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Revolution Courier Race (08) | £280
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BikeRadar verdict

4 out of 5 stars

"A cheap, simple and effective city hybrid. Why pay any more?"

By Dan Joyce

At just under £300, this is a simple, effective round-town bike. It's hard to see why you'd want to pay more. It's tightly focused on commuting and fulfils the brief well.

The Courier Race is the 700C-wheeled version of Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op's own-brand Courier that we've praised in the past. It's faster on tarmac but not so good at going off it. You can tackle a towpath on its 32mm tyres, but forget singletrack.

The single-chainring 1x8 setup means there's enough money in the budget for a half decent rear mech (Alivio) and decent wheels: stronger, eyeleted rims - which should be less prone to cracking around the spoke holes - on Shimano RM40 hubs. A narrower flat bar keeps you out of the wind better, although performance isn't quite up there with the skinny-tyred (and £120 more expensive) Boardman Urban Comp. On the flip side, clearances for tyres and mudguards are bigger and it'll take racks front and rear.

Bar ends should be an early upgrade, because thinner tyres transmit more road buzz to your hands than fat ones when you're on flat bars. Allen bolted wheels would be better for security, too.

Even if we had more money to spend, the Courier Race would make our shortlist of town transport choice. Decent commuting bikes don't have to cost a packet.

User Reviews

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  • User review of Revolution Courier Race (08)

    Excellent bike! I've got the '07 version, which came from Revolution with Mudguards & LED lights fitted. I've since fitted bar ends, bottle cage & rear pannier rack aswell. This has made it a great all around commuting bike, comfortable, reliable & fast! I don't know how Revolution are able to price all their products so well, but they seem to be putting everyone else to shame.

    I have had the chain jump off a couple of times when bashing over potholes, but it's a rareity. ...also, you might laugh but its just as happy over the cobbled road outside my flat as my Trek 6500 disc was (before it was stolen, for the 3rd time)

    0.3
  • User review of Revolution Courier Race (08)

    I'm on my second Courier Race. Having had three years excellent service from the first I've just upgraded to the disc-braked version and so far it looks every bit as good. Surprisingly fast, surprisingly comfy and ultimately reliable, my first Race only ever needed replacement consumables such as cassette, chain and brake blocks.

    I ride 20 miles a day, every working day, summer and winter. The bike takes a real hammering in the wet and is often caked in salt at the end of the week. A quick wash down, a lick of chain lube and it's ready for duty again. What more can you ask for around three hundred quid?

    I would have graded the bike "5" if Edinburgh Cycles prepared them better before delivery. Both have arrived needing adjustments of one sort or another. It's no great hassle fiddling with the gear selection or greasing a bone-dry headset, but it shouldn't really be necessary.

    Turkeytickler must have been unlucky; I've never felt the need for bar-ends nor have I ever unshipped a chain that wasn't stretched beyond redemption. I can only agree with his assessment of the single chainring setup. It's brilliant in its simplicity and I'm surprised more manufacturers don't follow the idea.

    All-in-all, a most competent commuter that compares well to bikes costing fifty percent more.

    0.3
  • User review of Revolution Courier Race (08)

    Excellent, reliable bike - comfortable but definately needs bar ends. All the components are decent quality, and fit for purpose - I love the simplicity of the 8sp setup with single chainring on the front, however;

    The only problem I have had is that the chain sometimes comes unshipped going over a pothole - since there is no front mech there is no way of getting it back on apart from getting off and hooking it back on with your finger.

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
Courier Race (08)
Built by:
Revolution
Price:
£280.00
Available Sizes:
18 Inches, 22 Inches cm
Brakes Brand:
Tektro
Brakes Model:
V-Brakes
Cassette:
11-32t, 8 speed
Cranks Brand:
SR Suntour
Cranks Model:
Aluminium 44T
Fork Model:
Steel
Frame Material:
7005 Aluminium
Front Hub Brand:
Shimano
Front Hub Model:
RM40
Front Tyre Model:
Sport Contact
Front Tyre Size:
700x32C
Handlebar Brand:
Tioga
Handlebar Model:
Aluminium
Handlebar Type:
Flat
Headset Type:
Threadless
Pedal Type:
Cage
Pedals Brand:
Wellgo
Rear Hub Brand:
Shimano
Rear Hub Model:
RM40
Rear Tyre Model:
Sport Contact
Rear Tyre Size:
700x32C
Rims Brand:
Ritchey
Rims Model:
Girder XC Pro
Saddle Brand:
WTB
Saddle Model:
Rocket V Comp
Seatpost Brand:
HL
Seatpost Model:
Micro Adjust
Shifters Brand:
Shimano
Shifters Model:
Alivio
Size:
20 Inches
Stem Brand:
Tioga
Stem Model:
Aluminium
Tyres Brand:
Continental
Weight (kg):
11.3 kg
Year:
2008

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