I'm looking for the ideal road bike commuter.

[BlackPanther]

I'm just about ready to buy my first road bike (since childhood). I'm willing to spend £350.00-£500.00 at a push (I would prefer it to be around the £400.00 mark though.) I currently commute 10 miles each way on my Dawes Tanami hybrid, which I'll continue to use. It's a great bike for what I need, but I'm after something to make some of the better weather commutes more interesting (i.e. faster!) and also something that would be ideal for longer weekend rides during the Summer. My commute is pretty flat all the way, and I never need to use the 'granny' ring on it,so I'm think a 16 speed would be ideal. As my Dawes has proved extremely reliable (4,500 miles and no probs) I'm tempted to stay with the brand, but the choice out there in this price range is enormous. I will need to fit mudguards and a seat mounted carrier.

I've narrowed it down to.

Viking Torino http://cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWAXT

Dawes Giro 300 http://cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWAXT

GTR series 4 http://www.evanscycl...ampaign=froogle

Raleigh Sprint http://cgi.ebay.co.u...TRK:MESINDXXT

I have to say that at the moment, the Torino is my 1st choice.....but this is probably because I think it looks the coolest, (and I like using toe clips.) It does seem a bargain with the carbon forks and sti shifters, or am I missing something? If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. If any of these bikes are poor, I'd also like to hear about it. If I've overlooked any other new road bikes in this price range that'd be ideal for commuting I'd appreciate some solid advice. Thanks in advance, Carl!

 

[ELL]

I know it is a little over your budget but the boardman 2010 comp has £140 off at the moment so is down to £560. If you look around you will probably be able to find discount codes for 10-15% to bring it in line with your budget. or if you have the balls go in and just say you want extra discount. I personally would spend the extra and get a pretty sorted bike for the money


Link to the bike
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_502003_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#dtab

 

[Jezston]

Do you know what size you take? Just there's a fair variation in size on those bikes linked to - from 54cm to 58cm. Make sure you don't get blinded by the bargainness and end up with a bike that isn't right for you!

 

[Fozz]

that Raleigh sprint can be got a darn sight cheaper than that.........

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/28851/Raleigh-Sprint-2010---Road-Bike-.html?referrer=peerius

 

[Fab Foodie]

OK
Ask some questionas about what this commuter-bike needs to do ... will it need or can they be fitted:

Mudguards
Rack

Does it have multi-spoke durable wheels?
Where will it be parked, will it be a theif-magnet?

There are some vey zippy hybrids available for the same money, the Boardman was £400 in the sale and that's a quick machine. Hybrids offer more bike for your money because the shifters are much cheaper and they tend to be more flexible, wider geared and have slightly fatter tyres for commuter usage.
Just a thought!

The Vikings are OK, bargain-basement but serviceable, I have a mate that does 80 milers on hiss with no probs. Another option would be Decathlons road bikes, usually excellent value and better than most for the price.

 

[frank9755]

For commuting, I use a Carrera Vanquish, which you might find in your price point (certainly you would second hand). As a practical and quick commuting bike it ticks all the boxes and is significantly higher spec than the Viking.

It has:
Decent spec drivetrain - Tiagra STIs and Sora mechs
reasonable wheels (Shimano R500 - Tiagra spec)
Nice alu frame (Merida) and carbon forks.Mounts for front and rear mudguards
Clearance for up to 28mm tyres
Mounts for a rack

For a similar bike with a more fashionable brand you wouldn't get much change from £1,000.

 

[BlackPanther]

For commuting, I use a Carrera Vanquish, which you might find in your price point (certainly you would second hand). As a practical and quick commuting bike it ticks all the boxes and is significantly higher spec than the Viking.

It has:
Decent spec drivetrain - Tiagra STIs and Sora mechs
reasonable wheels (Shimano R500 - Tiagra spec)
Nice alu frame (Merida) and carbon forks.Mounts for front and rear mudguards
Clearance for up to 28mm tyres
Mounts for a rack

For a similar bike with a more fashionable brand you wouldn't get much change from £1,000.

Thanks. A quick look has turned up a new 09 model for £499. I'll have a proper look and see if there are any discounted models. I'd really prefer new to buying used (I'm a novice).

Any more suggestions anyone? I'd like a few more ideas on my list. Cheers.

 

[Dean the bike]

I too commute 9 miles each way to work, been doing so for 15 years. My mates in work think I'm crazy but they're all smokers anyway, and haven't got a clue what it's like to be fit and healthy, and also to save money on petrol. After years of riding bikes of sub £500, I recently was In a position to spend a little more, as I was looking for the perfect commuter and after reading many reviews I finally spent my hard earned cash on a cyclocross bike. (kona Jake the snake). Wow , what can I say , to me this really is the perfect commuter . Also it takes full mudgaurds which is essential. I know you have a budget , but I would strongly suggest a cyclocross bike and really spend as much as you can.

 

[Long Distance]

cyclocross bike

i'd agree - my Jake is bloody fantastic for my commute, great on road and also i can go off road onto trails/canal paths if i want - definitely recommended

 

[rugbyluke]

Panther, I own a Viking Torino and I love it! It keeps up with all the expensive bikes. It's on eBay for £309. But you to build it yourself. It was my first road bike and I'm keeping it till it decomposes . Hope this helps if you live near gosport, Hampshire your more than welcome to ride it

 

[Stretch]

Thirded for the cyclocross bikes - running fatter tyres, room for mudguards, more upright but still with drop bars. I've got a crosscheck as my commuter, but my mate has a Jake the Snake and it is a lovely lovely bike.

Also allows off-road sections on long distance rides in a way that you'd hesitate to do with a road bike.

 

[nich]

I know it is a little over your budget but the boardman 2010 comp has £140 off at the moment so is down to £560. If you look around you will probably be able to find discount codes for 10-15% to bring it in line with your budget. or if you have the balls go in and just say you want extra discount. I personally would spend the extra and get a pretty sorted bike for the money


Link to the bike
http://www.halfords....yId_165710#dtab

This is what I'm considering too.

The 2011 range is out soon too, which may mean the 2010 prices come down further - someone posted the other day on picking one up for £450~ new.

Only problem is that stock levels are a little low right now, I'm not sure whether this this is the last of 2010 range entirely

 

[frank9755]

A few recommendations for cyclocross bikes but remember they are designed for a specific purpose which may not (or may) be yours. If you don't want to go off road and fit big tyres but do want to carry luggage they are not optimised for what you want.

If you want a bike that is designed to go on tracks and towpaths, has mudguard clearance but also has decent brakes and is designed to carry gear then an audax bike, like this one would be a better match.

 

[cyberknight]

This is what I'm considering too.

The 2011 range is out soon too, which may mean the 2010 prices come down further - someone posted the other day on picking one up for £450~ new.

Only problem is that stock levels are a little low right now, I'm not sure whether this this is the last of 2010 range entirely

Lovely bikes i really like them but it does not come with rack points which is a big plus for me , i had had the money i would get the boardman for a nice bike and carry on using this as my commuter....

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_272635_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

 

[Long Distance]

A few recommendations for cyclocross bikes but remember they are designed for a specific purpose which may not (or may) be yours. If you don't want to go off road and fit big tyres but do want to carry luggage they are not optimised for what you want.

If you want a bike that is designed to go on tracks and towpaths, has mudguard clearance but also has decent brakes and is designed to carry gear then an audax bike, like this one would be a better match.

i'd hate to go on tracks and towpaths on 23mm tyres