Road Cycling - What bike for cycling to college?

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TomX
07-25-05, 07:38 AM
Hey,

I'm 17 living in the UK, studying at college (high school for Americans) and rather than spending £180 for a bus pass this year I think a bike would be a better option, especially since I'll probably be using a bike for University next year.

Now, my route to and from college is all road (or at least mainly road as far as I know) so I think I'm right in thinking that a road bike would be best for me?

But no, knowing this is not enough, I've still got to define my specifications further... touring? racing? folding? I don't know :(

I want my ride to be comfortable but I would also like to go pretty fast, this implies sport racing (a supposed compromise between touring and racing) but I'm not sure.

Could somebody recommend what type of bike I should get, it would also be much appreciated if they could recommend, first-hand, a specific bike, considering I do not wish to spend more than £200 (~$350) on it.

Thanks in Advance
Tom

hmai18
07-25-05, 07:47 AM
For a commuter bike, especially one being locked up on a campus all day, I'd suggest that you scour garage sales or used bike places for an old beater bike that you won't have to worry about getting stolen.

Save the rest of the money for a "weekend" bike so that you have a crappy one for commuting and bad weather and a nice one for longer, faster rides.
TomX
07-25-05, 07:58 AM
Hmm, never thought of that, I'd be able to save lots of money too since I have no need for a weekend bike, I'd only ever cycle when needed, rather than for leisure.

However, assuming I lived in a perfect world where thieves weren't an issue what bike would you recommend for my situation?

operator
07-25-05, 08:41 AM
How far is your commute?
If you like to hop curbs and do other crazy stuff then a mtb or something would be up your alley, but if your commute is far you'd definitley be looking at some sort of road bike.

You should probably budget 1/4 of that budget on locks, if not more.
Tweek
07-25-05, 08:53 AM
You should probably budget 1/4 of that budget on locks, if not more.

Indeed.. Check out a brand of locks called Abus, they are German and quite insane. Probably one of the best lock makers out there. And yes good locks come at a cost.
TomX
07-25-05, 09:21 AM
I definately want a good lock, it'll hopefully last forever.

I already have a mountain bike which isn't too old (~3 years) but it is in pretty bad condition, I could take it to the local bike shop and get it repaired, I was just wondering whether or not it was worth buying a road bike, I guess not.