New communter - Confusing Bike Choices

Izzanbaad

Hi all,

I have recently decided to commute to work on bicycle. It`s not a big commute but it is hilly and i shall use the bike for leisure purposes also. Based on my needs and budget, a retailer (not Evans) recommended the Scott Sportser 60 2011:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... 2#features

The problem is this bike won`t be in stock until June, so they called me and recommended the Specialized Sirrus:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 1#features

The problem is, i know NOTHING about the kit differences on these bikes and i feel a bit perplexed. They also mentioned the sport version of the above bike:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 7#features

I could stretch to afford that one but again, it completely confuses me. Does anyone have any advice or information for me? I don`t want to wait for June really, but i will if it means getting a better bike and i must admit that the Specialized bikes don`t appeal to me aesthetically.

Thanks in advance.

chilling

From those 3 the Sirrus sport has a bit better kit on it as reflected in the price and it's the lighter bike which would help on the hilly bits. It's got the nicest tyres for road riding too.

I bought a Sportster 25 at the start of the year and can't say I've had any problems with it. It's a really nice ride, does everything I want it to and seems to be quite happy getting abused on trails once in a while.

I'm sure you'll get a number of other suggestions from the good people of the board.

As an aside I decided on the Scott after riding both that and the equivalent Specialized, I just felt the Scott was more comfortable for me and like yourself I wasn't keen on the looks of the Specialized bikes.

Best advice is to go and give them a spin to see how they feel..

Berk Bonebonce

700c hybrid bikes with flat handlebars are in-vogue at the moment. At the moment, hybrid bikes are more 'marketed' than other types of commuter bike.

You might also want to consider what the industry terms 'comfort bikes', ie. 26" rigid mountain bike. I much prefer smaller diameter 26" wheels for commuting - the lower centre of gravity means greater stability. I've got a Dawes Saratoga Rigid. Have fitted new tyres and full length mudguards.

Paul E

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

700c hybrid bikes with flat handlebars are in-vogue at the moment. At the moment, hybrid bikes are more 'marketed' than other types of commuter bike.

You might also want to consider what the industry terms 'comfort bikes', ie. 26" rigid mountain bike. I much prefer smaller diameter 26" wheels for commuting - the lower centre of gravity means greater stability. I've got a Dawes Saratoga Rigid. Have fitted new tyres and full length mudguards.

I have never felt more unstable on a 700c bike than on a 26er, there is going to be nothing in it, a 700C wheel will roll over holes and road imprections a lot better unsettling the rider less. I wouldn't go back to 26" wheels on the road now.

Sun Dodger

From the pictures, the Scott looks much nicer - but I think a lot of that is the bar/stem setup. Probably not too much between the bikes, so on the basis it's better to be riding than not, I'd happily go with one of the Spec's

jonny_trousers

They are all entry level bikes and will feel much of a muchness when riding. Don't wait until June for any of them, though. Great cycling weather is already with us and you should be out there enjoying it. Apart from anything, the sooner you get riding one of those bikes, the sooner you will come to realise that you want a decent drop bar bike instead

PS. The comment above about 26" wheels offering greater stability only aplies if you are either A: a short-arse, or B: a bit sh*t at riding.

The Rookie

As most frames designed for road usage set the bottom bracket at a similar height, running 700c wheels gives no lower a CofG than 26".....

Simon

Berk Bonebonce

You get a lower centre of gravity with 26" because the wheel axles are closer to the ground. Noticeable if you are on the short side.

26" diameter also offers greater manouverability because of the shorter section of tyre in contact with the road, and this can further add to the balance and handling of a bike in commuting-type situations.

And 26" is stronger.

And 26" rolls better than 700c.

optimisticbiker

Sorry, but most of that is opinion not borne out by the physics...

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

You get a lower centre of gravity with 26" because the wheel axles are closer to the ground. Noticeable if you are on the short side. Really, does 20mm (6%) make that much difference? I'd argue that its the larger contact area of the lower pressured 26" that gives a more forgiving stability projection (the area on the ground over which the cog can move and still remain stable)

26" diameter also offers greater manouverability because of the shorter section of tyre in contact with the road, and this can further add to the balance and handling of a bike in commuting-type situations. Sorry, nothing to do with wheel diameter, everything to do with tyre construction and pressures. Arguably 26" are wider tyres & usually pressurised less which would give a greater contact area not less. If identical tyres and pressures the difference is less than 1.5mm

And 26" is stronger.Maybe, but only by virtue of the additional spokes, etc. If they had the same # of spokes the strength is the same (remember the spokes are in tension not compression so length is immaterial)

And 26" rolls better than 700c. define 'rolls better'?. More comfortable maybe due to lower pressures/larger contact patch giving more resilience. The bigger wheel handles grooves and crevices better and rolls more cleanly, but the typically higher pressures would make for a harsher ride.

turnerjohn

[quote="Berk Bonebonce"

And 26" rolls better than 700c.[/quote]

sorry but it doesn't ....hence the influx of 29ers ! larger wheels roll over bumps far far better then a smaller wheel does.

OP - what about a cyclo cross bike ? just a thought as I recon their a perfect medium !

Izzanbaad

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate everyone`s advice.
I`ll be calling into the shop tomorrow (after bank holiday) and take a look at the Sirrus if they have one in.

I have researched the subject extensively but I must admit that getting into cycling seems like a minefield for me, especially where equipment on bikes are concerned.

Since I need the extra gear (lights, pumps, locks, etc) I won`t be going for the £450 range of bikes as this will force me to skimp on the kit.

I suppose the main thing I have learned is that at the level I`m buying the kit is "much of a muchness", which, when you read the specs on the bike as a novice, certainly isn`t clear!

As some people have said, in the future i will have more insight into what I need from my bike but for now I`m reliant on people`s goodwill and advice (something I don`t trust when people`s profit is also involved).

Turnerjohn - Thanks for the recommendation on other types of bike but as far as I can see, not one of those bikes on Evans` are below the £500 mark! =(

Also, based on the comments, I feel that the 700c wheels will be fine. I'm 6`7" so I suppose the 26" would be of little benefit!

I really appreciate all the feedback to what seems like a common question. Thanks again.

night_porter

Surely if you are 6'7" you need to be looking at Giant bikes?

Seriously, your appraisal is spot on absolutely no difference in the supplied kit and even buying more expensive kit makes very little difference unless you believe the marketing hype.

You move the lever and the bike changes gear.....simples!

As for not trusting the salesperson, try looking at it this way. If you are going to buy a bike from your local shop they will help you get the size right, adjust the fit (different to basic size), advise on suitable accessories, answer your questions and make you feel you have made the right choice.

All of these things are irrelevent if you have experience with bikes otherwise they can make or break a cyclist. If they do their job properly you will not buy just the cheapest but the most suitable for your needs and this will make you come back again and again.

Most local bike shops are run by people who love riding bikes as opposed to people who want to sell you something with the biggest commision for them.

As for the Scott v the Spesh just choose the one you like the look of best and failing that buy the one that is available now, you won't be sorry.

Izzanbaad

Visited the shop today and the had a smaller Specialised in, so i could look at the bike in person.
I think i`ll be ordering it later and it should be ready in a week. The bike looks so different in person and i really liked it. The female Scott Sportser 60 they had in however, didn`t seem so polished.
I will probably need to buy a new set of tyres eventually for non-road biking and i now need to source some mud guards and a pannier - job done.

The salesman there is a guy i used to go to school with so it`s not that i don`t trust him per se, i would rather be able to verify what i`m being told with some personal knowledge. I don`t really think the guy will steer me wrong.

Thanks again guys.