Expensive lightweight bikes for commuting....is it worth it?

[BlackPanther]

Having looked at dozens of potential steeds, are the more expensive bikes really worth it? I realise that lighter bikes also tend to have higher quality components, but for commuting on, when you're carrying panniers, tools, lunch etc, can it really be justified spending £1,000 instead of the same make bike lower down the range for maybe £4-500?If you're going for long fast rides with a bunch of other cyclists, the expensive, lighter bike would get you there a tad quicker, but surely fitness is more important than the weight of a bike? Also, it could be argued that if you cycle to work mainly for fitness (as I do), surely the heavier the bike, the more exercise you'll get, and the fitter and faster you'll become. That said, I'm looking forward to trying my new Specialised Allez 16 for a change from my Dawes hybrid (I get it next week)? I'm hoping that rather than just being easier and faster to ride than the Dawes, I will actually get the same (maybe more) exercise by shortening my commute time, and working up more of a sweat. I'm also looking forward to beating the Dawes' record top speed of 31 mph (set downhill with a tailwind)

Has anyone bought a really expensive lightweight bike just for commuting on, and is it really worth the extra cost?

 

[Smokin Joe]

The simple answer is that you don't have to justify it. It's your money, your choice, if it makes you happy then what's the problem?

 

[fossyant]

It's your choice - my commuter, with guards/rack etc comes in at about £1300, and it doesn't even have gears. Better components do last, and handbuilt wheels are a big plus for a daily ride.

 

[buggi]

yep, both my bikes to commute on were £1k plus. the first was 1k, my first ever road bike and i just went for it! LOL. The 2nd was a carbon £1800.

Then again, i don't have panniers, i leave all my stuff at work, and i at the time i only had one bike (the 1st broke before i bought the 2nd one), so it wasn't just for commuting.

As said, it's your money. i know people who have expensive carbon and bought a cheaper bike for commuting.

i've now got 2 bikes, the 2nd is a cross bike which i use for commuting and my £1800 i'm now keeping for weekend riding and long leisure rides. but even the cross, although i got it 2nd hand for a bargain price, is 1k new.

 

[buggi]

personally, more than price, i think the colour is important. really i do. i need to look at the bike and say I LOVE THAT BIKE, because that is what makes you get on it, no matter how much it cost.

 

[yello]

The simple answer is that you don't have to justify it. It's your money, your choice, if it makes you happy then what's the problem?

Indeed. Define 'worth it'. Very much based on your own values.

 

[cyberknight]

After you consider your budget it also depends if you have the insurance and are in an area where it is likely to be stolen .

I ride a £100 ebay bike that for the money was a very good buy, sure i am not going to win races on it but it has aluminum frame, sti shifters and can carry all that i need at a reasonable turn of speed.
Parts might last longer on higher spec parts but when i can get a new 8 speed cassette for £20 rather than spend a lot more for eg a 10 speed block .

Where i work we have had regular bouts of theft every timeC2W comes out, i had to suffer nearly 2 years of short time work with a family to support .As yello said it all defines what you call "worth it "
For me a 1k bike would be a no no but its all about perpective ........

 

[iAmiAdam]

Most of the people who buy the expensive bikes are racing/been cycling for years, so the fitness is already there, any advantage is then welcome.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think it depends on the commute and where you get to store your bike.

I don't see the point in flogging through stop-start London traffic, poor roads on £1000+ of lightweight bicycle as hugely advantageous when a £600 ribble winter-bike, good hybrid or a cheapish fixie would do the job admirably.
City commuting in all weathers takes it's toll on a bike.

On the other hand, a decent free-flowing Urban/sub-urban commutes where speed can be made over reasonable surfaces, a lightweight quick bike may be just the job (assuming it can be theft-proof at the end).

 

[400bhp]

The simple answer is that you don't have to justify it. It's your money, your choice, if it makes you happy then what's the problem?

Well, you have to justify it to yourself. But I agree with your money/choice point. Largely no different than choosing anything in a capitalist society.

I have 2 bikes which I commute on-one is a reasonably heavy hybrid, the other is a lightweight racer. I probably get into work on average 5 mins quicker on the racer (over 9.5 miles) but that's missing the point. The hybrid comes out when the weather is rubbish and when i want to pick my daugher up from nursery. The racing bike is used for the rest of the time.

The racer was £1000. I use it at weekends too. at a rough guess, 20% of the bike's life is spent commuting. If I solely used it to commute then I probably wouldn't have spent £1k on it. C2W clouds the issue somewhat as currently I can rotate bikes annually.

The hybrid was £80 second hand. At a guess, 90% of it's life is spent commuting. I wouldn't be happy with this as a sole commute bike. It's too heavy and the parts wear out too quickly.

 

[400bhp]

Most of the people who buy the expensive bikes are racing/been cycling for years, so the fitness is already there, any advantage is then welcome.

I'm not sure that's true. Perhaps many would like people to think they race/are fit.

Not dissimilar to many who buy a "sports" car but would never race/track it.

 

[Alembicbassman]

Some of the components on the cheaper bikes will actually last longer when used for commuting.

A Shimano 2300 chainset with steel chain rings and square taper bottom braket won't wear out as quickly as an Ultegra alloy chainset.

8 Speed stuff is cheaper to replace too.

 

[snailracer]

4x4 for the school run - is it worth it? Oops, wrong forum

 

[DrSquirrel]

You don't have to have an expensive bike to have a light bike... my "winter commuter" (full guards etc) weighs 8.5kg and cost me £350 new.

Has no gears though



If you are lucky enough to have 2 bikes, one for summer (light weight racer) and one for summer (basic, possibly single speed clunker) means you have a bike that is "fast" for the nice days and weekends, and a work horse to take the wear and tear when you don't need the speed.

 

[BlackPanther]

You don't have to have an expensive bike to have a light bike... my "winter commuter" (full guards etc) weighs 8.5kg and cost me £350 new.

Has no gears though



If you are lucky enough to have 2 bikes, one for summer (light weight racer) and one for summer (basic, possibly single speed clunker) means you have a bike that is "fast" for the nice days and weekends, and a work horse to take the wear and tear when you don't need the speed.

I'm a bit worried that when I start riding an 'entry level' road bike, I'll like it so much that I'll be wanting to upgrade........that's how it started with the motorbike anyway, every upgrade got faster and more expensive!