Which bike is best?
April 3, 2022 11:18 PM Subscribe
I've had a Bridgestone XO-3 hybrid bike for about 15 years. I found it at a nonprofit bike repair shop. Liked it but didn't know what it was until after I got it tuned up and was told by the store that they and their steel frames, were rare. I've since ridden it a few times and have gotten it periodically tuned up and touched up. It looks great.
I am also thinking about getting another bike, a Brevia by Forge. It is about 25 years newer than the Bridgestone. I really like the way it looks, though because it was sold by Target, it's gotten bad reviews. I've ridden it and it is smoother, lighter and faster hybrid than the XO-3. But is it made as well? Are the materials as good? Both use Shimano derailleurs but there is that two decade technology difference. What's more important; which ride I like best. or which is the superiorly made bike? I don't need two bikes, but although their rides are different, it would be nice to occasionally switch off between them. Thoughts please.
I am also thinking about getting another bike, a Brevia by Forge. It is about 25 years newer than the Bridgestone. I really like the way it looks, though because it was sold by Target, it's gotten bad reviews. I've ridden it and it is smoother, lighter and faster hybrid than the XO-3. But is it made as well? Are the materials as good? Both use Shimano derailleurs but there is that two decade technology difference. What's more important; which ride I like best. or which is the superiorly made bike? I don't need two bikes, but although their rides are different, it would be nice to occasionally switch off between them. Thoughts please.
If you're going to go for a modern bike, don't pick the first one you find. Aluminium framed bikes are much lighter, and it does make a difference, but if you shop around you'll find out if you like *that* bike or just a *modern* bike.
Shimano make lots of different gears at lots of price/quality points, so yes, while it has Shimano kit it doesn't necessarily mean much.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 12:28 AM on April 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
Shimano make lots of different gears at lots of price/quality points, so yes, while it has Shimano kit it doesn't necessarily mean much.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 12:28 AM on April 4, 2022 [5 favorites]
The frame of the Bridgestone is almost certainly better made and more durable, but if the components haven’t been updated during its lifetime (or even since you got it) I could imagine that there is some room for improvement there. In your shoes, I would bring the XO-3 to my local bike shop and see what kind of upgrades to the drivetrain, brakes or wheels would be possible.
If upgrades aren’t within your budget, well… I’ve always thought that the best bike is the one you like, regardless of what it “should” be. I looked up the Forge Breva briefly and it seems to at least have a real, if entry level, spec (Shimano Tourney, Tektro v-brakes). If you’re just looking for a way to get around/get some exercise and not a whole new hobby, maybe you could sell the your current bike to an enthusiast who would be thrilled to overhaul it or ride it as is, and get a more modern, well fitting entry level bike with the proceeds?
posted by btfreek at 12:32 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
If upgrades aren’t within your budget, well… I’ve always thought that the best bike is the one you like, regardless of what it “should” be. I looked up the Forge Breva briefly and it seems to at least have a real, if entry level, spec (Shimano Tourney, Tektro v-brakes). If you’re just looking for a way to get around/get some exercise and not a whole new hobby, maybe you could sell the your current bike to an enthusiast who would be thrilled to overhaul it or ride it as is, and get a more modern, well fitting entry level bike with the proceeds?
posted by btfreek at 12:32 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
Like How much is that froggie in the window, I get the impression that you might be jumping the gun a bit. Some information about what kind of riding (typical distances, on/off-road, etc) you'd like to do, and how much you'd like to spend, would be helpful. Frame size will be more important than steel vs. aluminum, old vs. new, etc.
