What 'summer' bike??
jopari
Posts: 84
I've been riding a Dawes discovery hybrid thingy for 4 years now, which has been a great servant. But all this talk of 'summer' and 'winter' bikes has tempted me into looking into cyclescheme through work, and a lovely fast roadie for those balmy summer evenings.
My heart is rullling my head at the moment, and am looking for a 'steely'. Should I go for:
a) Kona Honky Tonk (love the bike, but not keen on this years colour). http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=honkytonk (so budget in the £750 category)
b) Woodrups (of Leeds) make me a nice bespoke bike for around the same price.
c) Something else (is steel just an aesthetic thing, or are there real advantages for longevity and ride?)
Thanks all!
My heart is rullling my head at the moment, and am looking for a 'steely'. Should I go for:
a) Kona Honky Tonk (love the bike, but not keen on this years colour). http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=honkytonk (so budget in the £750 category)
b) Woodrups (of Leeds) make me a nice bespoke bike for around the same price.
c) Something else (is steel just an aesthetic thing, or are there real advantages for longevity and ride?)
Thanks all!
Cannondale R800 - Dry
Kona Honky Tonk - Wet
'96 GT Outpost - Kids on back
Genesis Core 120 - Mud
Raleigh Pro Race - Shop
Kona Honky Tonk - Wet
'96 GT Outpost - Kids on back
Genesis Core 120 - Mud
Raleigh Pro Race - Shop
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Comments
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jopari wrote:.... (is steel just an aesthetic thing, or are there real advantages for longevity and ride?) ... !
I like steel, but, to be objective, you can make a good bike out of any of the popular options. There are tradeoffs, and they shift a bit with the price point, but the only real answer is to try for yourself and see what you like.
In terms of longevity- I have (and use) a good steel frame that's over sixty years old, I've also written off two cheap steel hacks as a result of rusting due to abuse. An Aluminium frame can also corrode and a bad one may well be vulnerable to fatigue failure (Al doesn't have a "fatigue limit", so if there's a strain-point on the frame it will eventually crack). This shouldn't happen if the frame's been made correctly.
Carbon-fibre frames don't rust, but are alleged to be more vulnerable to impact damage (CF is extremely strong but the material is brittle, so impacts may weaken the frame).
I don't think you can get a good CF framed bike for £750, but I might be wrong....
Hope this helps. I'd be inclined to think about your long term plans for the bike- will you keep it indefinitely or will it be replaced in a few years with something exotic and even more expensive? Will you use it solely for summer day rides, or might you want to take it touring, do sportives or audax events?
Cheers,
W.0 -
A summer bike is a thing of beauty. An exotica only to be used in the warm dry months.
This bike isn't for the daily grind. It is pampered and always cleans. It has that showroom look.
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I too love steel. Apart from all the logical stuff WGW said, a good quality steel frame just feels great.
For your option 3) I'd say, you have a bunch of other options. There are many other local (UK) builders - so I'd suggest shop around and get exactly what you want.David
Engineered Bicycles0 -
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FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
I've got various bikes, but my Acciaio is my summer one. And winter one. And commuter. And weekend bike.
Comfortable, well made, quite quick, looks good IMO. And not too pricey.0 -
WGWarburton wrote:jopari wrote:.... (is steel just an aesthetic thing, or are there real advantages for longevity and ride?) ... !
I like steel, but, to be objective, you can make a good bike out of any of the popular options. There are tradeoffs, and they shift a bit with the price point, but the only real answer is to try for yourself and see what you like.
In terms of longevity- I have (and use) a good steel frame that's over sixty years old, I've also written off two cheap steel hacks as a result of rusting due to abuse. An Aluminium frame can also corrode and a bad one may well be vulnerable to fatigue failure (Al doesn't have a "fatigue limit", so if there's a strain-point on the frame it will eventually crack). This shouldn't happen if the frame's been made correctly.
Carbon-fibre frames don't rust, but are alleged to be more vulnerable to impact damage (CF is extremely strong but the material is brittle, so impacts may weaken the frame).
I don't think you can get a good CF framed bike for £750, but I might be wrong....
