Commuter Bike Recommendation

[pedalpusher]

Hi, I am sure this comes up regularly, but I have scrolled through previous posts and cannot find much of help to me.

I currently commute on good urban roads, 7.5 miles each way, almost all flat except three shallow climbs up and over railway bridges. I do this on a MTB fitted with road tyres and a pannier rack.

I am thinking of getting a specific commuter bike (not a hybrid, as I have two other MTBs for anything off road), and would like rack mounts, disc brakes and singlespeed.

I am considering the Trek District, Cotic Roadrat, Cannondale Bad Boy and Specialized Globe with a budget of £500-1,000. Only the Cotic seems to tick all the boxes for me.

Does anyone have any recommendations for any of these, or are there other candidates that I am overlooking?

The reason for the swap from my MTB conversion is to reduce weight of bike and cut down on things that creak (on the bike that is - my knees are a lost cause).

Thanks all.

 

[gouldina]

The Cannondale Bad Boy and Specialized Globe look a lot like hybrids to me

You might want to take a look at this thread too:

https://www.cyclechat.net/

Edit: Sorry, missed the single speed thing.

 

[Cubist]

Struggling with the definition of hybrid again. Why don't we call them flat bar road bikes? Some hybrids have suspension and 26 inch wheels. Just 'cos a bike has flat bars doesn't mean it'll be crap on road. Look at the Boardmans.

 

[BentMikey]

It's still a hybrid, not a road bike.

 

[beetlebug]

I love love LOVE my GIant FCR. IT's the best commuting bike I have had (and I've been commuting for 10 years give or take). I've done roadified MTBs, hybrids, a hub, a road bike and a bastardised cycle-cross bike. But the FCR is the best one yet. Fast, lightweight and cheap enough that as and when I get totalled by another cager I can afford to replace whilst waiting for the insurance money!

Doesn't have discbrakes; but you could fit a singlespeed and it'll take a rack and guards too with plenty of space for lights.

 

[Matty]

I've had a Roadrat since Christmas for pretty much the same reasons. Love it. Very quick. Single speed for easy maintenance, although teething problems for first few hundred miles.

I don't however rate the service provided by Cotic. The attitude is very much 'be grateful we are supplying you with this bike'. Forget now how late it was, multiple months.

Think you can get a Roadrat with hub gears as standard build now too?!

Matt

p.s. pictures posted elsewhere on this site, can't recall whereabouts!

 

[Cubist]

It's still a hybrid, not a road bike.

Yeah, wot I meant was, Hybrids aren't all off-road biased.

Then I was suggesting: While you're making your mind up look at the Boardmans. Suppose it came across as a bit run together in terms of syntax.

 

[Tynan]

if your knees aren't sound, SS isn't going to help them

 

[skudupnorth]

Still in love with my Specialized Sirrus Elite (Hybrid...cough,flat bar thingy..cough ! ) Does everything i need it to do plus good for distance on the weekend.Fitted mudguards and panniers to it and it will do as a tourer aswell..RESULT !!!

 

[neslon]

Still in love with my Specialized Sirrus Elite (Hybrid...cough,flat bar thingy..cough ! ) Does everything i need it to do plus good for distance on the weekend.Fitted mudguards and panniers to it and it will do as a tourer aswell..RESULT !!!

For a commuter bike its great - my Direct Line Sirrus is now the commuter bike of choice. For longer rides...hmmm. Went out on Sunday for a 60k loop through S.Shields, the land of the Swamp Donkeys and back to the right side of the water. The boys I was with had road bikes and could get down out of the wind much better than I could on the Sirrus.

 

[J4CKO]

I have the Bad Boy, its great but very stiff and I have sidelined it for a Spec Allez Elite which I prefer.

 

[jimboalee]

I've dropped my Halfords Apollo County in favour of a Land Rover Tahora disk MTB transformed into a hybrid.
My commute is 23 or 14 miles, dependent on the weather.

I could also do a 7.5 commute if I took the train. On the train, I'd take my BSA 20 and wear training pants over cycle shorts and a sweatshirt over a tee shirt. Not SPDs, old training shoes.

7.5 miles is a bit short to get clobbered up in full cycling kit for a 35 minute trip.

 

[skudupnorth]

For a commuter bike its great - my Direct Line Sirrus is now the commuter bike of choice. For longer rides...hmmm. Went out on Sunday for a 60k loop through S.Shields, the land of the Swamp Donkeys and back to the right side of the water. The boys I was with had road bikes and could get down out of the wind much better than I could on the Sirrus.

I've done good runs on mine but i have added bar ends so i can get a bit lower but to be honest i'm not trying to beat anyone and i find it very comfy.....it better be up to my planned Cornwall trip or i'm foobarred !