dakotaviper

Yesterday, I visited a Performance Bicycle store in Raleigh, NC. They had a 2015 Charge Bikes Plug model with the Xlarge Frame. I liked this bike. I am still riding my trusty old 1988 Miyata 312 Competition with the 62cm frame which I bought new back in either late 1987 or early 1988. When asked if I wanted to take the the Plug for a spin, I declined knowing that if I did, it would have come home with me. Right now needing and wanting is my dilemma. So I am trying to decide if I should buy more oomph for my nearly 50 year old body or not. Any Suggestions? I do like the Charge Plug very much and it was a great deal.

10 Wheels

Got this one when I was just 70 y/o

dakotaviper

Great looking ride. The Charge Plug that I looked at was more of a Cross style, but would work on the Road as well.

dunelt_1954

More oomph is easier to get with a new bike than from an old body. I am in the same dilemma, though. Kind of want a Surly Troll, but don't truly "need". The options on the Troll frame for IGH or derailleur, racks, fenders, etc. have great appeal to me. But- I already have different bikes for specific purposes. The Troll is a sort of Crescent wrench of bikes, but can be optimized.

If the Plug fits... maybe they'll be happy to do a super deal to move the extra large frame? Or- maybe you will ride it, and decide it isn't really THE bike. Performance does seem to have some makes that are good value, getting nice components rather than a shinier headbadge. Proof is in the riding, but- maybe try a few other bikes that fit. And, there may be a LBS that could give you as good of deal as Performance. I've nothing bad to say about Performance, other than they are a bit franchise-y for my taste.

10 Wheels- thanks for encouraging dakotaviper and me!

BobbyG

I bought a medium sized 2015 Charge Plug "Performance Edition" from Performance Bicycles in January 2015. Twenty-fifteen is the last year for the steel frame. Charge Cycle's website notes the change to aluminum frames with carbon forks and larger tires (38mm vs 32mm) for 2016; except for the Plug 5 which is titanium. The best I can figure is that the "Performance" Plug is the Plug 4 with the groupset from the 3. I don't know how you ride, but what I gleaned from all the review research I did pre-purchase indicated the Plug is a fast cruiser, but not quick and nimble like a sporty roadbike. That's what I wanted for commuting, and I am very, very happy with my choice. I wanted a sturdy but yielding steel frame, but without as much flex as my old steel roadie. I wanted slightly relaxed geometry. I wanted mounts for fenders and a rack. And I had a budget. For me, the final choice was was between the Plug (Which was on sale, and 1/2 off) and a heavily discounted Specialized Source 11 (from a local retailer) which felt similar, but was stiffer aluminum. They would seem like they are very different bikes in the sense that the Plug had traditional 2x9 external, chain-driven gears, and the Source 11 had 9 internal belt-driven gears and came already fendered and racked with a hub, generator, perfect for commuting. But they were the two that felt like the ride and handling I wanted, and in the end, the steel frame cynched the deal, since that is really what I wanted, and the stock gears are high enough for cruising, and just low enough for some of the steep Colorado hills out here.

Over the past year of 3-4 days a week of 18 mile round-trip bike commuting with the Plug accounting for 75% of that with some longer weekend excursions I still love this bike, with three exceptions:

1) The Kenda "Small Block 8" tires are micro-knobbie tires, which are very comfortable, but I'd prefer true road tires for better cornering. I decided I would replace them after a year, and luckyfor me they wore out rather quickly, even with rotating them.

2) Surprising Toe Overlap, especially with fenders. Maybe the large frame is better, but it took a while to get used to this. It's not an issue until I slow down and have to pick around a pothole, or other slow speed manuevering, but I rarely think about it now. In the back of my head I'm thinnking about what would happen if I retrofitted a fork with even more reach.

3) Rear fender and rack instalation was difficult. The rear dropouts or "eyelets" are a non-standard bike thread. It turned out to be an M6 medium or fine pitch (if I remember), and the bolts were easy and cheap to find and purchase at the hardware store, but it was an unexpected complication that could have ruined the threads if the wrong bolt was forced. Also tire clearance was tight in the back when the "small block" micro knobbies were new. I'm thinking new road rires will cure that. The fender eyelets on the front for were standard. I ended up buying a rack with a wide base to clear the disc brakes, but that may not have been necessary. I'm glad I did, though. Even though I fitted a kickstand, the bike has rested on its side in the SUV, and on the grass, pavement and carpet a few times due to a bad kickstand design and "operator error" and I feel that the rear rack's wide frame took the brunt of any impacts and protects the discs and gears in these situations.

4) It seems the rear spokes don't hold as well as they might, and I find myself truing the wheel slightly every couple of months. With disc brakes versus rim, I probably wouldn't notice, but with the tight rear fender clearance, the tire will start rubbing.

All told, while my Charge Plug doesn't have the fanciest components it has been a pleasure to ride; sturdy, reliable, comfortable, capable and fun. I rode dozens of bikes, and this one spoke to me. Your mileage may vary.

RonH

I got this when I was 55 y/o




and this when I was 56 (and I still have it )




and this last October, just a few months before my 71st birthday ().

quicktrigger

If it does not cause finacial difficulty, and you like, want, and it fits, then buy it. What do you work for anyway? Some work for retirement, the problem with that ideal, is one accident, or illness and its easily all gone, or you are unable to enjoy it. This is exactly what has happened to my inlaws. Its very common thing to happen.

CycleryNorth81

Totally agree with what @quicktrigger said. Enjoy the bike while you are still able to. There are no guarantees in the future.

dakotaviper

To all who have commented. The Raleigh, Ridley, Fuji, GT, and few others that I saw, I know something about since they well known. Charge Bikes is an unknown to me at that time. The MSRP was $1299.99 US and is on clearance at $499.99 since it was a 2015 steel frame bike and Charge is now going to aluminum and titanium. But Performance may not even have it by the time I get back there in a couple weeks. But as for now. I have my Miyata.

TimothyH

My neighbor has a Charge Plug. He let me ride it. Seems heavy to me but I'm used to 18lb bikes or lighter.

$499 is compelling. Lighter wheels a year or two down the line would be a really nice upgrade.