Advices needed

Commuting, Day rides, Audax, Incidents, etc.
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petrujenac
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 Oct 2018, 8:23pm

Advices needed

Post by petrujenac »

Good afternoon ladies and gents!
Back in April 2018 I've finally decided to get a bike for short commuting and light shopping around my area. So my first bike was to be a second hand Carrera Subway 2 for £110, medium size. I liked it a lot at first. As my workplace got changed, I tried it to see if I can use it for c2w as well, as it appeared to be the most convenient means of transport at that time... That was a brave decision given the fact that I was totally unfit for 28m per day. Ooohhh my poor muscles! Then it was 26m for one month and 11m for another 2.
As I liked it more and more, after reading some long hours of web content, I've come to the conclusion that I need a new bike. The budget was stretched twice during my research, until I finally ordered a new Norco Search A Tiagra 2018 blue from Evans for £720.
It took me 20 mins of riding to get used to it. It has proved to be a decent bike to ride during this year until two days ago, when a silly driver was turning right through a traffic jam into a courtyard ignoring the fact that there is a busy bike lane next to it. He gave me a short but painful ride that scared me to death and cost me a half bent front wheel and a 10mm wide hole 40mm up the fork end.
We shook our hands and I left with a huge dilemma and £1200 in my bank account. I was looking to get a new Norco but they're out of stock. Then I spent some hours to find a new or used fork. Now that I see it's impossible to get Norco spare parts even on eBay, I'm not that keen to buy Norco anymore. I've spent the whole evening on searching for a new bike that would be an improvement over my smashed Norco. Here's what I see to be the best so far:
https://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-rdx-b ... build.html but I've absolutely no experience in assembling bikes.
What would be the best decision to take? Should I dig more until I find a fork and keep the money for something else? How safe would it be if I'd just buy a new front wheel and use it as it is?
I feel like the best option would be to get a new bike (which one?!) and if possible a new wheel for Norco to be for the poor weather.
Thanks in advance for your advices!

Regards
Peter
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The utility cyclist
Posts: 3607
Joined: 22 Aug 2016, 12:28pm
Location: The first garden city

Re: Advices needed

Post by The utility cyclist »

The crashed frame could have other issues, you'd probably need to get it checked out fully by a professional before getting a fork/wheel.
If you fancy a build, Genesis Croix de Fer 725 steel is a good choice, there's some new XS/S framesets https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genesis-Croi ... -wHUJ_aQ0w if they might fit, but you can pick up a new CdF20 for under £1k.
and again if you're not to tall there's this absolutely lovely looking Kona Wheelhouse 853 at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kona-Wheelho ... Swu1Fdl5fp
medium 853 Genesis CdF https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2019-Genesis ... sGR9b5jFyA
There's loads of excellent mint condition second user bikes out there that get you a lot for your money
GL
PS, if you really want to push the boat out https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/roa ... /hurricane
MikeF
Posts: 4347
Joined: 11 Nov 2012, 9:24am
Location: On the borders of the four South East Counties

Re: Advices needed

Post by MikeF »

petrujenac wrote:We shook our hands and I left with a huge dilemma and £1200 in my bank account.
Did he give you £1200?
"It takes a genius to spot the obvious" - my old physics master.
I don't peddle bikes.
petrujenac
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 Oct 2018, 8:23pm

Re: Advices needed

Post by petrujenac »

MikeF wrote:
petrujenac wrote:We shook our hands and I left with a huge dilemma and £1200 in my bank account.
Did he give you £1200?

Yes, he did.
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