The Breva doesn't look like a bad bike, though Google isn't turning up much detailed information about it. They seem to have been made with Tourney derailleurs, Altus shifters, Tektro V-brakes, no-name crank and saddle. A weight of 29# is cited in a few places, which is heavy for an aluminum-framed bike that doesn't have a suspension fork. The weight makes me think that they didn't use butted tubing, and that in turn leads me to wonder if the ride won't be rather harsh. It's certainly miles ahead of the budget department-store bikes of my 1980's youth. But really, the question of which bike is "best" is meaningless without knowing more about you, your budget, and the intended use.
posted by jon1270 at 5:03 AM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
The Breva doesn't look like a bad bike, though Google isn't turning up much detailed information about it. They seem to have been made with Tourney derailleurs, Altus shifters, Tektro V-brakes, no-name crank and saddle. A weight of 29# is cited in a few places, which is heavy for an aluminum-framed bike that doesn't have a suspension fork. The weight makes me think that they didn't use butted tubing, and that in turn leads me to wonder if the ride won't be rather harsh. It's certainly miles ahead of the budget department-store bikes of my 1980's youth. But really, the question of which bike is "best" is meaningless without knowing more about you, your budget, and the intended use.
posted by jon1270 at 5:03 AM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
Jon1270 said a lot of what I was going to, but had to get coffee first. The best bike is one that fits you, is suited to the riding you want to do, and is within your budget. That might be a used bike, it might be new.
As a person who works in a bike shop, and who sees what is sold in box stores, I recommend a bike store brand. Box store bikes not built by actual mechanics, are not built with quality components, and generally will not last more than a year or two.
If you are looking for something used, try to look at it in person and look critically at the wear on the drivetrain. Are there scuffs on the outside bits? Do the wheels spin well? Can a person who knows bikes check it out with you?
I find the old steel frames to be really smooth and supple, but if you want something lighter or more responsive, you should be looking at aluminum or maybe even carbon. Most new bikes these days are made with disc brakes, which provide stopping power in a wider range of conditions. The days of having to scrub water from your wheel rims before slowing down are no longer. You can still buy new rim brake bikes, but they are in the distinct minority.
There is such a wide range of Shimano components that the name itself means nothing. I personally wouldn't buy anything lower than Shimano 105, which is the third tier level group. Your budget may dictate something else, such as Sora or Claris.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:23 AM on April 4, 2022
As a person who works in a bike shop, and who sees what is sold in box stores, I recommend a bike store brand. Box store bikes not built by actual mechanics, are not built with quality components, and generally will not last more than a year or two.
If you are looking for something used, try to look at it in person and look critically at the wear on the drivetrain. Are there scuffs on the outside bits? Do the wheels spin well? Can a person who knows bikes check it out with you?
I find the old steel frames to be really smooth and supple, but if you want something lighter or more responsive, you should be looking at aluminum or maybe even carbon. Most new bikes these days are made with disc brakes, which provide stopping power in a wider range of conditions. The days of having to scrub water from your wheel rims before slowing down are no longer. You can still buy new rim brake bikes, but they are in the distinct minority.
There is such a wide range of Shimano components that the name itself means nothing. I personally wouldn't buy anything lower than Shimano 105, which is the third tier level group. Your budget may dictate something else, such as Sora or Claris.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:23 AM on April 4, 2022
If I were in your place, I'd probably take the money I was planning to spend on the Forge Breva and instead spend it on upgrading the Bridgestone. While I would have different advice if you wanted to take up long-distance touring or downhill mtb racing or something, most people don't need more than one general-purpose bike.
There are a couple ways one might go with that--if anything is worn out (wear items on a bike include brake pads, tires, chainrings/chain/cogs, things with bearings like bottom brackets and headsets, etc.), that's a good place to start. On the off chance that the cantilever brakes that came with the bike have never been upgraded to v-brakes, that's another.
Once that kind of stuff is taken care of, one might look to updating contact points (where you touch the bike, like saddle, pedals, handlebar tape/grips; plus tires), optimizing fit and comfort (saddle, stem/handlebars, cranks/pedals), or to reducing weight (lots of good ways to do this, including tires again, wheels, seatpost/handlebars/stem, etc.).
This place, or one like it, would probably be an excellent source of advice.
posted by box at 5:56 AM on April 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
There are a couple ways one might go with that--if anything is worn out (wear items on a bike include brake pads, tires, chainrings/chain/cogs, things with bearings like bottom brackets and headsets, etc.), that's a good place to start. On the off chance that the cantilever brakes that came with the bike have never been upgraded to v-brakes, that's another.
