[muralisk]

Originally Posted by deetee

These days, am totally into cycling. Taking the car out only for family trips and bike is almost lying idle for months.

Nice collection of bikes you have there. And am sure that you its better to cycle around in Hyderabad considering the traffic.

[muralisk]

Originally Posted by beejay

Whats your take on Canondale Guys?

I need a bike to use up here in the mountains. It will be used on tarmac only. However on very steep roads. I need something that would make pedaling kind of easy. I tried a friends cannondale for a week and its quite good.

Which one guys?

What you need a bike with good gear ratios so that climbing is easy and wouldn't hurt your knees. Go in for any hybrid as the slick tires when compared to MTB would also help. Also, go in for the lightest bike.

[deetee]

Originally Posted by beejay

It will be used on tarmac only. However on very steep roads. I need something that would make pedaling kind of easy.

Steep climbs on tarmac is territory of hybrids with rigid fork. Avoid everything with suspension, it just soaks up considerable effort while pedalling uphill.
And coming to brands, above a certain price range, every bike is good and well made- you get what you pay for. The more money you put, smoother and comfortable is the ride. Brand factors only when talking about resale or after sales support (in terms of specific spares ).
Talking about a hybrid with rigid fork the 2013 Schwinn sporterra 3 is very good bike at affordable price point of 26.5k after discount. It costs something like 29k+ but track and trail offers an outright discount of 3400. Hubs are good rollers and bike is well built. Well worth the money you put.

[kumar2007]

Originally Posted by deetee

These days, am totally into cycling. Taking the car out only for family trips and bike is almost lying idle for months.
Built up a nice collection of bikes for different purposes:

Would all be better without

the dork discs
the side stand and the
wheel reflectors

;-)

Also, bike pics need to be taken from the drive train side

[beejay]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Hence as a rule - buy the bike you can almost not afford.

Thats a good rule. and I am almost heading there.

Originally Posted by muralisk

What you need a bike with good gear ratios so that climbing is easy and wouldn't hurt your knees. Go in for any hybrid as the slick tires when compared to MTB would also help. Also, go in for the lightest bike.

Thank you, so I am guessing a thinner tyre warrant better rolling.

Originally Posted by deetee

Steep climbs on tarmac is territory of hybrids with rigid fork. Avoid everything with suspension, it just soaks up considerable effort while pedalling uphill.
And coming to brands, above a certain price range, every bike is good and well made- you get what you pay for. The more money you put, smoother and comfortable is the ride. Brand factors only when talking about resale or after sales support (in terms of specific spares ).
Talking about a hybrid with rigid fork the 2013 Schwinn sporterra 3 is very good bike at affordable price point of 26.5k after discount. It costs something like 29k+ but track and trail offers an outright discount of 3400. Hubs are good rollers and bike is well built. Well worth the money you put.

Thank you for the information, I plan to ride the Sporterra 3 this weekend in Bangalore. I might pick that up.

Also, all you guys what would be a good price to pick up a Nov 12 Cannondale Trail 6 2012 with Disc Brake?

Thanks again.

Benny John

[deetee]

Originally Posted by beejay

Also, all you guys what would be a good price to pick up a Nov 12 Cannondale Trail 6 2012 with Disc Brake?

Thanks again.

Benny John

Cycle prices change everyyear. It would be good idea to check the bill for that bike and knock off 5-10% on that. If ridden and maintained well, a cycle doesn't depreciate in cost. There are few Trail 4s for sale at about 29k on bikeszone classifieds.
But, please, if you are picking up an MTB for road use, don't do it even if its a deal. Cycling is not just about grinding pedals, gasping and sweating on climbs. There is lot more fun in it if done properly.

[abhayshanu]

I am looking for a Cycle for me for in and around 10k. Don't want road types, hybrid or MTB would be great. I saw a few and liked a few but don't really know the brands much. Last I cycled was over 7 years ago(use to cycle to school). Want to get fit and not interested in going to the gym(I have wasted a year's membership money by not going). I know I will cycle as that interests me. I plan to go off-roading (ride in Array Colony) on weekdays and head up to a hill station on weekends.
So I guess that gives my Budget, Likes and usage. As always I look to my T-BHP brethren for the first set of advice.

[nareshov]

@abhayshanu: a btwin rockrider 5.0!
I'd not recommend a bike with shock absorbers (such as the 5.1) at this price range.

[kash_pegasus]

Hello guys, I am a newbie and on the lookout for a cycle to commute to work daily- 10km each way, which is ~ 20-25km per day. I am 6ft tall and looking for an ideal bicycle for my height. I am fitness conscious and a regular marathon runner!

My price range is around 10-12k! I am not concerned about the brand!

As far as I have read- RR 5.0 seems a decent choice! Any suggestions brethren?

[Live To Jive]

What a wonderful thread! I have decided to buy a bicycle to ride to work. I work about 3 Km from home. Now I am confused whether I should buy a road bike or a hybrid. I have shortlisted the following:

ROAD BIKES

Btwin Triban 3 11 2011 Rs.32,999 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...11/Price-India

Giant SCR 2 Rs.36,000 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...-2/Price-India

LA Sovereign 700 C Urbano 18 Speed 2012 Rs.29,400 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...12/Price-India

Schwinn Slicker Rs.33,350 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...er/Price-India

Schwinn Fastback Rs.34,800 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...ck/Price-India

Trek 1.1 Rs.36,370 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en....1/Price-India

HYBRIDS

Bergamont Helix 2.3 Rs.29,000 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...13/Price-India

Bergamont Helix 2.2 Rs.21,400 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en....2/Price-India

Merida CROSSWAY 10 2013 Rs.25,000 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...13/Price-India

Merida Crossway 10V Rs.25,800 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...0v/Price-India

I am about 5'10" and around 85 Kg. Looking for suggestions. Don't want to go any higher in budget as I'm already stretching it too much.

