Pinnacle Hybrids - any experiences?

[Tim Coales]

I'm planning to get my son a hybrid for university and general around town use. The Pinnacle Stratus (1.0E) looks good value in Evan's sale, complete with rack and mudguards. Then I saw a version with a SRAM I-Motion 9 speed hub gear for another £100. Any one had experience either of the Pinnacle bikes or the SRAM hub gear?

[Alan M]

None at all but I have chatted to Gary Smith ex owner and still director of Evans and he say the Pinacles are a genuine high spec bike. I used one in Mallorca 2 years ago and it was fine. Not sure about hub gears but Bridget uses SRAM and has been pleased with them

[Andrew G]

There's a thread in the bike bits technical section of the CTC forum called hub gears love/hate that may be worth a read.

Shimano/Nexus seem to have the odd reliability issue but SRAM, Rohlhoff and Sturmey seem to be thought of okay. Hub gears should be nice and relatively maintenance free so should make a good choice for a Uni bike. Only thought is if your son is okay on bike mechanics then he can fix standard drivetrains but a hub gear could be a shop/cost number if there was a problem.

[Tim Coales]

Thanks guys.

We tried a 2010 Pinnacle Stratus 3.0 in Large at the Croydon store. Very nice bike for the money, but the frame was a little on the small side. That ruled out the SRAM hub geared version by default as it was very last 2009 model in Large. They've dropped the SRAM hub in the current range, probably didn't sell enough and it made the RRP quite expensive.

We've ordered the 21 speed derailler 1.0E in XL, it's the last 2010 model of that size and currently at the Notting Hill store so we'll see how effecient their internal shipping system is! I've asked them to keep the box for me for future use.

Unfortunately, I can't do the IoW trip because that's the weekend I've got to take my son up to Uni. I might plan a few rides up to Oxford in the future, although the parking at the Park and Ride is free, so there's the option of driving up with my bike in the car and then cycling around Oxford and the Chilterns with Philip.

[Dombo]

Evans internal shipping is pretty good. I had two bikes sent to Croydon for me to try, one from Glasgow, the other from Maidstone, both in just a couple of days, and I often have mail order stuff sent to Canary Wharf shop for collection.
As for Pinnacle quality, my daughter has an Aura mtb and I am very impressed it.

[Elliot M]

do they still try to charge P+P for ordering into the Canary Wharf store?

[Dombo]

[quote="Elliot M"]do they still try to charge P+P for ordering into the Canary Wharf store?