Bike suggestion please

[Sprocket Dog]

It's almost time to renew my Cyclescheme plan and this time I'm erring toward a proper road bike as opposed to a mountain bike with road tyres (Giant 4.5 XtC).Can anyone suggest where to start looking? Giant? Trek? Specialized?I'm looking at spending £500, but can be flexible with the price for the right bike.My commute is 25 miles each way from Grays, Essex to Regent Street, W1. I ride along the cycle lane of the A13 - great if there's no wind but a PITA if there's the slightest headwind.I usually carry a filled, heavy rucksack (lock, shirt, phones....) if that's to be considered.Thanks in advance.

 

[Maz]

25 miles each way. You do that every day?!

 

[HJ]

Try riding as many bikes as you can within your budget and buy the one that feels the best...

 

[Greenbank]

I usually carry a filled, heavy rucksack (lock, shirt, phones....)

My advice:-

1. Ignore brand names, just find something that feels good on a test ride.
2. Leave your lock somewhere near work so you don't have to carry it each way. If necessary, use some of your budget to buy a new lock.
3. Consider getting a bike that can take a rack and a pannier. It's better for you if you take the weight off yourself and put it on the bike although not having to carry a lock with you will make a reasonable difference if you continue to use a rucksack (I do most of the time).

 

[Woz!]

I've just bought a tourer and it fits the bill perfectly for my 13 mile each-way commute.
Can take the little bit of rough road on my route without worries too.

 

[ketka82uk]

Just bought a Boardman Comp Road bike with a 100 pound discount (very slightly scuffed display model). Absolutely love it and it's a huge amount of bike for GBP 550!! That said, my commute is all road, totally flat and only 10-11 miles each way so I was looking for something zippy rather than functional!

 

[HJ]

... it's a huge amount of bike for GBP 550!! ...

If you take some time to look about a few LBSs and bike web sites, you will find that is £550 is fairly cheap for a modern bike... a Ti frame can set you back five times as much...

It is a reasonable amount for a mid range bike.

 

[Tynan]

smeting slightly audaxey called for for 50 miles a day (christ)

cough condor fratello cough

 

[Maz]

smeting slightly audaxey called for for 50 miles a day (christ)

cough condor fratello cough

More Eastend patois from Tynan. Translation, anyone?

 

[Wigsie]

More Eastend patois from Tynan. Translation, anyone?

I think he is saying something about a briefcase, a chicken and a lolly pop!

 

[jemah]

Hi Sprocket Dog,
Sorry to hijack your thread, but i'm looking at getting a MTB (have moved out of london and want to cycle on bridleways etc) and was looking at the Giant XTC - how did you find it?
many thanks!

 

[Sprocket Dog]

Hi folks, thank very much for the replies. My browser won't let me multi-quote so apologies if my replies don't make flow smoothly.Maz - 25 miles each way, 2/3 times a week. I can just about do a back-to-back but not yet managed three in a row. I suspect I need to get my diet in order to improve further.Greenbank - noted. I'll be looking at getting some panniers for this bike, I hate using rucksacks. I think I'll also get a cheaper/lighter lock as I only use it when I stop at the petrol station.Tynan - I visited the Condor shop last year (my first Cyclescheme voucher) and decided that Condor were way out of my league and that their bikes were a bit too advanced for me - no harm in me wandering up there again and talking it through.CoG - yup, the A13 has a really good cycle lane (IMO) which runs on the pavement. It starts from Dovers Corner and runs all the way to the City. You need to stick to the south side (westbound) carriageway in order to 'do' the North Circ junction without any hassles. It's still not as nice as cycling from Redhill, but it's safe from traffic for the most part.Jemah - the XtC 4.5 is a good bike IMO but you should note that it's my first decent bike in 15 years. It's stood up well to my hamfisted abuse, commutes well on road tyres and more than capable for me on the bumpy stuff. The components have lasted well (though I'm almost OCD with greasing the chain and rear mech - the front gets abused by not seeing much grease and can seize if not used).Apologies to those I've not responded to directly, your input is still very much appreciated.

 

[jemah]

great, thanks sprocket dog. hope you have fun finding the new bike!!!

 

[Sprocket Dog]

Acksherly, something I didn't really give much thought to was could somebody recommend a bike shop to go to instead of recommending a bike?The shop would ideally need to be in central London (W1/EC postcodes) or on the A23 to Redhill.Last year I used Cycle Surgery and thought the service (on buying the bike) was good but this time I think a LBS might be a better idea.Cheers.