Carrera Crossfire 2 or... ?

Dirkgently

Hi all, looking for a bike to replace one that I have effectively run into the ground. It will be used mainly for getting myself to/from work (which is only a couple of miles). Most of the distance is on roads, but there is a segment where I have to cycle across a gravel car park and then an overgrown concrete area (lots of cracks, weeds,etc).
I was looking at the Carrera Crossfire 2 from Halfords at £299, but found that my 10% discount voucher has just expired so I am not really committed to buying from anywhere in particular.

Does anyone have any suggestions for bikes that fall within the same budget please? If it's relevant, I am based in the South Oxfordshire area.

Thanks

supersonic

Any Decathlon stores nearby?

Dirkgently

yeah - there is one about 15 minutes away - any bike in particular that you'd recommend?

supersonic

Problem with MTB style hybrids at this price (ie ones with a bit of suspension like the Crossfire) is that they tend to be poorly specced, heavy and have useless suspension! I would actually go for a mountain bike, like this one:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html

Compared to the Carrera you get a far better suspension unit, superior gearset (27 compared to bargain bin 21, which uses a poor quality hub), Hayes disc brakes, great wheels and some quality parts. Maybe stick some narrower, lighter tyres on and you have a... hybrid ;-). Though a very good one!

Dirkgently

Thanks, I've checked out the Rockrider 5.3 - looks very reasonable. I see that the 5.2 is £100 cheaper with V-brakes and £70 cheaper with disc brakes. What exactly would I be losing out on by choosing one of those instead?

supersonic

It's still a good bike - but the fork is a bit more clunky with no damping, and you lose out on a few gears. No disc brakes, but V brakes work well enough for the use you describe, except in the wet and mud where they can suffer a bit.

A good option if you want to save a few quid, certainly better than the Carrera.

Dirkgently

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-52 ... 07349.html
has the disc brakes and suspension, unless it's just cheaper components I don't really see what the difference is. What have I missed for my £70?

supersonic

Ah, must be a new version, has a front disc now! (not a rear, though the front is more important).

The £70 gets you a more competent fork (better made, sealed, more control), improved wheels (superior sealing in the hubs), the rear disc, 27 gears (though the 24 speed Shimano is very good), a butted frame (lighter, more comfortable) and better tyres.

Both are the best bikes on the market at their respective price points.

Dirkgently

Thanks for all of the information. I'll try to get down to Decathlon tomorrow and see if I am able to try them out. Otherwise I should at least get a good look at them.

Thanks again

Big_Paul

I have a 5.3 and after the BB failed and was replaced plus a snapped chain, it's given me great service. I have 2 sets of wheels for it, one with knobblies and one with 1.125 gatorskins on it for town use.

The cable discs aren't especially great, but few cable discs are. I put hydraulics on mine because I'm a big bloke and a lot of the time I tow a trailer with it, including down some steep hills.

The one thing I would definitely say though, ditch the stock Hutchinson Python tyres, they are utterly hopeless in any situation, useless off road and in the wet on tarmac, I actually spun the wheel taking off from the lights and I'm no powerhouse.

But I can definitely recommend the bike. They're great.