Viking bikes, what's the PH consensus?
Discussion
mcdjl said:
I've had a Viking Roma for a few years now, the first road bike I bought. The only problems its had are that I've worn the tyres out and snapped a chain. The only maintenance its had has been a clean of the chain. having just put a steel framed/carbon forked road bike together the Viking is maybe harsher on bad roads, but no worse i think (not having ridden them) than some friends more expensive steeds.
I thought a Carrera TDF with a standard double and a 12/26 cassette was a bit hard work as a first road bike but wow - a 42/52 crank?http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
TheLemming said:
I thought a Carrera TDF with a standard double and a 12/26 cassette was a bit hard work as a first road bike but wow - a 42/52 crank?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
I found that after I'd bought it. I went from cycling a few miles each way commuting to that. The first ride i did on it i tried to keep up with my (now) ex and was sick after about 4 miles of 15. The second i hit the wall and more or less collapsed at 56 miles of 60 (i did finish though)....good job we got the train back. Neither sufficiently impressed her so it took a few more moths before we went out http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
I wouldn't necessarily recommend that style of riding to everyone though.
Decathlon do some decent flat bar road bikes as well, free delivery too if you don't live near a store - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/fit-300-flat-bar-road-b...
Thanks for the suggestions.
Nicked right under CCTV footage at a busy train station.
It was a 2013 Sirrus Elite barely used and blemish free, that I picked up 2nd hand cash for £275. It wasn't bad, accelerated well, but I wasn't impressed with the carbon forks and zerts inserts at absorbing bumps. With an uninterrupted run I'd get a 20km average speed including a lot of hills on 38c tyres. I found the gearing too low though. Only got a GPS 54km top speed and that was pedalling like a mofo in top gear.
The BB went after a few months, grinding ball bearings that gradually got worse. Typically I'd had this done with a new seat about 2 months ago. 2 punctures hopping up kerbs, which I do a lot. And man the paintwork was like cheese. after a couple of years it has a stupid number of stone chips, especially on the forks. Gears also managed to sporadically mis-align themselves which started to annoy me, but it was going well after a pro service.
Still, I enjoyed it and probably covered about 5,000km or more a year (2 years ownership).
I prefer a more upright position and go for comfort with a bit of effortless speed, with a fast turning circle. I always have a big heavy bag on my back as well so I can't see how a road bike would work. Sometimes I'll have about 20kg of dumbbell weights on a rear rack, although I'm not heavy myself.
I easily and consistently covered 50-150km a week. I do not intend to get saddle sore. I'm seriously considering a suspension bike with lockout like the new specialized crosstrail (non-disc) in favour comfort with of a bit of extra weight. I will always chop and change 28c/38c tyres due to weather/time of year (in summer, off roading is more of an option).
I don't need big brakes. I nearly spat myself over the handle bars on the standard Sirrus' brakes several times, so don't buy into this disc brake craze.
Btw I'm straight, so I do not wear lyrca or rse-lube!
Greenish said:
I think we need more info on your Spesh - model year / mileage / what it went through.
Sadly it's here:- http://stolen-bikes.co.uk/stolen-bikes/specialized... Nicked right under CCTV footage at a busy train station.It was a 2013 Sirrus Elite barely used and blemish free, that I picked up 2nd hand cash for £275. It wasn't bad, accelerated well, but I wasn't impressed with the carbon forks and zerts inserts at absorbing bumps. With an uninterrupted run I'd get a 20km average speed including a lot of hills on 38c tyres. I found the gearing too low though. Only got a GPS 54km top speed and that was pedalling like a mofo in top gear.
The BB went after a few months, grinding ball bearings that gradually got worse. Typically I'd had this done with a new seat about 2 months ago.
2 punctures hopping up kerbs, which I do a lot. And man the paintwork was like cheese. after a couple of years it has a stupid number of stone chips, especially on the forks. Gears also managed to sporadically mis-align themselves which started to annoy me, but it was going well after a pro service.Still, I enjoyed it and probably covered about 5,000km or more a year (2 years ownership).
TheLemming said:
Are you set on a flat bar hybrid instead of a road bike? The suggestions so far as alternates have been drop bar?
I hate the drop bar position personally. I hated them as a kid in the 80's/90's, can't see me liking it now.I prefer a more upright position and go for comfort with a bit of effortless speed, with a fast turning circle. I always have a big heavy bag on my back as well so I can't see how a road bike would work. Sometimes I'll have about 20kg of dumbbell weights on a rear rack, although I'm not heavy myself.
I easily and consistently covered 50-150km a week. I do not intend to get saddle sore. I'm seriously considering a suspension bike with lockout like the new specialized crosstrail (non-disc) in favour comfort with of a bit of extra weight. I will always chop and change 28c/38c tyres due to weather/time of year (in summer, off roading is more of an option).
I don't need big brakes. I nearly spat myself over the handle bars on the standard Sirrus' brakes several times, so don't buy into this disc brake craze.
Btw I'm straight, so I do not wear lyrca or rse-lube!
Edited by mattikake on Thursday 30th October 23:39
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