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Urban (?) Bikes (Read 16414 times)

Houdini

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Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 04:20:32 pm
Thinking about getting a new city bike. 

Needs to be strong - as I'm hard on kit and break stuff quickly; reasonably thin tyres so I can go fast, but be comfortable enough to spend all day on it; & not be too chunky or old fashioned.

So far, I think this fits the bill.  €600.

Think the disc are overkill (maintenance look tricky).  Thoughts, other suggestions?
 

Fultonius

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#1 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 04:34:18 pm
Looks good. I've just gone "fixie" for a laugh - it's going to take a bit of getting used to:


Joepicalli

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#2 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 04:36:52 pm
Will you be going off road proper, a bit of xc type stuff? Or will all your riding be on road/ cycle track? If its the former then discs are a bit OTT and actually the bike looks a too mountain bikey for a city bike in general.
I would suggest someting more along these lines http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Arriba_Courier_2010/5360045321/ if you are going pure street cycle path.

Houdini

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#3 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 04:45:29 pm
^ Nice bike & keen price but it's too sensible for me.

It looks rubbish for endo's, wheelies and slamming off kerbs.  The wheels are too thin too. 

There's a few woody hilly places I'd likely end up in, so I don't think that's the one for me.

Fj

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#4 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 04:49:56 pm
the giant seek 0 on the same page as the one you linked looks good and would be very low maintenance with the geared hub.
Dont be scared of disk brakes, I think they're much easier to sort out than v-brakes as the wheel doesnt need to be true.

galpinos

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#5 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 04:55:02 pm
Looks good. I've just gone "fixie" for a laugh - it's going to take a bit of getting used to:



Isn't the off the peg Plug a single speed, not a fixie?

There's one in Snow and Rock near me. It's taken a lot of effort to keep the credit card in my wallet. Lovely bike.

Houdini

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#6 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 05:04:04 pm
Geared hubs are hateful (much like pedal-back brakes) and are shit on real hills.

Fultonius

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#7 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 05:17:37 pm
The plug comes with a flip-flop hub, so either fixie, or singlespeed, depending on your preference. I'm persevereing with the fixie for a while!

Got it on the "cycle to work scheme", so only costing me £350 or so  8)

BB

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#8 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 05:46:08 pm
Isn't the off the peg Plug a single speed, not a fixie?

There's one in Snow and Rock near me. It's taken a lot of effort to keep the credit card in my wallet. Lovely bike.

Heavy compared to the competition if memory serves. It may have improved, but when i was researching single speeds/fixies everything by charge weighed in on the portly side.

Fultonius

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#9 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 06:10:58 pm
Aye, it's not light, but it's about half the weight of all my other bikes and seems pretty string, which was important for me. (I've destroyed 3 downhill mountain bikes in the past - Marin B17: snapped the swingarm and the shock-mount; Muddy Fox Rock and Roll ( a mates): snapped one of the rear linkages; Santa Cruz Super 8 - cracked the swingarm.

I also lay claim to one of the most amazing wheel-destuction events I've heard off. In one run of the Aonach Mor DH track on my S8 I managed to crack a rear wheel in 7 places!  :jaw: It was literally in 7 separate sections at the bottom. I also did a race-run on my Marin B17 with the rear shock held on with: 1 x jubilee clip, 1 brake cable and lots of sellotape.

Those were the days...

Duma

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#10 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 07:54:03 pm

bit above your price range though.

soapy

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#11 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 28, 2009, 08:49:35 pm
liking the direction you're going in duma..


chappers

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#12 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 29, 2009, 10:58:38 am
arrrrrghhhh! "fixie" i hate that word.
it amazes me that they show the plug with no form of foot retention. ride that fixed and have an accident for sure  - there are much better deals to be had than those too, shop around like BB said.

and re the raleigh20. ive got one of those for shopping. 30 quid it cost. aint noone going to nick it either! amazing!

houdini, you want a bomb proof bike, you want it to apeal to your quirky side? SURLY. i just rode from manchester to london on mine (long haul trucker).

chappers

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#13 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
October 29, 2009, 11:00:47 am


a karate monkey

soapy

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#14 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 09, 2009, 01:00:59 pm

Houdini

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#15 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 03:20:09 am
Pretty good for the flat, but what can one do when one reaches a hill of substance?  They do have hills in cities.


I'm still quite taken w/ the Giant.

chappers

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#16 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 12:41:17 pm
then you call on these:


its all about getting the gear correct for the city in which you live. i ride 52x18 in manchester and its fine for everything.

09 cannondle badboy?

Johnny Brown

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#17 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 01:32:36 pm
HA! What would you recommend for someone commuting from Crookes to Kelham Island?

fatdoc

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#18 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 02:13:43 pm
a road bike with gears mate..

seriously, this singlespeed thing i can just get, esp if you live somewhere flat..

but fixie??
christ.. wern't freehubs invented for a purpose??

