Frame/fork materials (hybrids)

Chris Bardell said:

Hi all,

Old rigid MTB is dying rapidly, so thinking about a new hybrid. Usage =
on-road, reasonable-surface bridleway, no off-road. Purpose = commute,
utility, fitness, might even do shorty audaxes & light touring in the
future.

Anyone have opinions or experiences on frame & fork materials? Looking at
the UKP200-300 range, various materials are on offer (aluminium, alloys,
Cro-mo, hi-ten). Thinking about comfort, durability, longevity, and
preferably lighter weight (current bike = 33lbs / 15kg).

In terms of longevity, Halfords guarantee their steel frames for MUCH
longer than their alu frames (2 years is all they give for the latter!).
Steel is also easier to modify or respray later, if the frame is good
enough to warrant this.

A good steel frame is lighter than a bad alu one, but the best alu
frames are much lighter than steel. £ for £, alu is usually lighter.
Cro-mo is much better than "hi-ten" which is a meaningless term used to
describe something normally used for gaspipe ;-)

Quoted message said:

Claud Butler stocked in some LBSs round here (Norwich) - both offer
seemingly decent value bikes in this range.

If you are in Norwich, I highly recommend a visit to Specialised Cycles in
Connaught Road off the Dereham Road. Small shop, but highly knowledgeable owner
(Steve) and staff (Andy). If they can help you, they will. If they can't
they'll point you in the direction of someone who can. They have Dawes bikes in
stock and a Dawes Horizon may be in your price range. Admittedly the bikes in
Specialised tend to be the more expensive ones, but they have certainly had
Dawes Horizons in stock in the past.

Specialised is IMO the best bike shop in Norwich, but second best is IMO, Pedal
Revolution in Bethel Street. PR has a bigger range of bikes to see on the
premises than Specialised - it's in much bigger premises. I got Luigi, my
Bianchi ML3 from Pedal Revolution and am very happy with it. I keep going back
to Specialised though, as Steve & Andy are extremely knowledgeable and
extremely helpful. If I'm buying local, I'll always try Specialised before any
other shop.

Quoted message said:

PS: I solenly promise to clean & lube the new bike better than I did the
old one :-)

If you ever need any work done on your bike - Specialised is *the* place to go
to locally. My husband got a custom build from Specialised and it's a lovely
bike - the build quality is second to none.

Cheers, helen s

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in message <[email hidden]>, Chris Bardell

(') said:

Old rigid MTB is dying rapidly, so thinking about a new hybrid. Usage
= on-road, reasonable-surface bridleway, no off-road. Purpose =
commute, utility, fitness, might even do shorty audaxes & light
touring in the future.

Anyone have opinions or experiences on frame & fork materials? Looking
at the UKP200-300 range, various materials are on offer (aluminium,
alloys, Cro-mo, hi-ten). Thinking about comfort, durability,
longevity, and preferably lighter weight (current bike = 33lbs /
15kg).

Decent steel will give you a more compliant ride than cheap aluminium. A
second hand steel frame in a good tubing - a decent Reynolds or
Columbus - doesn't cost much. Also, steel frames are much more
repairable than aluminium. Carbon forks help on aluminium frames but
are probably out of your price bracket. I've seen several cheapish
aluminium bikes lately with suspension seatposts, which probably helps
too.

Quoted message said:

Lastly, any recommendations for hybrids in that price range? Ridgeback
& Claud Butler stocked in some LBSs round here (Norwich) - both offer
seemingly decent value bikes in this range.

I've been very impressed with the Claud Butlers I've looked at lately -
seem mostly remarkable value for money.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

The trouble with Simon is that he only opens his mouth to change feet.
;; of me, by a 'friend'

"Chris Bardell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone have opinions or experiences on frame & fork materials?

Steel is best in terms of strength, longevity and repairability. It may not
be as light as aluminum and titanium but there are more important things
than weight where a frame is involved.

Reynolds have always made good steel tubing (but there are others) and their
531 is a good choice for forks. 525 Chrome-Molybdenum tubing is a good
choice for the frame. Unfortunately your 300 quid would just about get you
the frameset with that spec and not much to attach to it.

"Hi-ten" is meaningless. All steel is high-tensile; they just use that term
when they don't have anything better to say about it.

