Here she is.
[img]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_8HHNYVugsMw/TbvanT0tbhI/AAAAAAAAEEw/h5Fet1S6iRk/s640/29042011026.jpg[/img][img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_8HHNYVugsMw/Tbvaf9aOfdI/AAAAAAAAEEg/9TgdYPOH57Y/s640/29042011025.jpg[/img]

I’m sure it’s a nice ride but looks too plain and boring.
Get some bling on there. Oh and lose the reflectors 🙂

Review? Good bad points you’ve discovered so far? How is the rear hub.
(Trying my hardest not to buy something like this for commuting to my summer job)

OK a quick initial review.

Context first: My oldest MTB, circa 1995, which I was using as a rat/commuter/freeroad bike, came to the end of its useful life – knackered BB seized in frame. I wanted a solid feeling big wheeler, not a racy bike as I don’t like drops much. This is currently a bargain on wiggle (2010 edition) at £329.

1. It’s tange prestige steel gas-pipe with a Nexus hub, so it’s not a light skippy bike. You feel the weight a little on draggy climbs

2. it’s stiff so sprints really well, esp with the bar-ends on.

3. I’m 5′ 11″ and the medium frame feels a little small but by moving the saddle back, flipping the stem and bar-ends, it feels good. I may try a 120mm stem as the supplied stem is only 80/90mm

4. It rolls lovely on the flat and when you pedal it up to speed it veritably barrels along – an unstoppable feeling that shrugs off broken tarmac, potholes and gravel. It’s extremely stable and confident feeling when breaking speed limits 🙂 I guess that’s the stiffness and the steel aspect.

5. The Nexus seems to just work without fuss – the grip shift is bearable. Some clunkyness and a large step between 4/5 but not a problem when you know it’s coming. At the moment, I fear a puncture as I have not yet worked out how to get the back wheel out with the Nexus connected. Some garage time needed.

So there it is: A pretty, retro-moderne road bike that feels like riding a mountain bike.

Ta for that. Will look into it a bit more, but as you say it is a bargain at that price!

Oh look, a mid-range hybrid.

Oooooh, catty!

Can you give me the details of those bar-ends? I am about to buy a Tap and they look very good on it.

They are Giant composite “Contact” bar ends. At £40, somewhat spendy, but worth the comfort.

Winstanley Bikes

BTW. I fitted a 120mm stem from my spares box, flipped down, and it’s improved the fit.

“Oh look, a mid-range hybrid”

A pretty accurate description. I’m clearly not inspired by vanity bikes: I also own a Giant and a Boardman!

Wanna buy some CX tyres?

Wanna buy some CX tyres?

I won’t be riding this bike off road 😉