[gavstephenson]

Hi all,

Hope everybody is well.

There may have been a better sub-forum to publish this thread, but I wasn't sure, so sorry about that.

I would just like to ask if anyone has any advice. I want to buy a hybrid or sport city (sorry, I find they are called different names in different shops) for under £300. Any suggestions?

The Dawes Discovery 201 and 301 look good, but I don't really know what I'm talking about.

Thanks!

Gav

 

[stinkyboy]

konaworld.com

 

[Wumpus]

Check out the Jamis Coda -- Steel, road wheels(700c) and flat bars.

 

[sanjuro]

I should point out this is a primarily American/Canadian bike site. Dawes is not distributed in America, and many of the bikes we would suggest might not be as available.

 

[BigMike]

Check out the Jamis Coda -- Steel, road wheels(700c) and flat bars.

I second That!

 

[gavstephenson]

Thanks for all your help guys, keep 'em coming.

I take into account that this is a US based bike forum, thanks.

I also posted on a UK site. Here's what they came up with:

Saracen Hyroad:

http://www.bikinmotion.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=551&osCsid=e279715101da46db2cc3541967b482b3

Scott Sportster P5:

http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=7548

and Marin Larkspur:

http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2005/html/bikes/bike_specs/specs_larkspur.html

What do you think of those? All comments are much appreciated. It all helps to widen my knowledge.

Thanks ever so much!

 

[Changleen]

For purely fashion reasons, I'd stay away from the Saracen and the Dawes.

Personally those Konas look pretty nice to me. Very clean looking.

 

[gavstephenson]

Are the Saracen and the Dawes are well made bikes though? I wasn't keen on the look of the Saracen, but if it is a good deal i would think about it.

I would say that fashion is not important to me in this instance - just want a good quality bike for my money.

 

[Changleen]

Dawes used to have a good reputation for quality builds, Saracen not so much. Saracen are a jumped-up 'Argos' brand. Dawes are a very old brand who built bikes long before mountain biking was even thought of. Out of the two I'd pick Dawes any day of the week.

 

[Changleen]

The forks on the Saracen and the Scott you posted are a joke. IMO you'll be better off buying a nicer rigid bike in the price range you're talking about. The components will be better and last longer.

Of those three you posted I'd choose the Marin, but I still like the Konas SB posted above. They should be easily available in the UK.

 

[gavstephenson]

yeah, and i've found the Kona Smoke on offer over here in the UK.

It's £219 ($380 US, $525 AUS dollers).

Says the forks are "Kona Project Two fork"

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=5268

 

[Changleen]

Project Twos are awesome!

 

[gavstephenson]

So from what people are saying/recommending it gives the impression that (in this price range at least) forks without suspension are better than those with suspension. Have I got this correct (generally speaking)?

I've checked out the Jamis Coda and i really like the look of it. Have a feeling I would find it hard to come by in the UK though.

 

[Changleen]

So from what people are saying/recommending it gives the impression that (in this price range at least) forks without suspension are better than those with suspension. Have I got this correct (generally speaking)?

Yes.

I've checked out the Jamis Coda and i really like the look of it. Have a feeling I would find it hard to come by in the UK though.

Ask Google.

 

[Wumpus]

I've checked out the Jamis Coda and i really like the look of it. Have a feeling I would find it hard to come by in the UK though.

Planning a trip to Switzerland soon???

 

[gavstephenson]

It doesn't seem I can have a bash on the Jamis Coda in the UK. Yeah, maybe I should book a skiing holiday!

I found a bike shop quite close to where I live that stocks the Kona Smoke, so I'm going to give that a go, I think.

 

[gavstephenson]

Here's the Dawes Discovery 201 I was looking at:

"Chromo Fork". Sounds pretty simple.

http://www.dawescycles.com/dawes/discovery201.htm

 

[gavstephenson]

Check out the Jamis Coda -- Steel, road wheels(700c) and flat bars.

In contrast the Kona Smoke has:

Wheels: Formula hubs. Alex Z1000 rims
Tyres: Tioga City Slicker 26 x 2.125 inch tyres

How does this compare?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441772523&FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302693841

Forgive me and my previous few posts - I'm more or less just thinking out loud now!

 

[gavstephenson]

I wonder, is the Carrera Subway range worth a mention?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=201397&categoryId=52208&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=52208&crumb=33980&varient=&CarSelectorCatalogId=&CarSelectorGroupId=

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=201145&categoryId=52208&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=52208&crumb=33980&varient=&CarSelectorCatalogId=&CarSelectorGroupId=#