Ridgeback vs Carrera

Décathlon Triban Road 5 is a good alt.

SW

"Graham Harrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating a new bike. Who knows where it might lead in terms of
use but initially for pottering down (literally) to the shops and back up
(literally) again. Just over 1 mile (!) each way. The hill is one you
can nearly freewheel down (but not quite) on a Brompton. I can get back

up

Quoted message said:

with no major problems on the Brompton.

At the moment, the Brompton lives in the car and commutes with me between
East Berkshire (for use round work) and South Somerset (for use at home).
I have somewhere safe for the Brompton in Berkshire and I'm beginning to
feel its' limitations in Somerset (hence the comment about who knows where
it might lead in terms of use if I do buy a new bike).

Following some comments here about the Carrera Subway 8 I went looking at
Halfords and was quite impressed by what I saw. But, I thought I'd look

at

Quoted message said:

alternatives. Googling on the Nexus hub I came across the Ridgeway

Nemesis

Quoted message said:

and went to an LBS to try one today. The only one they had in stock was

a

Quoted message said:

large (21"😉 which I took for a spin. I'm 56, about 14 stone 6'2" with a
36" inside leg; it didn't really give me enough leg extension at the

bottom

Quoted message said:

of travel and I found my knee uncomfortably bent at the top. Furthermore
the whole set up had me thrown forward, almost like a bike with drops on
which I wasn't too keen on. The Nenemis also comes in XL (23"😉 and I'm
optimistic that would be a better fit. Problem is that if the LBS orders
it and I decide I don't want it they one of us is lumbered! The only
Subway 8 the Halfords I visited had was 2006 18" and that *really* didn't
work, to the extent I didn't even bother to ride it. In an attempt to

find

Quoted message said:

both the bigger size and a discounted 2005 model I did some phoning but

drew

Quoted message said:

a complete blank so I've resigned myself to the 2006 model.

Even though the Brompton I have is several years old, I've been quite
impressed with its' (SA) hub. I recognise there's a balance to be struck
here between derailleurs and hubs but I think I'm probably at a point

where

Quoted message said:

the day to day (apparent) reliability of a hub outweighs the need to seek
help from an LBS when I might be able to do things to a derailleur

equipped

Quoted message said:

bike myself.

My days of touring are over but the idea of a bike that I could take for
short rides in Somerset is appealing. I recognise that cheap bikes are
nasty but if I'm going to spend £4/500 I need to get it right.

So, various questions:

1) Anybody got any views on either of the two bikes?
2) Can anybody suggest any other bikes I should look at?
3) Any idea how I can arrange a test ride on a bike (of whatever type) of
the correct size for me if the shop doesn't have one in stock?

link to triban spec
http://www.decathloncycle.com/produit/Gamme_2005/loisir/produit/produit_2655
10.asp?prod_id=265510&lang=&famille=triban&rayon=triban

SW

"Graham Harrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating a new bike. Who knows where it might lead in terms of
use but initially for pottering down (literally) to the shops and back up
(literally) again. Just over 1 mile (!) each way. The hill is one you
can nearly freewheel down (but not quite) on a Brompton. I can get back

up

Quoted message said:

with no major problems on the Brompton.

At the moment, the Brompton lives in the car and commutes with me between
East Berkshire (for use round work) and South Somerset (for use at home).
I have somewhere safe for the Brompton in Berkshire and I'm beginning to
feel its' limitations in Somerset (hence the comment about who knows where
it might lead in terms of use if I do buy a new bike).

Following some comments here about the Carrera Subway 8 I went looking at
Halfords and was quite impressed by what I saw. But, I thought I'd look

at

Quoted message said:

alternatives. Googling on the Nexus hub I came across the Ridgeway

Nemesis

Quoted message said:

and went to an LBS to try one today. The only one they had in stock was

a

Quoted message said:

large (21"😉 which I took for a spin. I'm 56, about 14 stone 6'2" with a
36" inside leg; it didn't really give me enough leg extension at the

bottom

Quoted message said:

of travel and I found my knee uncomfortably bent at the top. Furthermore
the whole set up had me thrown forward, almost like a bike with drops on
which I wasn't too keen on. The Nenemis also comes in XL (23"😉 and I'm
optimistic that would be a better fit. Problem is that if the LBS orders
it and I decide I don't want it they one of us is lumbered! The only
Subway 8 the Halfords I visited had was 2006 18" and that *really* didn't
work, to the extent I didn't even bother to ride it. In an attempt to

find

Quoted message said:

both the bigger size and a discounted 2005 model I did some phoning but

drew

Quoted message said:

a complete blank so I've resigned myself to the 2006 model.

Even though the Brompton I have is several years old, I've been quite
impressed with its' (SA) hub. I recognise there's a balance to be struck
here between derailleurs and hubs but I think I'm probably at a point

where

Quoted message said:

the day to day (apparent) reliability of a hub outweighs the need to seek
help from an LBS when I might be able to do things to a derailleur

equipped

Quoted message said:

bike myself.

My days of touring are over but the idea of a bike that I could take for
short rides in Somerset is appealing. I recognise that cheap bikes are
nasty but if I'm going to spend £4/500 I need to get it right.

So, various questions:

1) Anybody got any views on either of the two bikes?
2) Can anybody suggest any other bikes I should look at?
3) Any idea how I can arrange a test ride on a bike (of whatever type) of
the correct size for me if the shop doesn't have one in stock?

