new bike needed - what shall I get?

[ms pepperpot]

hello, another newbie hear asking for advice about a bike.

I've been cycling a bit over the past year or so, but this summer I've been cycling most days (basically commuting) and am now verging on obsessed. This has made me hanker after a new bike. I had a comfy upright schwinn leisure hybrid thingy. It was really good to introduce me to cycling and help me gain my confidence, but then I started to find it heavy, clunky, slow and rather frustrating.

Anyway, I've been tempted by a new bike for a month or so, then yesterday tragedy struck and my bike was stolen. Well every cloud has a silver lining etc. Now a new bike is not just a desire but a necessity, the question is what?

What I want is something that's faster and lighter than i had before but relatively comfy and can carry lots (i use it for doing my general shopping and sometimes for weekends away). I'd like something with different hand positions, as i've felt i needed that when doing some longer trips this summer. I was thinking a tourer would be good, even though i won't necessarily be doing much touring (for now).

The problem I've had so far is when I've had a chat to people in a few bike shops they look at me as if I'm mad when I suggest a tourer and just ask if i'm planning on touring. When I say not much they just try and steer me in the direction of hybrids or road bikes, which instinctively i don't feel are right. I'm in the UK and I think touring is a relative minority thing hear these days, and hence lots of bike shops don't sell touring bikes much. Some even look rather blank when I mention them, and clearly know less than i have gleaned from a bit of an internet search (and browse of these forums of course)

The bikes I've been looking at so far (and tempted by in theory) by are a surly cross check or a Dawes galaxy or horizon. Over here it's generally only possible to get surly frames and then build them up. Helpfully my rather fantastic LBS sells them and builds them, so I will go and have a chat with them anyway. I'm a bit concerned about whether it would be a bit heavy. I've thought about the LHT, but i'm only 5' 1" and would need a smaller frame, so less wheel choice.

The cross check appeals because of it's general description of a bit of a "do everything bike" which pretty much sums up what i want. I also am rather seduced by the idea of having a bike built exactly how I'd like it, rather than buying off the peg and wanting to change things (but probably not getting round to it).

I've seen lots of other people riding Dawes when I've been out and about and they look like what I want, unfortunately I've only seen men riding them and I'm not sure if they come in a size to fit me.

anyway, sorry for the long ramblyness of this. any thoughts or advice would be great.

[Blueberry]

I have a Surly Cross Check and love it. It's about 26 pounds, and compared to my true touring bike, feels light. I've never had a rack on mine, so I can't speak to that. However, another owner mentioned to me that the bike was a bit "noodley" under heavy load. I bet your LBS can get the Surly complete bikes if they can get the frames. But, I can certainly understand the desire to choose parts. I bought mine used, and it was built almost as I would have built one, so it was a good deal. They are sweet bikes

CA

PS - Do you have a lock plan for the new bike??

[Kalidurga]

If you haven't already, check out Cycling Plus UK magazine (here's their affiliated website). I subscribed to it last year and it's a great magazine with lots of beautiful riding routes and informative bike/gear reviews. According to them, touring's actually pretty big in the British Isles.

I'm sure you'll get lots of votes for the Cross Check. I love my Specialized 'cross bike, but I've been considering a Cross Check as a new bike for the same reason that you're considering it. And there are several folks here who ride them and love 'em. It does seem to be a great choice for an all 'round, be-whatever-you-want-it-to-be bike.

Though I wish it came in more colors than black and pale grey...

[ms pepperpot]

I bet your LBS can get the Surly complete bikes if they can get the frames.

PS - Do you have a lock plan for the new bike??

I'm in the UK and apparently there's some reason to do with tax/import duties which means it's really hard to get complete surly bikes here. i'm not sure why though.

I definiltey have a plan for a better lock. it wasn't possible to fit a D-lock to the frame of my old bike, so i didn't always take one with me. fortunately my old bike was pretty cheap anyway.

[ms pepperpot]

According to them, touring's actually pretty big in the British Isles. .

I think there may be lots of people who do tour (including this http://www.pedallingaround.com/start/ for an ultimate example - there was a really good 4 part documentary on the BBC a couple of weeks ago, worth seeing if you can find it), but it's quite a niche interest and a lot of people who tour are still riding the same Dawes they've had for 10+ years. Certainly in london bike shops are mainly focused on commuters, so mostly hybrids with some road and mountain bikes. The UK is a pretty bike-unfriendly place.

