Re: New (sort of) here - is there a faq ??

[Mark T]

Donnie writtificated

> Used to be on here about a decade ago on and off, but since spraining my
> ankle, fathering a few kids, leaving a **** job, now working for myself
> etc ad nauseum, im getting a hankering for a bike again to get fit
> before im 40 and to encourage the kids (10 and 8) out on their bikes.


> 3. Should i just start a new thread i wonder looking for recommendations?

S'pose this thread'll do. You didn't mention budget, but the standard
advice is look to spend at least £200 for something half decent. If you're
going to be riding a lot then £300 or so is the sweet point. You might
want to raise that a bit if you're after a drop bar bike.

For road-only use the Specialized Sirrus range is excellent. Their Sirrus
Sport range is good if you want to do Sustrans type tracks as well (wider
tyres).

 

[Mark]

On 29 Jan 2008 00:48:16 GMT, Mark T
<pleasegivegenerously@warmail*turn_up_the_heat_to_reply*.com.invalid>
wrote:

>Donnie writtificated
>
>> Used to be on here about a decade ago on and off, but since spraining my
>> ankle, fathering a few kids, leaving a **** job, now working for myself
>> etc ad nauseum, im getting a hankering for a bike again to get fit
>> before im 40 and to encourage the kids (10 and 8) out on their bikes.
>
>
>> 3. Should i just start a new thread i wonder looking for recommendations?
>
>S'pose this thread'll do. You didn't mention budget, but the standard
>advice is look to spend at least £200 for something half decent. If you're
>going to be riding a lot then £300 or so is the sweet point. You might
>want to raise that a bit if you're after a drop bar bike.
>
>For road-only use the Specialized Sirrus range is excellent. Their Sirrus
>Sport range is good if you want to do Sustrans type tracks as well (wider
>tyres).

A while back I had a look at a Sirrus. The wheel bearings had loads
of drag so I avoided them.

M.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>, Mark
[email protected] says...

> A while back I had a look at a Sirrus. The wheel bearings had loads
> of drag so I avoided them.
>
Eh?

 

[Mark]

On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:45:51 -0000, Rob Morley <[email protected]>
wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>, Mark
>[email protected] says...
>
>> A while back I had a look at a Sirrus. The wheel bearings had loads
>> of drag so I avoided them.
>>

I spun the wheels and they slowed down to a standstill very quickly. I
checked that there was nothing rubbing (e.g. brakes). On other bikes
the wheels rotated for a long time before stopping. I assumed
it was poor bearings. Otherwise I really liked the bike.

M.

 

[POHB]

"Mark" wrote
>>> A while back I had a look at a Sirrus. The wheel bearings had loads
>>> of drag so I avoided them.
>>>
>
> I spun the wheels and they slowed down to a standstill very quickly. I
> checked that there was nothing rubbing (e.g. brakes). On other bikes
> the wheels rotated for a long time before stopping. I assumed
> it was poor bearings. Otherwise I really liked the bike.

I've had mine for about 2 1/2 years and am still very happy with it for a
daily 25 mile commute. However, the original wheels weren't that great.
There was a dodgy batch of spokes which meant I had to get the back wheel
rebuilt after a few months and the bearings went after little over a year.

 

[TerryJ]

On 30 Jan, 11:11, Mark <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:45:51 -0000, Rob Morley <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >In article <[email protected]>, Mark
> >[email protected] says...
>
> >> A while back I had a look at a Sirrus.  The wheel bearings had loads
> >> of drag so I avoided them.
>
> I spun the wheels and they slowed down to a standstill very quickly. I
> checked that there was nothing rubbing (e.g. brakes).  On other bikes
> the wheels rotated for a long time before stopping. I assumed
> it was poor bearings.  Otherwise I really liked the bike.
>
> M.

that sounds like a pair of cone spanners were needed to adjust the
bearings, a 2minute job usually done by the shop before you collect
the bike. They are often tight straight out of the box.
TerryJ

 

[Mark]

On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:20:18 -0800 (PST), TerryJ <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On 30 Jan, 11:11, Mark <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:45:51 -0000, Rob Morley <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >In article <[email protected]>, Mark
>> >[email protected] says...
>>
>> >> A while back I had a look at a Sirrus.  The wheel bearings had loads
>> >> of drag so I avoided them.
>>
>> I spun the wheels and they slowed down to a standstill very quickly. I
>> checked that there was nothing rubbing (e.g. brakes).  On other bikes
>> the wheels rotated for a long time before stopping. I assumed
>> it was poor bearings.  Otherwise I really liked the bike.
>>
>> M.
>
>that sounds like a pair of cone spanners were needed to adjust the
>bearings, a 2minute job usually done by the shop before you collect
>the bike. They are often tight straight out of the box.
>TerryJ

The assistant was very unhelpful when I asked him about this issue and
did not inspire me with any confidence. If this issue really is not a
problem then I would consider buying a Sirrus (from a different shop).

M.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>, Mark
[email protected] says...

> I spun the wheels and they slowed down to a standstill very quickly. I
> checked that there was nothing rubbing (e.g. brakes). On other bikes
> the wheels rotated for a long time before stopping. I assumed
> it was poor bearings. Otherwise I really liked the bike.
>
I expect the bearings just needed adjustment - a lot of bikes on display
in shops haven't had a full PDI, and that sort of thing will be picked
up by any mechanic worth his salt.

 

[Mark]

On Fri, 1 Feb 2008 04:12:12 -0000, Rob Morley <[email protected]>
wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>, Mark
>[email protected] says...
>
>> I spun the wheels and they slowed down to a standstill very quickly. I
>> checked that there was nothing rubbing (e.g. brakes). On other bikes
>> the wheels rotated for a long time before stopping. I assumed
>> it was poor bearings. Otherwise I really liked the bike.
>>
>I expect the bearings just needed adjustment - a lot of bikes on display
>in shops haven't had a full PDI, and that sort of thing will be picked
>up by any mechanic worth his salt.

It's a bit academic now since I won't use that shop again since they
were I had to argue with the manager for them to exchange a nearly new
faulty bike light! And then they only gave me a "demo" one!

M.

 

[Mark]

On 1 Feb 2008 11:20:28 GMT, Mark T
<pleasegivegenerously@warmail*turn_up_the_heat_to_reply*.com.invalid>
wrote:

>Mark writtificated
>
>> It's a bit academic now since I won't use that shop again since they
>> were I had to argue with the manager for them to exchange a nearly new
>> faulty bike light! And then they only gave me a "demo" one!
>
>Name and shame?

www.williams-cycles.com

M.