I'm lucky enough to be spending some time in Spain and I'm looking to buy a hybrid to keep over
there. I want something that which will be ok for the cobble steep streets around town, be light
enough for the lovely smooth out of town main roads, and the occasional excursion into the lightly
pitted stone roads which go through the orange groves. I reckon on a maximum of 40-50 miles a day,
with most journeys being far less just in and out of town.
Two bikes are in the frame (yawn bad pun!), with a budget of under £500. I've looked at the Dawes
Discovery 601, (mainly Shimano Deore) at the LBS and really liked it. It was very comfortable but
I'll have to get it to Spain by hiring one of the special suitcases.
I have thought of buying in Spain so tried to view the Orbea Nexium. orbea.comorbea.comOpen ↗ then
trekking, horizontal, nexium. The bike looks great (from the catalogue/internet) with front fork
susp and seat susp with a combo of Shimano 505/500. A recent trip to a couple of Spanish cycle
shops, a phone call to the UK importers, and an email to Orbea in Spain, all gave me the same
response; which is basically that they didn't have it on display in a dealers but I could order it
from the factory. I'm loathe to order a bike that I've not had the opportunity to see but I'm still
leaning to the Orbea. (Head and Heart) I'll have the dealer service, and no hassle to get it out
there. Plus its much cheaper to buy in Spain. The limited geometry from the Dawes web site seems to
indicate frame angles and sizes are broadly similar to the Orbea catalogue.
I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the Orbea Nexium? or Orbea as a company? Or experience of
the Dawes 601? Or is there anything else I should be looking at which may suit my needs.?
Thanks in anticipation.