OK - I have done a lot of research this week as to buying a hybrid for general/leisure use - thank you very much to all who replied to my initial post on the subject and am sorry to post again on the same subject.
I have narrowed the search down to 2 definites but cannot decide between them:
A the moment I am swayed towards the Dawes on the basis that my LBS stock them and that the spec of the components is slightly better, but the Ridgeback looks nicer. Can anyone afford me an opinion as to whether the 501 is worth an extra £100. Other observations very welcome, particularly if anyone feels there's a bike in the <£400 bracket I have missed.
I'd be particularly interested in comments from riders of each.
"Saint" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
OK - I have done a lot of research this week as to buying a hybrid for general/leisure use - thank you very much to all who replied to my initial post on the subject and am sorry to post again on the same subject.
I have narrowed the search down to 2 definites but cannot decide between them:
A the moment I am swayed towards the Dawes on the basis that my LBS stock them and that the spec of the components is slightly better, but the Ridgeback looks nicer. Can anyone afford me an opinion as to whether the 501 is worth an extra £100. Other observations very welcome, particularly if anyone feels there's a bike in the <£400 bracket I have missed.
I'd be particularly interested in comments from riders of each.
For ease the links to each are posted above too.
I think the Ridgeback's likely to be heavier than the Dawes. My friend has the Nova, which is the same frame with less cogs and riser bars AFAIK, and it's a tad heavier than my Giant MTB, despite my MTB having front suspension. I'd be very surprised if the Dawes isn't a fair bit lighter.
A the moment I am swayed towards the Dawes on the basis that my LBS
stock
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
them and that the spec of the components is slightly better, but the Ridgeback looks nicer. Can anyone afford me an opinion as to whether
the
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
501 is worth an extra £100. Other observations very welcome,
particularly
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
if anyone feels there's a bike in the <£400 bracket I have missed.
I'd be particularly interested in comments from riders of each.
For ease the links to each are posted above too.
I think the Ridgeback's likely to be heavier than the Dawes. My friend has the Nova, which is the same frame with less cogs and riser bars AFAIK, and it's a tad heavier than my Giant MTB, despite my MTB having front suspension. I'd be very surprised if the Dawes isn't a fair bit lighter.
Thanks for that Doki - it was an interesting point as I actually suspected the opposite, hence the reason I posted the topic as I have no way of comparing the bikes side by side. I hate pestering people but want to make the right choice as best I can and the information/opinions from peoplr more knowledgable than I is always something I pay attention to.
"Saint" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Doki" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Saint" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > OK - I have done a lot of research this week as to buying a hybrid for > general/leisure use - thank you very much to all who replied to my
initial
Quoted message said:
> post on the subject and am sorry to post again on the same subject. > > I have narrowed the search down to 2 definites but cannot decide
I think the Ridgeback's likely to be heavier than the Dawes. My friend
has
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the Nova, which is the same frame with less cogs and riser bars AFAIK,
and
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
it's a tad heavier than my Giant MTB, despite my MTB having front suspension. I'd be very surprised if the Dawes isn't a fair bit lighter.
Thanks for that Doki - it was an interesting point as I actually suspected the opposite, hence the reason I posted the topic as I have no way of comparing the bikes side by side. I hate pestering people but want to
make
Quoted message said:
the right choice as best I can and the information/opinions from peoplr
more
Quoted message said:
knowledgable than I is always something I pay attention to.
I wouldn't take what I've said as gospel - the fork on the Velocity will be a bit lighter than the Nova, and the Dawes could always be made of scaffolding poles. I've not ridden / looked at either bike, so I could be completely off. Hopefully someone who has will turn up and tell us what's what 😄.
I'm curious about the 28-spoked wheels on the Dawes - is this enough for touring?
I think the Ridgeback's likely to be heavier than the Dawes. My friend
has
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the Nova, which is the same frame with less cogs and riser bars AFAIK,
and
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
it's a tad heavier than my Giant MTB, despite my MTB having front suspension. I'd be very surprised if the Dawes isn't a fair bit lighter.
Thanks for that Doki - it was an interesting point as I actually suspected the opposite, hence the reason I posted the topic as I have no way of comparing the bikes side by side. I hate pestering people but want to
make
Quoted message said:
the right choice as best I can and the information/opinions from peoplr
more
Quoted message said:
knowledgable than I is always something I pay attention to.
I wouldn't take what I've said as gospel - the fork on the Velocity will be a bit lighter than the Nova, and the Dawes could always be made of scaffolding poles. I've not ridden / looked at either bike, so I could be completely off. Hopefully someone who has will turn up and tell us what's what 😄.
I think the Ridgeback's likely to be heavier than the Dawes. My friend
has
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the Nova, which is the same frame with less cogs and riser bars AFAIK,
and
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
it's a tad heavier than my Giant MTB, despite my MTB having front suspension. I'd be very surprised if the Dawes isn't a fair bit lighter.
