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New Bike Advice

(26 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Nelly
  • Latest reply from Nelly
  • This topic is not a support question

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  1. Nelly
    Member

    Current Single Speed commuter bike is coming to the end of its useful life (BB is glued in and will fall to bits within a year I reckon).

    I did consider self build, but while I am pretty handy, I am not sure I could build an entire bike.

    Bike to Work is about to come round, so I thought I would sort something out before mine goes south.

    My current ride is Steel, Drop Bar, SS, 700*23/25 with proper mudguards.

    Would like similar, plus perhaps ability to take beefier tyres and considering if I need disc brakes.

    From my brief search a few weeks ago, I though the Cotic Roadrat with discs might fit the bill.

    Any other thoughts / advice appreciated.

    We are a Halfords employer, but I understand that either they can source bikes for you, or some shops will take the vouchers.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    The CTC magazine recommended the Islabikes Beinn 29, the Trek Soho and Cannondale Badboy in their bike review last year.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. DaveC
    Member

    The Raodrat does look good and I considered it for a while until I saw the >X< which suits my longer commute. I'l like to take the Roadrat for a test ride though to see how it differs, and how the geometry is different. You can get single speed, traditional gears and hub geared variants I understand.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Uberuce
    Member

    Roadrat might be the only disc-braked single that's Bike to Work compatible; On-One probably do one too, but I don't think they are on BtW.

    If you're not set on discs, I'm pretty happy with my Genesis Day One, although it's a little weird in that it has a 51mm chainline going to a 135mm dropout. It was up till recently shod with 35mm studded tyres which may or may not have taken mudguards; it's got eyelets for them.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. ARobComp
    Member

    One thing I've never really got is the need for discs. Do you mainly get your bike serviced or do you do it yourself?

    Also I;'ve noticed more and more "cabelled" disc brakes rather than Hydraulic. Whats the performance like on those?

    Anyhoo I love the Genesis bikes I think they're awesome. Also if you want to just get a solid frame worth checking out Surly.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. steveo
    Member

    Hydraulic disks aren't that hard to service, they are potentially messier though. Cabled disks have similar performance to low end hydraulics though you lose one of main features auto adjusting. Hydraulic brakes don't need any attention between services/pad changes. Of course on drop bars there isn't much choice as road levers aren't not compatible.

    I like disks for commuting mainly because they don't lose performance in the wet, my 105 dp might as well be butter when it's raining. But I wouldn't base my decision of one frame over another based on the brake system.

    Planet-X were on the b2w scheme last time I looked, Kaffenback or Pompino are both disk compatible and excellent working bikes.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    When you say "BB is glued in" do you mean literally? As in it fell out, the shell is knackers and it can't be replaced so you stuck it back together again? There are BBs you can buy for shells with stripped threads. Or has the bike gone beyond just replacing the BB? Could you rebuild on the existing frame?

    I'm not being helpful I suppose, just trying to be the voice of the bank manager (or Mrs Nelly?) saying "yes you would like a new bike but do you need a new bike?"

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Baldcyclist
    Member

    I've just bought this (http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_page.php?ModNo=W-1-037-12) through Cycle to Work, not single speed, but does have dropped handlebar, discs, wide tires. Might even be picking it up this weekend so might be able to provide a ride-report or shot next week for anyone interested...

    Will be a strange one for me as I have NEVER bought a bike without emotion. This was picked through the ticking of boxes, although I discovered it wasn't quite as ugly in the flesh as the pictures suggest, however it is still really ugly!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. DaveC
    Member

    Mark, Let me know when it arrives and I'll take a ride over along the cycle path to view / ride it. I'll bring my Cotic so you can come for a bomb around with me!

    Dave C

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. custard
    Member

    dont dismiss the Boardmdan range in Halfords
    just accept you may need to fettle the bike yourself

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Baldcyclist
    Member

    @DaveC Aye, I'll let you know when it's all fitted out.

    @custard The Boardman stuff does look good on cost, even considered one myself before, just can't get past that legendary Halfords customer service though! Although they are trying to improve it I believe.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. custard
    Member

    yup,I can 2nd the lack of Halfords CS
    I have had 2 bikes under C2W from them
    however I cant really fault the Boardman
    its a nice bike
    well speced for its price
    I bought a Boardman MTB frame 2nd hand because I rated the Hybred
    the frame has built to a lovely lightweight MTB
    I would happily buy another Boardman accepting my service from Halfords wont be great
    they do disc eqiopped CX bikes now too

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Nelly
    Member

    Thanks for all the advice, will have a proper read when I get home!

    Appreciate Boardmans are good kit etc - just not my bag.

    Will have a wee look at that Whyte too.

    I must admit, the Genesis Day One is a lovely bike - just thought discs 'might' be better in the wet etc.

    kaputnik - frame was used when I got it - BB had been crossthreaded and now has very little to hang on to - when I got the last BB put in by TBW they advised gluing in as well as the couple of threads - I know its not a long term fix. Also, steerer is a bit shonky - I think it is not long for this world !

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @Nelly ah in which case I think you absolutely "need" some new wheels :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. Smudge
    Member

    Dunno about cantis but I wouldn't get hung up on discs, V brakes on my surly work the same wet or dry. Got Avid juicy's on the MTB to save the rims from the Pentland Hills grinding paste mind you :-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. amir
    Member

    I don't have disk brakes (yet) but one motivation on a commute bike would be to reduce rim wear. The anbrosia rims on my celeste bike wore out after only 7000 miles of solid Edinburgh commuting.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. custard
    Member

    yup,and the added plus of getting away with less than true wheels
    after being more MTB based,Im simply used to discs
    today i did a full bleed/pad swap on the Hope X2's
    it really isnt hard. even easier with the likes of my old Avids
    screw a small hose the master cyclinder
    hook up a syringe of fluid up
    hook up another syringe at the caliper bleed valve
    drraw the fluid through
    job done
    Ive had to bleed the Avids once in 3 years,to give a idea of timescales
    they are at the end of their life now as the levers are getting loose at the pivot.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. Nelly
    Member

    Amir, 7000 miles ! Thats not bad for a set anyway, given the state of our roads.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. ruggtomcat
    Member

    Love my discs.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Uberuce
    Member

    Give me a nudge if you'd like a wee shot on my Genesis, Nelly. When you spotted me that was my normal time to be home, so if it's yours too, it'll be a simple matter of waiting at the bridge until t'other arrives.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. ExcitableBoy
    Member

    Nelly,

    I bought a Genesis Day One drop bar 56cm in (scuba)yellow not so long ago. The bike is great, but has been severely underused, if you were considering 2nd hand maybe we could come to an arrangement.

    Andrew.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. Nelly
    Member

    Excitable boy - hmmmmm, could be interesting - you have a PM

    And just as I saw this on their website too !!!hubba hubba !

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. Uberuce
    Member

    That is purdy, although it must be pretty tempting to scrimp another £100 and go for the baby CdF.
    Biketrax and EBC both have an Alfine 11 in stock. I'm not going to let myself try one in case I do something stupid, though.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. amir
    Member

    If you do try an Alfine 11, try bunny hopping it before you buy.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. Uberuce
    Member

    My plan for this spring is to put a hub gear in the back of my Day One, so I'll get to experience the extra heft that way.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. Nelly
    Member

    Cheers guys, still no further on, but pretty sure alfine and discs takes it over 11.5k - pretty hefty.

    N

    Posted 12 years ago #

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