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Can you recommend a good bike for me?

Can anyone recommend a good commuting bike?

  • I need to buy a new bike this week, I currently have an old Peugeot road bike that I love but it’s almost 20 years old and not really worth repairing. I’ve tried a few hybrids out but have found that I don’t like the high position. Road bikes on the other hand are great but most only have the drop-down handle bars as opposed to the upright ones which I much prefer. I’ve been looking at the Giant FCR 3 (£350) which seems like a good compromise. Has anyone got one of these bikes – are they any good, or perhaps you can recommend something else? I’m commuting 90 miles a week and my budget is not huge, between £300 - £400. Help!

  • Answer:

    I use the Jamis Coda Comp - it's basically a performace flat-bar road bike. In your price range you could look at the Jamis Coda and Coda Sport. Note - these are steel-frame bikes, which may affect your decision. (The FCR is aluminum.) I was considering the FCR when I was looking at purchasing my bike, but I did not like it as much as the Trek FX 7.2 or 7.3 bikes (or, obviously, the bike I purchased). There is a difference in the grade of components you get with the FCR to comperablyly-priced bikes elsewhere (The FCR 3 comes with the Altus real derailleur, while the Trek Bikes come with higher-level shimano components.) I found the FCR shifting to be "squishy" compared to other bikes in the same price range from Trek and Jamis.

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The specs on the FCR3 and its pricepoint look like a good match. I liked my Marin San Raphael ("city" bike), but the position was fairly high even though the bars were flat. When I bought the Marin, I had been away from biking for quite a while. During the first six months, I gradually lowered the bars until they were as low as the stock stem would allow. I was considering a lower rise stem, but I changed my riding style and got a road bike instead. Maybe moustaache bars would be a good opion for you...multiple riding positions at various heights. If you really like your current bike and the frame is in great shape, you can probably rejuvinate your Peugeot very nicely for less than the same pricetag by buying takeoffs and slightly used components.

dave13

Specialized's City or Globe are really great

Fred M

Raleigh Passage 6.0, or Raleigh Commute series.

baldisempire

If I am in England I will definitely check Raleigh bicycles , in EU - England or Germany you can get top of the line trecking Raleigh bicycle suitable for commuting and touring with quaility components for really good price . It is bad that Raleigh in USA or Canada carry just mid range or bottom line of bikes . Check Raleigh site - Germany and forget the Giant , anyway try to buy on sale , it start all ready . PS . Also check Dutch made Gazelle , some bike have derailers and is fully equipt for commuting . Wish you good luck .

Vladimir

A while ago someone else picked up a FCR (which model I can't remember) and was very happy with it. I check it out on the Giant site and I think it fit's your needs, right between a road and hybrid.

M R

Although I haven't ridden the model you mention, If its what you like go for it! I must confess a secret admiration of Giant as I think they make good bikes for the price. Put it this way, they dont sell crap bikes! Hope this helps.

onlyme Mr G

not seen model you mention but why dont you just change drop bars for ones you prefer

It's me :)

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