Advice please: Ridgeback vs. Giant vs. Raleigh

Marigold7

Hi all,

I would be extremely grateful for advice on those few bikes. Basically I'm looking for a commuter bike (I've decided on a hybrid) ideally under £350. I don't know much about the specs and of course every shop tries to sell e their bikes. I'm not fussed about more than 18 gears, I want something comfortable to take me 6 miles each way, reasonably light and fast, but obviously for this price it's not going to be magical
Giant Liv Alight 3: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bik ... ifications
Ridgeback Speed: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/Speed-SE-Open-Frame
Raleigh Strada 1: http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/Pr ... 6&pg=10704
Trek 7 FX: http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/ci ... x_stagger/
Dawes Discovery 101: http://dawescycles.com/product/discovery-101-ladies/

Really appreciate any input!

Cheers
Ally

Initialised

All of those bikes look similarly specced.

Avoid Shimano Tourney Rear Derailer it won't stand up to daily abuse, at least my son's didn't. Look for Altus or Acera.

That rules everything but the Ridgeback, or you could go to the Trek 7.1 FX

You should be able to find unused examples of most of those bikes for around £150 on eBay/Gumtree or something a bit higher specced in the £300-400 bracket.

the_rover

I've got a Raleigh strada 1 which I've attached a wee ride seat for my nearly 3 yr old, prior to a injury it was used weekly to ride 20 miles up and down the canal and I'd be confidant it would cope with a daily commute with the miles you mention.
I got it for £200 from my LBS as it was last years model as well.