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Bike recommendations please (Read 5480 times)

shark

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Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 03:31:40 pm
My daughter (almost 17) has expressed an interest in Triathlons. DShe has been using my wifes Mountain bike and wants to get a hybrid bike but not a road bike. She anticipates will typicalIy riding 20km once or twice a week on the bike. She says she's not fussed about brake type but would prefer a rigid fork. Shes around 166cm tall and has been recommended a 52cm frame. Budget is under £400. Grateful for some recommendations as I know nothing about bikes.

These are some bikes she's looked at:
https://dawescycles.com/product/discovery-trail/

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Detour-1-2020-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_235532.htm

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-crossfire-2-womens-hybrid-bike-2020--black---s-m-l-frames-346550.html

https://www.decathlon.com/collections/hybrid-bikes/products/matt-bike-riverside-100?

In particular she thinks this reconditioned one looks really good:

https://www.adifferentgear.com/product/norco-vfr-18-frame-/942?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=90

« Last Edit: February 20, 2021, 03:47:22 pm by shark »

tomtom

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#1 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 03:47:42 pm
Asking for a friend eh Shark?

Fess up, the dark side has called you hasn’t it? 🚴

😁

webbo

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#2 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 03:54:55 pm
If she’s planning on doing triathlons she needs a road bike. However these are a bit thin on the ground due to everyone taking up cycling in the current situation. She would be best with a female specific something live Giant Liv.
I think hybrids are the work of the devil.

DAVETHOMAS90

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#3 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 04:09:39 pm
Shark,

why not a road bike?

I know a couple of people who thought they'd go with a hybrid, and then very soon wanted to upgrade to something better.

I don't know what's open at the moment, but Evan's, Decathlon, JE James etc generally let you try a range of bikes out.


IanP

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#5 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 04:19:44 pm
Adding to dissenting voices  :).

If she wants to ride with any degree of seriousness a road bike is definitely a better choice, I tend to feel hybrid's are much more worst of both worlds than best.  Think the bike shortage is still ongoining though if lockdown ends smoothly there could be a glut of good value second hand bikes on the market this summer!

JJP

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#6 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 04:40:04 pm
Agree if thinking of triathlons a road bike would be best.

If she really isn`t keen on a road bike I would consider a gravel/ cross trail bike before a hybrid - would offer much more flexibility and could be used for day to day stuff but also adapted a bit for triathlons (still not as good as a road bike for the latter).

If she is not sure about the bars on road/ gravel bikes then visiting a shop to try them is a good idea.

I haven`t had a great experience with mechanical disc brakes (might just have been unlucky).  Got rid of my old commuter due to not liking them.  In that price range may be best sticking with caliper breaks.

 

mikester

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#7 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 05:30:59 pm
What Dave said in general and what others say about hybrids.

That said, whatever she feels most comfortable (physically and mentally) with might be the best start. Anyone who gets into biking seems to upgrade pretty quickly!

Trying is a great idea and advice from decent bike shops is generally good. If you know anyone of similar size then scrounging a ride on their bike might be an option. I've done this loads over the years with mates' mountain and road bikes. Doesn't have to be perfect, but gives a good idea, though a road bike will definitely feel a bit weird (potentially off-putting?) compared to a MTB or even hybrid.

And if she gets into it, I have beautiful, if slightly old, Cervelo that would fit her like a dream.

shark

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#8 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 05:38:29 pm
I’ll try and talk her out of hybrids.

shark

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Paul B

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#10 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 06:02:34 pm
PlanetX would seem like a sound bet given your location (if buying new). Ribble likewise are straight to customer (I've got the old style R872 and I love it). However, your budget would suggest used is the way to go.

Nat has the old style PlanetX Pro Carbon and having ridden it, I was pretty impressed given the price point (£350 from someone in Sheffield).

She hired a Liv in Mallorca that on paper was better. She didn't like it very much at all. Similarly I hired a Giant TCR and spent all week longing for my Ribble.

It's a fast moving market ATM but if you join Yorkshire Cycling Sales on FB I'm sure something will come up. Used prices are a bit high as others have said but I can imagine lots of people selling stuff once they can go back to their non-locked down routine.

If you go for a road bike then sRam vs Shimano is a bit of a personal choice. I didn't get on very well with sRam double tap shifters (you push a bit to change gear and a bit more in the same direction to go the other way, getting this wrong on something steep isn't fun).

