Commuter Bike Buying Advice

antjessop

Hi,

I am a Brit living in the relatively flat land of Estonia. I want a commuter bike to take me around town and maybe out on the open road. All of the various options are very confusing on my budget, so I was hoping you would be able to help me sift through them.

Here are the options that are available locally and that I can afford (I can get them all for 400€/£284):

Scott Sub Speed 40 - http://www.hawaii.ee/tooted/suvi/rattad/linn-tava/sub-speed-40-238386
Scott Sportster Comfort 40 - http://www.hawaii.ee/tooted/suvi/rattad/hubriid/sportster-comfort-20-234159
Scott Atacama Sport X70 (Might not be available in my frame size) - http://www.hawaii.ee/tooted/suvi/rattad/hubriid/atacama-sport-x70-228054
Merida Crossway 20-V - http://www.veloplus.ee/et/toode/ratas-merida-crossway-20-v-46cm-matt-antratsiit-hall-sinine-34825
GT 700C Traffic - http://extreme.ee/product/pid/126609/bid/

This is available for 234.50€/£167, which is apparently half price!
Jamis Commuter 1 - http://extreme.ee/product/pid/124406/bid/

What do you think?

Snakebite the 2nd

Can't comment of the specific bikes, but try as many as you can and find one that is comfortable for you.

You mind find one that just does it for you.

Good luck.

The Rookie

Those bikes are all OK for trundling around, none will be very nice on longer runs out of town.

None are very well specced for the price, in fcat they are pretty poor, even the Jamis (which at €389 is hideously overpriced), do you have Decathlon stores in Estonia?

Snakebite the 2nd

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19677017#p19677017]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Those bikes are all OK for trundling around, none will be very nice on longer runs out of town.

None are very well specced for the price, in fcat they are pretty poor, even the Jamis (which at €389 is hideously overpriced), do you have Decathlon stores in Estonia?

Are they overpriced compared to here, or over priced compared to other bikes in Estonia?
It might just be more expensive full stp over there.

The Rookie

Those models are overpriced in the UK as well.

Snakebite the 2nd

Fair enough.

Sorry to ask, but sometimes things can look more expensive in a different country, but it's due to a higher cost of living etc.

antjessop

The cost of living is lower, but wages are also around 1/4 of that of the UK. Anything considered none essential like consumer electronics and bikes tend to be more expensive.

I went for the GT in the end, which will see me through until next year. At that point I'll sell it (should have a decent resale value if I sell it in April/May) and spend a little more. My problem is that I have the proportions of a penguin, with little legs and a long torso. So while the stand over night on the medium Traffic 2.0 is a little two close for comfort, it's perfect when I'm riding it. I just have to lean a bit when I get off.

What would you suggest as the best value commuter bike around £400? I think that Evans ships to Estonia and I may pass a Decathlon on my travels. I'm not interest in 21 gears if I can get 7 of better quality.

The Rookie

You want at least 8 on the rear, much better wheel design, freewheel (nearly all 7 speed) are not as good as freehub (all 8 or more).