Charge Mixer

andymurphy

Morning all,

Long time lurker here but thought I'd dip my toe in and get involved. Unsurprisingly - I'm after some advice.

I started commuting in London a year or so ago using a second hand Specialized Sirrus Sport. My thinking was, i didn't want to invest in a new 'decent' bike until a) I knew I'd keep on commuting (i was worried it'd be a passing fad!) and b) i was worried about losing the bike to the inevitable thieving scum that prey on central London bike racks.

A year in and i am still doing the commute (6 miles each way) from North to Central London so I'm considering treating myself to a new bike - the current one has more gears than i need and is a little heavy.

My criteria are that the bike should be pretty quick and manouverable, simple to maintain, not to 'noticeable' in a line up of bikes (I'm working on the principle that bike thieves aren't too discerning and they will always go for the shiniest bike on the rack). I've been looking at the aforementioned Charge Mixer. I like it's unassuming looks, and simplicity. I'd go for a fixie but i'm afraid there are too many hills on my journey and i'm not quite fit enough to try them all in one gear!

Looking around i spotted the Charge Tap, but aside from from the colour scheme and the lack of disc brakes, what's the difference? To me it looks like the Charge Tap is a cheaper version of the Mixer which would suit me in these increasingly harsh economic times!

Does anyone have either? Can anyone give me any pointers or advice? Any recommendations as to other similar set-ups? And finally does anyone know where you can go to try out a Charge bike?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

andy

RufusA

The Charge Mixer got a good review, which I presume you read:

http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear ... r-08-28772

I'm always a little over woried about hub gears and disk brakes on a commuter bike. They are supposed to be less fuss to maintain but 90% of my commuting problems are p*nct*res rather than chain or gear issues. I believe that rear wheel removal can be a bit of a nightmare with hub gears (and it's always the rear that get the p*nct*re).

Weight wise I doubt if there are any savings over the Sirrus, if anything I suspect the Mixer may be heavier - disc brakes and hub gears aren't light components! Also the hub gear will have some efficiency losses over the Sirrus, though for the Alfine this may be negligible.

Then again it's likely to be a fine machine, and there's nothing like a new stede to bring a little brightness to your morning commute.

Rufus.

andymurphy

Interesting, i hadn't considered it might be heavier. I assumed as it was so stripped down that it would be lighter.

I know what you mean about the disc brakes, and i personally thought they were overkill for urban riding where you didn't need that sort of stopping power. I guess that means I'm leaning toward the Charge Tap then. Just wondered whether anyone had one, had ridden one or what their thoughts were.

the_hundredth_idiot

Charge Mixer has Alfine hub; Charge Tap has Nexus. The Alfine is supposed to be the better, upgraded, newer hub and much smoother.

The Charge bikes are steel framed rather than aluminium so possibly a bit heavier for that? But also (supposedly) a more forgiving ride. [/speculation mode off]

Evans stock the Charge Tap and should be happy to let you test ride it. They might also have the Mixer in for comparison but they seemed to be having supply issues with the Mixer earlier in the year.

andymurphy

hmm, i wonder whether the improve gearing and disc brakes are worth the extra few hundred quid? Probably not.

Is there anything similar out there?

the_hundredth_idiot

This guy has a few ideas.

http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/foru ... t=12590523

fury21

The next batch of Mixers (due Dec.) may be the 2009 version which has gone up from 699 to 799. I think only wiggle are showing the new price online.

Not clear yet if there are any spec changes justifying the price increase or if its just supply and demand (as apparently the 2008 version sold faster than expected).

crosstowncommuter

Have you considered the Cotic Roadrat? Gets some great reviews, and is a really flexible disk capable frame.

You don't say what your budget is, but I am sure you could get a Roadrat built up for a similar price to the Mixer, the Roadrat also allows you to go fixed at a later date should the mood take you...

Paintjob is a very subtle black. Not the lightest bike as its a steel frame, but not the heaviest either and should take the knocks of daily commuting.

I'm also looking to upgrade, although not to a hub based bike - been commuting on a slicked up MTB for the last 2 years and now looking for something a bit swifter and more focussed, yet still tough.

Brixton Cycles are I think a main dealer for Cotic in London and supposedly have a few versions of the Roadrat available to try.

I have found that in looking at bikes for a faster commute without sacrificing durability, that cyclocross bikes look to be a good compromise as a daily commuter. I am reluctant to give up my current disk setup, so have been looking for disk capable cyclocrossers.

If you are not completely set on a hub based commuter, then there are quite a few other options out there.

Couple of ones i have come accross so far aside from the Roadrat are:
- Planet-X Uncle John
- Focus Mares Cross Disk (from Wiggle)
- Condor Bivio Cross (not sure if this is disk capable frame this year though - used to be)
- Salsa La Cruz

I think I will go for the Cotic Roadrat as I like its flexibility, plus it should be able to get it built up as I want it for a reasonable price.

I think the 2009 range of Marin bikes also has a disk based cross bike for a reasonable price.

daver1

I've been looking for a steel framed bike for my daily commute. I have a full suspension mountain bike for weekends and a Giant TCR for when I feel the need to go fast, or can commute without too much luggage. I have narrowed it down to a Charge Mixer or Cotic Roadrat and am going to go for the Roadrat based in part on their responsiveness and helpfullness when I have emailed them with questions (Charge weren't that bad but they didn't install as much confidence).

andymurphy

Interesting responses, thank you all. The roadrat looks nice, i'm planing to get the bike through a bike to work scheme so i really need to keep to mainstream shops as i'm going to be setting up the scheme for the office.

The Planet X looked pretty nice too actually... D@mn, now i have a few more choices to throw into the mix!

Ironpants

Hi,

I have a Charge Tap, but I am very new to this cycling lark so can't compare it to anything for you.

There is little if any hassle to get the rear whhel off, might take 15 seconds instead of 10 seconds with a drailleur setup.

I find it light, with quick steering and the instant gear change when you need it is great in town. My race bike (80s vintage pinarello) is a fussy steed by comparison. I am sure modern road/race bikes are much easier to handle though.

The Tap has double butted steel tubing which is not the case for the whole range.

Evans in my town were useless at getting one in to test, despite a £50 deposit and a 2 week wait. A long trip round the M25 to a non-LBS got me the test ride and bike no problems.

I am just getting round to fitting mudguards and am on the hunt for a suitable bracket to replace the chainstay bridge, if I can sort this the rest of the process is going to be a breeze.

Hope this helps.

Toby

crosstowncommuter

On the bike to work scheme thing, its worth checking out the details carefully. I am hoping to get mt RoadRat through a scheme run by http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk, but this scheme is pretty much only LBS's, not the big names who seem to have their own schemes.

For the RoadRat thats not an issue as Brixton cycles are on the scheme, as was the only supplier I could find for the Salsa La Cruz. However the likes of the Focus bikes from Wiggle were out for me, as were Evans (probably no bad thing based on my experience), and Halfords (ditto).

Also be aware that most companies will restrict you to £1000 for the bike, as higher than that getting the full price of the bike on the scheme involves the employer getting setup as a credit provider.

Some people report success getting a grand on the scheme and then paying the extra themselves. Be warned - this can significantly complicate the ownership issue should you leave the scheme for whatever reason before you complete it, as the bike belongs to your company legally until you finish the scheme and pay the transfer payment. If you pay some of the cost of the bike then technically there is a dual ownership issue there.

When all is said and done though if you plan on staying with your current employer its a great way to get a 40%+ discount on a bike for most people

AndyManc

I like the look of this .........

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Charge_Plug_Freestyler_2009/5360039094/




Is it art .... or a just a bike :?