Hybrid 'street' bikes - Edinburgh, Cannondale, ???
Posted by: Top Cat on 08 January 2004
Hi folks.
For my last birthday (one with a zero at the end
) my wife planned to buy me my first new bicycle - and I rather fancied a hybrid, as whilst I've no interest in careering down the side of a mountain, I wouldn't mind being able to trundle along moderate trails and so on.
I quite like the look of two bikes, and I'm seeking suggestions for others to try. What I am looking for is a combination of strength with light weight - not so fussed about having loads of gears or fancy bits.
The two bikes are the Edinburgh Bicycle Co. "Courier 2003" - which is a fairly minimal bike with only a single cog at the front. What I like about it is that it is very light for the money (£250ish), but seems well built at the same time.
The second bike was previously waaaay out of budget, but as it's in the sale I can get a Cannondale Bad-Boy for just over £500. Sure, I know it's twice the price, but I liked it very much when I had a chance to sit on one, and the shop assures me it is by far the better bike. I'd add some of my own money to my wife's to 'upgrade' to this if it proved to be the right bike for me. It's also lighter than the 'Courier' and has the extra cogs at the front.
The thing is, that's only two bikes out of a lot of choice. I don't know that much about modern bikes, having been brought up on a diet of Raleigh Grifters with broken Sturmey Archer gearsets (always stuck in top, remember?) which seemed to be constructed of a nice Osmium and Lead frame with all the hill-climb capability of a double decker bus.
So, does anyone know anything about these two bikes, or have suggestions for others? I'm neither interested in racers or pure mountain bikes, as I've already given a lot of thought to the hybrid idea, but other than that and a nominal budget of £300 (or more if I add my own cash), I'm open to suggestions.
There seem to be lots of pedal-types about here, so maybe someone can advise?
John
TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."
For my last birthday (one with a zero at the end
) my wife planned to buy me my first new bicycle - and I rather fancied a hybrid, as whilst I've no interest in careering down the side of a mountain, I wouldn't mind being able to trundle along moderate trails and so on.I quite like the look of two bikes, and I'm seeking suggestions for others to try. What I am looking for is a combination of strength with light weight - not so fussed about having loads of gears or fancy bits.
The two bikes are the Edinburgh Bicycle Co. "Courier 2003" - which is a fairly minimal bike with only a single cog at the front. What I like about it is that it is very light for the money (£250ish), but seems well built at the same time.
The second bike was previously waaaay out of budget, but as it's in the sale I can get a Cannondale Bad-Boy for just over £500. Sure, I know it's twice the price, but I liked it very much when I had a chance to sit on one, and the shop assures me it is by far the better bike. I'd add some of my own money to my wife's to 'upgrade' to this if it proved to be the right bike for me. It's also lighter than the 'Courier' and has the extra cogs at the front.
The thing is, that's only two bikes out of a lot of choice. I don't know that much about modern bikes, having been brought up on a diet of Raleigh Grifters with broken Sturmey Archer gearsets (always stuck in top, remember?) which seemed to be constructed of a nice Osmium and Lead frame with all the hill-climb capability of a double decker bus.
So, does anyone know anything about these two bikes, or have suggestions for others? I'm neither interested in racers or pure mountain bikes, as I've already given a lot of thought to the hybrid idea, but other than that and a nominal budget of £300 (or more if I add my own cash), I'm open to suggestions.
There seem to be lots of pedal-types about here, so maybe someone can advise?
John
TC '..'
"Sun went down in honey. Moon came up in wine. Stars were spinnin' dizzy, Lord, the band kept us so busy we forgot about the time."