"Steve W" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

link to triban spec

http://www.decathloncycle.com/produit/Gamme_2005/loisir/produit/produit_2655

Quoted message said:

10.asp?prod_id=265510&lang=&famille=triban&rayon=triban

SW

"Graham Harrison" <[email hidden]> wrote in

message

Quoted message said:

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating a new bike. Who knows where it might lead in terms

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

use but initially for pottering down (literally) to the shops and back

up

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(literally) again. Just over 1 mile (!) each way. The hill is one

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can nearly freewheel down (but not quite) on a Brompton. I can get

back

Quoted message said:

up

Quoted message said:

with no major problems on the Brompton.

At the moment, the Brompton lives in the car and commutes with me

between

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

East Berkshire (for use round work) and South Somerset (for use at

home).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have somewhere safe for the Brompton in Berkshire and I'm beginning to
feel its' limitations in Somerset (hence the comment about who knows

where

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it might lead in terms of use if I do buy a new bike).

Following some comments here about the Carrera Subway 8 I went looking

at

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Halfords and was quite impressed by what I saw. But, I thought I'd

look

Quoted message said:

at

Quoted message said:

alternatives. Googling on the Nexus hub I came across the Ridgeway

Nemesis

Quoted message said:

and went to an LBS to try one today. The only one they had in stock

was

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

large (21"😉 which I took for a spin. I'm 56, about 14 stone 6'2" with

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

36" inside leg; it didn't really give me enough leg extension at the

bottom

Quoted message said:

of travel and I found my knee uncomfortably bent at the top.

Furthermore

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the whole set up had me thrown forward, almost like a bike with drops on
which I wasn't too keen on. The Nenemis also comes in XL (23"😉 and I'm
optimistic that would be a better fit. Problem is that if the LBS

orders

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it and I decide I don't want it they one of us is lumbered! The only
Subway 8 the Halfords I visited had was 2006 18" and that *really*

didn't

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

work, to the extent I didn't even bother to ride it. In an attempt to

find

Quoted message said:

both the bigger size and a discounted 2005 model I did some phoning but

drew

Quoted message said:

a complete blank so I've resigned myself to the 2006 model.

Even though the Brompton I have is several years old, I've been quite
impressed with its' (SA) hub. I recognise there's a balance to be

struck

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

here between derailleurs and hubs but I think I'm probably at a point

where

Quoted message said:

the day to day (apparent) reliability of a hub outweighs the need to

seek

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

help from an LBS when I might be able to do things to a derailleur

equipped

Quoted message said:

bike myself.

My days of touring are over but the idea of a bike that I could take for
short rides in Somerset is appealing. I recognise that cheap bikes are
nasty but if I'm going to spend £4/500 I need to get it right.

So, various questions:

1) Anybody got any views on either of the two bikes?
2) Can anybody suggest any other bikes I should look at?
3) Any idea how I can arrange a test ride on a bike (of whatever type)

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the correct size for me if the shop doesn't have one in stock?

Interesting look! Stores aren't terribly convenient for me but it
certainly seems to fit the bill, and at an attractive price. Thanks.

Graham Harrison said:

1) Anybody got any views on either of the two bikes? 2) Can anybody
suggest any other bikes I should look at? 3) Any idea how I can arrange a
test ride on a bike (of whatever type) of the correct size for me if the
shop doesn't have one in stock?

I have the Subway 8. The 18" one really isn't for someone your size,
as you have found. I'm surprised that you comment that a 21" bike does not
fit you. I suspect that it does - bikes have small frame sizes these days,
and long seatposts. I'm sure you could find a comfortable riding
position, and putting a bit of weight on your hands is not bad. Perhaps
adjusting or changing the stem will help - and your bike shop for advice.
Also remember a saddle can be moved for-and-aft which makes a difference.

I would give Ridgeback a phone and find another local stickist and try the
larger model if you want.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the Subway - far from it.
But if all the discounted models in the larger size have sold out local to
you, why not get the Ridgeback and support your local bike shop?

"John Hearns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Graham Harrison said:

1) Anybody got any views on either of the two bikes? 2) Can anybody
suggest any other bikes I should look at? 3) Any idea how I can arrange a
test ride on a bike (of whatever type) of the correct size for me if the
shop doesn't have one in stock?

I have the Subway 8. The 18" one really isn't for someone your size,
as you have found. I'm surprised that you comment that a 21" bike does not
fit you. I suspect that it does - bikes have small frame sizes these days,
and long seatposts. I'm sure you could find a comfortable riding
position, and putting a bit of weight on your hands is not bad. Perhaps
adjusting or changing the stem will help - and your bike shop for advice.
Also remember a saddle can be moved for-and-aft which makes a difference.

I would give Ridgeback a phone and find another local stickist and try the
larger model if you want.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the Subway - far from it.
But if all the discounted models in the larger size have sold out local to
you, why not get the Ridgeback and support your local bike shop?

I shall phone Madison/Ridgeway in the morning. Thanks for the suggestion.

The LBS was actually extremely proactive in suggesting ways to set up the
Ridgeback. It's just that, if I can fit the 23" without having to add bits
here and take them off there, I would prefer to. I would much prefer to
buy through them than Halfords but there is a step in price that has to be
considered - 2005 Subway 8 £279 - 2006 £399 Ridgeback £449!