Alternatives?

MattJ88

I was keen on purchasing the Carerra Gryphon after reading some good reviews online.

Bike: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165534

However, I wanted to view the bike before purchasing to check sizing, comfort, etc, etc, but none in stock local. I COULD try ask local store to get one in for me to view but it seems this is end of line stock while they wait for the 2012 model.

At £250 (previously on sale at £208), this bike seemed a steal.

I currently commute 3 miles each way on 10 year old full suspension MTB. It serves it's purpose atm but I am very aware of wasted energy as the rear of the bike bounces around, especially going uphill. And the lack of space for a water bottle carrier puts me off longer rides!

If the Gryphon doesn't come back in stock soon, are there any similar priced alternatives?

I know Decathon sell a BTWIN Tribal 3 for £299.99 but no stores local to me. Halfords have the Carerra TDF and Virtuoso for £299 also but I wanted the flat bars - only alternative through Halfords I see is the Carerra Subway 1 at approx £250 or Subway 2 at £279, stock dependent.

C2W scheme opens tomorrow (MUST use Halfords though) so am currently weighing up options re: buying outright or using scheme.

I would only be using bike to commute (although distance may increase by a mile or two) and the occasional longer weekend ride (although as I'm sure you will all say, I will get the bug and want to cycle more!).

I did look at hardtail MTBs but reckon Hybrid is the way to go.

Will want to add pannier rack to bike to save carrying a rucksack.

Any suggestions welcome but I am a hobbyist, and am not wanting to spend big bucks right now. £200-£300 is where I am looking.

The Rookie

I have a Gryphon (well a Gryphon frame forms the basis of my bike) and there are two others local to me, they are a reasonably fast, competant flat barred hybrid, easily as good to ride as some named brand competitors costing a lot more. Mine is an 18" frame and suites me fine (I'm 5'10" with 31" inside leg).

Simon

MattJ88

Great .. just the problem of stock levels as we wait for the new 2012 models to arrive - which will no doubt be more expensive!

carrotcruncher

Have a gryphon too.

6 miles each way for my commute - a lot of stop start due to junctions and having to cross to where cycle paths change to the other side of the road - also I have to lump it over a pedestrian footbridge over a duel carriageway.

In my opinion it's an excellent bike for what I use it for.

For what they are new money, I dont think you'll get much better - unless you go second hand - in which case you might find a giant rapid or similar.

MattJ88

Nearest store with stock is 25 miles away and I'd have to pick up. Gutted I missed out when it was £208 and in stock!

What size is yours?

ndru

For a 3 mile commute I would consider a town bike, perhaps with a beer crate in a front carrier so you could do shopping with it too - because bicycles are not just for shaving seconds of your commute. You can get a nice town bike for 300 pounds easily and you'll get much more value for your money than with a sports bike.

MattJ88

Maybe so, but surely a performance hybrid will better allow for that longer weekend ride. Can fit pannier rack.

I popped to Halfords today to try look at the model - to find it's out of stock completely now - but I did get to have a sneak preview of their new ranges which go on sale tomorrow. The new Gryphon, new Virtuoso and a few other fab looking bikes!

I can get the new Gryphon with disc breaks, better tyres over the old model on the C2W scheme for less than I'd have paid for older v-spec model had I bought it outright. Tempted. Will have another proper look tomorrow when they are all out on display!

Kieran_Burns

I started on the Gryphon for my 14 mile commute to / from Derby and it was fine for the road sections. The problem I had with it was that I had 3.5 miles of bridleway (my favourite part) in there and the bike had problems in the Winter

The mudguard clearance wasn't great and I kept getting lumps of mud and stones stuck in there.

However... I used the bike for rides out of up to 50 miles without a problem and it was only my specific commute requirements that had me change bikes for a CX. It's a great bike for the money and while *I* prefer a drop bar bike to a flat bar - that one is good for the money.

MattJ88

Only real alternative I've seen is the Specialized Sirrus @ £350 - presuming Halfords will get one in for me.

MattJ88

These are my two options ...

The Gryphon vs Sirrus ?

Gryphon is 16 speed vs Sirrus 21

Both same weight

Gryphon is disc vs Sirrus v-pad

Any other major differences?

spen666

MattJ88 wrote:

....

At £250 (previously on sale at £208), this bike seemed a steal......

a nearly 25% increase in price and you describe it as a steal??????????????????????

MattJ88

Was 250 in sale using online codes, end of range.but that's beside the point now ..., I'm looking at the new model vs the sirrus

I thought 250 was a good price still for old, spec