New bike?

[Derekjudge]

I'm thinking of taking advantage of the "ride to work scheme". If really go for it and spend up to a grand it means I pay 500 quid!! Brilliant! So my question is, WHAT BIKE?
Many thanks

 

[Too fat for lycra]

If I had a £1000, this is what I would get.
Of couse it's all down to personel pref. But I cannot stop salivating over this..

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Charge_Mixer_2009/5360039102/

 

[Arch]

To get a focussed responce....

What sort of riding do you do? Just commuting, or leisure/fitness as well?
What is your commute like - types of road, length, rural, urban?
Will you commute all the way, every day?
How fit/strong/tall/heavy/experienced are you?

On the other hand, most bikes will do mosy stuff, unless you try to ride a top flight road bike down a cliff...

If I had a grand to spend, I'd get a Brompton, because I've already got bikes to suit all my other purposes.

 

[wafflycat]

As Arch says, it all depends upon the sort of riding you do. And it helps to get one that fits

Also the same that if I had a grand to spare, I'd be wanting a folder, as I've got tourer/audax, 'race', hybrid & recumbent trike.

 

[Derekjudge]

Many thanks for your words so far. 8 mile round trip commute (all the way) on very civilised roads (condition good, main roads). Also use the bike for leisure rides on same sort of roads. I am approaching 40! Big chap, about 15stone. Fitness, not bad. My local store just stocks Giant (i'd like to support them if possible). There is though an Evans nearby.

 

[Too fat for lycra]

A this was posted on the "Commuting"forum, I posted what I thought was a nice commuter for about a grand - sorry I did not find out what inside leg you have!!!!

I too am approaching 40, and am about 15 stone.

If you like Giants I have a Giant Escape M0, Which does me fine.

 

[Jake]

Well i just got mine this weekend, rode it to work today and its amazing!! its like sitting on a rocket!!! i cant rave about it enough. I would say get one, but don't want to make it too popular ;o)

 

[Wigsie]

Well i just got mine this weekend, rode it to work today and its amazing!! its like sitting on a rocket!!! i cant rave about it enough. I would say get one, but don't want to make it too popular ;o)

+1

Dont get an Allez they are shoot!!!!

I got mine at the end of January and love it like one of my children (except its far better behaved).... if the roads are nice and your not going to do any mental off roading I cant see past it!

I tried Giant, trek, cannondale but nothing came close to the feel of the Allez for under 1k! Saying that my boss has a Trek 1.7 and doesnt like the Allez, the key is to try loads, it is great to support your LBS but a the end of the day its your bike and you have to ride it so try a few manufactures out and try a hybrids for good measure, then one will clearly stand out as a winner and you will be as happy as a pig in... well you know what!

 

[HelenD123]

If you're going to be commuting on it everyday consider whether you want one that will take a rack and mudguards.

 

[thomas]

Dont get an Allez they are shoot!!!!

Booo! I've got a basic allez, they're a good entry level bike but you'll need to buy new tyres and overtime the cheaper parts do show.

The specialised photoed looked loovelly though -- needs SPDs

 

[Jake]

hehe thanks Yes i nearly took it to bed last night and made love to it, but thought I'd better not. Didnt want to stain the paintwork Yes tried a few, but just fell in love with the look and feel of it, plus it got really good reviews and someone on here gave it 10/10 too. Only problem is, that like owning a supercar in london, you don't really have a long enough road to enjoy it on the way to work. too many red lights and potholes.

got it through bike2work, through the other halfs decpetion so only £500. not sure what if any mudguards to put on, and clippy shoes. SPDs???? not sure whta they are.

Cant wait to get it on a nice piece of road and enjoy it. Bring on Blenhiem triathon!!

 

[thomas]

hehe thanks Yes i nearly took it to bed last night and made love to it, but thought I'd better not. Didnt want to stain the paintwork Yes tried a few, but just fell in love with the look and feel of it, plus it got really good reviews and someone on here gave it 10/10 too. Only problem is, that like owning a supercar in london, you don't really have a long enough road to enjoy it on the way to work. too many red lights and potholes.

got it through bike2work, through the other halfs decpetion so only £500. not sure what if any mudguards to put on, and clippy shoes. SPDs???? not sure whta they are.

Cant wait to get it on a nice piece of road and enjoy it. Bring on Blenhiem triathon!!

SPDs/cleets...look like it's got toe clips atm? Is it a new allez? I couldn't see...1000x sexier than my poor one . Wish mine never got stolen as my old one was a nicer colour, a nice silver, rather than just black - never mind (hope my bike doesn't read this). I've just got the cheapest/or one of the cheapest ones. A guy a my club has the sports one, but I'm still young so can put up with a slightly heavier one .

 

[Jake]

ah right, yes it just the normal clip things which came with the bike/peddals. Thought i would get used to the bike first, the shoes and pedals are real expensive too. I guess its the new one, its in evans, can see it online. I guess in a year or two it will feel and look old too though. its better then the old mountain bike, but feel too sentimetnal to either sell it, give it away or set it free (leaving it unlocked in Brixton lol)

 

[MrRidley]

+1 for the giant, i got a giant escape m2 with disc brakes for £350 although my voucher thru cyclescheme was for £500 of which i pay back £330, your commute is about the same as mine so i would make sure you get a rack and full length mudgaurds as it makes life so much easier.

 

[wafflycat]

hehe thanks Yes i nearly took it to bed last night and made love to it, but thought I'd better not. Didnt want to stain the paintwork

Careful there...