Commuting - I Want a New Bike

I have just returned to cycling after five years on my motorbike. My current bike, a Giant ATX 890 is great but a little long in the tooth now so I want a new ride. My journey is 11 miles accross the worst bits of London at the worst times of the day. I have been looking at the Cannondale Road Warrior 1000 and the Marin Highway One both seem really nice but I don't know if anyone out there has any experience of commuting on one of these? Any help gratefully recieved. My only requirement is that it must come in some form of XL.

Biking in London is a ***** but fun too. I would suggest the Cannondale - is it is very stiff. But check that if you are tall AND heavy you won't smash those beautiful wheels when going thru the numerous pot holes

For a rough road commute you would not want a a harsh and stiff frame unless you have some type of shock absorption. I would suggest a cycloscross bike, as they usually have more laid back angles, which usually results in a more stable bike. A cyclocross bike would also allow have more tire clearance e.g. fatter tires, which means more shock absorption. A good saddle might be the Koobi PRS saddle, which has elastomers between the seat and the seat rails. www.koobi.com

Two bike that come to mind are the Lemond Propad and the Jake the Snake. The propad has eyelets for fenders and a rear rack and at the same time accomodate 35mm tires.

for rough road commuter riding, you should look into a suspension seatpost.. Really takes the edge off some of those unavoidable bumps.

~Steve

I have just returned to cycling after five years on my motorbike. My current bike, a Giant ATX 890 is great but a little long in the tooth now so I want a new ride. My journey is 11 miles accross the worst bits of London at the worst times of the day. I have been looking at the Cannondale Road Warrior 1000 and the Marin Highway One both seem really nice but I don't know if anyone out there has any experience of commuting on one of these? Any help gratefully recieved. My only requirement is that it must come in some form of XL.

I had, very briefly, one of the Cannondale Road Warrior bikes, but I found there was an unacceptable amount of toe overlap and I didn't like it. Fortunately my LBS agreed with me and took it back. Most people will say toe overlap is nothing to worry about since it can only happen at very low speeds, but I didn't like it at all. Check it out and make your own mind up before buying one.

By the way - I replaced the Cannondale with my Trek 7500FX which I use for my 57 km round trip commute.

If you're thinking about a Cyclocross bike, look a COMMENCAL. We only recently got them here in North America but they are fairly popular in the UK especially on the Cyclocross scene. Really nice bikes!

If you're thinking about a Cyclocross bike, look a COMMENCAL. We only recently got them here in North America but they are fairly popular in the UK especially on the Cyclocross scene. Really nice bikes!

Thanks for that.The range looks really interesting and I had never even heard of them. I was also looking over the weekend at a Yeti ARC which I have only ever heard good things about. So much choice.........

or perhaps a cannondale bad boy ultra or fifty fifty?

After all that, I am beginning to love my old Giant 890 again. Fantastic Magura hydrolic brakes that always work and never need any adjustment, stiff and light frame and Judy SLs which I haven't maintained for about three years. Are new bikes so bomb proof?

The Highway One is $KERCHING pricey but very shiny. If you're into the 'road bike with a flat bar' thing, the Ridgeback Genesis range is worth a shufty, too. Mind, if you have to lock your bike up outside, you'll need a huge chain lock for one of those, negating any weight benefits. But if you can keep it indoors, go for your life. :-)

Do you think if I fitted the slickest, narrowest tyers and maybe got new wheels to accomodate them my speed would be much improved?