Recommend a Bike to Me (Road/Hybrid €600 - €800)

discombobulate

Ok so i'm going to go with the bike to work scheme and pick myself up some new wheels. I currently have the older model of the Lapierre RCR 100 http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/lapierre/fitness-bike/2009/RCR-100-1;jsessionid=2AE9659F011053F23465E4CFA3A6D9C7

I'm unsure whether to go for a similar shaped bike i.e. flat handle bars or a racer style.

So what the bike would be used for:
Getting to work which would be a short enough trip of between 2 and 8km depending where i'm based. I'd also use it for general "knocking about" cycling into town (about 3km) etc.

I'd also use it then the odd weekend for trips of up to maybe 70km. I was thinking maybe the RCR 500 as an upgrade but can't see it anywhere and was wondering what people would recommend. Probably look to spend around the €700 mark.

Also are there much savings to be had buying bikes online instead of instore and what would be the best sites to check out?

discombobulate

Ok so i've put together a few i've just had a quick look at over lunch but know nothing about the quality of the etc. so advice would be great!

Lapierre Shaper 300
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=30983

Lapierre Shaper 500
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=30992

Lapierre All Elements Wood Bike
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=31108

Cube Curve
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=32046

Cube SL Cross Comp Bike
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=32279

Cube Ltd CLS Pro Bike
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=32079

DirkVoodoo

Hybrids are hybrids, they really tend to vary from being more road oriented to being more MTB.

Seeing as what you want it for is extremely short range commuting, I would go with the cheapest. However, all those bikes are from CSS, so the best advise would be march yourself in there and ask to be shown all of them. Get up on them, ride them around the car park and pick the one that feels right.

The most important thing is getting a good lock. Any of those bikes will be fine for around town, but each of them is likely to get nicked.

Buy a kryptonite, big yellow one. If you skimp on the lock, I can guarantee you will be back here by the end of the summer asking has anyone seen your brand new lapierre/cube.

Stay away from the last bike! You should only be looking at rigid forks and narrow slick tyres. No, the bike is not fragile, it can take a few bumps, you don't need suspension.

discombobulate

And how would some say this bike with front suspension compare to the next one I have here without in terms of both speed and comfort both for a short or long trip?
Cube Curve
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/p...dproduct=32046

Cube SL Cross Comp Bike
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=32&idproduct=32279

Also how do cycle superstore fair in comparrison to other shops around town in terms of price and other online retaillers also?

discombobulate

Also the bike will generally be locked to a pole on the street during the day when i'm in work. From the range avaiable here what would you go for as they don't have the kryptonite your talking about. Bike always indoors at night.

This is my current lock I think

Bluefoam

Suspension on a road bike is a waste of money - its not needed and will proved little extra comfort.

It also saps your energy as you pedal - so the negatives far outweigh the positives.

discombobulate

Bluefoam wrote: »

Suspension on a road bike is a waste of money - its not needed and will proved little extra comfort.

It also saps your energy as you pedal - so the negatives far outweigh the positives.

Thats enough for me. Do find there are some serious bumps on the road around the city though and a little afraid going over some of them. The two speed ramps beside the Esso in Rathmines up towards Kenilworth being a prime example!

discombobulate

This the lock you were talking about?
http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/KRIPTONITE_FAHGGTTABOUDIT.aspx

Lumen

discombobulate wrote: »

This the lock you were talking about?
http://www.thinkbike.ie/bike_shop/KRIPTONITE_FAHGGTTABOUDIT.aspx

Cheaper here.

discombobulate

Lumen wrote: »

Cheaper here.

Now theres a place I never thought of looking for the bikes! Must have a root around amazon now and see what their like for them. No issue with buying off the internet in work I was told anyway

discombobulate

Anyone tell me if theres much difference between these 2 bikes please?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giant-TCR-Compact-Frame-size/dp/B0013HM4ZS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1275591148&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/GIANT-white-yellow-black-Frame/dp/B0031J2KXM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1275591148&sr=1-5