J
Jonathan Campbell
Guest
Greenbrightly wrote:
> Hi, given the choice between the following bikes which one would be
> the best? I want to go on the road really but with the occasional
> trail or towpath.
>
> claud butler urban comfort
> dawes discovery 101 or 201
> carrera subway 1
>
> I've got about £200 to spend. What do you guys think?
Having been through this a few years ago and made a wrong decision ...
Apart from trying one out (the true usefulness of which I'm dubious
about [*]) things you may wish to consider:
- size? inside leg measurement fixes that, or a good bike shop will give
an even better estimate;
- do you want front suspension? --- looks like those don't; and as
someone says it's an extra that has to be compensated by cheaper parts
elsewhere; (... heavily pot holed tracks ... getting down off footpaths ...)
- do you need mudguards? I see that neither of Claud Butler nor either
of the Dawes have as standard, though one online seller has a Dawes 101
kitted out with mudguards and carrier/ rack at approx £30 extra;
- do you need a carrier/rack?
- do you want knobbly tyres (probably not unless you expect to ride a
lot on wet mud or grass).
The latter three will cost you maybe £60 or more to replace / retrofit;
and some perhaps uncared-for arseing around.
[*] Unless you are a practiced and frequent cyclist, I'm not sure what
you can glean from a five minute ride in a car park. But you probably
have a picture of the type of bike you want; and a local shop will fill
in more details.
I wouldn't venture out without a pump and spare tube and repair outfit
in a saddle bag; perhaps worth buying at the time. But if you have a
local Aldi, you'll find they currently have a nice saddle bag with
repair outfit for a few £. Oh yes, a lock --- cheap ones in Aldi now,
okay for locking (*to something*) while you nip into a shop or otherwise
turn your back on the bike such as in a garage or shed. I could go on
and would have little trouble spending another £200 on spares and nice
things to have
And if you could stretch to £300 or £350 for the bike ...
The Dawes 201 has mention of "EZ-Fire shifters"; if those are the
trigger type that I have on my mountain bike, I'd prefer them over
shifters that use twisting of the handlebars (perhaps Revoshifters on
the 101 means that).
Quick release wheels front and back very worthwhile (no need to carry a
wheel nut spanner).
I have the impression that, apart from special offers, you'll do as well
for price in a decent local bike shop as online.
Best regards,
Jon C.
> Hi, given the choice between the following bikes which one would be
> the best? I want to go on the road really but with the occasional
> trail or towpath.
>
> claud butler urban comfort
> dawes discovery 101 or 201
> carrera subway 1
>
> I've got about £200 to spend. What do you guys think?
Having been through this a few years ago and made a wrong decision ...
Apart from trying one out (the true usefulness of which I'm dubious
about [*]) things you may wish to consider:
- size? inside leg measurement fixes that, or a good bike shop will give
an even better estimate;
- do you want front suspension? --- looks like those don't; and as
someone says it's an extra that has to be compensated by cheaper parts
elsewhere; (... heavily pot holed tracks ... getting down off footpaths ...)
- do you need mudguards? I see that neither of Claud Butler nor either
of the Dawes have as standard, though one online seller has a Dawes 101
kitted out with mudguards and carrier/ rack at approx £30 extra;
- do you need a carrier/rack?
- do you want knobbly tyres (probably not unless you expect to ride a
lot on wet mud or grass).
The latter three will cost you maybe £60 or more to replace / retrofit;
and some perhaps uncared-for arseing around.
[*] Unless you are a practiced and frequent cyclist, I'm not sure what
you can glean from a five minute ride in a car park. But you probably
have a picture of the type of bike you want; and a local shop will fill
in more details.
I wouldn't venture out without a pump and spare tube and repair outfit
in a saddle bag; perhaps worth buying at the time. But if you have a
local Aldi, you'll find they currently have a nice saddle bag with
repair outfit for a few £. Oh yes, a lock --- cheap ones in Aldi now,
okay for locking (*to something*) while you nip into a shop or otherwise
turn your back on the bike such as in a garage or shed. I could go on
and would have little trouble spending another £200 on spares and nice
things to have
And if you could stretch to £300 or £350 for the bike ...The Dawes 201 has mention of "EZ-Fire shifters"; if those are the
trigger type that I have on my mountain bike, I'd prefer them over
shifters that use twisting of the handlebars (perhaps Revoshifters on
the 101 means that).
Quick release wheels front and back very worthwhile (no need to carry a
wheel nut spanner).
I have the impression that, apart from special offers, you'll do as well
for price in a decent local bike shop as online.
Best regards,
Jon C.
