Best bang-for-buck flat bar bike

The Red Baron

Hi all

I haven't had a bike since i was 16, a good 7 years ago now and need some help.

I'm looking riding to and from work, mostly for fitness and bit of cross training for footy. The ride will be around the 25km mark to Perth city.

Down the track i'd like to get a decent road bike, but think I better wait til I do a bit of learning.

I have looked at the Gaint CRX series and the Avanti Blade series. I have read on here Felt and Specialized also do a flat bar bike.

I don't want to spend too much cause I know down the track sooner rather than later i'll want to upgrade. Any advice on what I should start on would be fantastic.

cheers

Dan

gclark8

Dan,

I saw a nice Red 50cm CRX in Runners World, Fitzgerald St Northbridge, today.

(Sorry, you can't have my Felt )

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Cheers,
George.

The Red Baron

I've just looked at a few Felt's on the net then. Nice looking bikes.

Did see a red CRX3 at Innercity Cycles (think that is what its called) in Perth, just around the corner from work.

gclark8

If you have time at lunchtime, take a walk over the line, Runners is just off Roe Steet, they have lots of Felt, Cevello and Giant bikes. I get the bus from the Wellington St Bus Station, 15/19 etc, if I'm in a hurry.

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Cheers,
George.

artemidorus

Get a second hand drop bar bike now rather than later if you're thinking of it - you can learn just as well on an ordinary road bike. Remember that fit is much more important than brand or model.

thomas_cho

I second that , fit is far more important. The main difference between the flat bars, and the road bike is the frame geometries. Broadly speaking, flat bars give a more upright riding position, and the drop bars a more aero (aggressive) position.

I like second hand things, but if you are not sure of what will fit you, the second hand path might end up costing you more money than going to a bike shop , getting good advice, and buying a new bike that fits your needs.

offtheleash

i was recently looking for a flat bar also. there is a brand getting around called VIVENTE, should check them out????

The Red Baron

Okay i'm almost there, hopefully be up and running for the start of 2006.

Looks like Christmas has come at a good time seeing i'll be needing a few little things.

Hopefully will also be able to rent a secure bike locker in the building I work soon, they are in very high demand with a waiting list.

I have been impressed by the Giant CRX series. Only decission left is to whether go with the CRX4 or pay the extra and go the CRX3.

Is the price difference worth it in the upgraded components in the CRX3?

cheers
Dan

gclark8

Yes the CRX 3 is worth the more $$, it has road components where the CRX 4 has cheap MTB Cranks, Derailleurs, Shifters, Levers. The overall gearing on the CRX3 is higher.
Do a price check with Fleets, Wellington ST and Runners World Tri Shop, Fitzgerald St, tell Phil@RW I sent you, there may be a special to be had here.

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Cheers,
George.

The Red Baron

Cheers, i'll try get down there at lunch time. Although the weather is look pretty bad at the moment.

The CRX 3 sounds like it will get the job done better than the CRX 4.

Thanks for you help.

Dan

The Red Baron

Well I didn't manage to get a bike for Christmas but I did get to Fleets, Runners World, Bike Force Woodvale and Scarborough Cycles over the last few days.

I took a Diamondback, Avanti Blade Sport, 2005 Merida Speeder T2 and CRX3 for a ride. Diamondback didnt impress me at all. Merida was alot better than the Diamondback. The Avanti and CRX were pretty hard to split, both felt very good.

While I was there I thought why not give the black CRX2 a go, with the Tiagra, Shimano R500 wheels and Clipless pedals over the CRX3.

I've done a search but can't seem to find the advantages of the Composite Fork and Compact Cranks?

cheers
Dan

Moff23

I've had a giant CRX2 since March this year for mainly commuting purposes 20k each way, 2-3 times a week. No problems to date been very happy with my purchase. Never used clipless pedals before but worth considering as they make a difference. Handles well and comfortable on longer rides for me 50-60kms.


Happy purchase
Alex

robalert

i've had a CRX1 for about 6mths now and covered around 1000kms... very happy with the bike

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Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

artemidorus

Composite fork: lighter, possibly slightly more damping of high frequency vibrations, but not so much that the average rider would notice. Disadvantage: probably removes the option of an upper attachment bolt for lowrider pannier racks, which are highly desirable for touring.
Compact cranks: lower gear ratios than a standard road double, but not quite as low as a triple. Apparently, slightly less precise front shifting due to the FD not being designed for this configuration. You lose those gears that you would only use pedalling down hills or going hard in a bunch. These cranks are better suited for the average rider than a standard road double, dare I say.