thjxw05

Well,

I am very new to all of this, and have been reading around, and like most people I what I would like is 10 times what I can afford!

To this end my budget is £140 - £160.00

In truth the bike will spend very little time off road, despite living only 2 minutes from the look out in Bracknell!

So I have been looking and these are the short list that I have come up with (unless you can come up with others of course)

Giant Rock SE Bike (2005) https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...k_SE_Bike_2005

Or

Raleigh Freeride LX Bike (2006) https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...e_LX_Bike_2006

Or

Schwinn Frontier GSX Bike (2007) https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr..._GSX_Bike_2007

I really would welcome your comments on this, the bike will spend most of it's time being ridden the 3 miles to the train station (and back) - and some weekend light off road cycling.

I look forward to your help and comments.

John

RonH

bump

Wanderer

If you are in a position to ride them all, do it.

All three look like decent bikes for what you want.

Buy the one that is the most comfortable, works the best for you, and the one you LIKE the most.

No doubt, one of them, will stand head and shoulders above the rest.

Artkansas 

If you really want a higher end bike, consider a used one.

MichaelW

Any of those bikes will do for a short commute and they are all of comparable quality. See which fits you best, which saddle and bars you prefer, and if nothing stands out, pick the lightest one.
You have to budget for some other stuff:
Helmet, mudguards (fenders), lock, lights, possibly a rear luggage rack.
I prefer to ride my old used bike when I am leaving it locked up at a station all day.

thjxw05

Hi,

Many thanks to all for your help, I went out to a local shop and picked up a Giant, it's a newer year and was a little more money, but it supports my local bike shop, and they have offered it's 1st service FOC, so now it's helmet, lights and a lock!!

Thanks again

rumrunn6

Congratulations. Let's see a picture of you with it. Also, consider a rack too!

thjxw05

Hmm, does anyone have any thoughts on the following: -

Lights (the bike will be on the road, and I can never see me off roading in the dark)

A Lock - it will be sat outside a train station for 10 hours a day

A rack - I need to take a laptop to work with me and my sandwiches!

A Hat - I'm on a road so I need one - can you recommend any?

And finally, I need to get from home to the train (about 2.5 miles) in a business suit, what do others do? Do they change at work, do they wear a "cover" you get the idea.

Also what do commuters do when it raining (other than get wet!)


I have looked on line for all of the above - and the choice is massive, I have seen lights from £5.00 to over £300!!!

You help in much appreciated (can never spell that).

More ques

nashcommguy

I'll try to answer you questions w/t best/cheapest/most effective 'for the money' product in mind.

Lights: Headlight: Niterider Trailrat 2.0 10w Halogen-100.00US Taillight: (get 2) Planet Bike Superflash-20.00US ea.
Both available through https://www.amazon.com

Lock: Kryptonite U-lock of suitable hardness. Around 30-35.00US

Rack: Delta Universal Mega Rack 30-35.00US Pretty bombproof and will accomodate a variety of panniers and/or truck bags. Waterproof the part of whatever bag in which you carry your laptop. Some sort of plastic cover w/grommets and bungee cord combo to hold the cover in place for your bike. https://www.nashbar.com has a commuter bag which will wrap around a rack like panniers, but will hold a suit, shirt, shoes, socks,etc. for as low as 50.00US. It can be hung up to facilitate changing clothes. Am sure there's a euro version of this somewhere.

Hat(?) ie Helmet? Bell Venture 35.00US @ https://www.bikeisland.com

Rain: Get rain gear and dont ride in your work clothes or work in your ride clothes. For 2.5 miles a couple of plastic trash bags should suffice. Fenders(mudguards on your side o' the pond) help alot...full coverage. Around 40.00US for decent ones.

Gave all the prices in US dollars figuring you'd translate into pound sterling. I'm sure all of these products are available in the UK as I've seen them on UK online website stores. Get each add-on as you're budgeted. All the best in your commuting aquisitions.

rumrunn6

Lights (the bike will be on the road, and I can never see me off roading in the dark)

++ Get a strobe that takes 2 AA batteries.


A Lock - it will be sat outside a train station for 10 hours a day

++ Whatever your local bike shop carries. Something made out of hardened steel. Look at what others use in the same location.



A rack - I need to take a laptop to work with me and my sandwiches!

++ Laptop, huh? Hmm - this will require a bit more research. Whatever you use - back pack rack or panniers you'll want to pad it. Maybe you should get a laptop backpack just because it is so delicate. Carry everything else on any rack you can get that fits from your local shop. Be less concerned about price - get a decent rack that fits and is easy to install. Don't spend more than $50.


A Hat - I'm on a road so I need one - can you recommend any?

++ Thin wool knit hat like a "watchman" but cut it so it is just a skull cap. Wear a helmet!


And finally, I need to get from home to the train (about 2.5 miles) in a business suit, what do others do? Do they change at work, do they wear a "cover" you get the idea.

++ Stock work with clothes when you use your car. It is very tough to carry all things and all clothes on the bike. However if you get regular big panniers then you can carry some big flat things like dress clothes and a laptop.


Also what do commuters do when it raining (other than get wet!)

++ Last summer I just got wet but my shoes and socks got soooo yucky! ugh. Good rain gear is nothing to short change on and of course there are different levels of rain. If it's gonna be a torrential downpour then riding in it should be avoided if possible for so many reasons.

BA Commuter

Here's a nice combo for a versitile rack and a laptop bag that clips right into the rack in seconds. I have the Topeak Explorer rack and a MTX system for a shopping basket. It works great and the rack was around $25 on Amazon.

thjxw05

All,

Many thanks for all of your help on this, I will invest in the lights, and racks now, will also have to get a helmet (hat - sorry said I was new!!)

As for when it's raining in the morning - I have come to the conclusion - I will drive!

Regards

John