What do you mean your current bike is "dying"?

Ian

Chris Bardell <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Anyone have opinions or experiences on frame & fork materials? Looking at
the UKP200-300 range, various materials are on offer (aluminium, alloys,
Cro-mo, hi-ten). Thinking about comfort, durability, longevity, and
preferably lighter weight (current bike = 33lbs / 15kg).

A good quality Cromoly frame will last a lifetime and be comfortable
to ride without any suspension parts.

--

Simon M.

[email hidden] (dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers) wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

If you are in Norwich, I highly recommend a visit to Specialised
Cycles in Connaught Road off the Dereham Road. Small shop, but highly
knowledgeable owner (Steve) and staff (Andy). If they can help you,
they will. If they can't they'll point you in the direction of someone
who can. They have Dawes bikes in stock and a Dawes Horizon may be in
your price range. Admittedly the bikes in Specialised tend to be the
more expensive ones, but they have certainly had Dawes Horizons in
stock in the past.

Hi Helen, nice to hear from you again. I did a whistle-stop tour of all
the Norwich LBSs last week. Dropped in at Specialised - good impression
all round, but they seem mainly orientated towards high-end road machines
(absolute beauties) plus some folders. Helpful guy (late 20s-ish, spiky
hair). Mentioned that someone I 'knew' online ("Helen from somewhere out
Swaffham way"😉 had recommended them. You'll have to claim a discount next
time you go in ;-) BTW, I think he said they didn't tend to stock Dawes
any more.

I like Pedal Revolution - bought a few bits from there over the past
couple of years & they seem helpful. Been leaning towards a Ridgeback
Velocity for some time.

Thanks again for the tips. Done any more Radio Norfolk broadcasts lately?
Sorry to hear about your husband's Castle Acre incident - gotta say there
are some really pig-ignorant cagers round Norfolk. Shame cos it's cycling
nirvana otherwise. Speedy recovery!

--
Chris Bardell
[Remove favourite mode of transport from email address]

A big thanks to everyone who replied. I didn't realise 'high-tensile' was
such a catch-all term.

"wheelsgoround" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:1095605540.ZwkQ9w8x3louAaWkYii9ng@teranews:

Quoted message said:

What do you mean your current bike is "dying"?

Just dropped the old MTB in for a rear brake service, which should make
it roadworthy again. Seem to be at the stage where spending much more
money on it would be a waste. Was a cheapish bike when I bought it in
1992 (!) Needs new brakes & cables (f & r), chainrings looking badly
worn, spider cracked, rear wheel keeps snapping spokes, various rusty
bits, one of the rack's legs has snapped, bottom bracket componentry
feels dodgy, indexing never works so I have the thumb-shifters on
friction, etc. Heavy bugger too, with only 18 speeds. Plus I'm a lousy
bike mechanic & only have a tiny place - no room to do any work on it.

I might keep it as a spare/hack once I get something newer. Latest
thinking: eke it out until the New Year, then look at the January sales
for a replacement ride.

But thanks for asking. Do you/anyone have any recommendations for a good
bike maintenance manual? I've read various bits off Sheldon's site, but
I'd like to have a book to hand while twiddling. I'm also going to check
out evening / weekend courses round here too.

Thanks all.

--
Chris Bardell
[Remove favourite mode of transport from email address]

Quoted message said:

Dropped in at Specialised - good impression
all round, but they seem mainly orientated towards high-end road machines
(absolute beauties) plus some folders.

Yes, they do tend to go towards the more pricey end of the market when it comes
to bikes.

Quoted message said:

Helpful guy (late 20s-ish, spiky
hair). Mentioned that someone I 'knew' online ("Helen from somewhere out
Swaffham way"😉 had recommended them. You'll have to claim a discount next
time you go in ;-)

That'll be Andy. He's a good lad and an extremely competent bike mechanic. I
have to say, Specialised are very good as regards discount. I bought Nathan his
Met Strad helmet there and a reasonable amount was deducted from the full
price. I could have got it cheaper online, but by getting it in Naarch, if it
was not the right size/fit/colour or if Nathan just didn't like it, I know it's
absolutely no hassle to take back and I don't have to faff with postage.

Quoted message said:

BTW, I think he said they didn't tend to stock Dawes
any more.

