Roadrat/Whyte Portobello/Courier Hydro Disc/Boardman Comp?
leeds-lass
Posts: 22
I need a new bike as my last one (a much loved Kona Dew Plus) was nicked. I've narrowed it down to three options for my 16 mile hilly commute, plus spins in the Dales at the weekends.
Wondering what you think is the best
There's the Whyte Portobello, which was lovely to ride when I tried it at the weekend
http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_pag ... W-1-020-12
the Revolution Hydro which I've not tried yet. EBC are ordering it in for Friday
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... brid-bikes
or the Boardman Hybrid Team http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &msg=#tab2
The Roadrat also looks good, but I hear it's overrated?
http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geared/
The Whyte was light and nimble.
The Revolution Hydro has a lot for the price including carbon forks, but it will weigh a lot more.
The Boardman, well it sticks in my craw to give money to Halfords but it looks like a good bike, and a carbon fork again.
I like discs as I find Leeds drivers have a habit of pulling out on me and I want to be able to stop quickly in the rain.
What's your take on the components and overall quality of the setups?
Wondering what you think is the best
There's the Whyte Portobello, which was lovely to ride when I tried it at the weekend
http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_pag ... W-1-020-12
the Revolution Hydro which I've not tried yet. EBC are ordering it in for Friday
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... brid-bikes
or the Boardman Hybrid Team http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &msg=#tab2
The Roadrat also looks good, but I hear it's overrated?
http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geared/
The Whyte was light and nimble.
The Revolution Hydro has a lot for the price including carbon forks, but it will weigh a lot more.
The Boardman, well it sticks in my craw to give money to Halfords but it looks like a good bike, and a carbon fork again.
I like discs as I find Leeds drivers have a habit of pulling out on me and I want to be able to stop quickly in the rain.
What's your take on the components and overall quality of the setups?
0
Comments
-
Also I looked at the Roadrat
http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geared/
but I hear it's over rated?0 -
Boardman in my opinion, don't wanna go road bike?0
-
The bike has to be able to take rack and guards for my commute, so a racer won't do it. I do want it to be fast though.0
-
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialed ... =conf_SERC
This might work, it's the one I'm getting, race geometry with guards0 -
I tried the Portobello and found it really nimble and quick and very racy, however the Boardman was all of that but with a more comfortable ride due both to the carbon forks and frame design I think. The Whyte may not take mudguards all that easy either if you keep the 28c tyres - whereas with the boardman you could even fit bigger tyres and still have room.
I must say that I am liking the look of the Roadrat Alfine with rim brakes though - would be a superb commuter with very little maintenance required. If I were buying now I would give this serious consideration, as would I also consider the Pompetamine with Alfine.0 -
jae-so wrote:http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?action=GenerateConstructor&part=SERIBB7005WINTERSHIM&sub=conf_SERC
This might work, it's the one I'm getting, race geometry with guards
I had looked at this, and it gets a stonking review on Bike radar. Can I assume that as it can take guards it can take the rack too?0 -
I checked re the mudguards with the Portobello and it can take guards, but thanks for pointing that out.
The head is saying Boardman, the heart is saying Portobello. It's not rational, but has something to do with giving money to Halfords. I had to drive to work today (bike having been nicked), and while visiting the young unemployed of east Leeds (that's my job, to get them into work), and through total neglect of my car, it started to overheat because it has a leaky sump (I hate cars). I paid Halfords (because they were nearby) £13 for engine oil for the leaky sump, then had to pay another £2 because my feeble female hands couldn't get the cap off to put the oil in, although actually the guy who came out for £2 had to get a mate to help him. The chap was very apologetic about having to charge £2 to put oil in my car, but really I don't like the firm. Still, they do good bikes for the money. But will I bristle every time I get my bike out of the shed every morning and get to work in a bad mood? I have to consider this
(Sorry about the ridiculous quantity of subordinate clauses in that para, it's late in the evening).
Looking at my bank account in the cold hard light of day. I have to say I think my budget really must be closer to £500 than even £750.apreading wrote:I tried the Portobello and found it really nimble and quick and very racy, however the Boardman was all of that but with a more comfortable ride due both to the carbon forks and frame design I think. The Whyte may not take mudguards all that easy either if you keep the 28c tyres - whereas with the boardman you could even fit bigger tyres and still have room.
I must say that I am liking the look of the Roadrat Alfine with rim brakes though - would be a superb commuter with very little maintenance required. If I were buying now I would give this serious consideration, as would I also consider the Pompetamine with Alfine.0 -
leeds-lass wrote:jae-so wrote:http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/specialedition.asp?action=GenerateConstructor&part=SERIBB7005WINTERSHIM&sub=conf_SERC
This might work, it's the one I'm getting, race geometry with guards
I had looked at this, and it gets a stonking review on Bike radar. Can I assume that as it can take guards it can take the rack too?
I believe so, I have looked online and people have fitted a rack to this bike, I'm going to use a bike shop to fit one rather than order a rack online0 -
sadly to Ribble won't take fat tyres it seems, which is not good for the winter.
Having taken into account recommendations re the drops, and feeling that I should really grow up and get drops, I've pretty much decided to go for this unless anyone can give me a good reason not to. You've got til tonight to make me think again, otherwise the credit card is coming out...
http://www.southwatercycles.com/m1b4s21 ... /ZOOM46716
apologies for the double posing in 2 discussions0 -
Hi leeds-lass i'll keep an eye out for your Kona up my end, many many thieving cnuts up here but dont see many commuters even though the pt up here is pathetic. Any modifications or shiney bits that make it stand out?0
-
o an I've just bought a new single speed for commuting round leeds but if i had to lock it out of sight, i would've gone ghetto bike style just to save loosing my hard earned to an opportunist, just a thought :-)0
-
Thanks for saying you will look out for it. The only noticeable modification was a white racer saddle. Next time around I'll be taking out proper new for old bike insurance.
Am having second thoughts re the Ridgeback Cerium. Asked a mate who knows, and he replied " the bb5 brakes...I've had a set on the front running on 180 disc and I wasn't impressed, also the 2300 is low range kit...you can get bikes for 450 with that kit!"0 -
I am now definitely a complete nerd. I've made a spreadsheet. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... mWWc#gid=00
-
As for cars - you need to find a decent proper garage. Not at all easy but they do exist.
As for your budget - just remember that the price of filling a car up is getting towards £100 these days so if you can find a few more quid to spend on a bike that will keep the car on the drive, then you are probably going to come out ahead because of it!Faster than a tent.......0 -
OK, the search is over. I've decided on the Whyte Portobello. What a relief to finally have decided! I test rode the Courier, and it's a nice bike, but not light at all. Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative were brilliant and gave me the honest advice the online Whyte would be more suitable for my needs. Bought a bike carrier off them to salve my conscience after getting so much advice from them. Thanks all for your advice and input.
On the car front, it turns out the steam billowing from the bonnet was a leaky hose not a head gasket, as diagnosed by the caretaker at the community centre I work at.
A good end to the week!0 -
Isn't that (eeek!) a flat bar bike? Nooooooooooooo!
Faster than a tent.......0 -
Its an awesome bike - I am sure you will love it! Glad to see another flat bar rider here too...0
-
Flat-bar road bike. <Cough>leeds-lass wrote:OK, the search is over. I've decided on the Whyte Portobello.
Excellent range of gears, if you spend your time at 25+ - 35+ mph.jejv wrote:Since you are concerned about gearing, you do need to understand this better, in order to evaluate the choices in a sensible way.
For normal use, you'll get close usable gears on the 34 ring. Chain might foul the big ring though, on 34-11.
Good Luck!0
