Adivce sought on buying a commuter
- AlexHuggs
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Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Fri Aug 21, 2015 9:05 pm
My LBS has a [url http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/ci ... ync/lync_3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]Trek Lync 3[/url] for about $1400.
TBE has the [url http://www.tbe.com.au/products/giant-cr ... ped/189804" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;] 2015 Giant Cross City 2 Equipped[/url] for $1000 less.
Am I going to notice $900 difference between these?
I know I have to try before I buy, but that's easier said than done as I can't drive at the moment (medical suspension) so before I annoy the missus I'd like an idea if it's worth the trip outside my area. Not in a hurry (I'm still working on getting commute fit) but if it was worth looking at I might get something on special now.
That said, what I'd really like is an internal geared belt drive (Lync 5 although the Aussie models seem to have chain derailleurs for some reason), but they seem really hard to find and more expensive. So I guess a supp question - do they make a big difference?
Cheers.
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby jasonc » Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:45 am
a flat bar with road gearing would be better suiting:
e.g. http://apollobikes.com.au/bikes15/flat- ... depepfFqpc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
50/34 on the front with 11/28 on the rear
even this would be a bit better
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/ro ... fx/7_5_fx/#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
48/34 with 11-34
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby Trevtassie » Sat Aug 22, 2015 9:14 am
Velogear have got butterfly bars for $25....
- AlexHuggs
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sat Aug 22, 2015 11:58 am
Ah, thank you. Makes sense.jasonc wrote:the gearing on both are more on mtb side which on long flat paths will end up annoying you
a flat bar with road gearing would be better suiting:
Thank you, that's exactly what I need. To compound numb hands I have bad shoulders so being able to vary hand position is important.Trevtassie wrote:I'd also look at getting a set of trekking (butterfly) bars on there. All the advantages of flat bars with extra hand positions. Have them sloped down at the front so you have a wind cheating position, with your wrists resting on the back section. You won't need to change any cables, the only thing you may need to change is the stem to something longer. You need the back position to be in front of the steerer. So all you'd need are: Bars, bar tape of your choice and maybe a longer stem.
Velogear have got butterfly bars for $25....
- cameronp
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby cameronp » Sat Aug 22, 2015 1:10 pm
Why is that? The gearing is pretty much identical to what I have on my touring bike, and that's good for anywhere from about 4km/h (in 24/32) up to maybe 60 km/h (in 48/11) for steep downhills. Far more versatile than road bike gearing, IMO.jasonc wrote:the gearing on both are more on mtb side which on long flat paths will end up annoying you
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby jasonc » Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:38 pm
but when you're commuting you don't really need versatility. you need close gearing so depending on wind and fatigue (and how fast you want to go) you have a couple of gears to choose from in most situationscameronp wrote:Why is that? The gearing is pretty much identical to what I have on my touring bike, and that's good for anywhere from about 4km/h (in 24/32) up to maybe 60 km/h (in 48/11) for steep downhills. Far more versatile than road bike gearing, IMO.jasonc wrote:the gearing on both are more on mtb side which on long flat paths will end up annoying you
my flat bar has 50/34 with a 12-27 cassette and it just my commutes just fine. there are some gears I use more than others, but they are all there for if/when i need them. I can't remember the last time on a commute i was travelling at less than 8km/h
- AlexHuggs
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:57 pm
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby jasonc » Sat Aug 22, 2015 4:06 pm
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102560873" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102704289" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- AlexHuggs
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sat Aug 22, 2015 4:45 pm
Is there a bottom once you start digging into these things?!
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby crazioldjane » Sat Aug 22, 2015 4:53 pm
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby jasonc » Sat Aug 22, 2015 6:56 pm
and no, there isn't a bottom. if you dig, your budget will expand. do you really need a rack? I ride with a backpack and have for 5 years now
in terms of carbon, it's fine. with commuting, it's more the wheels you have to be concerned about - extra weight (backpack/rack/panniers) add to the load on the bike.
- AlexHuggs
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:03 pm
I don't know if I need a rack. On a 35+ degree day pushing against a hot easterly I'd rather not be encumbered by a backpack, but I guess I can try it and add one if I need to.jasonc wrote:do you really need a rack? I ride with a backpack and have for 5 years now
- Duck!