[nareshov]

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

What a wonderful thread! I have decided to buy a bicycle to ride to work. I work about 3 Km from home. Now I am confused whether I should buy a road bike or a hybrid. I have shortlisted the following:

ROAD BIKES

Btwin Triban 3 11 2011 Rs.32,999 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...11/Price-India

Giant SCR 2 Rs.36,000 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...-2/Price-India

-snip-

Schwinn Slicker Rs.33,350 http://www.choosemybicycle.com/in/en...er/Price-India

-snip-

...

I am about 5'10" and around 85 Kg. Looking for suggestions. Don't want to go any higher in budget as I'm already stretching it too much.

Those would be my choices if you ever see yourself riding longer distances (as opposed to shorter sprints/races) in the future.

Order of preference: Slicker > SCR2 > Triban3

Slicker: Best rear-derailleur in this list at an unbeatable price. Also has a CrMoly-steel frame known to absorbs shocks better than the Alu-frames the other bikes have.

SCR2: Best front-derailleur in this list.

Triban3: Over all a neat package; make sure you pick it up at a decathlon outlet for their full warranty (don't know if that website provides it). Geometry not as relaxed as the previous two. But I'd avoid this piece since it's almost two years old (2011)

Try them out at local bike shop before you put down your money!

EDIT: ensure you choose the right size.

[born_free]

Hi Guys

I had planned to get hybrid a bike some two years ago, but could not get a small frame size, for my height/leg length here in Gurgaon and Delhi.

Finally this time I had almost decided to get a MTB(Trek 3700) as it was available in 16 inch size , perfect for me

On paying a casual visit to a shop in Ghittorni, a GT traffic 2.0 2011 model was available at 10% discount. The frame size was 16" which exactly matched my requirements.

http://www.trackandtrail.in/product-details.asp?pid=96


For my use a hybrid was more suitable and my choices were limited due to frame size.

The GT traffic 2.0 2011 has some great components like Shimano Alvio derailleurs and shifter for both front and back gears, and comes with 27 gears.

The final price was coming to 25K and compared to other models like Schwinn, Trek etc, it was more value for money.

Had taken it for 10 Km ride along golf course road and the biggest takeaway is that, at highest gear ratio you do need some serious effort and the bike will pick decent speed.
I was riding casually and managed to get top speed of 32 km/hr and average speed of 18Km/hr . I hope it will become better in coming days.

[Live To Jive]

Originally Posted by nareshov

Those would be my choices if you ever see yourself riding longer distances (as opposed to shorter sprints/races) in the future.

Any particular reason why you only recomended Road Bikes and not Hybrids?

Order of preference: Slicker > SCR2 > Triban3

Ok

Slicker: Best rear-derailleur in this list at an unbeatable price.

SCR2: Best front-derailleur in this list.

Customisation possible?

Also has a CrMoly-steel frame known to absorbs shocks better than the Alu-frames the other bikes have.

I thought Aluminium frames were the default choice.

Triban3: Over all a neat package;

I was quite impressed too.

make sure you pick it up at a decathlon outlet for their full warranty (don't know if that website provides it).

There is no Decathlon outlet in Goa.

Geometry not as relaxed as the previous two.

Can you elaborate please. What effect will it have?

But I'd avoid this piece since it's almost two years old (2011)

Does the bike deteriorate due to prolonged storage in the shop?

Try them out at local bike shop before you put down your money!

Not many choices at the shops in Goa.

EDIT: ensure you choose the right size.

What would be the correct size for my height/weight?

[born_free]

Any particular reason why you only recomended Road Bikes and not Hybrids?

I hope you already read this thread, if not please read it. Trust me I went from MTB to hybrid after lot of reading and thinking.

http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3268

Does the bike deteriorate due to prolonged storage in the shop?

Here is your answer. Me too got a 2011 model. Check the post just before you

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-433386.html

What would be the correct size for my height/weight?

Its easy to calculate theoretically, but do pay visit to showroom.
There are a lot of you tube videos available.

http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-too...izer/road-bike

[nareshov]

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

Any particular reason why you only recomended Road Bikes and not Hybrids?

Couple of reasons: I've seen quite a few who take the "hybrid first, roadbike next" route (including myself). Second, I put myself in your place (a person living in Goa) and imagined cycling about (on a roadbike) in those fantastic scenic routes.
born_free's BZ link is a must read too.

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

Customisation possible?

Should be, as long as parts (shifters, derailleurs, chain) fit in and are upgraded in sync.

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

I thought Aluminium frames were the default choice.

IIRC, low-end alu frames are lighter than low-end steel frames. But shock absorbing capability is better on steels. On a track, weight savings matters, hence the notion of alu-as-the-default.

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

Can you elaborate please. What effect will it have?

Aggressive (i.e. non-relaxed) geometries are not favourable/comfortable off the track (think motoGP?) if you plan on riding long distances (i.e. longer saddle time).

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

Does the bike deteriorate due to prolonged storage in the shop?

born_free's link puts in a few points to consider.
Plus there's the rubber (tyres, tubes) that has aged a bit.
If I had no choice and the pricing were drool-worthy (read: less than its pre-budget hike price) I'd buy it and change the tyres after the first puncture or something.

Originally Posted by Live To Jive

What would be the correct size for my height/weight?

Take a look at CompetitiveCyclist's fit calculator.