If you're buying used you mightn't have much choice with brake type. Some of the cheaper builds (new bottom end Ribble stuff) have cut costs with cable discs. A decent set of pads made a lot of difference on my rim brakes (Swissstop) and are a cheap upgrade. Personally I'm wanting to move to discs.

Frame geometry and sizing is a bit of a minefield (this becomes apparent when trying to hire abroad) so be careful with that.


tomtom

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#11 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 06:30:06 pm
Maybe wait until bike shops are open? (A month perhaps?) different geometry can make a huge difference to how it rides/feels. Last time I bought a mtb (years ago but theory still holds) I tried three or four different brands - and the one I got (Trek)!just felt right. Correct amount of stability and twitchiness that I wanted.

shark

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#12 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 06:47:05 pm
Bike shops are open. We visited a couple.

Nibile

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#13 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 06:54:59 pm
I'd like to do a super sprint triathlon once.

Stuart Anderson

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#14 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 08:14:17 pm

Frame geometry and sizing is a bit of a minefield (this becomes apparent when trying to hire abroad) so be careful with that.

This ^

My Storck was a 51cm. My Kinesis is a 54cm and I've had 52 and 53 in various manufacturers frames. I'm 173cm.

It's probably more relevant if you go second hand and aren't able to try it out. (It can be done if you get into geek level comparison of stack and reach etc. but it's not sounding like that's a level you or your daughter want to get into).

RobinB

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#15 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 08:28:44 pm
As per previous suggestions, a gravel bike might be the best compromise rather than a hybrid bike. I've got both a Planet X gravel bike and a more traditional race bike (Giant TCR) in a size 54 that you're more than welcome to try out - go on - its for you really isn't it Shark  :)

shark

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#16 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 08:41:55 pm
As per previous suggestions, a gravel bike might be the best compromise rather than a hybrid bike. I've got both a Planet X gravel bike and a more traditional race bike (Giant TCR) in a size 54 that you're more than welcome to try out - go on - its for you really isn't it Shark  :)

Thanks for the offer Poppy might take you up on that

RobinB

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#17 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 08:51:07 pm
No problem Poppy  ;D

Paul B

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#18 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 08:55:36 pm

In that case you should find an On One Space Chicken, specifically in the Frame Grilled colour scheme just because of the name...

The Ribble gravel offering is the CGR (Cross Gravel Road). There was one of the new ones for sale near me recently and it was very good value (above your budget though).

webbo

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#19 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 20, 2021, 09:56:33 pm
Gravel bikes are just hype. A road bike with decent clearance is usable on most trails. I went round the easy trail in Dalby on my winter bike with road tyres.
However just contradict myself I rode the 3 peaks cyclocross on a road bike and used a cyclocross bike in several triathlons. :P
Just buy her decent road bike.

TobyD

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#20 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 21, 2021, 07:55:48 am
 If you're going to go the second hand route, bikeradar has a forum for sales.
My first road bike was a specialised allez, they are very friendly to ride, and has a high quality frame.

SA Chris

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#21 Re: Bike recommendations please
February 22, 2021, 08:53:20 am
I think if you get anything other than a road bike (or near enough to that cyclocross / graveller maybe), you will quickly be buying one after the second race, when it is apparent massive gainz can be made.

Paul B

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#22 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 12:53:03 pm
PlanetX would seem like a sound bet given your location (if buying new). Ribble likewise are straight to customer (I've got the old style R872 and I love it). However, your budget would suggest used is the way to go.

I know this thread has been dead for a while but I'd like to scratch this advice. I've been dealing with an issue with Planet X recently which included the purchase of one of their torque wrenches. To cut a long story short, it doesn't work within the specification and lead to over-torque of a component (I've tested the wrench on the 2nm setting against an impact driver installed bolt-on at >100nm of torque, it doesn't register).

Although I think Nat's pro carbon is a fantastic bike, I wouldn't recommend anyone goes near them for new stuff because my experience is that if you have an issue they're beyond terrible.

TobyD

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#23 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 05:37:12 pm
PlanetX would seem like a sound bet given your location (if buying new). Ribble likewise are straight to customer (I've got the old style R872 and I love it). However, your budget would suggest used is the way to go.

