http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Wanted: commuter bike en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:56:21 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305569 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:59:24 +0000 jcoutts 305569@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi All. Huge apologies for asking a question and then getting tied up in non-forum life. I've read every response - and they are all incredibly helpful. I have been a regular visitor at Bike Station for a few weeks - spotted one of the Ridgeback models mentioned, but it was too big for me. I've had my current folder serviced, which will keep me going until I find a new bike. I'm going to look at the other models mentioned too - a massive thanks to everyone who has helped. James. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305429 Sat, 27 Apr 2019 09:59:16 +0000 crowriver 305429@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@le_soigneur, yeah that's a good deal for the money, even a chain guard and kick stand thrown in. Rear rack looks decent too.</p> <p>Slightly above the OP's stated budget, but probably worth the extra as it would likely last a few years if looked after. If I was in the market for a commuter I'd certainly give it another look. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305421 Sat, 27 Apr 2019 08:56:17 +0000 Arellcat 305421@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Steering damper. It stops the front wheel swinging right round and unbalancing the bike when it's parked on its propstand. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305418 Sat, 27 Apr 2019 08:40:00 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305418@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What is the 'anti-twist coil' on the Decathlon bikes for? That spring between frame and fork....mystifying. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305411 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 22:42:17 +0000 gkgk 305411@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hope James pops by again in a bit to tell us what he opted for and how he got on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305410 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 22:39:34 +0000 le_soigneur 305410@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@crowriver Just a quick search found this, I'm sure similar exists on other suppliers: <a href="https://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-100-urban-hybrid-bike-id_8405477.html">Decathlon Hoprider 100 £300</a><br /> Double-wall rims - check<br /> Altus 7 derail - check<br /> Shimano cassette - check<br /> Hub dynamo light - check<br /> Mudguards &amp; pannier - check<br /> Of course the reviews suggest the Decathlon shops could do a better job of build check before sending out,something an LBC would be better at. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305391 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 18:26:04 +0000 crowriver 305391@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@le_soigneur, not really convinced that the lower end Decathlon bikes will be much better than the Halfords ones. </p> <p>Slightly further up the price range, this £250 commuter bike comes with mudguards, rear rack, adjustable stem, kick stand and hub dynamo lighting:<br /> <a href="https://www.decathlon.co.uk/original-520-hybrid-bike-id_8353018.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.decathlon.co.uk/original-520-hybrid-bike-id_8353018.html</a></p> <p>For the same price you can get this slightly more stylish bike with a front porteur rack and chain guard - but an old school sidewall dynamo driving the lighting (not great in wet weather).<br /> <a href="https://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-520-classic-bike-blue-id_8500065.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-520-classic-bike-blue-id_8500065.html</a></p> <p>"Alivio or Altura cost £20 to replace Tourney for good."</p> <p>The Altus can be had for £12, minimum 7-speed drivetrain (presume 8-speed chain rather than 6-speed). Not a bad upgrade I suppose. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305388 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 17:45:53 +0000 le_soigneur 305388@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Alivio or Altura cost £20 to replace Tourney for good.<br /> You won't replace your six speed freewheel, you will replace the whole wheel because the single-wall rim will be wafer thin from braking by then. £35 for a double-rim rear, if you haven't buckled the front jumping a kerb already.<br /> Might as well spend the extra £55 money now on a btwin or somesuch, less hassle all round. Unless you insist on going down the disposable route.<br /> Oh and the Challenge/Viking is a pig to ride. My daughter insisted on the pink Challenge but that is a plaything, not a practical commuter so happy not to spend much on something that gathers dust anyway. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566&page=2#post-305381 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:49:24 +0000 crowriver 305381@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"That will wear out after 2-3 years."</p> <p>After which, it will cost about a tenner to replace. No biggie!</p> <p>"freewheel not a cassette which is a disaster if you break it."</p> <p>Again, about a tenner to replace a six-speed freewheel, bit more for seven-speed. Six-speed freewheels seem to last for an incredibly long time. I don't know how you'd break one unless you were doing downhill MTBing or BMX tricks or some such. I can imagine corrosion being a problem with salted roads in winter. Even if you couldn't get the damn thing off the wheel, a new alloy rear wheel complete with six-speed freewheel can be had for as little as £30. So not really a disaster, at least financially.