Which is the better bike?

Which bike is better?

• I'm trying to choose a bike for commuting to work and for leisure i.e. park. It's my first time purchasing a bike, and I would also need to learn to ride it as I don't know how at the moment. I do plan to practise in a park before hitting the roads. Anyway I'm trying to decide which bike to go for, either a Carrera Subway Ladies Limited Edition Hybrid bike 2012 or the Dawes Ladies XC1.1 Ladies mountain bike. Which is better people? Any thoughts on the brand most welcome!

• Answer:

  The bikes are very similar, but here are some of the differences. The Dawes has a suspension shock in the front, which will make bumps smoother. The tires are currently mountain bike, which will give you more traction on dirt and grass, and will probably be more stable when you are first learning how to ride. The Hybrid bike has a heavy lean toward mountain bike. While the tires are technically "slicks", they are very thick. This will help make the bike more stable, but will also make the bike harder to pedal. However, all tires can be changed easily, so this should not be the reason not to buy a bike. However, this bike is basically a mountain bike that had the tires changed to wide, slike tires. A true hybrid bike will have thinner tires. You may want to look into a "cruiser" bike. They typically have a more upright position and combine comfort with control. Many of them also come with baskets or other communting equipment already installed. This will come in handy when you start commuting. On the flip side, mountain bikes are built for riding trails. They have a more aggresive seating position compared to a "cruiser" that provides power. Since you plan on communting and riding in parks, I would look into something more comfortable for your first bike so that you are less likely to stop riding because it is not fun. Enjoy!