Carrera Subway - Opinions please

Hi All, After a long lay-off I've decided to start commuting to work (based in Devon, so nice scenery and not too busy).
I'm pretty set on buying a Carrera Subway it's just a decision between the Subway 1 or 2. But to expand on my dilemma.....
The Subway 2 currently sells for £350 - and features hydraulic disc brakes.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike-18-20-22-frames
The Subway 1 currently on offer for £230 - mechanical disc brakes (and 24 gears as opposed to 27)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-1-mens-hybrid-bike-18-20-22-frames
Now I figured I could buy the Subway 1 and upgrade the brakes (at around £40 for the brakes and £20 for the shifters) and my outlay would be £290 (plus I might make £20 back by selling the removed components on eBay).
I'm pretty handy with the spanners so the work doesn't phase me, Do you guys think I'm crazy, should I just go for the Subway 2?
I'm excited at getting back in the saddle - but expect lots more questions from me !!!
I'm pretty set on buying a Carrera Subway it's just a decision between the Subway 1 or 2. But to expand on my dilemma.....
The Subway 2 currently sells for £350 - and features hydraulic disc brakes.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-hybrid-bike-18-20-22-frames
The Subway 1 currently on offer for £230 - mechanical disc brakes (and 24 gears as opposed to 27)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-1-mens-hybrid-bike-18-20-22-frames
Now I figured I could buy the Subway 1 and upgrade the brakes (at around £40 for the brakes and £20 for the shifters) and my outlay would be £290 (plus I might make £20 back by selling the removed components on eBay).
I'm pretty handy with the spanners so the work doesn't phase me, Do you guys think I'm crazy, should I just go for the Subway 2?
I'm excited at getting back in the saddle - but expect lots more questions from me !!!
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Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Ahh, that's interesting I hadn't realised that - but of course one has 24 gears the other 27 !!
Fenix - I think the short answer is no I probably don't - But I really like the look of the Subway !
I think it will be a Subway 2 then. Thanks guys.
Something just occurred to me, if I’m buying new trigger shifters for 3 & 8 gears why would I need to change the running gear?
Another question- I’m 5’ 7” with a 31” inside leg. Should I be looking at an 18” frame?
I would go sit on one. You seem to have long legs, so 18 would probably be ok. I wouldn't go bigger.
I'm 5'10" ish, with 32 leg and generally manage on 18/19"/medium sizes.
Depends what brakes you can get for that price though. Crappy hydraulics are crappy.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
I have another, a friend of mine might buy my 18" Carrera Fury from me - he's 6" with a 32" inside leg - Do you guys think an 18" frame will be too small for him? It's just that getting him the bike to try is a bit of a mission due to distance apart.
Thanks again folks.
retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build
2020 Voodoo Marasa
2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
2016 Voodoo Wazoo
Hydraulic brakes are fit and forget. They might need a bleed once in a blue moon, otherwise change the pads and that's that.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools
That might be your experience but a huge number of hydraulic disc brakes can be problematic and bleeding isn't that easy when you have only very basic tools far from home, mechanical disc brakes are simple to adjust and keep working. Keeping a commuting bike simple pays dividands. The Subway is a workhorse, great quality frame, decent strong wheels can take a huge amount of abuse. If you go the hydraulic disc brake route you are creating a weak link in the bike's long time reliability. Mechannical disc brakes are so easy to work with, often takes seconds to make adjustments. Hydraulic disc brakes on the other hand can be more difficult and I've seen many bikes with pad rubbing and poorly setup. What can be one tiny tweak of a barrel adjuster can be a lot of head scratching with hydraulic brakes. The important thing at least is to know exactly what to do when you have brakes fail if you are confident any problems your hydraulic brakes will throw up away from home you can deal with then fair enough. Some models are more difficult to setup than others and more prone to problems.
Bleeding is very rarely ever needed at all, the Formula on my MTB haven't been touched in 2 years and the cheap Clarks on my commuter have done 1200 miles with zero maintenance while the previous mechanical needed tweaking every month.
retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build
Being mineral oil helps. Although they even work filled with water.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Don't spray chain lube on them. Bit of a hose now and then to remove crud.
And the answer to every issue isn't bleed/cook pads in oven/use automotive brake cleaner.
The answer is don't fiddle.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools
Boiling fluid is very difficult, you need a very big hill and to keep braking (rather than on and off) the more common issue is cooking the pads which of course would happen just the same on mechanical brakes.
retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build