I'm Back and a question re new bike

Donegal Paul said:

Now, so far, I'm considering the only bikes Ive seen which are at the
local Halfords. Despite the fact that they seem to have quite a good
range, there are only 2 that I was mildly keen on and they were the
Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18878&type=0&cat=144)
or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144)

Why only these two? Basically because I want a middle of the road
bike that will do for my short commute but also be capable of light
off road.

The Subway-8 is well regarded. It got a decent review in the CTC magazine,
and I have a friend with one who likes it for commutes (who is also someone
who will spend serious money on cycles, having expensive Cannondales, will
be critical of things not working properly, etc.)
You get a very decent hub gear, which on its own is quite an expensive part.
It gives you minimal maintenance - none of those derraileurs to adjust,
clean and get covered in muck. The chain will last much longer.

The penalty is that the wheel will take a little longer to change if you get
a rear puncture.

Hub brakes are excellent if you want low maintenance hassle free brakes. I
think if you live somewhere that is very hilly, or if you use the brakes an
awful lot, that they may get a bit hot and won't brake as well as
alternatives. If that's the case, perhaps hubs are not ideal. However, for
90%+ of use they are excellent. They work well if its wet; not having to
clear water off the rim first.

Overall, for a low maintenance general purpose bike its a decent buy.
If its in your price range, and you like the look of it, I'd go for it.

You'll probably want to budget for some mudguards and perhaps a rack to
carry luggage. And lights if using it after dark. Fitting front mudguards
has one very minor pain - the hub brakes slightly interfere with access to
the mudguard eye bolt. One solution is a longer bolt inside a tube, the tube
acts as a spacer to lift the mudguard away from the brake components.

- Nigel

--
NC - Webmaster for http://www.2mm.org.uk/
Replies to newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

"Nigel Cliffe" said to Donegal Paul wrote:
SNIP

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18878&type=0&cat=144)
or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144)

The Subway-8 is well regarded. It got a decent review in the CTC magazine,
and I have a friend with one who likes it for commutes (who is also
someone who will spend serious money on cycles, having expensive
Cannondales, will be critical of things not working properly, etc.)
You get a very decent hub gear, which on its own is quite an expensive
part. It gives you minimal maintenance - none of those derraileurs to
adjust, clean and get covered in muck. The chain will last much longer.

I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review, and it
appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as opposed to the actual
bike.

Quoted message said:

The penalty is that the wheel will take a little longer to change if you
get a rear puncture.

I can live with that.

Quoted message said:

Hub brakes are excellent if you want low maintenance hassle free brakes. I
think if you live somewhere that is very hilly, or if you use the brakes
an awful lot, that they may get a bit hot and won't brake as well as
alternatives.

*heh* I live in bedford mate, I think that the only place flatter is the
Norfolk Broads and Holland :-)

Quoted message said:

Overall, for a low maintenance general purpose bike its a decent buy.
If its in your price range, and you like the look of it, I'd go for it.

Its within my price range as in I have the money, before seeing it I was
thinking of literally buying a £50 hack. Course, I may be convincing myself
to buy the Subway 8 as it's really taken my fancy, other than those silly
fans to cool the brakes. I'm beginning to the think though a cheapo bike may
be more maintenence in the long run.

Quoted message said:

You'll probably want to budget for some mudguards and perhaps a rack to
carry luggage. And lights if using it after dark. Fitting front mudguards
has one very minor pain - the hub brakes slightly interfere with access to
the mudguard eye bolt. One solution is a longer bolt inside a tube, the
tube acts as a spacer to lift the mudguard away from the brake components.

I had also noticed this on google too. I will probably fit mudguards, I
sincerely doubt ill be putting on a rack though.
Thanks though for the very thorough reply, much appreciated.
--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Maico Letta 247cc - We have the technology.
Zundapp Bella r203 - Watch out for ze Germans!
Bajaj Chetak 125 - Wannabe Vespa
Lambretta Li186 - stripped.
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Quoted message said:

"Nigel Cliffe" wrote:

*heh* I live in bedford mate, I think that the only place flatter is the
Norfolk Broads and Holland :-)

Yes, I love those nice flat B roads. Great for cycling on.

Oh ... BROADS..

Pete

Donegal Paul said:

"Nigel Cliffe" said to Donegal Paul wrote:
SNIP

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18878&type=0&cat=144)
or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144)

The Subway-8 is well regarded. It got a decent review in the CTC magazine,
and I have a friend with one who likes it for commutes (who is also
someone who will spend serious money on cycles, having expensive
Cannondales, will be critical of things not working properly, etc.)
You get a very decent hub gear, which on its own is quite an expensive
part. It gives you minimal maintenance - none of those derraileurs to
adjust, clean and get covered in muck. The chain will last much longer.

I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review, and it
appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as opposed to the actual
bike.

My "initial impressions" are here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/new_bike_first_.html

and some pictures here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bike_pics.html

Of course, this may be the very "one poor review" to which you refer. I
never did get round to writing a proper review - I'll see if I can
update my findings soon.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the bike; it does make a very good park
and forget machine. I was after a bike that would tolerate near zero
maintenance and this shows every sign of being OK in this role.

The hub gear does its job and the only negative I have to note is that
it does occasionally slip in 4th gear. A small slip, not a No Gear
Sturmey Archer affair. I think the cable have stretched and a turn of an
allen key will sort it.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The penalty is that the wheel will take a little longer to change if you
get a rear puncture.

I can live with that.

Worth practicing at home as it is a bit of a bugger. The tyres are thick
kevlar so should minimise p*******s.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hub brakes are excellent if you want low maintenance hassle free brakes. I
think if you live somewhere that is very hilly, or if you use the brakes
an awful lot, that they may get a bit hot and won't brake as well as
alternatives.

