Hybrid Commuter £450?

[tibble89]

Only a short 4 miles ride to work but I'd like to ride something that'll be enjoyable. My requirements are somewhat basic but finding it hard to choose something..

Would prefer rigid and disc brakes, although I don't want "tektro" or any other "low end" brake - see too many bad reviews etc. I have no experience of hydraulic but if it's going to be reliable then I'll try them. I'm about 6ft 2 if that helps..

I would prefer to buy online with somewhere that has a "next day delivery" service and don't mind some assembling.

Thank you

 

[vickster]

My Cambridge has hydraulic Tektro brakes, they can be a bit squeaky my that just means the cars can hear me

You're being a little bit ambitious with budget if discounting such set ups. I can't speak highly enough for Whyte R7 range, but looking at £600+

What bikes are on your shortlist?

 

[sutty86]

ive been looking past few weeks and the revolution bikes get a good write up
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com
i just bought a courier race with discs off the bay for £100 in mint condition.......

have you thought about 2nd hand using ebay,gumtree,preloved etc using your location as a focal point

 

[vickster]

+1 my Cambridge was £450 off eBay, ridden once or twice, half rrp

 

[tibble89]

I understand not wanting tektro or other brands is an issue but I don't want annoying brakes. My shortlist.. really nothing, as it looks like I'd need to be spending £550+ to get something which I'd be happy with. I don't want second hand, I'm sure people get bargains but I bet other people end up with bikes which are a lot of hassle with replacing worn out parts.

 

[tibble89]

How about this?

http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/p-...8&cadevice=c&gclid=CJLP_Onn4MACFVDItAod-xIACA

 

[vickster]

Looks ok apart from the colour...but I would expect a Raleigh bike (now a more budget brand) that allegedly started at £650 to have a carbon fork and to be lighter than 13kg

Go test ride, see what you think (I wouldn't spend that on a bike without seeing in the metal)

 

[tibble89]

What weight should I be looking for? Also how accurate are the weights listed? It doesn't say which size has been weighed, I'd imagine there's some difference in the 3 sizes.

 

[vickster]

Little difference. I'd be wanting 12kg max. My whyte is 10 naked. Medium frame

 

[vickster]

Have you looked at boardmans from halfords?

 

[tibble89]

I did, yes.. but with all the negative comments it slightly put me off them.

 

[vickster]

You're buying boxed. Most negatives relate to issues with the build in store

 

[tibble89]

Been looking for last few weeks but still can't find anything that I 100% like. £450-500 is surely enough to find something "decent" but always seems to be something letting it down. Seems like I chose a bad time to buy, 2015 bikes seem highly priced and some 2014 models I like aren't available in my size.

Maybe I'm being too picky but to me, £450-500 is a lot of money

 

[vickster]

You just want too much spec for your money There are plenty of bikes out there to choose from and for a 4 mile/20 minute commute do you really need all that spec?
Have you looked at the Vitus or Ghost range from Chainreaction for example? Or something like this from Wiggle? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-dr-dew-via-centro-2013/

If leaving it anywhere, don't forget to budget at least £50-100 for locks

 

[tibble89]

I have a cheapo £5 lock, no problem.. ha!

This is too small for me but similar spec to this would be good: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-hyde-mens-city-bike-2014/rp-prod114125 - I like that it also has Shimano hubs, a lot have brand I don't know so don't know how often something like that would break?

If I got something I enjoyed riding I'd be more likely to use it for more than commuting to work.

http://pinnacle-bikes.co.uk/city-and-leisure/pinnacle-lithium-4-2014-hybrid-bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-four-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054696

Why is the spec different? Strange,,