A very quick what bike, 2 options....

[anonymous-user]

OK chaps, sorry for asking what has been asked a dozen times before, I have read all those threads and so have a simple question

I am 6'1"

I have just started riding 18 miles a day commuting into work and back on a bike given to me by a mate, a Scott Ridgeback I believe

I am riding in with a mate and we are really enjoying the ride and feeling the burn as well as the money saving, as it seems this is going to be something I stick with for the forseeable I am now looking at getting a bike within a month or 2

After reading the threads previously it seems the Kona Smoke would be good

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/17873/Kona-Smoke-700...

however I saw this at lunch and really liked the look of it

Giant Seek 4

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/118669.h...

As said above it will be used for commuting 80% of the time with some weekends spent on trails, woods etc but nothing too manic I am sure

So which is best? Or is it a case of trying them both?

[Gooby]

People who have ownes a kona swear by them and they seen to have incredible brand loyalty. Dont get it myself, but I have not ridden one!
I have owned a nice Giant and I loved it.

This thread will be a "I have bike X and it is better because I am right" thread.
The best thing to do is to ride the bikes you like. Would you buy a car over the net on the recomendations of people you have never met?

[anonymous-user]

Gooby said:

People who have ownes a kona swear by them and they seen to have incredible brand loyalty. Dont get it myself, but I have not ridden one!
I have owned a nice Giant and I loved it.

This thread will be a "I have bike X and it is better because I am right" thread.
The best thing to do is to ride the bikes you like. Would you buy a car over the net on the recomendations of people you have never met?

No not at all, but PH is the fountain of all knowledge

I know there will be a few comments like this, but seeing as I am a complete n00b I thought I would ask for some hints

The Scott I have is a Rockwood not what I said, another question, would it be worth keeping that and just upgrading bits like wheels etc?

[Y7TSY]

You could make your bike better by upgrading but it always nice to get a new bike. And upgrading can often cost alot and when your finished you sometimes realise you could of just bought a new bike and kept the old ohne as a spare. The giant looks the best IMO and they generally make really good qaulity bikes.

[Gooby]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

The only thing people can do is comment on thier personal experience or the reviews that they have read. No one will be able to to understand which bike rides better for you than you. The quirks of your build, the areas you are stronger, the positions you feel comfortable in all dictate which bike is better.

If you want a quick answer - The Giant
a) Because I know first hand they are great bikes
b) you get what you pay for

How old is the rockwood? what is wrong with it? What components does it have?

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

My inkling is the Giant, purely because I like the look of it

The rockwood is about 5 years old, its ok and does the job, its more I think it may be the wrong size for me as I do feel a bit arms and legs on it

It's a little rusty in places as well

[dubbs]

Giant or a Spec Sirrus type bike, you'll not really go wrong with either.

You're aiming the right way putting road before off road performance as that's where it'll be more used

My suggestion would be keep a couple of quid aside for another set of wheels (£100 a pair or so would be fine) just ot have a set with slicks for the road and a set with something more knobbly for the trails stuff.

Personally - and knowing exactly how this sort of thing goes... I would look for a secondhand road bike, 2008 vintage and use that for the road keeping the scott for the rest.... by mid-summer you'll be looking away from whatever you buy and trying to get a better MTB or road bike most likely as you discover your preference and the fitness goes up

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Some more to confuse you evans are by no means the cheapest or best place to go but their website is easy to use and some of their sale bikes are good value.

Ride as many as you can and choose the one you like.... The Giant you mentioned is also a great bike.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/neme...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dew-2009-...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dew-plus-...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/sub-30-2...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/sub-20-2...

Edited by Gnarlybluesurf on Monday 12th April 19:11

[anonymous-user]

Cheers for the answers guys, I am defintely gonna check out the Giant and there was also another Kona I quite liked the look of on those Evans links

I had thought of getting a second hand bike so will check them out, it's just hard to tell how much they have been used and abused I guess

The idea about a second set of wheels is a good idea, unfortunately for now having 2 bikes is a no no, my OH will just about put up with mine and her bikes in the hallway I think adding a 3rd might not go down well