I'm Back and a question re new bike

Donegal Paul

Good god, 12000 messages! Right well Im not going through all those!

It's been years since Ive been here, about 5 I think when I used to have a
Muddy Fox Mountain Bike, loved it, sold it. Then got a lovely raleigh racer,
that rusted away in the back garden when I got into scooters and after I'd
sprained my ankle. ( badly too, couldnt use bike for near on 6 months then
it was winter and i woosed out)

However, kids are now learning to ride theirs and seeing as I broke my
kneecap 6 months ago, and the physio says cycling would be very good
excercise to strengthen my quads then I'm on the lookout for a bike.

Now, so far, I'm considering the only bikes Ive seen which are at the local
Halfords. Despite the fact that they seem to have quite a good range, there
are only 2 that I was mildly keen on and they were the Apollo Cafe 2 Mens
(spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144) or
the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)

Why only these two? Basically because I want a middle of the road bike that
will do for my short commute but also be capable of light off road. But one
of the main reasons is the fact that the handlebars can be adjusted to allow
a more upright riding position, important to me because while i broke the
kneecap last year, I also broke my right scaphoid (in the wrist) and don't
want to be in a riding position where I'll be putting too much weight on the
wrists. I remember my old MTB and the racer having both these problems, and
thats before my broken bones :-)

Oh, Ive already ruled out the carerra subway 1 from comments i've seen via
google groups (see I have tried to do my homework before jumping in) :-)

So, the thing is, while the apollo is £150 less than the carerra, is the
carerra worth the extra? I note the nexus 8 gear hub thingy and wonder if
its actually any good?
Also it has neither v brakes nor disc brakes but has drum brakes? any
opinions on those?

In fact, basically, for my needs, does anyone have any other recommendations
at all?
Apologies for being all newbieish guys and girls, but you lot are the
experts after all.

<aside>
<waves to UKRMer's>
</aside>
--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Maico Letta 247cc - We have the technology.
Zundapp Bella r203 - Watch out for ze Germans!
Bajaj Chetak 125 - Wannabe Vespa
Lambretta Li186 - stripped.
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Nigel Cliffe

Donegal Paul wrote:
> Now, so far, I'm considering the only bikes Ive seen which are at the
> local Halfords. Despite the fact that they seem to have quite a good
> range, there are only 2 that I was mildly keen on and they were the
> Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
> http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
> or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
> http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>
> Why only these two? Basically because I want a middle of the road
> bike that will do for my short commute but also be capable of light
> off road.

The Subway-8 is well regarded. It got a decent review in the CTC magazine,
and I have a friend with one who likes it for commutes (who is also someone
who will spend serious money on cycles, having expensive Cannondales, will
be critical of things not working properly, etc.)
You get a very decent hub gear, which on its own is quite an expensive part.
It gives you minimal maintenance - none of those derraileurs to adjust,
clean and get covered in muck. The chain will last much longer.

The penalty is that the wheel will take a little longer to change if you get
a rear puncture.

Hub brakes are excellent if you want low maintenance hassle free brakes. I
think if you live somewhere that is very hilly, or if you use the brakes an
awful lot, that they may get a bit hot and won't brake as well as
alternatives. If that's the case, perhaps hubs are not ideal. However, for
90%+ of use they are excellent. They work well if its wet; not having to
clear water off the rim first.

Overall, for a low maintenance general purpose bike its a decent buy.
If its in your price range, and you like the look of it, I'd go for it.

You'll probably want to budget for some mudguards and perhaps a rack to
carry luggage. And lights if using it after dark. Fitting front mudguards
has one very minor pain - the hub brakes slightly interfere with access to
the mudguard eye bolt. One solution is a longer bolt inside a tube, the tube
acts as a spacer to lift the mudguard away from the brake components.


- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

Donegal Paul

"Nigel Cliffe" said to Donegal Paul wrote:
SNIP
>> Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
>> http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>> or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
>> http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>
> The Subway-8 is well regarded. It got a decent review in the CTC magazine,
> and I have a friend with one who likes it for commutes (who is also
> someone who will spend serious money on cycles, having expensive
> Cannondales, will be critical of things not working properly, etc.)
> You get a very decent hub gear, which on its own is quite an expensive
> part. It gives you minimal maintenance - none of those derraileurs to
> adjust, clean and get covered in muck. The chain will last much longer.

I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review, and it
appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as opposed to the actual
bike.
>
> The penalty is that the wheel will take a little longer to change if you
> get a rear puncture.

I can live with that.

>
> Hub brakes are excellent if you want low maintenance hassle free brakes. I
> think if you live somewhere that is very hilly, or if you use the brakes
> an awful lot, that they may get a bit hot and won't brake as well as
> alternatives.

*heh* I live in bedford mate, I think that the only place flatter is the
Norfolk Broads and Holland :-)
>
> Overall, for a low maintenance general purpose bike its a decent buy.
> If its in your price range, and you like the look of it, I'd go for it.

Its within my price range as in I have the money, before seeing it I was
thinking of literally buying a £50 hack. Course, I may be convincing myself
to buy the Subway 8 as it's really taken my fancy, other than those silly
fans to cool the brakes. I'm beginning to the think though a cheapo bike may
be more maintenence in the long run.

>
> You'll probably want to budget for some mudguards and perhaps a rack to
> carry luggage. And lights if using it after dark. Fitting front mudguards
> has one very minor pain - the hub brakes slightly interfere with access to
> the mudguard eye bolt. One solution is a longer bolt inside a tube, the
> tube acts as a spacer to lift the mudguard away from the brake components.

I had also noticed this on google too. I will probably fit mudguards, I
sincerely doubt ill be putting on a rack though.
Thanks though for the very thorough reply, much appreciated.
--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Maico Letta 247cc - We have the technology.
Zundapp Bella r203 - Watch out for ze Germans!
Bajaj Chetak 125 - Wannabe Vespa
Lambretta Li186 - stripped.
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Ningi

> "Nigel Cliffe" wrote:
>
> *heh* I live in bedford mate, I think that the only place flatter is the
> Norfolk Broads and Holland :-)
>

Yes, I love those nice flat B roads. Great for cycling on.


Oh ... BROADS..

Pete

Not Responding

Donegal Paul wrote:
> "Nigel Cliffe" said to Donegal Paul wrote:
> SNIP
>
>>>Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
>>>http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>>>or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
>>>http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>>
>>The Subway-8 is well regarded. It got a decent review in the CTC magazine,
>>and I have a friend with one who likes it for commutes (who is also
>>someone who will spend serious money on cycles, having expensive
>>Cannondales, will be critical of things not working properly, etc.)
>>You get a very decent hub gear, which on its own is quite an expensive
>>part. It gives you minimal maintenance - none of those derraileurs to
>>adjust, clean and get covered in muck. The chain will last much longer.
>
>
> I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review, and it
> appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as opposed to the actual
> bike.

My "initial impressions" are here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_o...ike_first_.html

and some pictures here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_o.../bike_pics.html

Of course, this may be the very "one poor review" to which you refer. I
never did get round to writing a proper review - I'll see if I can
update my findings soon.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the bike; it does make a very good park
and forget machine. I was after a bike that would tolerate near zero
maintenance and this shows every sign of being OK in this role.

The hub gear does its job and the only negative I have to note is that
it does occasionally slip in 4th gear. A small slip, not a No Gear
Sturmey Archer affair. I think the cable have stretched and a turn of an
allen key will sort it.

>>The penalty is that the wheel will take a little longer to change if you
>>get a rear puncture.
>
>
> I can live with that.

Worth practicing at home as it is a bit of a bugger. The tyres are thick
kevlar so should minimise p*******s.

