Advice needed on choosing a commuting bike

[analyst01]

Hi all.

As an extreme beginner, I'm hoping for some advice on choosing a bike for a short (6 mile or so) commute over canal towpaths with a short run of roads.

I'm not too fussed about looks or raw speed - other of course than the ability to get to work on time - but as far as I can see the main elements I'd need would be:

(1) ability to handle towpath surfaces.
(2) low maintenance
(3) fitted dynamo lights
(4) mudguards with flaps and a chainguard.
(5) simple, low maintenance gears
(6) ...at a reasonable price for a very limited budget.

I know the "Dutch" style bikes tend to have all this, but could they handle the towpath?

Any advice, recommendations and the like very gratefully received!

 

[HLaB]

Any bike would be able to handle a tow path if the speed is appropriate, 'Dutch' style bikes generally have wider tyres and are well made so will be at home on a tow path.

 

[I like Skol]

Well done for not thinking this VVVVV is the answer to your commuting requirements at only £99.99

Your list of requirements seem to be quite easily fulfilled except for one thing and I will come back to that in a moment.

I would suggest a hybrid bike without suspension front or back. You ask for simple and low maintenance gears which would tend to point towards some sort of hub geared bike and there are a few of these on the market nowadays, but I wonder if there is another way. When you say a 6 mile commute do you mean 3 miles there and 3 miles back or 12 miles in total each trip? Also is it reasonably flat (canal towpaths tend to be) for the whole journey? If it is flat perhaps you should consider a single speed bike that doesn't have any gears at all? Very simple, very low maintenance and very reliable. Even for a 6 mile each way trip the lack of gears shouldn't be a hindrance if the inclines are only mild. If you find a flat barred single speed bike with 32c or 35c (the 'thickness) tyres then you can add mudflaps and chain guards if required.

The only thing I have a problem with is your requirement for dynamo lights? Why do you want these? If you are going to be travelling on unlit towpaths in the dark you will need good lights and most of these are LED with rechargeable batteries. If the requirement is only for be-seen lights then again these are cheap to buy and run as the batteries last ages and rechargeables can be used if you need to but most LED lights will last several weeks with just one set of batteries for a trip of that distance and the lights can be popped off into a pocket or bag for security when you reach your destination.

You don't say what your budget is, or your gender, but would something like this be an option? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-vee-1-city-bike-2014/rp-prod80999

 

[Paul.G.]

Cyclocross bike, drops give you far more variation on hand position on the bars, much lighter and faster than a heavy mountain bike on and off road. Most have rack and mudguard mounts so make a perfect all rounder.

 

[analyst01]

Plenty of food for thought, for which thanks all!

It's going to be 6 miles each way, with probably less than half a mile of that being roads. Pretty much flat.

The dynamo concept's really because of that elemental, self-powering with nothing to forget idea. It seems a natural fit with cycling. I recognise it's not _essential_, I suppose. Certainly doesn't compare to the need for full mudguards and a serious chainguard (full chaincase?) for the towpath use.

A singlespeed genuinely hadn''t occurred to me. Clearly even simpler, but would that be able to cope with the mixed run? Since a 3-gear hub would pretty clearly suit, I suppose a single gear would never be too far off what I needed.

Cyclocross or "sportier"-end hybrid seem to be the options I'm narrowing in on as perfect for the task.

Well done for not thinking this VVVVV is the answer to your commuting requirements at only £99.99
View attachment 43943

Your list of requirements seem to be quite easily fulfilled except for one thing and I will come back to that in a moment.

I would suggest a hybrid bike without suspension front or back. You ask for simple and low maintenance gears which would tend to point towards some sort of hub geared bike and there are a few of these on the market nowadays, but I wonder if there is another way. When you say a 6 mile commute do you mean 3 miles there and 3 miles back or 12 miles in total each trip? Also is it reasonably flat (canal towpaths tend to be) for the whole journey? If it is flat perhaps you should consider a single speed bike that doesn't have any gears at all? Very simple, very low maintenance and very reliable. Even for a 6 mile each way trip the lack of gears shouldn't be a hindrance if the inclines are only mild. If you find a flat barred single speed bike with 32c or 35c (the 'thickness) tyres then you can add mudflaps and chain guards if required.

The only thing I have a problem with is your requirement for dynamo lights? Why do you want these? If you are going to be travelling on unlit towpaths in the dark you will need good lights and most of these are LED with rechargeable batteries. If the requirement is only for be-seen lights then again these are cheap to buy and run as the batteries last ages and rechargeables can be used if you need to but most LED lights will last several weeks with just one set of batteries for a trip of that distance and the lights can be popped off into a pocket or bag for security when you reach your destination.

You don't say what your budget is, or your gender, but would something like this be an option? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-vee-1-city-bike-2014/rp-prod80999

 

[Kestevan]

Decathlon appear to have a bike that pretty much matches your requirements...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-300m-city-bike-id_8307664.html

Decathlon bikes are usually very well made and excellent value.

 

[TheViking]

Would recommend an upright bike with 3 hub gears. This is minimum maintenance and maximum enjoyment. Bike comes with everything except the hub dynamo, but for tow-paths you should get some stronger rechargeable LED light anyway. Have fun.

 

[I like Skol]

Don't feel that you are restricted to only 3 gears if you have a geared hub. Various offerings on the market at the moment, I know Shimano do two with 8 or 11? gears.