Is this the right bike?

Arif707

Hi guys and girls,

After a year of commuting to work via London Transport, I have finally decided to invest in a bike! I'd say I'm very fit and I enjoy the outdoors so I'm hoping I'll stay committed. The only problem I'm having is that I'm a pretty broke student and I have no idea where to start looking. I've checked out a few threads and have got one in mind but I'm a real noob when it comes to bikes so need some final clarrifcation. I'm very open to any suggestions that you guys can provide that will ensure I get my moneys worth and thanks a lot in advance!

P.S. The bike I'm looking at is the Revolution Courier Race '11 http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... abel-bikes

Arif.

Mr Plum

Good commuting bike for the money - doubt you'd do better than that at that price range unless you were willing to buy second hand?

Arif707

I'm not really bothered about second hand, but it's pretty hard to get hold of one. I've checked Gumtree and eBay for a carrera Vulcan but couldn't find anything.

Mr Plum

The Carrera Subway Ltd is available in the Halfords sale at £199 at the moment - only collection though so see if there's one in a store near you. Possibly slightly better than the Revolution but there's not a lot in it - wider ratio of gears being the main plus of the Carrera.

Arif707

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=75071
Just found this, and there's 10% off today so I can pick it up for £204. Any ideas on if its a good bike in comparison to the revolution courier?

Thanks.

Headhuunter

Arif707 wrote:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75071
Just found this, and there's 10% off today so I can pick it up for £204. Any ideas on if its a good bike in comparison to the revolution courier?

Thanks.

That's basically a mountain bike. Unless you actually plan to ride offroad, the extra weight of suspension and lower ration gears with fat tyres is not useful and will only serve to slow you down. Of these 2 I would stick to your original choice. At this budget though I would certainly carefully consider 2nd hand options, you'll get far better value for money...

graeme_s-2

My first "proper" bike was a Revolution Courier Race. Have to say I think they're great bikes for the money. I commuted for a couple of years on mine, I did charity rides on it, rode my first 100 miler on it, and when I got a road bike I used it to ride to the shops/pub/town and back. Last winter I put ice tyres on it, and now use it in the winter when it's freezing out.

You'll probably out grow it and want something more in time, but I suspect you won't get a better new bike for the money.

reformedfatty

You might also consider a specialized sirrus or a btwin triban 3

Arif707

Revo courier will probably be my best bet. About second hand, I got no idea where to begin..I checked out gumtree, things still seemed a little pricey.

Headhuunter

Arif707 wrote:

Revo courier will probably be my best bet. About second hand, I got no idea where to begin..I checked out gumtree, things still seemed a little pricey.

To go 2nd hand you would need to do a bit of homework so you know that you're getting value for money. I suppose the 1st thing to consider with regard to a 2nd hand bike is whether the frame is the right size for you! However if you want a quick fix then just go for the Revo Courier...

sci

Seems that Revolution is appraised by the press and public:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/s ... eviews.htm
Keep in mind, that buying a new bike means at least warranty. A second hand bike is like a second hand car - it can be a great model, but due to wrong/bad exploitation, exactly your specimen to be in awful (or time-bomb) condition. I would go with your first choice.

Arif707

Hi guys, went back to looking for something and stumbled across this one http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... =true&msg=

What do you guys think?