Guidance choosing a bike required
 

Hi all,
Am looking for some opinions / suggestions on a bike choice I'm about to make.

Am looking for something that's good for long distances but needs to be able to carry panniers

Looking at two bikes under the cycle to work scheme:
1) whyte charing cross
2) specialized secteur sport disc compact

Both in at the £1k mark .... can't decide between the two, the whytes seems slightly better equipped.

Would appreciate views / comments ... I have an max budget of £1k - no more ...

Thanks in advance
James

This was in Road for more than 10 hours with zero replies. I figure the OP has a better shot at getting feedback from the Commuter forum.

@OP- Tip: You increase the likelihood of getting input if you provide links to what you're inquiring about. Not sure if you are looking at 2012 or 2013 models, either.

Here's the 2013 Whyte Charing Cross and here's the 2013 Specialized.

Neither are particularly good for carrying panniers, particularly if your feet are not tiny. If carrying panniers is a priority, I would look for something with longer chainstays. You will have more heal clearance as well as more stability. My Surly Cross Check has similar geometry. I don't find it suitable for carrying panniers at all. Front becomes too light (unless I keep a very aggressive position) & I need smaller, specifically shaped panniers to keep my heels from striking the bags.

I'll echo the concern about possible heel strike based on that geometry. Depending on your capacity needs, it may be wiser to consider an expanding rack trunk bag or Carradice saddlebag.

Thanks, useful .... Well make sure I check this before I buy - cheers

Consider the Specialized Tricross line:

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/road/tricross

Raleigh's got some stuff coming in that price range as well:

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType...=1&pt=14&pr=32

I have been commuting for 7 months on my cross check with Jannd paniers, not sure if I have hit the bags yet. They are not the biggest bags for sure, but I am not sure why at least the cross check would be viewed as unsuitable for them. I rode down a substantial hill yesterday at 40 mph with my paniers on, no issues at all. Certainly hill speed bombing and paniers do not need to be considered together, but I just keep wondering why the bike is unsuitable. In case it matters, I am 5-11, 160 and have size 11.5 US shoes with SPD clips.