I know this thread has been dead for a while but I'd like to scratch this advice. I've been dealing with an issue with Planet X recently which included the purchase of one of their torque wrenches. To cut a long story short, it doesn't work within the specification and lead to over-torque of a component (I've tested the wrench on the 2nm setting against an impact driver installed bolt-on at >100nm of torque, it doesn't register).

Although I think Nat's pro carbon is a fantastic bike, I wouldn't recommend anyone goes near them for new stuff because my experience is that if you have an issue they're beyond terrible.

Sounds like you have had a bad experience, in my experience they've been really good they've always sorted out any issues immediately, and done exchanges easily if I bought something the wrong size etc. Have you talked to them on the phone?

Paul B

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#24 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 05:45:08 pm
They've had plenty of opportunity to try and rectify the issue (or suggest they give even the slightest of sh*ts). I certainly wouldn't want to be >200 FAs down with a frameset issue that's for sure and as I said, as someone that's bought a Pro Carbon (for Nat) and suggested similar for several others, I won't be looking at their Evo model for her replacement etc. etc.

I'm happy to fill you in more via FB or somewhere if you want to know.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2021, 06:06:25 pm by Paul B »

steveyo

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#25 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 07:00:12 pm
I've  always thought that with planet x/on one you're not paying for customer service, and that is reflected in the price(!).  But that certainly doesn't mean they can sell a duff item and not be interested in rectifying the situation.

Are you after a straight refund or have you knackered something else and want them to replace that too?

Since they ditched the warehouse sales I've tended to buy far less from them.

Paul B

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#26 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 07:08:30 pm
Yeah quite, I'm kicking myself for not just spending the money on a Park Tools wrench.

I've knackered a part which hasn't been available since the issue putting the bike firmly off the road.

steveyo

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#27 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 07:19:58 pm
Can you give a bit more info, like what you've knackered on what bike?  Only I'm curious as to why it isn't fix or replaceable.

nai

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#28 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 08:09:31 pm
Yeah quite, I'm kicking myself for not just spending the money on a Park Tools wrench.

Pretty sure every time I buy a new tool I end up regretting not spending the extra on the Park.

Paul B

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#29 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 08:15:01 pm
Indeed and it was being used on a pricey bike (I treated myself after finally bothering to get chartered). WTF was I thinking springs to mind?

Scouse D

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#30 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 09:12:38 pm
I've got loads of spare bits and bobs for planet x in my garage. I might have the replacement part

Paul B

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#31 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 09, 2021, 09:15:57 pm
I've got loads of spare bits and bobs for planet x in my garage. I might have the replacement part

Thanks Scouse it's a proprietary Cannondale part and it's been so scarce that I found one in Mallorca (I got back on Sunday) and they wouldn't sell it to me as their hire stock was Cannondale!

TobyD

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#32 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 10, 2021, 11:04:42 am
I've  always thought that with planet x/on one you're not paying for customer service, and that is reflected in the price(!).  But that certainly doesn't mean they can sell a duff item and not be interested in rectifying the situation.

Are you after a straight refund or have you knackered something else and want them to replace that too?

Since they ditched the warehouse sales I've tended to buy far less from them.

Most disappointing, issues like this would certainly dissuade me from buying from them,  however I wonder if its still worth buying their bikes as they're such good value,  and writing off any after sales service in favour of using a proper bike shop. I've heard that is pretty much what you have to do if you but a boardman from Halfords.

Paul B

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#33 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 10, 2021, 11:29:35 am
Not a great plan if the issue is potentially with a/the carbon frameset but I guess that's down to your own comfort with risk vs expenditure.

I always find it amusing to see the odd Halfords bike with the forks incorrectly fitted!

TobyD

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#34 Re: Bike recommendations please
October 10, 2021, 11:18:54 pm
Not a great plan if the issue is potentially with a/the carbon frameset but I guess that's down to your own comfort with risk vs expenditure.

I always find it amusing to see the odd Halfords bike with the forks incorrectly fitted!

Indeed.  I've had a pro carbon for 4 years and I'm still happy with it,  and haven't had any problems,  but I can see your point.  If / when I can afford to get a gravel bike I'd be pretty tempted by the free ranger. 

Re Halfords, their bikes are supposed to be excellent but I've seen it advised to buy them and then rebuild it yourself or take it to a proper bike shop for them to rebuild it. I daresay some of the Halfords staff do know what they are doing,  but it seems some definitely don't.

 

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