Good job I don't want one then ;-)

Quoted message said:

I like Pedal Revolution - bought a few bits from there over the past
couple of years & they seem helpful. Been leaning towards a Ridgeback
Velocity for some time.

It's good if you like Bianchis too.

Quoted message said:

Thanks again for the tips. Done any more Radio Norfolk broadcasts lately?

Most welcome and no.

Quoted message said:

Sorry to hear about your husband's Castle Acre incident - gotta say there
are some really pig-ignorant cagers round Norfolk. Shame cos it's cycling
nirvana otherwise. Speedy recovery!

Yup - it's usually wonderful for cycling. I made Vernon sit in a warm bath when
he got home and discovered more grazing and bruising on his back. I'm just
pleased it's nothing more serious.

Cheers, helen s

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in message <[email hidden]>, Chris Bardell

(') said:

I might keep it as a spare/hack once I get something newer. Latest
thinking: eke it out until the New Year, then look at the January
sales for a replacement ride.

You will almost certainly get better deals on 2004 models now than you
will get on 2005 models in January. This is the end of the model year
and retailers are dumping old stock.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

[ This .sig subject to change without notice ]

Chris Bardell <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

Old rigid MTB is dying rapidly, so thinking about a new hybrid. Usage =
on-road, reasonable-surface bridleway, no off-road. Purpose = commute,
utility, fitness, might even do shorty audaxes & light touring in the
future.

The closest thing to a do anything bike is a tourer.
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=17121
Edinburgh Bicycle do one for £399. Rack and mudguards included. Only
lighs to be added for a good commuter machine. Drop bars aren't
everyone cup of tea but drops are better for touring/audax as you have
more handpositions and can get low for a headwind.
Iain

Simon Brooke <[email hidden]> wrote in news:dpv022-7su.ln1
@gododdin.internal.jasmine.org.uk:

Quoted message said:

You will almost certainly get better deals on 2004 models now than you
will get on 2005 models in January. This is the end of the model year
and retailers are dumping old stock.

Hiya & thanks for the advice. I had a word with the Ridgeback-stockist
LBS about discounts on the 2004 models, but he checked stock levels & the
suggestion was that Ridgeback themselves had nearly sold out all their
2004 bikes & as such a discount would be unlikely :-(

Still thinking on this, but thanks for the input. I'm half-tempted just
to go & order the bugger tomorrow morning, but tinged with the thought
that the 2005 models will have slightly better spec, and that I should
wait a few weeks (new Ridgeback range due in stockists' shops mid-Oct
apparently).

--
Chris Bardell
[Remove favourite mode of transport from email address]

[email hidden] (iarocu) wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

The closest thing to a do anything bike is a tourer.
http://www.edinburgh-bicycle.co.uk/catalogue/detail.cfm?ID=17121
Edinburgh Bicycle do one for £399.

Hiya & thanks - fine looking bike. Checked out the EBC site recently, cos
I'd heard/read nothing but good words about their bikes.

Unsure about drops - I've often wanted to get a more aero position than
flatbars allow (especially when I've had a monster Naaarf*ck coastal wind
in my teeth). But I've got a minor back prob (very mild scoliosis, i.e.
twisting/curvature of spine) which I think might not be helped by the
leaned-forwards riding position on drops. That said, I'd probably be
riding on the tops / hoods / corners most of the time anyway - I guess
most people do.

Cheers for the suggestion. I'll post back to this NG about what I end up
doing.

--
Chris Bardell
[Remove favourite mode of transport from email address]

On 19 Sep 2004 17:57:56 GMT, Chris Bardell

() said:

But thanks for asking. Do you/anyone have any recommendations for a good
bike maintenance manual? I've read various bits off Sheldon's site, but
I'd like to have a book to hand while twiddling. I'm also going to check
out evening / weekend courses round here too.

I like "Zinn on the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance". Everything
from how to fix a flat to how to true a wheel. Good clear illos, too.
--
Matt K.
"Believe nothing, dare all."

Chris Bardell <[email hidden]> wrote:

: Anyone have opinions or experiences on frame & fork materials? Looking at
: the UKP200-300 range, various materials are on offer (aluminium, alloys,

One point. There's a *big* difference between £199 bikes and £299 bikes
so it's well worth trying to spend nearer the top of your range if
possible.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
"Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook