Originally Posted by
veganbikes
If they are both
exactly the same probably would go with the Novara, it at least came from a physical bike shop (even if not always great) so the chance is higher it was put together by a mechanic. However in terms of bikes like that I probably would go with neither at least looking at your current crop of bikes. It is time to get yourself something nicer. You have plenty of entry level stuff time to level up my friend.
These are some choices:
https://co-motion.com/collections/si...roducts/pangea (Rohloff hub and Dynamo equals a bomb proof commuter or an excellent touring machine and the steel frame is a nice comfy ride)
https://www.rodbikes.com/catalog/mak...hift-main.html (also made in America and of good quality with lower cost options)
https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2020-presidio-4-dlx (not made in America but 11 speed Alfine with Dynamo and much cheaper)
I hear you and I agree with you. The only problem is that for me a bike is not just something for a Sunday afternoon ride, but now, that I'm retired, a mode of transportation. This means that I'm facing an increased risk of bike getting stolen. With an expensive bike I could never just tie it to a rack while shopping for groceries at a supermarket. I'd always worry about it. So there has to be a golden middle - a nice bike, but not so expensive that I would feel reluctant to leave it unattended.