Author Topic: Buying a bicycle  (Read 2396 times)

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Offline WilSurf

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Buying a bicycle
« on: May 06, 2014, 09:59:48 AM »
I need another bike after someone stole mine from the train station last week.
In bright daylight, with a camera facing the bikes it was still gone. The chain cut and the only things I have as a reminder is the chain and the helmet.
I wasn't happy, but it is only a bike.
They won't get that far happily as the front brakes are not working (I am left handed and used the pads for the rear), the rear needs to be replaced, the seat is on its last legs and the internal 8-speed gears are slipping.
My intention was to book it in a for a full service, but now I need another bike.

I am after a bike for daily commute. The one I had was a Avanti Discovery 8 with Nexus 8-speed internal gears which was great. But I was missing a gear or 2 at top speed.
Last Saturday I tried an Avanti Inc 2, with 8-speed internal and belt drive.
It didn't feel solid. Maybe because it is so much lighter then the bike I had?

Anyway, are there any bike riders here who can give me some advice?
It seems that an internal gear is the easiest, as you can relocate only the one shifter to the left side of the handlebar.
But is it also easy possible to relocate the rear shifter to the left when having a bike with derailleur?

I saw on the web the Trek FX 7.4 (derailleur), Apollo Trace 45 and 55 (internal), Scott Sub Speed 10 (internal).
Any ideas?
- Rhinomax Scorpion Hybrid
- Lexus LX470 V8, E-locker, ARB Sahara bullbar

Offline chester ver2.0

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Re: Buying a bicycle
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2014, 10:31:17 AM »
Umm why do you need it on the left ......

If you dont need internal i am cummuting on Scott Sportster 30 and it have given me about 3000k of trouble free riding so far
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Offline WilSurf

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Re: Buying a bicycle
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2014, 10:43:13 AM »
Due to a motorbike accident in the previous century  ;D I have lost the use of my right arm and hand.
I can place the right arm on the handlebar and use it as a support, but that's it.
Therefore the controls needs to be on the left.
- Rhinomax Scorpion Hybrid
- Lexus LX470 V8, E-locker, ARB Sahara bullbar

Offline chester ver2.0

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Re: Buying a bicycle
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2014, 10:49:37 AM »
ahh got it

I would look at the new trek commuter range then internal with a kevlar belt system. You would reverse the shifter over it may just then be ass about meaning harder gears on the bottom and the thumb trigger for easier gears on top.

Or you coulg get them to take a usual left shifter and modify without to much trouble
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Offline NewieCamper

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Re: Buying a bicycle
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2014, 02:06:59 PM »
Don't know how you would modify a right hand thumb shifter to go on the left, a grip (twist) shifter could probably be used on the other side though. The  thumb shifter style would end up with the levers on top of the bars, not under like normal. might work, or might not.

If you are looking at a derailleur bike you probably won't get the range of gears just using the rear shifter, however I have converted my MTB to 1x9 speed dropping the front derailleur and it works fine. I lost the lowest gear or two and the highest as well, but the range is suitable for most situations.

Offline WilSurf

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Re: Buying a bicycle
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2014, 02:12:35 PM »
I noticed that there are bikes out there with one gear in the front and 9 or 10 in the rear.
Then a gript shifter would work.
- Rhinomax Scorpion Hybrid
- Lexus LX470 V8, E-locker, ARB Sahara bullbar