G'day all,
New here and first post off the rank - I'm looking at two bikes right now and I'd really appreciate any advice or insight on these bikes.
1 - Linus Gaston 3 - which Linus Australia currently have on sale new for a cool $499 AUD - that's $435 USD.
And
2 - Virtue Seven - which is selling here new for $599 AUD or $522 USD.
I grew up riding custom lugged frame Raleigh's in the 70's, single speed with North Road bars and a real sit up and beg riding style - my Raleigh went like the clappers and I loved it. Unlike other kids in the early 70's I wanted to ride bikes like the adults, council workers and commuters ... they all had Roadster type bikes and old Brit Path Racers.
Pretty sure I am not the first to have a drool over Pashleys and then to see the price a little steep for the family budget. So I decided to find something cheaper that had the looks and the vibe pretty close to my old girl Raleigh ... Linus Gaston and Virtue Seven are pretty close to the Pashley Guvnor ... no lugged frame however.
Can anybody who had ridden or owns these two bikes give me an idea of which is the better bike overall in terms of quality, fit, finish? Which is the best bang for buck bike in your subjective opinion? Now I had read in the past some stating that Linus were odd steel and not Chromoly but looking at the Linus website now it states that the Gaston is 4130 Chromoly frame and fork. What's the deal then with the question on Linus steel?
My pros and cons here ...
Linus Gaston 3 -
Pro's - Price - $100 cheaper than Virtue Seven. Sturmey Archer 3 speed with down tube shifter. The SA is something I really wanted on ma Brit bike tribute rather than modern Shimano gears - classic 3 speed also harkens back to the classics for me. Cleaner lines of the internal gearing and downtube shifter all good things. Chromoly frame and forks?
Con's - No mud guards, seat will need replacing with a Brooks, only 3 gears when I live in Mountains ... but there is a lot of flat riding on the plateaus. The $100 price difference would cover some of the cost of the Brooks saddle and guards ...
Virtue Seven -
Pro's - Chromoly forks and frame - 7-Speed Shimano Acera gearing a + living in the Mountains. Stock leather saddle nicer than the Linus stock saddle. Already comes with mud guards.
Con's - Modern looking running gear, modern Shimano Derailleur, more expensive than the Linus Gaston by $100.
I have yet to ride either bike but I'm leaning towards the Gaston because I prefer a simpler more classic styled bike and I love the Sturmey Archer 3 speed with down tube shifter - just seems more vintage overall than the Virtue ... but will I regret having only a 3 speed?
What do you think ladies and gents? Which bike is the better deal given my predilections and more importantly if you have ridden or own these bikes, what are your own thoughts on them?
Thanks!