Decisions, decisions...

BSMSmedic
BSMSmedic Posts: 3
edited January 2009 in The workshop
Hi everyone, and Happy New Year!!

My Claud Butler hybrid got stolen so i need a new bike, but as it is a reluctant replacement, and I am a fair-weather cyclist at best I do not want to spend more than £200 on my 6 mile commute...

Would be very grateful for advice, as I am clueless about components etc:


I popped into Halfords and their Carrera Subway 1 looks okay at £185: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_240361_langId_-1_categoryId_165534
which is 14 gears, Tektro V brakes, SRAM SX4 shifters...and well that is all they say really.


But then I am wary of it being a halfords bike when I can (for £10 more) get either a Giant CRS 4.0:
FRAME ALUXX aluminium, Fluid Formed
FORK CroMo rigid
SHOCK N/A
HANDLEBAR Steel riser
STEM Aluminium ahead
SEAT POST Aluminium
SADDLE GIANT
PEDALS Resin anti slip
SHIFTERS Shimano EZ Fire 21 speed
FRONT MECH Shimano C501
REAR MECH Shimano Tourney
BRAKES Tektro linear pull
BRAKE LEVER Shimano
CASSETTE Shimano TZ37 14-34 freewheel
CHAIN KMC Z51
CRANKS Suntour 28/38/48
BOTTOM BRACKET RPM cartridge
RIMS Aluminium
HUBS Formula
SPOKES Stainless steel
TYRES Kenda 700x35mm


Or, a Specialized Globe:
Specialized A1 premium Aluminium trekking design with fully manipulated tubing with fender and rack braze-ons.
Fork: Specialized Cr-Mo steerer and lowers.
Front Derailleur: Shimano C-51
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus RD-M310.
Shifters: Shimano EF-50.
Chainset: Shimano FCM-191 with a steel outer ring.
Chainrings: 48/36/26 teeth, Super shifter III with chainguard.
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-UN-25 cartridge bearing. 68x113mm.
Cassette: Shimano HG-40 8 speed with a 11-32 tooth range.
Chain: KMX X8 with a replaceable missing link.
Pedals: Globe anti-slip composite.
Front Brake: Specialized V-Brakes.
Rear Brake: Specialized V-Brakes.
Brake Levers: Shimano EF-50 integrated with shift levers.
Handlebars: Specialized 6066 butted alloy low rise 31.8mm bar. 620mm wide with a 8 degree back and 6 degree up sweep.
Stem: Specialized forged alloy with a 25 degree rise.
Headset: 1 1/8" threadless integrated.
Grips: Body Geometry Comfort with integrated bell.
Rims: Alex Z-1000 700c alloy.
Front Hub: Specialized forged alloy 32 hole hub with polished races and steel quick release.
Rear Hub: Shimano RM-30.
Spokes: 1.8mm 15g stainless.
Front Tyre: Nimbus Sport 700x35c. 60 TPI with Flack jacket.
Rear Tyre: Nimbus Sport 700x35c. 60 TPI with Flack jacket.
Tubes: Specialized 700c Schrader valve.
Saddle: Specialized Snooma. 155mm width.
Seatpost: Alloy suspension 27.2mm post. Two bolt head with preload adjust. Seat Binder: Specialized forged alloy.


Which is best? I think the specialized is, but i have no idea!

Thank you for all your help!

Jed

Comments

  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Ebay.
  • i have been, and i continue to look on Ebay but there aren't loads of bikes that don't require a long journey to get to, and even those seem expensive for what they are...seems the secondhand bike market is bustling. With New year sales, brand new bikes are almost the same as secondhand ones on Ebay; that is why i was after some advice on the Specialized Globe vs Carrera Subway.

    J