Thanks for that Doki - it was an interesting point as I actually suspected the opposite, hence the reason I posted the topic as I have no way of comparing the bikes side by side. I hate pestering people but want to
make
Quoted message said:
the right choice as best I can and the information/opinions from peoplr
more
Quoted message said:
knowledgable than I is always something I pay attention to.
I wouldn't take what I've said as gospel - the fork on the Velocity will be a bit lighter than the Nova, and the Dawes could always be made of scaffolding poles. I've not ridden / looked at either bike, so I could be completely off. Hopefully someone who has will turn up and tell us what's what 😄.
I Have owned a Ridegeback Hybrid and a Dawes road bike and have been happier with the dawes. But as their are very different types of bikes it may not be fair. I felt the Dawes more care was taken with finish etc. On both Bikes the wheels needed rebuilding within in a couple of years.
I Have owned a Ridegeback Hybrid and a Dawes road bike and have been happier with the dawes. But as their are very different types of bikes it may not be fair. I felt the Dawes more care was taken with finish etc. On both Bikes the wheels needed rebuilding within in a couple of
years.
Seems a lot. ISTR reading that a decent hardtail MTB weighs in at 28lbs or so. That might a > £1000 hardtail though.
I Have owned a Ridegeback Hybrid and a Dawes road bike and have been happier with the dawes. But as their are very different types of bikes it may not be fair. I felt the Dawes more care was taken with finish etc. On both Bikes the wheels needed rebuilding within in a couple of
years.
Seems a lot. ISTR reading that a decent hardtail MTB weighs in at 28lbs or so. That might a > £1000 hardtail though.
OK - I have done a lot of research this week as to buying a hybrid for general/leisure use - thank you very much to all who replied to my initial post on the subject and am sorry to post again on the same subject. I have narrowed the search down to 2 definites but cannot decide between them: Dawes Discovery 501 - £399 http://www.dawes-cycles.co.uk/discovery501.asphttp://www.dawes- cycles.co.uk/discovery501.asp or Ridgeback Velocity - £299 http://www.ridgebackbikes.co.uk/bikes/2004/bike.asp?seriesi- http://www.ridgebackbikes.co.uk/bikes/2004/bike.asp?seriesi- d=21&index=7 A the moment I am swayed towards the Dawes on the basis that my LBS stock them and that the spec of the components is slightly better, but the Ridgeback looks nicer. Can anyone afford me an opinion as to whether the 501 is worth an extra £100. Other observations very welcome, particularly if anyone feels there's a bike in the <£400 bracket I have missed. I'd be particularly interested in comments from riders of each. For ease the links to each are posted above too. Thanks again S
Right I know nothing about bikes really (I'm a horse rider) but have recently been in a similar position to you (but with a smaller budget - see horse comment!!). I was torn between a Dawes Discovery 301 and a Raleigh ?? (it was blue!). Having seen them both in the shop there was no competition, I bought the Dawes. It arrived on Monday, it's much lighter than my last one and it got me up a hill in fine style (never been known before). In short I really like the Dawes. I too did loads of research and then went into the shop and chose then one with the colour I liked best (how girly is that!). Anyway hopefully my new beastie will provide some fun trips out with OH and friends and help develop legs and general fitness for horse riding.
I'd be particularly interested in comments from riders of each.
Thanks again
S
I have a Ridgeback Velocity, and am very happy with it. When I was looking, I tried to decide between the Dawes 401 and the Ridgeback, but couldn't find a LBS which had any Dawes in stock, so ended up with the Ridgeback.
I am not a particularly knowledgeable cyclist, but have found no problems so far with the Ridgeback.
"Doki" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I think the Ridgeback's likely to be heavier than the Dawes. My friend has the Nova, which is the same frame with less cogs and riser bars AFAIK, and it's a tad heavier than my Giant MTB, despite my MTB having front suspension. I'd be very surprised if the Dawes isn't a fair bit lighter.
Thanks for that Doki - it was an interesting point as I actually suspected the opposite, hence the reason I posted the topic as I have no way of comparing the bikes side by side. I hate pestering people but want to make the right choice as best I can and the information/opinions from peoplr more knowledgable than I is always something I pay attention to.
Weight *really* makes a difference on bikes, if there are any hills in your vicinity. It might be worth getting one of those little spring balances anglers use (but it's got to be good for up to 35lbs/15Kg), and taking that with you when you go shopping.
I'm fed up with Life 1.0. I never liked it much and now it's getting me down. I think I'll upgrade to MSLife 97 -- you know, the one that comes in a flash new box and within weeks you're crawling with bugs.
I Have owned a Ridegeback Hybrid and a Dawes road bike and have been happier with the dawes. But as their are very different types of bikes it may not be fair. I felt the Dawes more care was taken with finish etc. On both Bikes the wheels needed rebuilding within in a couple of
years.
Seems a lot. ISTR reading that a decent hardtail MTB weighs in at 28lbs or so. That might a > £1000 hardtail though.
A _decent_ hardtail MTB ought to be under 24lbs. The really good ones are around 20lbs. A very good full suspension bike comes in at 23lbs (Cannondale Scalpel, and that's with disks - but you could easily build a Santa Cruz Superlight down to that weight).
