Advice needed on bike suitability :)

rsham277

hi ya,

so i've decided on the Giant Expression LX Women's 2012 as my first bike, http://www.cyclesurgery.com/giant%20expression%20lx%20women's%202012/y/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/47866 after loads of reading/ getting confused/jargoned out.

I need some advice on whether this is suitable for my needs. primarily needed for commuting to work ( on tarmac) ( about 12 miles round trip), but am also using it for the coast to coast over a couple of days ( whitehaven to tynemouth). I want to do more country side trips/tours, and am just getting into cycling :D

has anyone used this bike? is it too sluggish/heavy for commuting? how does it fare on non-tarmac lanes?

i'm checking out the bike on monday , any help appreciated !

sham

ps- wasnt sure which section this query comes under, sorry for posting loads!

rsham277

hi ya, thanks for the reply! unfortunately my budget is 250 at an absolute max so trek 7 is out. but there is http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/t10-2011-hybrid-bike-ec001493 and this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/crossway-100-2012-hybrid-bike-ec030513. I'm not sure about going for a road bike/ how well they would handle country lanes/non-tarmac surfaces...

so between the giant one and http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/41506/Raleigh_Pioneer_1_Womens_Bike_2011 or http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/41491/Raleigh_Urban_1_Womens_Bike_2011 which would you recommend? I'd like a bike with mudguard and a rack, which is why i'm not keen on the raleigh urban....

i'm still a student, so the idea is, to make this last for the next 3 years then I'll get a better one!

rsham277

i think i should clarify that i would mainly be using this bike to get to work, which is an average 8 mile round trip ( 12 was too high!) my countryside trips wont be that often, maybe once a month or once in 2 months.

MichaelW

If your commute is 2x4 miles then the bike is OK but for longer trips you may find it sluggish. The main cause of weight are the suspension forks which you really don't need. Some of the components (shifters and derailleur mechs) are a bit low end but I have commuted on stuff like that with no problems.
Note that is comes with all the accessories you need for all-weather commuting, which you may have to add on other models.