no clue and don't want something that might need tyres/cranks/god knows what.
I has having a look at hybrids/gravel bikes, but honestly, is there much of a difference? I don't need any specific features really. Is it a case of "christ lad, just buy one that you like the look of, they're all pretty much the same" or is there a particular brand or feature you'd recommend getting if shopping around at that price, or one that should be avoided?
Ones I'm looking at is basically anything in that pricerange in this shop that's gravel/hybrid

https://www.mycycle.ie/Giant-Roam-4-2021-p/giantroam4.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Cube-Aim-Pro-2020-p/3014100.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Cube-Nature-2020-p/345100.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Trek-Dual-Sport-1-2021-p/trekdualsport1.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Ridgeback-Dual-Track-X1-Hybrid-Bike-p/ridgebackx1.htm

Just picking that shop because they're near enough to where I live. Any recommendations in that price bracket?

fatbhoy

They all have suspension forks. Don't get a cheap bike with a suspension fork because the fork will be crap and heavy. Plus if you're not riding MTB trails you don't need it.

Get a rigid fork hybrid. Better still, go secondhand.

magicbastarder

if the roughest ground you're going to encounter is canal paths, forget the front shocks. they'll add weight and cost for very little gain.

that said, the roam is only €50 more than the escape 3 disc, and the roam has hydraulic brakes, vs the mechanical ones on the escape, which is a little curious.

Cienciano

Well, forget about front suspension, that's the advice I'm here for! Yeah, makes sense, it wasn't something I was looking for, just happened to be on the ones I picked. But cheers, I'll avoid that.

Here's a few without suspension in that price range. Anything to avoid or anything that looks good?

https://www.mycycle.ie/Giant-Escape-3-2021-p/giantescape3.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Cannondale-Quick-6-Tourney-City-Bike-2021-p/cannondalequick6.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Trek-FX-2-Disc-2021-p/trek7.2d.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Ridgeback-Metro-Vanteo-Bike-p/rbc98.htm

magicbastarder

they're all fairly similar, i wouldn't say there's much to choose between them - i suspect a limiting factor for you might be what they have available in your size; this may be more important than small details about spec!

breezy1985

Cienciano wrote: »

Well, forget about front suspension, that's the advice I'm here for! Yeah, makes sense, it wasn't something I was looking for, just happened to be on the ones I picked. But cheers, I'll avoid that.

Here's a few without suspension in that price range. Anything to avoid or anything that looks good?

https://www.mycycle.ie/Giant-Escape-3-2021-p/giantescape3.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Cannondale-Quick-6-Tourney-City-Bike-2021-p/cannondalequick6.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Trek-FX-2-Disc-2021-p/trek7.2d.htm
https://www.mycycle.ie/Ridgeback-Metro-Vanteo-Bike-p/rbc98.htm

All look pretty similar tbh. The only really difference would be weight and parts so if you can just go to the shop and see which one you like the feel of and take note of the name on the gear mech and google them and you will get a good feel for which bike has the better parts in general

Cienciano

Yeah, I imagine this entry level standard are all pretty bland run of the mill carbon copy bikes. Cheers for the advice!

Searchers

https://www.decathlon.ie/road-cycling-bikes/311239-74906-rc-120-flat-bar-disc-road-bike-blue-microshift.html#/demodelsize-200xs/demodelcolor-8556195?queryID=83f3845f7eace8f3521cfa856eedd5c2&objectID=2876672

Might be worth a look also

iwillhtfu

Searchers wrote: »

https://www.decathlon.ie/road-cycling-bikes/311239-74906-rc-120-flat-bar-disc-road-bike-blue-microshift.html#/demodelsize-200xs/demodelcolor-8556195?queryID=83f3845f7eace8f3521cfa856eedd5c2&objectID=2876672

Might be worth a look also

I was just going to say decathlon will have something in your budget. A rigid frame wither hydrid flat bar or drop bar gravel would be the best bet I'd have thought.

