Charge Plug

that's the thing, when people see the Gary Fisher, they see it as a "racing" bike purely on the look, to the joe public it look like the sort of bike you'll need to wear lyrica with.

whether the Plug look like it's the sort of bike that you can jump on and cycle away, purely on appearance only.

I know a friend who doesn't care about bicycle like we do, just to get to work and/or go shopping with, he picked the charge plug because it look like the sort of bike that does the job, I asked him why he didn't get the Specialized Langster, and his reasoning is that he didn't want a 'racing' bike.

I have a look at the Schwinn Cutter, it look pretty shit with inferior componentry, but I can defintely see it's being enough for the joe public as an everyday bike.

seems to be trend to cut costs by swapping out for lower spec components - what have they changed exactly on the plug?

JV: They downgraded the Sugino Messenger to a new cheaper crank that I am told was made specially for Charge to lower costs. Not sure if the BB changed.

Ed: Your saying the same thing as me. But we are drawing different conclusions"

• Me: "Its a con, and people that don't know about bikes are falling for it, and getting disappointed when the rivets fall out of their brake levers whilst they are riding."
  -You: "Oh well. They don't know as much as us, so it doesn't matter."
  
  

Charge should up the quality control and the other manufacturers should make their bikes look nice. And Bianchi. What can I say about that hunk of over price crap. Oh, said it.

EDIT: Basically I don't believe that the public, that commuters, people that don't know about bikes in depth or whatever else you should want to call them should be exploited (over-statement I know) and that manufacturers should build good bikes at all price points, and sale assistants should give better advise. I want a better world, where bicycle owners don't pay unnecessarily down the line. obvious example: Unicack.

Probably less exploitation in singlespeeds than in other bikes (not that it makes it better!)

The worst bikes to me are multi geared suspension bikes. Suspension doesn't work on the cheap so it shouldn't be an option but it appeals to the 'non-cyclist' who assumes it would make a more comfortable bike. They would be better off with a Plug.

^ +65
Totaly. Halfrauds and the like. Its all a pile of shit. Its a shame that people are unknowingly sold utter piles of junk

I agree the brake levers are complete toss, and I've had some issues with the bottom bracket loosening (LBS seemed to think it was a common thing for them to come out of the factory and loosen up after a few rides).

I'm currently looking to replace the shitty levers. I already swapped the brake pads from horrid solid grey plastic things to some cheap Clarks which are 3 times as good. I will shortly be replacing the bars and stem, but that's more for aesthetics to be honest.

If I had the money, I'd consider replacing the forks with something else (maybe the charge scissors - yes, they're pretty much the same, but lighter). The weight isn't terrible, but it could be better.

I really like how the bike rides and if anything it's making me want more. It's got me into fixed riding and I want to sample different flavours. I'm buying an old frame and some bits tonight for a fixed "town bike" which I'll be building myself with cheap/used parts. I have the Charge to thank for this :) I also want to get something more road orientated with drops like a fuji/langster/bowery etc etc. Again, I want to sample different aspects of fixed riding.

Ed: Your saying the same thing as me. But we are drawing different conclusions"

• Me: "Its a con, and people that don't know about bikes are falling for it, and getting disappointed when the rivets fall out of their brake levers whilst they are riding."
  -You: "Oh well. They don't know as much as us, so it doesn't matter."
  
  
  

I didn't says that the bike are unreliable i.e. part are falling off, I said it doesn't matter since the bike will still be fine for their riding style.

The downside is that certain shop are not very good at assembling bicycle, Halfords is a prime example.

I got my Kona Smoke bike from Evans in Waterloo, everything perfect, gear shift smoothly, no ratter, wheel's perfectly trued etc. and has been for a year.

it got stolen, insurance got me a Kona Smoke again but from Halford in Putney, now that Kona Smoke despite being exactly the same bike, turn out to be shit, BB rattle, gears need a lots of adjusting, brakes is too spongy etc.

sometime the reliablitiy of the bicycle are simply down to the bike shop, like the Unipack, they were shit bike, but if put together properly (i.e. greased like you said), replace BB and such, it's fine, plenty for the average joes.

My name is Joe (ha!) and I wouldn't buy a Charge Plug for £500. We have one at work (annoying 'fixie' in the corner of the studio).

It just feels horrible to ride IMO. And that's not just comparing with nice frames... but something like a Fuji Track and IRO too.

Its a shame that people are unknowingly sold utter piles of junk

I am just quoting this for posterity and a private chuckle.

I am just quoting this for posterity and a private chuckle.

at my expense or _____ ?

Before...

after with a respray new wheels, bars, pedals, grips, saddle and tyres...

Sorry to bump an old topic but I figured it's better than me making a new one.

I'm looking into purchasing the 2010 Charge Plug. I'm 5'10" and have an inseam of 34"

What frame size would best suit me? I'm leaning towards the 56cm but am not sure if that will be too small etc.

Sorry to bump an old topic but I figured it's better than me making a new one.

I'm looking into purchasing the 2010 Charge Plug. I'm 5'10" and have an inseam of 34"

What frame size would best suit me? I'm leaning towards the 56cm but am not sure if that will be too small etc.

no one can tell you that, go to your local charge stockists and ride it. there is bound to be an evans near you, just give them your credit card and off you go.

I'm just a little over 5'8" and I went for the small in the end, feels perfect to me....

I'm 6ft and bought the medium fits me just fine. I'd imagine you'd have to be huge to ride the large size.

hi,

I am 5'7" and I have just ordered one size x-small. top tube is only 1cm shorter then small but seat tube length more then 2,5cm, I hope it will fit me better. anyone can post a picture of charge plug size x-small?

They're big makes. I've got a tap (same frame as the plug) in a small and I'm 5'6''ish. I defs couldn't go bigger than that or I wouldn't touch the ground!

ade: did you attach a picture? why can't see it...?

yes, it's there, it's just really small :-)

no-its not there :-)

So, i´m new to FG/SS and i have looked into the Charge Plug and it looks awsome as bike for me to break into this kind of cycling, i´m 187.7cm, thats between 6'1 - 6'2, should i get a Large size then? i have got some long arms on this body to.
And will it hold my weight as i´m on the heavy side of life, about 110kg.

I'm 6 1", and I ride the medium, and Plugs are bomb proof so don't worry about it carrying you round

I have just received my bike but could not ride yet because in vienna its deep winter. I am waiting for the clipless pedals anyway.
wanted to let you know that at my size 170cm and inside leg size 81cm the frame X-Small is about just right.

http://www.lfgss.com/member14388-albums1116.html

anyone else thinks that the handlebars are plain ugly?