classic Subaru Si

Hi all, I know theres a few bikers on here, just wanted your thoughts on the above bikes - seen one on fleabay, looks quite old, but in decent nick. Alloy frame, front shocks. I've not ridden a bike for bloody years, but me and the good woman have given up smoking and are gaining weight at a spectacular rate. I'll try and get a link up of this mean machine so you can see for yourselves!

Coffin Dodger

Nothing special like but probably not a bad bike for starters. Cut above the £99 jobs.

Once Claud Butler was a brand synonymous with good quality bikes but like so many other they've been bought out and realistically only the brand name is still in use, slapped on mass manufactured bikes from the Far East.

That said my Marin Mount Vision (£1600 in 2000) is made in Taiwan so they do make good bikes too. The quality of the welding on the frame is absolutely superb.

classic Subaru Si

yeah, don't want anything too fancy just in case it ends up as a clothes hanger! I've seen some belting looking bikes over the last couple of days, with nice price tags too - bit of a mine field though. Went to Halfords the other night as they have some sort of sale going on, but the 'experts' I was talking to didn't know **** all - just like monkeys pointing at price tags - his best sales pitch was "this ones the same, but £60 more expensive because its got better stickers on it" I just walked out.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Is the one you've seen a "Cape Wrath"? That was their top of the range when they were something worth having. Made in Brigg and Barton-on-Humber, North Lincs, at the Falcon factory, sadly, now only a warehousing area, all production being in the Far East.

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

I have a Trek, not the cheapest or the most expensive but you get some good deals.

It's had a right bollocking back and forth to work and off road. It's now having a service after 12 months, rear spindle is a bit wobbly and the gear selector is a bit loose.

Zaim

iTrader: (3)

I'm not trying to start anything here but they are the lowest common denominator when it comes to mountain bikes, and that's being polite. Yes they are a cut above the £99 specials but only just. If you can find a 2009/10 Carrera Vulcan or a Boardman then get it. Much better design and better components for the money. Not sure how much you want to spend but it’s got to be at least £200, even something like a Kona or a Specialized Hardrock or Rockhopper would be good. Go for an older one and they’ll be cheaper.

The reason why I mention the Vulcan is it got some very favourable reviews when it came out:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Vulcan...item43a791f233
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Vulcan...item4aabbcfa6d
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...lcan-07-27707/ (yes I know it’s a 2007 review but the frame hasn’t changed since)

You mention wanting to lose weight and pass the time, can I recommend you don’t bother with a mountain bike and get a hybrid with chunkier tyres. Cheap mountain bikes come with heavy suspension forks that aren’t worth their weight. At a lower price point the forks can weigh more than the frame and to enjoy riding a light bike is more fun than a heavy one. Also it adds complexity, another item to service and believe me they need servicing.

I work with bicycles in my spare time and I’m shocked by the lack of thought that goes into designs at the lower end of the market, suspension forks are just there because the buying public think they look cool. To me they only look cool when I’m throwing myself down a hill off road at 30mph.

Hope this is of some help.

classic Subaru Si

Hi Zaim, I think your right to be honest - I don't want to spend silly money on a bike, but I don't want it to be a load of myther either - what are these hybrids all about then? Could you point me in the right direction of a good middle of the road make? I don't want to buy new, so would be trawling ebay for one! Cheers, Si

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Carrera.

Zaim

iTrader: (3)

A hybrid is a mix between a road bike and a mountain bike, a sort of do anything bike. So it takes the ruggedness and upright position of a road bike and mixes it with the bigger wheels (although some don’t) and higher gears of a road bike. They’re supposed to be the best of both worlds, quick on the road, light in weight and rugged enough to tackle towpaths and parks of the UK. Granted they won’t take you into the wilds of the countryside but they will allow you to ride smooth bridleways and paths that the majority of us walk. They’ve generally got thinner tyres than a mountain bike and the tyre will have a centre for rolling on the road and some knobbles for a bit of towpath action.

Going back to Carrera, their Subway range is pretty decent for the money and looks quite good as well. They use 26 inch wheels, mountain bike size.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Subway...item45fb0c57d2
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carerra-Subway...item3cb8ad67b3

If you want an idea of a good hybrid Cannondales Bad Boy is great but pricey (show me a ‘Dale that isn’t) and for speed something like a Specialized Sirrus or a Boardman Hybrid. These should give you some idea of the broad range a hybrid covers. I will admit I’m biased to Boardman’s as I’ve got one and they’re good value. The main brands for the masses appear to be Specialized, Trek or Giant. All three do good design and careful kit specification.

As an idea go to your local bike shop(LBS) and talk to the guys there and get some first-hand advice, after all advice is free. Most importantly stick to your budget. Don’t speak to the guys at Halfords, no offence to them but only a few breath bikes. Evans Cycles are a good place for advice but if you’ve got a LBS nearby check them out.

If anyone really wants to know I ride an Ibis Mojo SL, Orange P7, Klein Pulse and a Boardman Hybrid Pro (not at the same time). Thinking of adding a fifth and it’s much cheaper than collecting cars.

classic Subaru Si

You must be a mind reader, I was just checking out the Subways 2 minutes ago - liking the look of that black and green version, and also within my budget as it stands. Thanks for the info, its helped a lot. I will be out and about over the weekend pricing new against 2nd hand, and see if its worth just buying a new one instead. Thanks again!!

mrmadcap

At the end of the day, Giant, Specialised, Kona, Marin and many other so called top end bikes are made in the same factory in Taiwan as the so-called leser brands.

The MBT scene is the biggest rip off ever, although it's not as bad as it used to be. Back in the 90's i paid £650 for a Kona Cindercone (rigid forks and cantelever brakes that simply didn't work). Today the equivelent Kona Cindercone comes with suspension forks and discs for the same money.

Jamescsti

I have a carrera Vulcan. As mtb go its pretty good but as I do mainly road riding its not really appropriate. I'm looking to get a decent hybrid next month on the cycle to work scheme. You need to consider where you will do most of your cycling?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Good advice, I have a Bad Boy 700 and its pretty fast ont he road but I replaced it with a Specialized Allez Eilte and its so much nicer on road, have only ridden the Cannondale once since, my eldest has the Subway and they are an excellent budget bike, bought for £200 ish as its a proper bike at that price point rather than a comedy budget mountain bike as you cant do disks and full suspension for £200.

I like my road bike and it goes way further of road than most peoples mountain bikes, they are a lot more robust than people give them credit for, most mountain bikes are overkill for bridle paths and canal tow paths, they are aimed at people dropping off things, a bit like the urban four by four, over the top for the job it does.

I would go for the Subway, best introduction bike there is for the money.

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

Decathlon B'Twin (Rockrider) Best value for money out there bar none.
I bought their 8.1. Incredible value and includes 2 free services.

steve nic

i got my claude butler mtb just less than 10 years ago,apart from changing the normal stuff the bikes been fine if not a bit heavy even without the panyards!!

Bonehead

I got a really good Claud Butler when I was about 14, then a couple of years ago I decided to start cycling again I went to my local CB dealer and traded it in for a new CB Hybrid.

Sadly in the 15-16 years since getting my old CB they've gone to the cheapest of the cheap. I had the bike for a few weeks when one of the spokes broke.

Dont bother with them, I've got a Boardman off of fleabay and it;s the utter dogs danglies.

Just need to get some mudguards for it but it's a right piece of class