Not a bad bike at all, but it's failing is that it can't make up it's mind if it's one thing or the other. It's set up to be a light use MTB / rough towpath bike with semi-knobbly tyres, front suspension and a bouncy seatpost.
As a MTB, it's too frail, as a city commuter it's too heavy ... Read review
A review by someoneonabike on Claud Butler urban 300 July 11th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Value for money
OK
Durability
Good
How does it compare to similar products?
Average
Advantages:
Good quality components, well built .
Disadvantages:
Rather heavy, front suspension .
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
Not a bad bike at all, but it's failing is that it can't make up it's mind if it's one thing or the other. It's set up to be a light use MTB / rough towpath bike with semi-knobbly tyres, front suspension and a bouncy seatpost.
As a MTB, it's too frail, as a city commuter it's too heavy and bouncy. It's ideal use would be taking the kids for Sunday rides around forestry trails.
Using mine for a 10 mile hilly commute, mainly on cycle paths, I felt mine was let down by the front suspension and the poor Tioga tyres. I changed the tyres to semi-slicks which helped, and swapped the seat post to a solid one to which let me put the power down better.
The front suspension still made the bike far heavier than it needed to be (36 lb including a rack) and the suspension saps your effort when pedalling hard. Along the flat this wan't too much of a problem, but on the hilly bits of my commute the effort involved in climbing was excessive.
On the plus side, it's a well made bike with good components. The gears are a joy to use and the brakes powerful stoppers. It certainly isn't a bad bike, but you need to think hard about the useage you'll be putting it to. Hilly city commuting isn't its forte.
Advantages: Excellent bike with well Specified Equipment Disadvantages: No fun riding in the rain.
If you are considering purchasing a new bike and are
not sure which to choose I can recommend the C.B. Urban 300.It is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike.
Having an aluminium frame it is light and easy to ride
(Make sure you get the correct size frame)
The Shimano gears I have found to be excellent,the
brakes are very good to.
I chose this particular model over the Urban 100 & 200
due to the better specification of parts and the ... ...It is ideal for treking on trails or country pathways.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION.
Brake Levers: Shimano S.T.I Brakes: Forge V Alloy Chain: Z9000 Chainset: Shimano C 203 Number of Gears 24 Frame / Colour: Taper tube alloy Frame sizes: 18,20,22 Freewheel: Shimano 8 speed cassette Gear Levers: Shimano S.T.I Gears Front: Shimano Gears Rear: Shimano Alivio Handlebars: Tioga Riser Headset: Ahead Hub Front / Rear: Alloy QR front and rear Rims: Alloy Saddle: ...
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