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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
I really like the look and spec of the Boardman - I did briefly consider one myself earlier this year, but I decided that I didn't want a flat bar.
The Pinnacle also looks a good bike at the money albeit only 5 speed and a tad heavy, but my experience of Evans would put me off - they've simply never seemed interested when I've gone to look at bikes.
The Pinnacle also looks a good bike at the money albeit only 5 speed and a tad heavy, but my experience of Evans would put me off - they've simply never seemed interested when I've gone to look at bikes.
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
The Genesis and Pinnacle are heavy for that price. I had a basic Pinnacle and it was fine - but that only cost me £20.
Personally I'd go for either the Ridgeback or the Boardman and, despite really liking Ridgebacks, probably the Boardman.
Personally I'd go for either the Ridgeback or the Boardman and, despite really liking Ridgebacks, probably the Boardman.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
You don't say if you need to carry stuff, but fitting a carrier to the two bikes with dropped seat stays will be a bit more complicated.
I think mudguards are essential on a commuter, and glory be, the Smithfield has proper, deep ones, which won't need the addition of flaps to make them work.
Looks to me the Smithfield is the most upright, having an almost Dutch riding position with its swept back bars.
Surprisingly comfortable, although not very areo and not so easy to honk out of the saddle.
Assuming the commute is not hilly, that won't make a lot of difference.
The Smithfield is a bit heavier, but my view is an extra few kilos only really does you harm when climbing, and to a lesser extent, starting - you aren't in a big city so I doubt there will be a lot of that.
One small negative with the Smithfield is the slightly mean for the price cable discs - flat bar Shimano hydraulics are cheap and work a treat.
Upgrading the front to hydraulic would be a £40 half hour job - assuming the cockpit layout is straightforward.
One thing I would want to establish before buying the Smithfield is how the chain is tensioned.
Looks like it has a standard square taper bottom bracket, rather than an eccentric one.
I can't see from the pics if there's much movement in the rear drop outs, but that can be a faff because moving the wheel more than a mm or two will cause the tyre to foul the mudguard, which in turn will need adjusting.
It may be the bike is designed to run as is, although a little bit of adjustment for a hub gear bike is desirable to prevent any possibility of chain skip as the chain 'lengthens' due to wear.
The Ridgeback, for example, has sliders in the rear drop outs, and it looks like the Pinnacle has an eccentric bottom bracket - you can see the pinch bolt in the pics.
I think mudguards are essential on a commuter, and glory be, the Smithfield has proper, deep ones, which won't need the addition of flaps to make them work.
Looks to me the Smithfield is the most upright, having an almost Dutch riding position with its swept back bars.
Surprisingly comfortable, although not very areo and not so easy to honk out of the saddle.
Assuming the commute is not hilly, that won't make a lot of difference.
The Smithfield is a bit heavier, but my view is an extra few kilos only really does you harm when climbing, and to a lesser extent, starting - you aren't in a big city so I doubt there will be a lot of that.
One small negative with the Smithfield is the slightly mean for the price cable discs - flat bar Shimano hydraulics are cheap and work a treat.
Upgrading the front to hydraulic would be a £40 half hour job - assuming the cockpit layout is straightforward.
One thing I would want to establish before buying the Smithfield is how the chain is tensioned.
Looks like it has a standard square taper bottom bracket, rather than an eccentric one.
I can't see from the pics if there's much movement in the rear drop outs, but that can be a faff because moving the wheel more than a mm or two will cause the tyre to foul the mudguard, which in turn will need adjusting.
It may be the bike is designed to run as is, although a little bit of adjustment for a hub gear bike is desirable to prevent any possibility of chain skip as the chain 'lengthens' due to wear.
The Ridgeback, for example, has sliders in the rear drop outs, and it looks like the Pinnacle has an eccentric bottom bracket - you can see the pinch bolt in the pics.
- Location
- Egham
On looks alone, the only one I'd buy would be the Boardman. Not too bad a spec for the money either.
But then I don't need another bike, apparently....
But then I don't need another bike, apparently....
biggs682
Touch it up and ride it
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Another vote for the Genesis here
Hi User,
I commute with an Internal Hub Gear bike and if you're commuting is all year around in all weathers then I'd definitely recommend them. I've got the Shimano Alfine 8 on a 2014 Genesis Day One and whilst it's not perfect and it has its idiosyncracies I'd still take it as a preference over derailleur gears for my daily commute. If I didn't have the Alfine 8 I'd consider using either a Sturmey Archer or other brand IGH or maybe even a single speed but I'm getting older and at the end of a long week at work if conditions are miserable then having gears is a bonus. Whilst I'd love to try a Rohloff IGH, which might iron out some of the idisyncracies of other IGH, they are a long way out of my budget.
In respect of commuting everyone has their own personal stuff that works for them whether that's for example using a rack with a pannier or rack top bag or using a rucksack. For me my commuting essentials are having a rack, on top of which I use a rack top bag, mudguards, IGH and more recently having a dynamo hub and dynamo lights. Having upgraded to having a dynamo hub & dynamo lights this has made a huge difference to my autumn/winter commuting and I love the fact that my lights are always ready to go and no longer to I have to worry about charging batteries or USB lights. Just having the lights always on as soon as you ride off is absolutely fantastic and I would highly recommend a dynamo set up on a commuting bike.
