Another bike suggestion request

[karlos_the_jackal]

I've started commuting in from chislehurst to london which is 13 miles each way, currently doing it on a hybrid/mtb from decathlon which will do for now.

Looking to spend between £500-750 as i am looking for it to replace train journey permanently, have a couple of minor climbs and also live on a farm with a track with large loose gravel and rocks so probably thinking that rules out full road bike. Have been looking at cyclocross option that i can change around a bit e.g. road set up if doing weekend riding.

the cycling bug has caught me a bit.

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

or should i get a tourer!! i want a bit of speed on the straights

 

[Aperitif]

Specialized Allez - then you'll be able to shoot along the road.

 

[just jim]

Possible job for a Kaffenback?

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

thanks for those, is it wrong to start salivating. Think i'll have to hit the test rides as need to check out what the differing brake options are, have a lot of eager car drivers pull out on me especially on descents, they cant tell how fast bikes can actual go sometimes.

 

[just jim]

Yes - gotta watch that. Bit tedious to do other people's thinking, anyway that's commuting for you. I was thinking the kaffenback cos it's a nice steel frame for bumpy tracks and you can fit it out any way which. Quite keen on one myself s'matter of fact...

 

[ianrauk]

Hi Karlo,.
not far from you in Jolly Orpington.. also commute into London every day, via Bickley, Bromley and Lewisham.

This bike might do for you
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-sport-2009-road-bike-ec016874

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

Cheers Ian, have got tricross as a daily search on ebay!!

what route do you take simply A20/A2?
Spotted the bromley and lewisham links. Decent clubs? would like to do some reasonable easy weekend rides also so been looking around for a club.

 

[ianrauk]

Hi Karlos.
Route I take is a roundaboutish one, Orpington, Petts Wood, Bickley, Bromley, Shortlands, A21 to Lewisham then Greenwich... not the most direct as I like to tag on a few miles every day.

Bromley & Lewisham Cyclists are not clubs, ie there is nothing to join, they are affiliates of the LCC. It's definately not a road racing club, more of a nice pootling avg +/-50miles in the countrytside, usually with a beer and food stop. Of course you are more then welcome to join us.

I think your closest road race club, if that is what you are looking for is either Big Foot in Hayes http://www.bigfootbikeclub.org/ or Avanti http://www.gsavanti.co.uk/ (of which Ilovebikes on this forum is a member) in Orpington

Cheers Ian, have got tricross as a daily search on ebay!!

what route do you take simply A20/A2?
Spotted the bromley and lewisham links. Decent clubs? would like to do some reasonable easy weekend rides also so been looking around for a club.