Once that kind of stuff is taken care of, one might look to updating contact points (where you touch the bike, like saddle, pedals, handlebar tape/grips; plus tires), optimizing fit and comfort (saddle, stem/handlebars, cranks/pedals), or to reducing weight (lots of good ways to do this, including tires again, wheels, seatpost/handlebars/stem, etc.).
This place, or one like it, would probably be an excellent source of advice.
posted by box at 5:56 AM on April 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
"Bike-Shaped Object" is a good search term here, believe it or not. With those extremely entry-level components, it's an odds-on bet that's what the Target bike is.
Concur with the sense in the room that upgrading the Bridgestone's components is far more likely to be money well spent, and selling the Bridgestone to buy a non-BSO new bike is also a reasonable option.
posted by humbug at 7:13 AM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
Concur with the sense in the room that upgrading the Bridgestone's components is far more likely to be money well spent, and selling the Bridgestone to buy a non-BSO new bike is also a reasonable option.
posted by humbug at 7:13 AM on April 4, 2022 [3 favorites]
I'd keep the Bridgestone and upgrade what I could on it. It has a lovely butted Cr-Mo frame. The new bike might be lighter, but also feel a bit more dead on the road
posted by scruss at 8:29 AM on April 4, 2022
posted by scruss at 8:29 AM on April 4, 2022
Bridgestones are great steel bikes, and, in general, age isn't the most important issue with bikes if the frame is in good shape. In fact, those old steel bikes can last for ages. You can replace and upgrade components. I'm a bike person, and the bike I ride most often was built in the 1970s, but most things on it have been replaced at this point except the frame. I have also have a newer, lighter bike, but that has different uses. An old steel frame bike is just an excellent thing.
The frame you have is well-regarded. The guy who ran Bridgestone in the US went out to found Rivendell, a very fancy US steel bike company, and that bike has a lot of fans.
If your bike feels heavy and you want to get a lighter bike, then I'd suggest taking your Bridgetown to a local shop and having a conversation with them about this. Maybe you can get some new components, or, take a look at what they are selling. Some bike shops won't work on box store bikes, and this isn't just about elitism, as I understand it.
Many folks who bike want another bike. Instead of trying to get another hybrid, I'd say to think about how you might ride a different bike differently. For example, my old bike that I ride all the time is my town/city/commuter bike; it's set up a rack and lights and fenders and I ride in a more upright posture, and I don't worry about locking it up on a bike rack. My other bike is more of a road/gravel bike (I can swap out the tires) and it's lighter and faster and the bike I take for long, faster rides.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:51 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
The frame you have is well-regarded. The guy who ran Bridgestone in the US went out to found Rivendell, a very fancy US steel bike company, and that bike has a lot of fans.
If your bike feels heavy and you want to get a lighter bike, then I'd suggest taking your Bridgetown to a local shop and having a conversation with them about this. Maybe you can get some new components, or, take a look at what they are selling. Some bike shops won't work on box store bikes, and this isn't just about elitism, as I understand it.
Many folks who bike want another bike. Instead of trying to get another hybrid, I'd say to think about how you might ride a different bike differently. For example, my old bike that I ride all the time is my town/city/commuter bike; it's set up a rack and lights and fenders and I ride in a more upright posture, and I don't worry about locking it up on a bike rack. My other bike is more of a road/gravel bike (I can swap out the tires) and it's lighter and faster and the bike I take for long, faster rides.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:51 AM on April 4, 2022 [1 favorite]
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If the frame fits you well, I’d stick with it. I’ve owned several Bridgestones, including a T-700 and an MB-3, and with good components I thought they were spectacular — lively, almost frictionless, and very comfortable.
Here is a discussion of XO-3s initiated by someone who was thinking of selling theirs.
posted by jamjam at 11:58 PM on April 3, 2022 [3 favorites]