Viking bikes, what's the PH consensus?
Discussion
Just looking for some [non-snobby] opinions on these.
I've spotted one that appears to match all my needs - alu frame, carbon forks, only 16 gears (I tend to use high gears only, including hill climbs), stylish, Shimano levers/front-rear gears etc., but... it's sub £300 which from my Specialized background = tat.
Serious looker, but serious performer?
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5260.html?mv_pc=gp1&...
Basically my Specialized got nicked a few days ago, so I'm having trouble justifying spending loads on a new bike again.
I've spotted one that appears to match all my needs - alu frame, carbon forks, only 16 gears (I tend to use high gears only, including hill climbs), stylish, Shimano levers/front-rear gears etc., but... it's sub £300 which from my Specialized background = tat.
Serious looker, but serious performer?
http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B5260.html?mv_pc=gp1&...
Basically my Specialized got nicked a few days ago, so I'm having trouble justifying spending loads on a new bike again.
But what is actually wrong with them? Build? Frame? Reliability? Ride? Components?
I mean, the BB went on my Specialized in a few months of vigorous hillclimbs and it was pneumatic-hammer-syndrome murder over anything but the smoothest tarmac, of which little exists in this government spending world.
Viking have a good long history of manufacture.
I mean, the BB went on my Specialized in a few months of vigorous hillclimbs and it was pneumatic-hammer-syndrome murder over anything but the smoothest tarmac, of which little exists in this government spending world.
Viking have a good long history of manufacture.
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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