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Advice needed on bike suitability :)

rsham277rsham277 Posts: 10
edited April 2013 in Commuting general
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: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!

Posts

  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 8,665
    Hi Sham. Don't worry about posting loads someone will soon moan if you get it wrong. The Giant looks a heavy bike for what you want to do with it. You might be better off get a Trek 7 .? fx bike in a female frame The higher the second number the better it is i believe. type in link to see example. ( http://www.cyclesurgery.com/trek-7.1-fx ... duct/46106 )
    You could also look for a female road bike if your likely to do more. I suspect the Giant would be better for going around the local park. The spec on the Giant is pretty low as well. Loads of ladies bikes on offer out there if you look as biking supposedly not as popular with the ladies. Good luck with the C2C.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • rsham277rsham277 Posts: 10
    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!
  • rsham277rsham277 Posts: 10
    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.
  • MichaelWMichaelW Posts: 2,226
    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.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 8,665
    For your commute you will be ok but for C2C it would be hard work. you could wait till halfrauds do the normal sale / price reduction and look at the ladies Carrera subway currently £279 and without the heavy suspension fork. If you cannot stretch any further on the budget or not interested in second hand then the trek t10 you did the link to should be ok. if you look at the reviews its well liked.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
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