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby Duck! » Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:34 pm
"Comax" is the material - predominantly carbon, but with an additional vibration-absorbing material incorporated in the layup - not a model, which will make it a considerably smoother bike to ride. The Fastroad is basically the higher-spec brother to the Cross City. Deore is a MTB group, basically parallel to Tiagra. Carbon is pretty robust; it's main enemies are massive impacts (which would break the frame, although a similar hit would bend an aluminium frame beyond repair) and concentrated impacts like dropping it on a rock. This latter type is very readily repairable. In normal use it's no less resilient than aluminium, and more durable in the long run because it does not suffer cumulative stress fatigue.AlexHuggs wrote:The Comax looks sweet but probably a bit much (even with that discount), especially by the time I add fenders, rack and so on. The Cross City looks... serviceable (how is it meant to compete with a beast like the Comax?). Deore components are MTB aren't they? How sturdy is carbon fibre as per the Comax?
Anyone who tells you carbon is only good for a handful of years is talking utter bunkum.
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby Trevtassie » Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:29 pm
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby jasonc » Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:45 pm
Dan Murphy's deliver these days...Trevtassie wrote:Get a rack, hard to get a slab of beer you picked on the way home in your backpack...
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby Duck! » Sat Aug 22, 2015 8:48 pm
Depends on the size of your backpack....Trevtassie wrote:Get a rack, hard to get a slab of beer you picked on the way home in your backpack...
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby Espresso_ » Sat Aug 22, 2015 9:01 pm
This one includes mudguards...
E
- AlexHuggs
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sat Aug 22, 2015 10:02 pm
I'd need to see if they're available in Perth - I want to try before I buy. Not heard of Jamis before.Espresso_ wrote:Just to throw something else in the mix, what about a Jamis Coda? Steel frame (R520), carbon forked commuter with support for racks.
This one includes mudguards...
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- cameronp
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby cameronp » Sat Aug 22, 2015 10:58 pm
Ahh, gotcha! I think that goes to show how personal bike choice can be - I've never once thought "gee, I wish my gears were closer together" on a cassette with 8 or more gears. When I started bike commuting a few years ago, I was on a three speed "ladies bike" (complete with basket). Three gears was plenty and the massive jumps between them never worried me. Hell, I reckon I'd happily do my (flattish) commute on a single speed or fixie.jasonc wrote:but when you're commuting you don't really need versatility. you need close gearing so depending on wind and fatigue (and how fast you want to go) you have a couple of gears to choose from in most situations
my flat bar has 50/34 with a 12-27 cassette and it just my commutes just fine. there are some gears I use more than others, but they are all there for if/when i need them. I can't remember the last time on a commute i was travelling at less than 8km/h
I'm also pretty firmly in the panniers camp for commuting. I get shoulder pain when cycling with a backpack for longer than about half an hour.
- AlexHuggs
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sat Aug 22, 2015 11:04 pm
Haha. So I'm back to the beginning - try a few and pick a bike I like! This discussion has opened the field up for me, though. Thank you for the disagreement - it's really helpful to get a variety of perspectivescameronp wrote:Ahh, gotcha! I think that goes to show how personal bike choice can be... I'm also pretty firmly in the panniers camp for commuting. I get shoulder pain when cycling with a backpack for longer than about half an hour.jasonc wrote:but when you're commuting you don't really need versatility...
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby Espresso_ » Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:12 am
Ride before you buy is important.AlexHuggs wrote:I'd need to see if they're available in Perth - I want to try before I buy. Not heard of Jamis before.Espresso_ wrote:Just to throw something else in the mix, what about a Jamis Coda? Steel frame (R520), carbon forked commuter with support for racks.
E
I think Jamis are a sizeable brand. This US list puts them at number three in the biggest bike brands of 2014 but it also seems highly non-scientific.
The quote says the Jamis Coda has been the biggest selling hybrid for the last 18 years.
Ps I don't and have never owned a Jamis.
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby AlexHuggs » Sun Aug 23, 2015 11:55 pm
- rangersac
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby rangersac » Mon Aug 24, 2015 8:28 am
Ticks pretty much all the commuting boxes. Disc brakes, room for guards and rack, low maintenance and the eight speed hub will be enough gearing for around your area. The only question marks (and I speak from reputation as I've never owned a belt drive) are the ease of removing the rear wheel when the puncture fairy strikes, and the belt tensioning system as this can allegedly be tricky.AlexHuggs wrote:Is this worth considering?
- DavidS
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby DavidS » Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:12 pm
I am really unconvinced by belt drive, seems a solution looking for a problem and there is the issue of getting the belt off as, unlike a chain, you can't simply remove the connecting link, you have to have a way to get the belt past the frame so the frame has to be able to come apart in effect.
Still, have a ride around and see what you like. The clincher for me was getting geometry which suited me so handlebar to saddle distance and the like was my main consideration.
DS
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Re: Adivce sought on buying a commuter
Postby jasonc » Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:56 pm
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