Help me find a bike

[Matthew_T]

In September, I am going to be starting a degree. I have the option of either getting the bus there, commuting, or getting a car.
A car is out of the question as I dont have the money for that. A yearly bus ticket is £600 so I have set myself that budget for the bike.

The bike needs to be:

• A hybrid or touring bike.
• Flat or drop bars.
• I dont car about the gears as long as they are over 7 speed at the back.
• Material of frame doesnt matter.
• Needs to be able to fit panniers.
• Needs to be able to maintain a good speed (this will depend on me but I can manage an average of 17mph on a roadie) so I need smooth tires (MTB ones are very slow).
• I am not bothered about the type of brakes as long as they work.

I dont care whether it is a reliable company or a popular one, all I want is a bike that meets the specifications above and will not brake after 10 miles.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

If you are used to a roadie then a tourer would probably suit you pretty well. Try these for starters:

Dawes are one of the best known names in touring bikes and their Vantage fits your budget.
I quite like the look of the Raleigh Royal for £500.
Also at £500 is the Revolution Country Traveller from Edinburgh Bike Co-op.

 

[vickster]

Specialized Sirrus - my Elite is an admirable commuter

I have done >2k miles between this bike and one that got nicked, not a jot of trouble, including of the rubber-related variety!

The Sport is under £500, the Elite under £600. Wait until August / September if you can when prices typically start to come down in readiness for the new models

 

[fossala]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genesis-E...1042764258?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3cc75c79e2
Send this guy an offer. I got the bike for 640 brand new (last years stock) and it is the best I have rode.

 

[Matthew_T]

The Sport is under £500, the Elite under £600. Wait until August / September if you can when prices typically start to come down in readiness for the new models

Oops, forgot to say that I am going to be getting finances for the bike in September so I am just browsing the market for now and looking to make a decision closer to the time.

 

[Matthew_T]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genesis-E...1042764258?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3cc75c79e2
Send this guy an offer. I got the bike for 640 brand new (last years stock) and it is the best I have rode.

Sorry, 54cm is a bit big for me. My racer is a 52cm and fits me perfect.

 

[Herzog]

Go for a second hand tourer. If you do, a Ridgeback Panorama would be a good buy, and I'd avoid 2nd hand Dawes Galaxy's as they they tend to be massively overpriced.

 

[Matthew_T]

Specialized Sirrus - my Elite is an admirable commuter

I have done >2k miles between this bike and one that got nicked, not a jot of trouble, including of the rubber-related variety!

The Sport is under £500, the Elite under £600. Wait until August / September if you can when prices typically start to come down in readiness for the new models

The Elite looks quite mice actually. I will keep an eye on eht prices then.