Which bike for my commute?
04-30-13, 02:42 AM
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Which bike for my commute?
I currently commute to work (9 miles each way mainly on cycle paths, which are at times muddy, glassy and bumpy) on a Brompton. Previously I had a train journey in the middle of my journey, hence needing the folder, but that's no longer the case, so I'm looking for something different.
The Brompton is OK, but I have had a few problems with it and I don't think it's really rugged enough for the daily rigours of my commute. Also, I find it a slow bike and I'm sick of being overtaken by people on full-sized bikes who look a lot older and less fit than me!
So, essentially, I'm looking for something a bit more comfortable, more rugged (something built to last and go for years and years) and a bit quicker.
I don't really want a mountain bike (don't think I'd ever go properly off-road), a racer (I think the narrow wheels would struggle on the cycle paths I commute along), or a hybrid (probably still too close to a mountain bike for me).
I've kind of narrowed it down, then, to either a cyclocross or a touring bike. I'm in two minds about this - I'm concerned that the touring bikes could be a bit heavy and unwieldy, but that the cyclocross bikes, whilst nimble, might not be built to last more than a season or two.
Does anyone have any recommendations? It would need to be sub £1000, ideally nearer the £500 mark. Panniers, etc would be an advantage, but not vital - I'm not sure I'd ever do any full-on touring, and I don't actually carry much "stuff" to work. Mud-guards (or at least the fittings to attach them) are probably a must, though.
The Brompton is OK, but I have had a few problems with it and I don't think it's really rugged enough for the daily rigours of my commute. Also, I find it a slow bike and I'm sick of being overtaken by people on full-sized bikes who look a lot older and less fit than me!
So, essentially, I'm looking for something a bit more comfortable, more rugged (something built to last and go for years and years) and a bit quicker.
I don't really want a mountain bike (don't think I'd ever go properly off-road), a racer (I think the narrow wheels would struggle on the cycle paths I commute along), or a hybrid (probably still too close to a mountain bike for me).
I've kind of narrowed it down, then, to either a cyclocross or a touring bike. I'm in two minds about this - I'm concerned that the touring bikes could be a bit heavy and unwieldy, but that the cyclocross bikes, whilst nimble, might not be built to last more than a season or two.
Does anyone have any recommendations? It would need to be sub £1000, ideally nearer the £500 mark. Panniers, etc would be an advantage, but not vital - I'm not sure I'd ever do any full-on touring, and I don't actually carry much "stuff" to work. Mud-guards (or at least the fittings to attach them) are probably a must, though.
04-30-13, 03:01 AM
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04-30-13, 07:01 AM
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A decent cyclocross bike will last you more than a season or two. I use one to commute on mostly trails to work (> 60% trails). Just right for a mix of trails/road.
04-30-13, 07:04 AM
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For commuting, I personally recommend a rack for panniers and fenders are often a good choice. After that, whatever bike you like riding. Cyclocross and touring bikes often work very well as you can get wider tires and fenders on more bikes than your "average" road bike (whatever that is). If you want something with a flat bar, get something with a flat bar. I would generally avoid front suspension...
Unless you're tiny and climbing lots of hills, I wouldn't worry too much about bike weight (it's total rider + bike weight that matters).
Unless you're tiny and climbing lots of hills, I wouldn't worry too much about bike weight (it's total rider + bike weight that matters).
04-30-13, 07:15 AM
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You are looking for either the Surly Long Haul Trucker (touring) or the Cross Check (cyclocross) bicycle. Here's a couple of links to your neck of the woods:
www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=5SUCC42G
www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=5SULH42K
The Gran Tour might be better:
www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=9049
www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=5SUCC42G
www.ison-distribution.com/english/product.php?part=5SULH42K
The Gran Tour might be better:
www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=14&pg=9049
Last edited by Cfiber; 04-30-13 at 04:25 PM.
04-30-13, 09:30 AM
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Smaller wheels take up less room in the Flat you live in. I like My Bike Friday Pocket Llama .
Its Made in the state I live in..
Avon Valley is their agent in England.
I'm running 406-47 Schwalbe marathon plus tires, added HD tubes .
You can pick the drivetrain. mine has a Rohloff Hub..
Other IGH & Derailleurs are also options.. 451 rims and narrow tires too .
their Pocket Rocket. its their Road Racer..
to Travel they fold, somewhat stiffly , not smoothly like Brompton.
and knock down to stow in A suitcase.. added benefit of 20" wheels..
Its Made in the state I live in..
Avon Valley is their agent in England.
I'm running 406-47 Schwalbe marathon plus tires, added HD tubes .
You can pick the drivetrain. mine has a Rohloff Hub..
Other IGH & Derailleurs are also options.. 451 rims and narrow tires too .
their Pocket Rocket. its their Road Racer..
to Travel they fold, somewhat stiffly , not smoothly like Brompton.
and knock down to stow in A suitcase.. added benefit of 20" wheels..
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-30-13 at 11:18 AM.
04-30-13, 01:00 PM
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I've got a 2008 Kona Jake cyclocross bike that I've used for nearly 9000 miles, including three seasons of CX racing. I'm not using it much these days because I got a 2013 Jake for commuting and I'm using a 2008 Major Jake for CX racing, but the bike is still in good condition. (FWIW, I weigh around 200 pounds, so life hasn't been easy for this bike.)
I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a CX bike that wouldn't last through years and years of commuting.
I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a CX bike that wouldn't last through years and years of commuting.
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04-30-13, 03:21 PM
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OP, concerning your comment about hybrids... you do realize that the term 'hybrid' encompasses a broad spectrum or bikes, don't you?
There are the Dual Sports/Adventure types that are like light duty mtbs, but there are those that are essentially full blown road bikes with flat bars as well, with comfort bikes and everything else inbetween.
Have a look at the Giant Escape City- https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/...y/11838/56827/. Linked to the UK/Ireland site, so pricing will be somewhat accurate.
There are the Dual Sports/Adventure types that are like light duty mtbs, but there are those that are essentially full blown road bikes with flat bars as well, with comfort bikes and everything else inbetween.
Have a look at the Giant Escape City- https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/...y/11838/56827/. Linked to the UK/Ireland site, so pricing will be somewhat accurate.
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