Newbie looking for commuter advice please (^_^;)

[Johnse]

Good evening,

I joined hoping to get some advice on my first bike which I am purchasing though my employers cycle scheme.

I've trawled through the internet for the past week trying to get some advice, but as my employer is using cyclesolutions.co.uk I am limited with regards to brands. (I've seen people recommend Whyte, Boardman, Pinnacle etc. but they are not available to me)

From the advice I've seen posted, it seems that for commuting I'd be best with hydraulic disc brakes, at least Shimano Tiagra (as it is 10 speed thus upgradeable to 105, Ultegra etc) and capable of fitting full mud-guards.

My daily commute will only be about 6 miles each day, (3 there and 3 back) on fairly good cycle paths.

I think that I've settled on the new Cannonade Quick Speed 1 2016 coming out the end of the month, but wondered if I'd be better spending a little more on something more rugged incase I decided to get into cycling at weekends? Thus a Quick CX 1 2016 or Caadx Tiagra 2016 perhaps?

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I can recommend something better or second/confirm my choice.

Thanks.

 

[Crandoggler]

Do you want to go off-road?

 

[Skywalker83]

I think if you are just getting into it you might want to start on something a bit cheaper? I just got my bike which is a Carrera tdfltd 2014. I upgraded some parts and bought cycle shoes ,full clothing kit etc. All in it cost me less than £380 and I still have a great bike. If I decide to get much heavier into road biking I can upgrade later on, rather than splashing out on something that might be overkill for what I need just now.

I looked at the cycle to work employers scheme buy opted just to get a bike I could just buy outright in one payment.

But at the end if the day whatever you have your heart set on,go for it and enjoy it!

 

[13 rider]

All three are good bikes with good specs . I'd go for your first choice but that's just my opinion . You will get lots of different opinions . The main difference with the three is the gearing I is a triple other two are doubles at the front . bigger numbers at the Front 50/34 mean higher gears faster . bigger numbers at the back mean lower gears slower easier climbing . Basically it will come down to which one YOU want there are no bad choices. Good luck with the hunting

 

[Johnse]

Thanks for the replies.

Crandoggler - I don't intend to go off-road during my commute (perhaps coming off the odd high kerb or the occasionally a small stair case in the city) but if I find myself enjoying cyclingI think that I'd be more interested in off-road/trails than road racing.

Skywalker83 - I was worried about getting something too expensive as a beginner, but as I'm getting such a huge discount by going through a cycle scheme I reasoned that it would be better to get something that would make me enjoy cycling. I assume that higher price means higher quality and ultimately a more reliable bike, which I'm less likely to get frustrated with. I'll have a gander at lower priced ones, but the Quick Speed seemed to be a good price/quality compromise between cheaper claris/sora equiped bikes and expensive 105 and higher grade bikes.

13 rider - Thanks for the advice. Its reassuring that I'm not picking a dud which ever one I pick. I tired the 2015 version of the Quick Speed 1 today and it was good but the shop owner scared me off a little by saying its virtually a road/race bike with flat handle bars. My mind currently translates that as meaning fragile, especially as its so light! Thats the reason I'm thinking about the other two, as they are a bit beefier. Hopefully I'll get it sorted this month and be able to get started soon.

 

[annedonnelly]

Try them out - not everyone likes riding the same thing. See which one feels most comfortable for you. That's the one you'll enjoy most.

Your commute is fairly short so just about anything will do for that, especially if the cycle paths are good. So think about what else you're going to use it for and go for something that will be suitable for that.

 

[vickster]

Flat and short commute, consider a single speed

 

[BrumJim]

Flat and short commute, consider a single speed

Unless he is going to use the bike for leisure too? I'd suggest a singe speed for the next bike.

 

[Shortmember]

http://www.mangobikes.co.uk/bikes/premium-single-speed-bikes/cromo-single-speed-the-bruiser2

 

[Johnse]

Thanks for the advice again.

I'd never considered a single speed, but after thinking about it today it might be for the best. I only wanted something more specialised in case I developed a passion for cycling and wanted to get out at the weekends for leisure.
(Even if I do, I suppose it would be best to wait and see how I get on with commuting...)

The Genesis Day One Disc, is looking really attractive.

I can always get a second bike thats designed specifically for whatever I decide to do in the future, when I'm more experienced (Or Upgrade)

 

[vickster]

You'll be wanting multiple bikes when the bug bites

The genesis is indeed a very good looking beast and there's nothing to stop you using it for leisure too, good way to get fit quick

 

[leedsmick]

im probably not best placed to offer advice just 3 weeks into cycling but my advice is to not get carried away with the spec of the bike, just match the type of bike to what you mainly plan to do and within your budget. Bikes seem to be like cars, you could spend an infinite amount on one but it will be mostly wasted on what you want out of it. i spent £230 on mine in the halfords sale after spending 30 mins chatting with a knowledgeable assistant. I asked him to go through the pros and cons of all the bikes in my budget and which would match what i wanted. i did walk into a proper cycling shop but the prices and seriousness of it all put me off as a novice

 

[Johnse]

Just a quick update.

I'm ordering my bike tommorow, but as much as I loved the Genesis, they don't make one which fits me, so I'm going for a GT Grade Alloy. (They come in 55cm frames) Unfortunately there were no other disc brake, single speed bikes on cyclesolutions.co.uk.

My height is 178cm with an inside leg of 81cm and because of the tall stand over heights on the Genesis, I'd need a 52cm for an inch of clearance, but that would make the rest of the bike's geometry too small.

Thanks again for the helpfull advice.

 

[vickster]

Much too small or something that could be solved with a longer stem? You are around the same height as me with slightly shorter legs and I ride a 54cm equilibrium with a 100mm stem (not sure how the geometries compare), I have quite a lot of seatpost showing (at the top here https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/show-us-your-steel-its-real.16850/page-93 )

I've never considered stand over height, only reach. I rarely sandover the TT, mostly I'm on the saddle or off the bike!