Which bike should I choose?!

[JennyU]

Hello!

I am looking for a new bike to get quite soon. I cycle about 4.5 miles (each way) to work in London every day, I live near the marshes so like to go on pebbled paths, and by the canals and towpaths etc on weekends. I’m also going to do the Prudential Ride London in August, which is 100 miles from London-Surrey and back again.

With this in mind, I’m looking for a bike that is fast on roads but can also handle a bit of ‘off road’, so I think I need tyres that can handle that – I’ve been advised maybe 700 x 32 ones (but then I;ve also had conflicting advice saying I need the thinnest tyres possible...although I feel these would just get punctures as soon as I go on towpaths). I’ll also be training by going on long cycles into the countryside etc over the next few months.

I’ve been told Tourer bikes would be my best bet by some people, but then conflicting advice said that I don't need a Tourer because it has unnecessary weight in pannier racks etc. So basically I'm confused and can't decide! My budget is around £500 - £600 max.

I have a few possibilities in mind:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...raveller-14?bct=browse/bicycles/touring-bikes

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId_1021769_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#tab3

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-audax?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bobbin-scout-2014/

Basically I’m not great with spec of bikes and deciding what’s the best value, so your advice or recommendations of any other bikes would be much appreciated!

Thanks very much
Jenny

 

[vickster]

Something like a trek 7.3 flat bar? Also in women's specific design

Or do you specifically want drop bars? Not essential for sportives

 

[Cyclone1]

They all look fine but the choice is massive. Given your requirements of road and paths I would steer more towards a "road" set up bike but compensate a little on wider tyres for comfort.

Here is one at the top end of your budget, it's a lovely bike, but I am biased as have just bought a Dolan myself;

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bikes/dolan-preffisio-aluminium-road-bike.html

 

[Paul.G.]

Cyclocross bike every time, nice compact frames, can handle the rough stuff and still nice and quick on tarmac.

 

[SteCenturion]

The one that makes you

&

 

[Cycleops]

I am guessing you prefer a drop bar bike as all your choices are that type. You could also opt for a hybrid type as @vickster has suggested, or is your preference for drop bars absolute? Out of your selection the Country Traveller would be best suited to your needs IMO, and a cyclocross bike would also be a good halfway house. I find that a bike with 28c tyres is fine to tackle most off road tracks and towpaths. You can go wider which will give you more comfort at the expense of slightly less speed on the road. Most of the bikes you have chosen can be fitted with wider tyres. The Raleigh seems to be more of a road bike whilst the Bobbin looks like a bit of an oddball, but they would all do the job for you.

 

[JennyU]

Thanks for all of your advice!

Yes, I threw the Bobbin in there as a bit of an oddball, because I (shamelessly) think it looks great. But it's not one I will go for.

I actually haven't used drop bar bikes before, but I would ideally like to go for one as I've heard they are good for long-distance so that you can put your hands on different positions and not get tired as quickly.

Do you think the Revolution Audax (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-audax?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes) can also be fitted with wider tyres?

I could just train with wider tyres and then put the thinner tyres on for the Ride 100 event, then switch back again. That could be a good option.

It is a bit overwhelming to try to get to grips with all the many options, so thank you for all of your advice. Hopefully I can become more of a pro and then I'll be on here more often.

Jenny

 

[Cycleops]

The Revolution Audax looks to be an excellent bike. You should be able to squeeze 28c tyres under those mudguards but check with EBC first, I'm sure they would respond to an email. I don't know if you aware but the brake levers double as gear shifters which is a popular configuration now, (push sideways to change) and you are right the drop bars will give you more positions. You have even got braze ons for a rack which is useful.

I have just noticed that in the Q&A section someone has asked the question about 28c tyres and yes, they do fit.

 

[BSRU]

I could just train with wider tyres and then put the thinner tyres on for the Ride 100 event, then switch back again. That could be a good option.

Current thinking is that wider tyres are better than thin tyres, so just stick with wider tyres.
Just make sure they are slicks/semi-slicks because any tread pattern is pointless for road riding.

 

[vickster]

25mm will be good for ride London, get with puncture protection

 

[JennyU]

Great, thanks everyone!

 

[Bikerta]

How about this one? Great for every day riding or on towpaths etc. If you decide later on you really love the idea, you are already set up for touring.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/dawes-galaxy-2012-model-48cm.154483/

 

[Cycleops]

The Galaxy from @Bikerta would be a good buy, if you fancy it. It's a fully blown tourer as well as being a great all rounder.

 

[Pale Rider]

The Galaxy from @Bikerta would be a good buy, if you fancy it. It's a fully blown tourer as well as being a great all rounder.

And it has the 'right' tyres:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-plus-smartguard-rigid-road-tyre/

 

[Nebulous]

I had a country traveller that recently got totalled and I had to get a new bike for commuting. Both of those Edinburgh bicycle ones were on my shortlist, but after going and sitting on them all I bought this:- http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...-disc-14?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes
I'm happy with it so far - liking the disc brakes. I might put slicks on as I'm not too sure about the tyres.

My traveller was a real workhorse, quite heavy. The audax bike had quite an aggressive position, and I already had a roadbike, so I thought it was too close to something I already had.

I added a rack and mudguards to the cross bike for carrying work stuff and to keep my clothes dry.