 :shrug:

Johnny Brown

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#19 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 02:20:07 pm
Had a guy on the course last week doing pretty much that commute on a fixie. Hilarious. Going home was ok, the downhill was murder!

chappers

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#20 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 05:28:39 pm
obv fixed in sheffied is fucking stupid.
here though, its great, training on the flat out in cheshire improves ones pedal cadence no ends.

i seriously like the look of these cannondale bad boys...

(they do one with gears on BTW)

fatkid2000

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#21 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 10, 2009, 07:31:14 pm
I like those Badboys - guy I know has the really expensive one with the Rohloff Hub.

Saw loads of students trying to ride single / fixed around Sheffield in October - not seen one for a while now. The whole fixed thing is about London fashionistas - trying to be couriers. Fine in a flatish place but in Sheffield unless you only ride up and down Ecclesall Road - please buy a geared bike.

Fj

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#22 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 11, 2009, 01:03:43 am
I have 2 work mates running alfines.
One has managed crookes to town and back easily with a cotic roadrat
the other is 18 stone and ride from hackenthorpe to town and back via granville and city road on a charge (tap?).
Both rate them highly and havent had to do any maintenance.

Bubba

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#23 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 11, 2009, 07:33:40 am
I'm still quite taken w/ the Giant.
Still the best suggestion on this topic imo.

We had a guy do Penmachno with us on a singlespeed last time we were there. He's an Ironman competitor, etc so uber-fit. He got round in a decent time but still quite a lot slower than many others on normal geared bikes as he'd lose out on the flat/downhills and have to take all hills at his own grinding pace.  So yeah, you can do hills on a singlespeed  but it's really not the most efficient way to get around - do you want a challenge or efficient transport?
« Last Edit: November 13, 2009, 12:24:38 pm by Bubba »

Houdini

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#24 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
November 17, 2009, 02:34:34 am
I like the Giant as it's crossbar is quite low, and my legs are short; it looks robust enough to be hammered.  The wheels are thin but not too thin to make it murder on cobbles (which are common in Hamburg) but thin enough to go really fast.  The bars are in a sensible position which is good for my neck.  It's also matt black and silver AKA badass  8)

Single speeds have no appeal whatsoever.  The hooligan jobbie is nice too, but you wouldn't want to do 10 miles on it.

Houdini

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#25 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 05, 2010, 06:01:30 pm
Bought the Giant today, rides a bit like a BMX: very fast steering.


The brakes are a bit sharp but I guess you get used to that.  Not sure what they were thinking w/ the bars though, they're really wide; takes me back to when cow horns were all the rage, they'll be shortened by an inch either side.  On the whole it seems OK for a €600 budget bike.

bigphil

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#26 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 05, 2010, 09:32:57 pm
or a cotic roadrat

I plumped for one of those in the end, instead of the orange Trek District from a recent post.  Went singlespeed in the end with discs.  Commute is from Walkley to West Street.  Should be OK as the only hill is Winter Street and onto South Road.  Can't wait till it comes, but I can wait until the snow disappears.

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#27 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 08, 2010, 11:47:02 am
I have a Cotic Roadrat at the moment, really like it.
Feels like a slightly beefed up road-bike but much snappier handling than your typical hybrid machines, currently running mine fixed-gear with a Hope Mini up front, and time atacs.
I think what I love about them is the versatility of them, fixed/SS/gears no problem, disc brakes front and rear no problem, big tyres skinny tyres whatever, great bikes and the ride quality is pretty good to which is always a bonus, although the fork flexes a little too much for my liking under heavy braking.

Johnny Brown

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#28 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 03:41:51 pm
My bike is going downhill fast at the mo, and I don't mean in a good way. Was considering a strip down and rebuild, but at 18 years old I should maybe bin it. SoI need a new (to me) bike soonish. Going from Fulwood to The Foundry, so no fixies obviously, odd longer ride in the summer.
Budget £150 absolute max.
Smallish frame (I'm 5'8"), and I don't like wide handlebars.
Currently looking at second hand hybrids on ebay, Carreras etc. Any thoughts, ideas on what to look out for avoid? Or old hybrids in garages needing a new home? Thanks.

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#29 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 07:29:24 pm
Just saw your '£150' limit, so may be not suitable, however if your dead-set on a hybrid style this Kona may be worth saving up for.

Still nearly £300 in most shops. Looks kinda cool in Black.

Not many obvious bargains around it seems, Halfords have some Apollos half price but not known for their quality, I'd be tempted to get a mountain bike in reasonable nick and get some road tyres for it, cut down the handlebars etc to suit your needs.

