If I were to buy a new bike....

[magnatom]

Having thoroughly enjoyed my Pedal for Scotland experiences, I am considering the purchase of a new bike! (Not a camera! ). The 55 mile ride highlighted the deficiencies of my 3 year old, but significantly modified Ridgeback Cyclone (the 26 inch wheels for a start!).

So I'll probably be in the market for a new bike some time soon (probably via my works cycle to work scheme, although I don't make any VAT savings working in the NHS). It would need to be useful on my 5 mile each way commute on the roads and a small amount of path, and for the occasional longer ride, with some hill climbing capability (i.e an engine....). It would have to be a fairly strong bike as the roads in Glasgow are not the best, with potholes, ruts etc pretty much everywhere.

The question is what bikes to consider (yes that old question). One that I have already thought of, as a few on here rate it well, is the Specialized Sirrus Elite. So when I pop along to the bike shops, what other bikes should I consider? I will be sticking to flat bars for the time being (although I know someone will suggest otherwise!) as I like the ride position, and I would never use the drops on the commute anyway. Also if I ever get properly into road cycling, it would also provide me with an excuse to get another new bike...

So, what do you think?

 

[4F]

Get a drop handlebar bike you big jessie and be done with it.

 

[BentMikey]

Drops as well. I had a spesh elite, it was a great bike, but I eventually abandoned it for a drop barred bike. Drop bars give you the same options that a flat bar does, and then also some more hand positions.

 

[4F]

However if you want to stick to your flat bars then a chap at work here has just got one of these, if you like that sort of thing
http://www.bikepedlar.co.uk/acatalog/Giant_FCR_Road_Bikes_2008.html

 

[Crackle]

Keep your old one for what you do now and buy the new one to do something completely different, why have two bikes for nearly the same porpoise?

Re-flats vs drops: I have always commuted on drops, it's the set-up of the bike which makes the difference to comfort and agility not the handlebars. To that end though, I've always found drops gave me more postions than flats and therefore more options but it's personal, like saddles.

 

[domtyler]

Keep your old one for what you do now and buy the new one to do something completely different, why have two bikes for nearly the same porpoise?

Re-flats vs drops: I have always commuted on drops, it's the set-up of the bike which makes the difference to comfort and agility not the handlebars. To that end though, I've always found drops gave me more postions than flats and therefore more options but it's personal, like saddles.

I'm confused, I thought he was buying it for himself, not his pet marine mammal?

 

[domtyler]

Having thoroughly enjoyed my Pedal for Scotland experiences, I am considering the purchase of a new bike! (Not a camera! ). The 55 mile ride highlighted the deficiencies of my 3 year old, but significantly modified Ridgeback Cyclone (the 26 inch wheels for a start!).

So I'll probably be in the market for a new bike some time soon (probably via my works cycle to work scheme, although I don't make any VAT savings working in the NHS). It would need to be useful on my 5 mile each way commute on the roads and a small amount of path, and for the occasional longer ride, with some hill climbing capability (i.e an engine....). It would have to be a fairly strong bike as the roads in Glasgow are not the best, with potholes, ruts etc pretty much everywhere.

The question is what bikes to consider (yes that old question). One that I have already thought of, as a few on here rate it well, is the Specialized Sirrus Elite. So when I pop along to the bike shops, what other bikes should I consider? I will be sticking to flat bars for the time being (although I know someone will suggest otherwise!) as I like the ride position, and I would never use the drops on the commute anyway. Also if I ever get properly into road cycling, it would also provide me with an excuse to get another new bike...

So, what do you think?

Buy some butterfly bars for your current bike. I have seen the future, it is full of butterfly shaped loveliness.

 

[Crackle]

I'm confused, I thought he was buying it for himself, not his pet marine mammal?

Hah! Did I type that. Foolish me, I thought I merely thought it. A porpoise on a bike, that's good......medication, where's the medication gone?

 

[magnatom]

Keep your old one for what you do now and buy the new one to do something completely different, why have two bikes for nearly the same porpoise?

Re-flats vs drops: I have always commuted on drops, it's the set-up of the bike which makes the difference to comfort and agility not the handlebars. To that end though, I've always found drops gave me more postions than flats and therefore more options but it's personal, like saddles.

My current bike would become my back up/wifes bike.

So I'm getting more drop suggestions than I anticipated. Ok then, if I was to go for drops, remembering that I need a fairly sturdy bike for the commute, but would also be reasonable for occasional long rides, what would be the recommendations. I promise to have a look at them as well.

 

[domtyler]

My current bike would become my back up/wifes bike.

So I'm getting more drop suggestions than I anticipated. Ok then, if I was to go for drops, remembering that I need a fairly sturdy bike for the commute, but would also be reasonable for occasional long rides, what would be the recommendations. I promise to have a look at them as well.

Either a tourer or a Cyclo Cross would fit the bill. If you like to stick lots of things on your bike, like mudguards, racks, lights etc. then a light weight tourer would be the way to go.

Something like this maybe?

http://www.condorcycles.com/heritage.html

 

[Origamist]

+1. A tourer is the way forward...

 

[Crackle]

Sirrus Elite looks good but it'll be a jarrier as well as snappier ride than current, compact frame, carbon forks, I can feel me teeth rattling now. Could be a bit of toe overlap to get used to too.

Dom's suggestion's good

 

[magnatom]

Either a tourer or a Cyclo Cross would fit the bill. If you like to stick lots of things on your bike, like mudguards, racks, lights etc. then a light weight tourer would be the way to go.

Something like this maybe?

http://www.condorcycles.com/heritage.html

Hmm. I'm sure it's a nice bike, but it would be quite a jump in price from the Specalized. I just don't think I could justify stretching that far. Anyway, sourcing it via my cycle to work scheme might be a little difficult, as would trying it out!

 

[beancounter]

I've just been through the same thought process and I decided a cyclocross bike was ideal, being quite similar to a road bike but more robust. I bought this----> (but replaced the knobbly tyres with Marathon Plus).

bc

 

[magnatom]

Hmmm. I mention a bike that is probably at the top of my range (£550) and everyone starts mentioning considerably more expensive bikes. I suppose it's the way of the world...