Here's more or less the drop bar version gravel version of the above. €610

https://www.decathlon.ie/road-cycling-bikes/312397-76421-rc-120-disc-gravel-adventure-bike-microshift.html#/demodelsize-200xs/demodelcolor-8575940?queryID=0061033a92626dfd0c7284b3d5160bf3&objectID=2962864

Cienciano

Hey, a bit different to what I requested. Am I an idiot for even thinking of this?

magicbastarder

"One look at the Boardman URB 8.8 and you're not really thinking towpath ambles and parkland potters."

https://road.cc/content/review/246772-boardman-urb-88

Cienciano

OK, need to calm down a bit

fatbhoy

Cienciano wrote: »

Hey, a bit different to what I requested. Am I an idiot for even thinking of this?

That's a class bike. Boardman are decent. And it's a belt-driven one too. You'll like that. I've something similar.

Cetyl Palmitate

Cienciano wrote: »

Hey, a bit different to what I requested. Am I an idiot for even thinking of this?

This looks ideal. Very low maintenance. Hub gears, hydraulic brakes, belt drive will perform consistently well without touching them for ages allowing you to worry about cycling it. Throw on a set of mudguards if you want. Away you go. Right job.

dinneenp

How about this? :-)

Cienciano

Cetyl Palmitate wrote: »

This looks ideal. Very low maintenance. Hub gears, hydraulic brakes, belt drive will perform consistently well without touching them for ages allowing you to worry about cycling it. Throw on a set of mudguards if you want. Away you go. Right job.

Yeah looks cool too! Low maintenance would be nice.


Btw, I had that Ian brown avatar long before he turned into a antivax nutbag

Surprised they didn't go with the same "one piece" bars/stem on that Boardman that they have on the other bikes in the 2021 HYB range.

Check them out



They look nice till you see the weld and realise they just welded the bars to the stem for looks and removed a lot of adjustment from them :rolleyes:

iwillhtfu

Deleted User wrote: »

Surprised they didn't go with the same "one piece" bars/stem on that Boardman that they have on the other bikes in the 2021 HYB range.

Check them out


They look nice till you see the weld and realise they just welded the bars to the stem for looks and removed a lot of adjustment from them :rolleyes:

I'm cautious about the welds on those bike frames let alone a weld holding the bars on. WT actual F were they thinking there, I mean what could possibly go wrong. :eek:

Skill Magill

Have you thought about an electric pedal assist bike? You can use the bike to work scheme and depending on you circumstances can pay 750 on a 1500 euro bike. AND they're great crack, you'll use it more often than you would a normal push bike.

MojoMaker

magicbastarder wrote: »

"One look at the Boardman URB 8.8 and you're not really thinking towpath ambles and parkland potters."

https://road.cc/content/review/246772-boardman-urb-88

That's a lovely looking Boardman hybrid and a very complimentary review from Roac CC.

Paintjob is absolutely fab.

Cienciano

Skill Magill wrote: »

Have you thought about an electric pedal assist bike? You can use the bike to work scheme and depending on you circumstances can pay 750 on a 1500 euro bike. AND they're great crack, you'll use it more often than you would a normal push bike.

No, it's for fitness so no need for electric.

Paul Kiernan

I'd go for something with x1 gearing (i.e. only one chainring as opposed to a double or a triple at the pedals). So much easier to use and maintain. Front mechs, especially at the cheaper end of the spectrum, are prone to rubbing and sticking.

at1withmyself

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I'm cautious about the welds on those bike frames let alone a weld holding the bars on. WT actual F were they thinking there, I mean what could possibly go wrong. :eek:

Boardman have been making bikes a long time now, seriously I don't see any issue at all with a welded bar/stem combo. Stems are normally welded together in 3 spots so not sure where your concern is coming from with another weld for the bar.

iwillhtfu

at1withmyself wrote: »

Boardman have been making bikes a long time now, seriously I don't see any issue at all with a welded bar/stem combo. Stems are normally welded together in 3 spots so not sure where your concern is coming from with another weld for the bar.

You don't happen to own a boardman by chance. I've no issue with the brand but that stem/bar set up is ridiculous and clearly done as a money saving exercise.

at1withmyself

iwillhtfu wrote: »

You don't happen to own a boardman by chance. I've no issue with the brand but that stem/bar set up is ridiculous.