Therfore for me becasue my essentials list includes having a rear rack I'd echo the thoughts of Pale Rider above in wanting to double check how easy they'd be for fitting mudguards & a rack to to given the positioning of the seat stays.
If I was looking at buying a commuting bike again although you can retrofit fit most things, such as mudguards and a rack (as long as the bike has the correct braze ons/mounting points), I'd also consider bikes tha come with everything included so that I wouldn't have to add anything later on. If that approach appeals here are some alternative options to consider as food for thought.
Cube Travel SL
https://www.cube.eu/en/2018/bikes/trekking/tour/travel/cube-travel-sl-blacknblack-2018/
The price of the 2018 model seems to be £1,150 per the example link below. But one thing about the Cube that bugs me is that for me personally the mudguards are too short.
https://www.damianharriscycles.co.u...MIlY-a-_iq1wIVTX69Ch2WcAoOEAkYAiABEgIfX_D_BwE
However looking at this link you can get a 2017 version for £879:-
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/cube-tra...MIxMXykvCq1wIVhpO9Ch06JwvPEAkYBiABEgI0QvD_BwE
VSF Bikes
The VSF Fahrrad manufacture T500 which is now available in both the rim, V brake, and disc brake versions:-
https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/katalog/trekking-2018/t-500-shimano-alfine-8-gang-disc-778
Also from VSF Fahrrad manufacture T500 there is the cheaper T100 but this comes with rim brakes not discs:-
https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/katalog/trekking-2018/t-100-shimano-nexus-8-gang-790
Regarding the T100 if you look at this link from Chris Bikes, in Cambridge, it cost £649
http://blog.chrisbikes.co.uk/2012/03/vsf-fahrrad-manufaktur-t100.html
Also Chris Bikes had the T500 rim brake version for sale for £899 :-
http://blog.chrisbikes.co.uk/2014/02/vsf-fahrrad-manufaktur-t500-alfine-8.html
Kalkhoff Durban 7
https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes/2018/bikes/urban/durban-7.html
Ignore the photo of the step through frame on the main picture because it is available as either a step through frame or with a top tube. I only did a quick search for this bike but I could see it for £529 at the link below:-
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/kalkhoff-durban-7-2018-mens.html
Canyon
For me I probably wouldn't go for a Canyon because I coudln't get it from a LBS but they have some options to consider. However I'm not sure if they'd be for me because the rack and mudguards look a bit bespoke and for example with the racks I'd want to check the weight that they can take and whether the frame has the required mounting points if I wanted to change to a different third party rack:-
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/urban/urban/#commuter
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/urban/urban/#urban
The above options are all flat bar bikes and but perhaps you could consider this drop bar bike as a commuter:-
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban/urban-and-cross-utility/day-one/day-one-ltd
Focus Planet
If you weren't worried about having the rack and dynamo hub included there's the Focus Planet which is similar to some of the options that you've mentioned.
https://www.jejamescycles.com/focus-planet-lite-8g-hybrid-bike-2017.html
Bombtrack Outlaw
Unfortunately budget would rule this option out for most of us I think but it is a nice looking bike if you want a flat bar bike with an internal gear hub and a gates carbon belt drive. The 2017 model was single speed only but in 2018 they are releasing an Outlaw 2 (althought I don't think that it's on the website yet) which has a Shimano Nexus IGH.
http://bombtrack.com/bikes/outlaw/
http://welovebikes.de/rennraeder/230-bombtrack-outlaw-2-2018.html
http://www.simplebikestore.eu/en/bombtrack-bombtrack-outlaw-2017.html
The only thing is I have absolutely no idea what this bike costs in the UK because they're not widely available in shops over here. However they do have a UK distributor and it depends on where you are in the country but if you liked the bike and happen to live in one of the distributor locations then you could always pop into one of the shops to ask them about the bike & price.
Distributor website:-
https://www.lyon.co.uk/outdoor/bombtrack-uk-stockists
It says that they're available from bike shops in Yorkshire, London, Oxford, Ipswich, Swanage and Worchester.
Best of luck finding the right bike for you and your commute!
John
I commute with an Internal Hub Gear bike and if you're commuting is all year around in all weathers then I'd definitely recommend them. I've got the Shimano Alfine 8 on a 2014 Genesis Day One and whilst it's not perfect and it has its idiosyncracies I'd still take it as a preference over derailleur gears for my daily commute. If I didn't have the Alfine 8 I'd consider using either a Sturmey Archer or other brand IGH or maybe even a single speed but I'm getting older and at the end of a long week at work if conditions are miserable then having gears is a bonus. Whilst I'd love to try a Rohloff IGH, which might iron out some of the idisyncracies of other IGH, they are a long way out of my budget.
