New bike choices

[ksb]

Hello

I have become a bit of a commuter - do about 100km per week on the bike track in Melb - I'm looking at replacing the girlie bike with something a bit more serious
wanted an opinion on
http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/hasa- ... ike/RX1-13" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or http://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/hasa- ... ike/RX1-11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
versus a known brands
http://bicyclehq.com.au/bikes/ladies-bi ... _2423.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://bicyclehq.com.au/bikes/ladies-bi ... _2421.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.fitzroycycles.com.au/a/flat- ... /102408590" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm 163 cm in height and female - small build. I do need a rack on the back for pannier.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[thejester]

I have done around the bay 210km on a giant flatbar 3times.
Buy the one that looks the coolest. To my eye that would be the Merida.
For panniers you will need a rack.

[rodneycc]

The Giant Cross city's are nice bikes. I test rode a male version of it 18 months ago before I went with a Talon 29er but the Cross City was quite comfortable and would be a good bike track type of bike.

The Hasa's use to be really heavy but I hear they have revamped their newer bikes.

The Merida I have heard good things but haven't had much experience with.


I'd also maybe check Reid and Cell bikes out. They have a good range of flatbar and urban/city bikes.

Good Luck.

[rodneycc]

Or I tell you what. This one below with some slick tyres could be quite a bargain if it fits....

viewtopic.php?t=77400" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ksb]

Thanks all for the responses - the Has a unfortunately can't have a pannier rack attached to the frame which is no good for me. So I think the Giant might be the way to go..

[rangersac]

My partner has a Giant Cross City she's used for commuting for the last couple of years. It's a solid workhorse. If you can score one with discs that'd be nice for commuting duties.

[rodneycc]

Btw the Cross city was renamed the Alight if you were wondering whats happened to the recent models.

[Duck!]

Btw the Cross city was renamed the Alight if you were wondering whats happened to the recent models.

That's only for the women's version, in line with Giant's new approach of completely separating the women's range under the Liv branding. The Cross City name is still there in the men's (Giant-branded) lineup.

[rodneycc]

Yeah sorry I meant that.