Hope this helps. I'd be inclined to think about your long term plans for the bike- will you keep it indefinitely or will it be replaced in a few years with something exotic and even more expensive? Will you use it solely for summer day rides, or might you want to take it touring, do sportives or audax events?
Cheers,
W.
Thanks for the feedback. It'll almost solely be used for commuting in summer and the odd weekend ride. I'm more a runner than a cyclist, so doubt I'll be upgrading it much, or buying a shinier one the next year. This needs to be a bike to be proud of, and to last a good few years without too much fettling.Cannondale R800 - Dry
Kona Honky Tonk - Wet
'96 GT Outpost - Kids on back
Genesis Core 120 - Mud
Raleigh Pro Race - Shop0 -
Yup, I have my summer bikes (see sig), and my winter bikes (see sig). No, the Viner has not been rested......Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck20110 -
WGWarburton wrote:I don't think you can get a good CF framed bike for £750, but I might be wrong....
You can on eBay. I did (well, it was £785)Dahon Speed Pro TT; Trek Portland
Viner Magnifica '08 ; Condor Squadra
LeJOG in aid of the Royal British Legion. Please sponsor me at http://www.bmycharity.com/stuaffleck20110 -
clicky for big
My summer bike
2004 Orbea Gavia with Triple (well I do live in Devon)
Al frame, 25mm michellin pro race, rear wheel replaced with indestructible Ridga Chrina, Brooks Swift
I'd say forget the steel framed nonsense and get a bike like this. A good marque but Al and lower end. The ride is excellent0 -
vorsprung wrote:
clicky for big
My summer bike
2004 Orbea Gavia with Triple (well I do live in Devon)
Al frame, 25mm michellin pro race, rear wheel replaced with indestructible Ridga Chrina, Brooks Swift
I'd say forget the steel framed nonsense and get a bike like this. A good marque but Al and lower end. The ride is excellent
No excuse for a triple. Get out with the mid devon cc, every sunday Abrook Sports Field Car park.+++++++++++++++++++++
we are the proud, the few, Descendents.
Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.0 -
symo wrote:No excuse for a triple. Get out with the mid devon cc, every sunday Abrook Sports Field Car park.
In Kingsteignton? Bit too far to be arsed. Also I don't race or test.
I'm on the border with Somerset, about 20 miles east of Exeter
My commute is a 50km round trip to Taunton, 600 metres ascent over the Blackdowns.0 -
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depending on what size you are, there is honky tonk on ebay (new I think) for around £500. I think they look like nice bikes too....http://www.georgesfoundation.org
http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.com/
http://www.12on12in12.blogspot.co.uk/0 -
I'm not a Kona fan - I think their bikes are far too knowingly "cool", but the one you've picked on is nice and for £750 isn't bad value
Other usual suspects would include Spesh Allez (?Sport?), whatever cheapies Wiggle are doing (Focus usually), Boardmans??, etc.
Also, your LBS may be having a sale - if you're massively tall or a midget you may be able to pick up a bargain. If you're a medium in all directions (ahem) then you've probably missed the boat.
Oh and then there's the various Ribble options.
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
SecretSam wrote:I'm not a Kona fan - I think their bikes are far too knowingly "cool", but the one you've picked on is nice and for £750 isn't bad value
Other usual suspects would include Spesh Allez (?Sport?), whatever cheapies Wiggle are doing (Focus usually), Boardmans??, etc.
Also, your LBS may be having a sale - if you're massively tall or a midget you may be able to pick up a bargain. If you're a medium in all directions (ahem) then you've probably missed the boat.
Oh and then there's the various Ribble options.
Cheers for input. I'm not really up on brands, but I used to drool over Kona mountain bikes when a kid, so I like 'em. What I know I DON'T like are the Specialized Allez bikes with the bendy top tube. I'm after classic, simple lines and nothing 'faddy'.
Good tip on sales, but I'm medium evey direction, so maybe not much for me! Are Ribbles only available from website/phone/factory, or do LBS stock them (I'm in Leeds).
thanks for ideas.Cannondale R800 - Dry
Kona Honky Tonk - Wet
'96 GT Outpost - Kids on back
Genesis Core 120 - Mud
Raleigh Pro Race - Shop0