</p> <p>EDIT - Seems some cyclists manage to break freewheels and/or their axles/hubs due to "power pedalling". Probably not a problem unless you have extreme Awesome Power and are riding up Redstane Rigg / across a sphagnum bog. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305380 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:20:41 +0000 le_soigneur 305380@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Trouble with Shimano Tourney is the plastic bushing. That will wear out after 2-3 years.<br /> The Carrera linked has Tourney derail too, and also a freewheel instead of a cassette, a disaster if you break it a few miles into a trip.<br /> You cannot avoid these 2 drawbacks in a &lt;£300 new budget commuter. Here is the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viking-Mens-Ventoux-Bike/dp/B06XKV9X8R/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1556292730&amp;refinements=p_4%3AViking&amp;s=cycling&amp;sr=1-2">nearest Viking </a>with similar issues.<br /> Oh, and thieves are not that picky or knowledgeable, last year our intern had his new £200 Viking stolen from chained to his stairwell. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305379 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:15:33 +0000 crowriver 305379@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson, I'm not sold on the Crossfire 2 TBH. A bit too much extra just for shock forks... :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305378 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 16:12:21 +0000 acsimpson 305378@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Crowriver, the joy of incremental pricing. After all for just another £60 you can then get The crossfire 2... and so it goes on until you have a friend for life, or as least as long as a lifetime warranty will be honoured. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305373 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:31:02 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305373@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I like the idea that Halfords customers can be persuaded they might not get their hands on an Apollo Transfer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305372 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:19:54 +0000 crowriver 305372@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS, yeah the upgrade in frame, brakes, shifters, saddle and grips is worth the extra alone. Slightly better/lighter drivetrain too.</p> <p>Might get one of these (or something similar) for my son if/when his current second hand MTB hybrid is no longer fit for purpose...</p> <p>EDIT - Blimey, for an extra £40 you can get 8 speed drivetrain and disc brakes.<br /> <a href="https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-1-mens-hybrid-bike-s-m-l-frames" rel="nofollow">https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-1-mens-hybrid-bike-s-m-l-frames</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305371 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:19:49 +0000 neddie 305371@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>The website pop-up informs me that '38 people are looking at this' </em></p> <p>Classic game-theory / gambling addiction technique.</p> <p>Reel you in. Make you think you're going to lose out if you don't buy now.</p> <p>The online equivalent of high-pressure sales staff... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305369 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:14:08 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305369@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mate of mine had a Carrera Kraken as his first commuter bike when it looked a lot like that one. It did just fine for three years and was a gateway to some subsequent fine machinery. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305368 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:10:04 +0000 cb 305368@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The £100 bike seems to be £130 now (with 52 people looking).<br /> Should last an extra three or four months at that price. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305367 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:07:23 +0000 crowriver 305367@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>While we're on the Halfords tip, this Carrera is a notably better bike than the Apollo Transfer. Only £200.</p> <p><a href="https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-silver-16-18-20-frames" rel="nofollow">https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-silver-16-18-20-frames</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305366 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:05:12 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305366@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I reckon it would last 47 weeks of 8 mile a day commuting. I've worked on Apollos and they are mechanically brutal but £100 for a year's transport? Tough to beat.</p> <p>It's essentially a disposable item of course. Nobody's going to love one of these things. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305364 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 14:51:40 +0000 acsimpson 305364@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"38 people are looking at this"</em></p> <p>I thought we had more active members than that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305359 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 14:38:03 +0000 crowriver 305359@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To be fair, the six speed freewheel and Tourney derailleur will most likely be very durable, much more so than any setup of 9 speeds or above. Simple physics really: six speed cogs, chains etc. are made of thicker steel and will wear out more slowly from the forces of friction applied by grit, dust, mud etc. coating them. Also due to quill stem, it is relatively simple to adjust the height of the handlebars.