*heh* I live in bedford mate, I think that the only place flatter is the
Norfolk Broads and Holland :-)

Quoted message said:

Overall, for a low maintenance general purpose bike its a decent buy.
If its in your price range, and you like the look of it, I'd go for it.

Its within my price range as in I have the money, before seeing it I was
thinking of literally buying a £50 hack. Course, I may be convincing myself
to buy the Subway 8 as it's really taken my fancy, other than those silly
fans to cool the brakes. I'm beginning to the think though a cheapo bike may
be more maintenence in the long run.

I used to buy a £150 - £200 new bike every year, trading in the old one each
time. Compared to the costs of replacing worn out bits and paying for
servicing, it wasn't that bad a way of doing it.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You'll probably want to budget for some mudguards and perhaps a rack to
carry luggage. And lights if using it after dark. Fitting front mudguards
has one very minor pain - the hub brakes slightly interfere with access to
the mudguard eye bolt. One solution is a longer bolt inside a tube, the
tube acts as a spacer to lift the mudguard away from the brake components.

I just forced the SKS P65s to fit and they've stayed on fine.

Quoted message said:

I had also noticed this on google too. I will probably fit mudguards, I
sincerely doubt ill be putting on a rack though.
Thanks though for the very thorough reply, much appreciated.

Not Responding' said to Donegal Paul said:

Quoted message said:

SNIP

Quoted message said:

>Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
>http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18878&type=0&cat=144)
>or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
>http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review, and
it appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as opposed to the
actual bike.

My "initial impressions" are here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/new_bike_first_.html

and some pictures here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bike_pics.html

Of course, this may be the very "one poor review" to which you refer. I
never did get round to writing a proper review - I'll see if I can update
my findings soon.

Nope it wasn't, it was someone else on an online forum that mentioned probs
with the nexus derrailler but mentioned it was probably more to do with
halfrauds.

--
Donegal Paul - On the mend
Maico Letta 247cc - We have the technology.
Zundapp Bella r203 - Watch out for ze Germans!
Bajaj Chetak 125 - Wannabe Vespa
Lambretta Li186 - stripped.
Vespa T5 Millenium - intact
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

in message <[email hidden]>, Donegal Paul

(') said:

Good god, 12000 messages! Right well Im not going through all those!

It's been years since Ive been here, about 5 I think when I used to
have a Muddy Fox Mountain Bike, loved it, sold it. Then got a lovely
raleigh racer, that rusted away in the back garden when I got into
scooters and after I'd sprained my ankle. ( badly too, couldnt use
bike for near on 6 months then it was winter and i woosed out)

However, kids are now learning to ride theirs and seeing as I broke my
kneecap 6 months ago, and the physio says cycling would be very good
excercise to strengthen my quads then I'm on the lookout for a bike.

Now, so far, I'm considering the only bikes Ive seen which are at the
local Halfords. Despite the fact that they seem to have quite a good
range, there are only 2 that I was mildly keen on and they were the
Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at

http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18878&type=0&cat=144)

Quoted message said:

or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at

http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144)

Quoted message said:

So, the thing is, while the apollo is £150 less than the carerra, is
the carerra worth the extra? I note the nexus 8 gear hub thingy and
wonder if its actually any good?
Also it has neither v brakes nor disc brakes but has drum brakes? any
opinions on those?

The Carerra 8 is one of the few Halfords bikes which gets a good rep
here. You get a lot of genuinely useful technology for your money; it's
going to be a lot more reliable and a lot more maintenance free as a
utility bike than anything with deraileurs.

Don't get carried away with the idea that disk brakes are good. They
_are_ good, but only in extreme conditions (meaning: mud). Otherwise,
disks are no better than V brakes, and a bit heavier. The drum brakes
on the Carerra 8 also have a good reputation - heavier, but very low
maintenance and good in wet conditions.

The Apollo, frankly, isn't worth half the price, but the Carerra is a
bargain.

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

;; single speed mountain bikes: for people who cycle on flat mountains.

In news:[email hidden],
Donegal Paul <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Not Responding' said to Donegal Paul said:

Quoted message said:

SNIP

>> Apollo Cafe 2 Mens (spec at
>>

http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18878&type=0&cat=144)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> or the Carerra Subway 8 (spec at
>>

http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=18883&type=0&cat=144)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have to say, with all my googling ive only found one poor review,
and it appears to be more because of Halfrauds ineptitude as
opposed to the actual bike.

My "initial impressions" are here

http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/new_bike_first_.html

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and some pictures here
http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bike_pics.html

Of course, this may be the very "one poor review" to which you
refer. I never did get round to writing a proper review - I'll see
if I can update my findings soon.

Nope it wasn't, it was someone else on an online forum that mentioned
probs with the nexus derrailler but mentioned it was probably more to
do with halfrauds.

I got my Nexus hub gear replaced (for a grand total of £65), but the old one
is repairable, just with bits that would take 3 months to get to the UK.
Something weird went wrong with the cones, and it wobbled on the axle. I've
no idea if it was a manufacturing error or maintenance error, so I swallowed
the loss. The gears themselves work fine on the broken hub, though.

Also, my reporting of this may have thrown a question mark on the
reliability of the hub (I saw Dan Joyce mention he'd heard reports of
failures), so I'd better point out it's not necessarily a black mark on the
hub. Quite probably not in fact.

I don't have a Subway 8, by the way. My bike cost lots more, but came with
approximately the same spec, and in 2003, not this year or last.

A