Selle San Marco Rever

Advantages: VFM, Light, good components, nice seating position
Disadvantages: Not a mountain bike

...I already owned an ageing Raleigh racing bike, and I always felt that I would enjoy cycling more if I was not battling against the bike so much. So this year, I bought myself a San Rafael City Bike, by Marin. I am suprised to see that Marin were not already in the ciao headings. I don't know a great deal about bikes, but I know enough to know I like this bike! It has front suspension, and a mountain bike look, but with nice road tyres. It is lovely and light, and has excellent push/pull gear changers - bit like my old grifter! I like the upright seating position. I am using the bike to go to work, and leisure cycling at the weekends. I wont be doing much off roading, but I know I could go off-road if necessary. Not mountain climbing, but honestly - how many people with mountain bikes actually use them for that purpose... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lightweight, sturdy, stylish and very versatile
Disadvantages: Expensive

...My brother and I had a flimsy agreement in youth to share a bike so we could get a better more expensive model instead of two more inferior ones. Once our parents bought the BMX Mongoose you didn’t see my brother and his mates for dust all summer. Twenty years on, last year, he suggested the same principle. I had wanted to buy a bike for some time for short journeys to the next village instead of using the car. We decided on the Marin San Raphael at a cost of £425 from the North East dealer in Gateshead for Marin. With it being a joint purchase we had to buy a bike that was suitable for both of us. The San Raphael is classed as a hybrid touring bike and a unisex model; however, I do believe it’s more of a male bike with the high crossbar. I have always preferred the more sturdy looking bikes anyway compared to the ‘ladies’ models... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Hard wearing, comfy, fashionable
Disadvantages: Can be expensive in certain shops

...I bought a pair of Total 90 T.F's in 2003. They are still going (although I use them for gardening and stuff like that now). I then bought another pair to wear out and about, but they are getting a bit small now, although they are still holding together. Then i walked into all sports and they were selling them for £15 a pair. So i bought two. They will last me another few years. To put it better, they are extremely well wearing. They are also some of the comfyest trainers i have owned. They come in a huge range of colours, and if you don't like having two colours on your trainers, you can get black ones. These are very discreet. In a nutshell, although fewer people wear these trainers now, they are still fashionable, but shop around as some shops sell them cheaper than others.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful