Charge Plug

guess it really boils down to how it rides then... especially the frame geometry etc, how it fits you. and by the end of the day i assume that buying either bikes you'll want to swap out components and stuff as you go along.

i'm not sure what hubs they have on the bianchi pista but the ones on the plug are formulas. i'm guessing it'll be sthg in the similar quality range. you'll probably want to swap them for miche/goldtec/suzues/phils later.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do really... was just curious. I prefer the look of the bianchi, and It'd be nice to have a bike that works properly for once. As for swapping out components for bling I'm saving such malarky for my armstrong frame.

I like the look of it but need a 52cm and the small charge looks huge!

They look exciting for a mass-market offering but I don't think they will be in-store till September.

asm I'm not sure what I'm going to do really... was just curious. I prefer the look of the bianchi, and It'd be nice to have a bike that works properly for once. As for swapping out components for bling I'm saving such malarky for my armstrong frame.

Had a pista. It does look nice, but it is cheap because it is, well, cheap. It is not a bad bike, but the welds do not look particularly strong. Additionally, certain things on it are proprietary (like the crank arms which went to shit on mine), which can mean that once they break you may be out of bike for a while.

Alex [quote]asm I'm not sure what I'm going to do really... was just curious. I prefer the look of the bianchi, and It'd be nice to have a bike that works properly for once. As for swapping out components for bling I'm saving such malarky for my armstrong frame.

Had a pista. It does look nice, but it is cheap because it is, well, cheap. It is not a bad bike, but the welds do not look particularly strong. Additionally, certain things on it are proprietary (like the crank arms which went to shit on mine), which can mean that once they break you may be out of bike for a while.[/quote]

that's why you need more than ONE bike ;)

Does anyone know a shop in London that has this (the Plug) in stock for a test ride? I believe Evans is showing no stock available until Sept some time.

my girlfriend is "made in taiwan" and i can tell you she aint cheap to keep

don't think they've been released, seem quite good for people like me who are lazy want something off the shelf I can get on the bike to work scheme...

Just the size issue that might make me switch a paddywagon or lemond fillmore

I email Charge and they said they were not in shops till September... Very tempted to get one, had my eye on it for a couple of months. Not keen on the ride you get with Alu, so always ride steel. I will have to see how the Bank balance lloks, in the process of buying a house... not the best time to be buying bikes!!!

I almost got one, the only thing that put me off was the wait... If they'vd have been on sale when I sorted my bike out, I would have one now...

I can prob wait the few weeks but need a 52 but the small plug has 56cm seat tube far too big for me.

Looks like I'm gonna have to look for something else.

Does sound on the big side, as I am normally 54cm frame? Hmmmmm, guess i'll have to fry one for size and see how it goes?

Just seen this in Evans - Very nice looking in the flesh. Wheels look a bit lame, but the overall look is tidy. Obviously not ridden it?

Yeah, it looks really nice and I've seen a couple of people on the road already.

But jeez it's heavy!

have seen a couple on the road. also saw one in Moose Cycles, Colliers Wood, last night. alongside a Giant Bowery, which I have to say looked a little nicer. neither are really my cup of tea though.

anyway, i guess that was just a little plug for Moose. greg in there has built a number of wheels for me and does a great job

moose are a good shop, although they know i'm hardly likely to buy a bike from them they always lend me tools and give me a discount, i have started to buy more stuff there instead of turning to crc/wiggle etc as pennies saved online doesn't get your headtube faced on a friday to ride on saturday or the loan of a lockring tool etc.

good to see the plug and bowery in there, i told greg the ss/fixed scene is the next big thing :-)

Yeah, i like to support my LBS too, ( Holdsworth), but they don't make it easy - when i was about to buy a Flyer, i asked them if they would budge in price, but not a sausage. They stuck firm at 499. and when you can get it for 430 online, delivered, to your door, well, like I say -it's not easy.

having had that (holdsworth) as my LBS since i first got my bike- i found it really sad when i didn't get very responsive help from them.
I mean, i'm a cocky little shit, but i literally got nothing. So i have to say that i moved down the road to Putney Cycles- who have been far more helpful.
But i still buy some stuff from there, and spent some time yesterday dreaming about the old frames they have in the window.

sturdy. (heavy)

check the front tyre/brake clearance. might be helped with a svelter tyre/rim choice so no rubbing of tyre on brake...

rides okish...

nimhbus Yeah, i like to support my LBS too, ( Holdsworth), but they don't make it easy - when i was about to buy a Flyer, i asked them if they would budge in price, but not a sausage. They stuck firm at 499. and when you can get it for 430 online, delivered, to your door, well, like I say -it's not easy.

At least your LBS is a real bricks and mortar store where you can see and test ride the bike. That £70 will be money well spent if you run into trouble with your internet purchase and don't feel like popping to the warehouse in Wales or some distant shop you bought it from.

Online shopping has it's place but I really think buying your bike online is a fools game. If you appreciate what your LBS does for that 30-35% margin (build it, sell it to you, free servicing, warranty) then that should make make the decision easy

Yes, I work in a bike shop. (not Holdsworth)

that is true. And that's why i'm yet to use the internet, for anything i can get down the road.
Also- you get stuff faster.

I know you support your LBS Henry. Good on ya!

i rode a plug just yesterday - the evans store near work let me have a test ride. its beautiful design meant it stood out from the crowd - the blue and brown leather combo is vital, reminding me of a friend's '68 bristol (car) - and i have totally fallen for it. to be fair, it was the first time i'd ever been on a single speed, let alone a fixie, and i am hooked. i thought it rode pretty well compared to my current bike - i have a crossroads - and hope to buy one soon. the funny thing is, i've spoken to LBS in brick lane and brixton, and both seemed rather underwhelmed by its componentry.
it can be upgraded, however, and i know i'll change the tyres pronto - should i have the cash to get one

Well the charge plug does have pretty low level components, and it is FAIRLY weighty for a fixie/singlespeed. but it does look canny nice.