</p> <p>As for the rest of that Halfords bike: the saddle looks like it will be uncomfortable after a few rides. There are no mudguards or rack, but they could be added cheaply. I can't vouch for the quality of the bearings, but bolt on solid axles are perfectly usable as long as you fit robust tyres (Marathon Plus or just plain Marathon for example). In principle loose bearing BB also no problem, and can be easily serviced by any decent mechanic. The brakes look basic but no reason why they won't work just fine.</p> <p>Essentially this bike has basic components compared to current "quality" bikes, but if looked after there is no reason why it should be unreliable. If I were to ride it I'd be looking to upgrade contact points such as saddle, maybe some ergonomic bar grips. Also getting some better, puncture-resistant tyres. Can't quite tell if the brake levers are plastic but if so, I'd upgrade those to decent alloy ones. If you shopped around online or in Bike Station you could upgrade with used or end of line components for maybe £70 in total, most of that would go on tyres and levers (ordinary Marathon cheaper than Plus and nearly as tough). Then for £200 you'd have a much better bike, plus a spare set of new tyres which could be kept as spares or sold on. If you skipped upgrading the tyres until the current ones wear out, you could save about £35.</p> <p>One advantage of such a bike would be it is very unlikely to get stolen! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305352 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 14:06:14 +0000 Arellcat 305352@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>a decent looking 24 speed city bike for £100</em></p> <p>With respect to Halfords, an adult bike that costs £100 is not designed for riding. It is designed solely to be purchased and to leave the shop floor.</p> <p>When I worked as a bike mechanic, we referred to Apollos as "Apallings", with brakes made of cheese and hub bearings that were actually those silver cake decorations.</p> <p>Edit: And Apollo wasn't even the worst brand name we encountered. That was reserved for certain of Coventry Eagle's offerings. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305350 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 13:52:51 +0000 Ed1 305350@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went to look at the Apollo transfer in 2014 before I bought my pinnacle lithium, even the person in the shop advised may want something more durable than the appalling.</p> <p>I would think the only plus point other than the price is a lack of quick release on the wheel, if carry a pump and tube or kit then a tool for undoing wheel seems a small extra. I went back to bolt on back wheel of bike and prefer it that way. Would guess main beneficiary of quick release is theft or a vandal. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305344 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 13:41:35 +0000 le_soigneur 305344@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Great for £100 though don't expect long-lasting quality.<br /> Apollo, 'nuff said. Tourney derailler, no quick release if you get a p*nct*re, loose bearing BB, flexy handlebar, single wall rims, 6 speed freewheel. The one detailed review is pretty honest. If you do more than 100 miles on it, you are quids in compared to other methodes of transport.<br /> My daughter has a similar Challenge model from Argos £110 but it includes steel mudguards. She has only used it once so just as well I got it for £70. I did 5 miles on it and it did the job but I probably could have got a second-hand Ridgeback on Gumtree which would have been better.<br /> <a href="https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8803601" rel="nofollow">https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8803601</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305316 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 10:26:45 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305316@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The website pop-up informs me that '38 people are looking at this' and now I feel bad for the other 37. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305314 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 10:22:28 +0000 Trixie 305314@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I feel bad for it. It has an eager to please air about it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305288 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:38:43 +0000 acsimpson 305288@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can't argue with a full grown rigid bike for that price if you are just wanting to go short distances in the city.</p> <p>It does have a curious vibe to it. Almost like it's one of those cheaper kids bikes where their knees appear to pass through the handlebars on each stroke. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305284 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:03:06 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305284@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No, seriously. It would last a year. 18-speed, not 24. My eyes bounced off its ugly dependability.</p> <p><a href="https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/apollo-transfer-mens-hybrid-bike-18-21-frames?request_type=bestseller" rel="nofollow">https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/apollo-transfer-mens-hybrid-bike-18-21-frames?request_type=bestseller</a></p> <p>Reduced to a mere ten ten-spots. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305283 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 22:44:23 +0000 chdot 305283@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“decent” “looking”</p> <p>?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19566#post-305281 Thu, 25 Apr 2019 22:36:38 +0000 I were right about that saddle 305281@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Halfords at Straiton (I was there to buy 5W fork oil*) have a decent looking 24 speed city bike for £100. That's £100.</p> <p>*Four coil? </p>