Why is it ridiculous? Ridiculous is having a separate face plate and 4 bolts, a 1 piece has less moving parts and easier to maintain.

iwillhtfu

at1withmyself wrote: »

Why is it ridiculous? Ridiculous is having a separate face plate and 4 bolts, a 1 piece has less moving parts and easier to maintain.

Ok. I guess we'll give oval wheels a lash next. :rolleyes: Anyway enough dragging this one off topic.

at1withmyself

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Ok. I guess we'll give oval wheels a lash next. :rolleyes: Anyway enough dragging this one off topic.

What, your making no sense now comparing it to oval wheels. If welds bother you so much then stay away from steel or aluminium bikes or parts.

The boardman bike is fine with no issues with the set-up and I'd gladly ride it with the 1 piece bar/stem

Cienciano

Typical the Boardman is only available with a large frame size which is probably too big. Might pop in and try the large one if possible.

magicbastarder

try it, but don't be tempted if you like the bike but it's too big for you.

Cienciano

magicbastarder wrote: »

try it, but don't be tempted if you like the bike but it's too big for you.

Yeah, good advice. After a few weeks you'd be cursing it! They said they had no plans of getting in a medium frame which means as soon as I buy something they'll have the medium in stock and €100 off :pac:

at1withmyself

at1withmyself wrote: »

Boardman have been making bikes a long time now, seriously I don't see any issue at all with a welded bar/stem combo. Stems are normally welded together in 3 spots so not sure where your concern is coming from with another weld for the bar.

My issue with these was that they removed most opportunity for adjustment to say reach etc and with a standard stem you can flip it if you wanted. Also might be problematic re: mounts for various things. What if the width of the bars don't suit?

One piece bar/stems have their place when someone is buying them to size for a specific bike, I don't think they have a place on a bike at the entry level end of the market in a one size fits all fashion.

I think it's a misstep from them on some of the 2021 bikes, usually they are very decent value for money.

magicbastarder

at that level in the market, i suspect the number of customers who would flip the stem would barely qualify as marginal. i'd think the lack of freedom to rotate the bars could be an issue, but would be curious as to how many would play with the width. you could chop them down if too wide, at least.

the issue of the strength of a weld rather than a bolted clamp, betweem the stem and bars would be a non-starter i reckon. there's going to be roughly a dozen welds on a standard frame and stem anyway.

Peregrine

I have an integrated one piece stem/handlebar on one of my bikes. It looks like I should be able to flip the whole thing but I can't say I've ever wanted to change it to be honest. It's supposed to be a no nonsense city bike for short trips. It's formed differently so I don't know about the weld but it looks tidy and does it's job. I think I might able to fit an integrated light into it too but they probably don't make them anymore.

https://imgur.com/QgeRCSK

And, before you say it, the cables have been sorted out!

Cienciano

So I avoided anything with suspension and I'm picking up this next week. Double my original budget :pac:

Thanks for the advice!

MojoMaker

I think that was a good choice - they look good and the spec is spot on for the money.

endacl

Cienciano wrote: »

So I avoided anything with suspension and I'm picking up this next week. Double my original budget :pac:

Thanks for the advice!

Well wear. I’ve the 1st edition Boardman hybrid, still going strong.

Thargor

Great looking bike, might recommend it to someone at work who is asking me for advice.

Cienciano

Thargor wrote: »

Great looking bike, might recommend it to someone at work who is asking me for advice.

I won't lie, the looks played a big part. The 8.8 which I originally linked is 1kg heavier (carbon forks on the 8.9) has one less gear and Tektro brakes instead of shimano. Think that's about it, €120 extra but they're not in stock in my size. Hence the upgrade.
Cube Hyde is the other belt drive hub gears option in that price range, but none in stock anywhere in Ireland as far as I can see, but the Boardman has good reviews everwhere.

My problem is prolonged research. Of everything. Even buying lights, normally I'd go into a shop and just buy a set. They'll do. But now it's checking about 50 websites and looking for features I didn't even know I needed. Takes 2 hours research 3 nights in a row.

Skill Magill

I bought this back light for mine :

Nikomax Smart Light

Its pretty cool, I like it

Cienciano

And here we are, 1 week in and have used it every day.