The state of Sheffield roads at the mo you almost need full-sus on the tarmac!

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Johnny Brown

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#31 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 09:39:21 pm
Cheers for the ideas, but I'm going second hand I think. Seen plenty of £350 bikes going for >£150 on ebay.

Quote
I'd be tempted to get a mountain bike in reasonable nick and get some road tyres for it

Already got one of those, pretty keen on a hybrid. I know the roads can be bad, luckily the worst bit of Fulwood road has just been resurfaced. Can you still get those hinged handlebar stems that offer a bit of suspension without proper sus forks?

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#32 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 09:54:01 pm
The Flexstem?




That was proper oldschool...

I'd try to find a secondhand cross bike on ebay.  nothing that immediately jumps out at the moment, apart from a jake the snake in dorset and an alan with a damaged headtube.  (that sounds a bit weird...)

Johnny Brown

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#33 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 09:59:08 pm
Err, thanks, I'm think that's what I'm doing (wtf is a jake the snake?). I remember a much more compact hinge thing than that, but sounds like they're not an option.

fatdoc

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#34 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 10:00:17 pm
i'd just get a 2nd hand road bike... it'll be faster. just avoid the potholes. much more of such genre about 2nd hand,so you'll get more bike for your buck.

Yossarian

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#35 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 10:10:36 pm
Jake the Snake is a Kona cross bike -



Fatdoc does have a point though.  You could get a pretty good old (or even not so old) roadbike.  If you fitted 25mm or even 28mm tyres on it you'd be well on your way...

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#36 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 10:13:52 pm
The 'Gavin' stem, classic, combine one with a suspension seatpost and you've got a full sus! Can't think why they didn't catch on.  :shrug:

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Johnny Brown

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#38 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 10:32:31 pm
Yeah I clocked that. Can't see it coming in under £300 though?

Cheers guys, I'll keep an eye on road bikes too. Not that psyched for drop bars in traffic though.

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#39 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 25, 2010, 10:52:56 pm
Not that psyched for drop bars in traffic though.
that's what the hoods are for...

Seriously, it sounds like you're on the right track - in your price range, second hand is the way to go (please try to be sure it isn't nicked though, ebay has a lot of dodgy goods on it and I've lost most of the bikes I've owned to thieves. Kill the market, stop the thieves etc.) Sounds like that hybrid would be right up your street (though as you say, I'd be amazed if it goes within your price range), but be aware that focusing on that sort of thing will reduce your options enormously - there's loads of road bikes out there which means many more bargins. (and they really are fine in traffic, it's not some sort of dark art riding a road bike)

Houdini

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#40 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 27, 2010, 10:59:49 pm
Well I wouldn't recommend the Giant I bought (though I don't necessarily regret buying it).


It looks likes it was forged by Dwarves; the forks...  I don't think I've seen beefier forks.

It's over-geared for it's normal usage but will appreciate every gear as soon as this bastard ice thaws and I can get out w/out freezing my fingers off.

I look at it now and wonder how I can make it lighter and faster... though, always in the back of my mind I know I'm a careless yob and it's better off being built like a tank and that it'll really help w/ getting better at running.  I'll weigh it later since we bought digi scales to weigh the yoof.

I'm converted to discs!  Great!  They make you go faster for longer.




soapy

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#41 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 28, 2010, 07:07:10 am
jb, cheap bikes in frame sizes around 50cm i'm guessing, not so common on teh bay.

frames however..


... or original 135mm blue pompino frame in medium
« Last Edit: January 28, 2010, 07:38:32 am by soapy »

Johnny Brown

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#42 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 28, 2010, 09:06:06 am
Thanks for the tip. Not sure I know enough about bikes to start a building project... mainly for commuting after all. Maybe I'll wade into the LagerStarFishBikeProject thread...

soapy

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#43 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 28, 2010, 10:44:15 am

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#44 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
January 28, 2010, 10:48:55 am
Grr.. just spent £130 on tyres, lights, mudguards, lock etc.. to roadify my MTB..  might have been tempted otherwise..

Johnny Brown

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#45 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
February 02, 2010, 06:10:29 pm
Quote
A local one that is worth watching...could be a bargain

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hybrid-Race-Bike-white_W0QQitemZ270520583233QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item3efc488441#ht_500wt_975

Dammit, £284, should have bid! Any other heads up on ebay bargains much appreciated, my front derailleur is still seized.

Houdini

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#46 Re: Urban (?) Bikes
March 31, 2010, 09:28:18 pm
  I'll weigh it later

RE:  The Giant monstrosity I purchased earlier this year.  13KG naked, 14KG w/ lock.  My thighs are not what they used to be as a scrawny climber.  I'm still the fastest thing on the road though, there's no-one I won't race.

 

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