>>Hub brakes are excellent if you want low maintenance hassle free brakes. I
>>think if you live somewhere that is very hilly, or if you use the brakes
>>an awful lot, that they may get a bit hot and won't brake as well as
>>alternatives.
>
> *heh* I live in bedford mate, I think that the only place flatter is the
> Norfolk Broads and Holland :-)
>
>>Overall, for a low maintenance general purpose bike its a decent buy.
>>If its in your price range, and you like the look of it, I'd go for it.
>
> Its within my price range as in I have the money, before seeing it I was
> thinking of literally buying a £50 hack. Course, I may be convincing myself
> to buy the Subway 8 as it's really taken my fancy, other than those silly
> fans to cool the brakes. I'm beginning to the think though a cheapo bike may
> be more maintenence in the long run.

I used to buy a £150 - £200 new bike every year, trading in the old one each
time. Compared to the costs of replacing worn out bits and paying for
servicing, it wasn't that bad a way of doing it.

>>You'll probably want to budget for some mudguards and perhaps a rack to
>>carry luggage. And lights if using it after dark. Fitting front mudguards
>>has one very minor pain - the hub brakes slightly interfere with access to
>>the mudguard eye bolt. One solution is a longer bolt inside a tube, the
>>tube acts as a spacer to lift the mudguard away from the brake components.

I just forced the SKS P65s to fit and they've stayed on fine.

> I had also noticed this on google too. I will probably fit mudguards, I
> sincerely doubt ill be putting on a rack though.
> Thanks though for the very thorough reply, much appreciated.

Donegal Paul

"Not Responding" said to Donegal Paul wrote:
>> SNIP
>>
>>>>Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
>>>>http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>>>>or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
>>>>http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)

>> I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review, and
>> it appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as opposed to the
>> actual bike.
>
> My "initial impressions" are here
> http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_o...ike_first_.html
>
> and some pictures here
> http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_o.../bike_pics.html
>
> Of course, this may be the very "one poor review" to which you refer. I
> never did get round to writing a proper review - I'll see if I can update
> my findings soon.

Nope it wasn't, it was someone else on an online forum that mentioned probs
with the nexus derrailler but mentioned it was probably more to do with
halfrauds.

--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Maico Letta 247cc - We have the technology.
Zundapp Bella r203 - Watch out for ze Germans!
Bajaj Chetak 125 - Wannabe Vespa
Lambretta Li186 - stripped.
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Simon Brooke

in message <35aerlF4kqjl7U1@individual.net>, Donegal Paul
('donegalpaulREMOVE@thepilgrimssc.co.uk') wrote:

> Good god, 12000 messages! Right well Im not going through all those!
>
> It's been years since Ive been here, about 5 I think when I used to
> have a Muddy Fox Mountain Bike, loved it, sold it. Then got a lovely
> raleigh racer, that rusted away in the back garden when I got into
> scooters and after I'd sprained my ankle. ( badly too, couldnt use
> bike for near on 6 months then it was winter and i woosed out)
>
> However, kids are now learning to ride theirs and seeing as I broke my
> kneecap 6 months ago, and the physio says cycling would be very good
> excercise to strengthen my quads then I'm on the lookout for a bike.
>
> Now, so far, I'm considering the only bikes Ive seen which are at the
> local Halfords. Despite the fact that they seem to have quite a good
> range, there are only 2 that I was mildly keen on and they were the
> Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
>
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
> or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
>
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product...&type=0&cat=144)
>
> So, the thing is, while the apollo is £150 less than the carerra, is
> the carerra worth the extra? I note the nexus 8 gear hub thingy and
> wonder if its actually any good?
> Also it has neither v brakes nor disc brakes but has drum brakes? any
> opinions on those?

The Carerra 8 is one of the few Halfords bikes which gets a good rep
here. You get a lot of genuinely useful technology for your money; it's
going to be a lot more reliable and a lot more maintenance free as a
utility bike than anything with deraileurs.

Don't get carried away with the idea that disk brakes are good. They
_are_ good, but only in extreme conditions (meaning: mud). Otherwise,
disks are no better than V brakes, and a bit heavier. The drum brakes
on the Carerra 8 also have a good reputation - heavier, but very low
maintenance and good in wet conditions.

The Apollo, frankly, isn't worth half the price, but the Carerra is a
bargain.

--
simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; single speed mountain bikes: for people who cycle on flat mountains.