[Blueberry]

I'm in the UK and apparently there's some reason to do with tax/import duties which means it's really hard to get complete surly bikes here. i'm not sure why though.

I definiltey have a plan for a better lock. it wasn't possible to fit a D-lock to the frame of my old bike, so i didn't always take one with me. fortunately my old bike was pretty cheap anyway.

Ah - Didn't realize it was taxes/import duties. Makes sense

I'm glad you have a plan - just had to check I use a mini U lock and a cable lock with the theory that most thieves don't carry tools to cut both. Not sure how well that holds true, as my bikes are never locked for very long or in really high theft areas.

I've heard London is bad about theft....

CA

[KnottedYet]

I have a Surly Cross Check and love it. It's about 26 pounds, and compared to my true touring bike, feels light. I've never had a rack on mine, so I can't speak to that. However, another owner mentioned to me that the bike was a bit "noodley" under heavy load.

I had my Surly Cross Check loaded to the gills with groceries (both rear panniers) and was stunned by how steady and spry it was under full load. It handled just gorgeously. But I wasn't going more than about 18 mph on the grocery trip. Not sure how it does at higher speeds and full loads.

[ms pepperpot]

well, I'm now even more confused. I've just got back from the bike shop. It seems that the cross-check is probably too big for me. The 46 frame was too big. Unfortunately they didn't have a 42 in stock, which may be ok, but there's a possibility that the geometry would mean it's still wouldn't fit that well.

But, they had 42 and 46 LHT frames in, which both fitted (a pity there's not a 44). I had discounted the idea of the LHT, partly because of it only having 26" tyres in smaller frames and I wasn't sure I wanted to go for a full touring option. now it seems that it may be a better bike for me (plus better colours).

any thoughts?

[Blueberry]

My only concern would be the lack of really narrow tires for 26" wheels. I think 32c is about as narrow as you'll get. If wider tires don't bother you (they will give you a better ride on rough streets), then I'd go for the LHT. Lots of folks to brevets and other really long rides on them, so they can't be that slow/heavy

The Cross Check does have a very long top tube for the frame size (as do most cross bikes).

CA

[sfa]

I only ride a touring bike, so I can't offer much comparison, but the reason it's my only bike (for now, I keep saying) is because I was doing the same search as you about four months ago--riding a clunky hybrid and wanting something that handled better and was more comfortable, but was good for my commute. Doing the research and shopping around, I kept coming back to touring bikes which really do kinda do everything. So instead of buying new, I refurbished my old bike. If I *had* bought a new bike, it would have been the LHT.

But here's the thing--it's definitely comfy and can carry lots, but I don't know about faster and lighter. It certainly seems faster and lighter to me, but I think that's probably because it's just designed better. I think if I hopped on a sexy road bike I'd realize that my bike is still pretty heavy and slow. OTOH, when I think about replacing it with something lighter, I then think "well, if I want to stop dragging around an extra ten pounds I can lose some weight off my BODY first." And then I load on some new fenders and a rear basket and wonder why I'm worrying about weight at all.

Did you get a chance to ride the LHT? See how it feels to ride it and then decide if it's enough faster/lighter to suit you. I wouldn't worry too much about the 26" wheels--I don't know that makes any significant difference in the ride.

Sarah

[ms pepperpot]

I've heard that's the problem with 26" wheels, and generally less choice on tyres. I have to say I'm a bit clueless on this though. I don't think i'd want super skinny tyres, but still ones that are relatively fast. I'm guessing the tyre itself will determine that too.

The bike shop has frames in both sizes, but none built up as a bike. I'm going to ask them if they will make one up for me to try out.

[ilima]

Sounds like what you want is an Audax bike. Not quite the slug that a tourer is. Plus, I think you'd be more likely to find an actual Audax bike in the UK than the states.

[luvmypwds]

Have you looked at Thorn?? They're made in the UK and look like amazing bikes!

[ms pepperpot]

I don't really know much about thorns other than they seem quite expensive. I haven't found any bike shops locally that stock them.

I'm not sure about audaxes. Are they ok when loaded? As that's one of my priorities. Also, are there any particular audax bikes anyone can recommend which come in a small enough size?

[ms pepperpot]

well the very nice bike shop have said they'll build up a LHT for me to try first - so fingers crossed that i love it or else find something else that's perfect.