In respect of commuting everyone has their own personal stuff that works for them whether that's for example using a rack with a pannier or rack top bag or using a rucksack. For me my commuting essentials are having a rack, on top of which I use a rack top bag, mudguards, IGH and more recently having a dynamo hub and dynamo lights. Having upgraded to having a dynamo hub & dynamo lights this has made a huge difference to my autumn/winter commuting and I love the fact that my lights are always ready to go and no longer to I have to worry about charging batteries or USB lights. Just having the lights always on as soon as you ride off is absolutely fantastic and I would highly recommend a dynamo set up on a commuting bike.
Therfore for me becasue my essentials list includes having a rear rack I'd echo the thoughts of Pale Rider above in wanting to double check how easy they'd be for fitting mudguards & a rack to to given the positioning of the seat stays.
If I was looking at buying a commuting bike again although you can retrofit fit most things, such as mudguards and a rack (as long as the bike has the correct braze ons/mounting points), I'd also consider bikes tha come with everything included so that I wouldn't have to add anything later on. If that approach appeals here are some alternative options to consider as food for thought.
Cube Travel SL
https://www.cube.eu/en/2018/bikes/trekking/tour/travel/cube-travel-sl-blacknblack-2018/
The price of the 2018 model seems to be £1,150 per the example link below. But one thing about the Cube that bugs me is that for me personally the mudguards are too short.
https://www.damianharriscycles.co.u...MIlY-a-_iq1wIVTX69Ch2WcAoOEAkYAiABEgIfX_D_BwE
However looking at this link you can get a 2017 version for £879:-
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/cube-tra...MIxMXykvCq1wIVhpO9Ch06JwvPEAkYBiABEgI0QvD_BwE
VSF Bikes
The VSF Fahrrad manufacture T500 which is now available in both the rim, V brake, and disc brake versions:-
https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/katalog/trekking-2018/t-500-shimano-alfine-8-gang-disc-778
Also from VSF Fahrrad manufacture T500 there is the cheaper T100 but this comes with rim brakes not discs:-
https://www.fahrradmanufaktur.de/en/katalog/trekking-2018/t-100-shimano-nexus-8-gang-790
Regarding the T100 if you look at this link from Chris Bikes, in Cambridge, it cost £649
http://blog.chrisbikes.co.uk/2012/03/vsf-fahrrad-manufaktur-t100.html
Also Chris Bikes had the T500 rim brake version for sale for £899 :-
http://blog.chrisbikes.co.uk/2014/02/vsf-fahrrad-manufaktur-t500-alfine-8.html
Kalkhoff Durban 7
https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com/en/bikes/2018/bikes/urban/durban-7.html
Ignore the photo of the step through frame on the main picture because it is available as either a step through frame or with a top tube. I only did a quick search for this bike but I could see it for £529 at the link below:-
https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/kalkhoff-durban-7-2018-mens.html
Canyon
For me I probably wouldn't go for a Canyon because I coudln't get it from a LBS but they have some options to consider. However I'm not sure if they'd be for me because the rack and mudguards look a bit bespoke and for example with the racks I'd want to check the weight that they can take and whether the frame has the required mounting points if I wanted to change to a different third party rack:-
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/urban/urban/#commuter
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/urban/urban/#urban
The above options are all flat bar bikes and but perhaps you could consider this drop bar bike as a commuter:-
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban/urban-and-cross-utility/day-one/day-one-ltd
Focus Planet
If you weren't worried about having the rack and dynamo hub included there's the Focus Planet which is similar to some of the options that you've mentioned.
https://www.jejamescycles.com/focus-planet-lite-8g-hybrid-bike-2017.html
Bombtrack Outlaw
Unfortunately budget would rule this option out for most of us I think but it is a nice looking bike if you want a flat bar bike with an internal gear hub and a gates carbon belt drive. The 2017 model was single speed only but in 2018 they are releasing an Outlaw 2 (althought I don't think that it's on the website yet) which has a Shimano Nexus IGH.
http://bombtrack.com/bikes/outlaw/
http://welovebikes.de/rennraeder/230-bombtrack-outlaw-2-2018.html
http://www.simplebikestore.eu/en/bombtrack-bombtrack-outlaw-2017.html
The only thing is I have absolutely no idea what this bike costs in the UK because they're not widely available in shops over here. However they do have a UK distributor and it depends on where you are in the country but if you liked the bike and happen to live in one of the distributor locations then you could always pop into one of the shops to ask them about the bike & price.
Distributor website:-
https://www.lyon.co.uk/outdoor/bombtrack-uk-stockists
It says that they're available from bike shops in Yorkshire, London, Oxford, Ipswich, Swanage and Worchester.
Best of luck finding the right bike for you and your commute!
John
humboldt
Well-Known Member
Possibly another to consider is the Marin Nicasio RC.
https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/nicasio-rc
Set up with mudguards from the off and hydraulic discs. I think it's sold with 650b wheels and huge tyres as standard like the Pinnacle if that's appealing to you but obviously you could switch to 700c later down the line if not (but for commuting it's probably very comfortable). Never actually seen it in person unfortunately, the bike shops I've looked in have the normal Nicasio gravel bikes but not that one.
https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/nicasio-rc
Set up with mudguards from the off and hydraulic discs. I think it's sold with 650b wheels and huge tyres as standard like the Pinnacle if that's appealing to you but obviously you could switch to 700c later down the line if not (but for commuting it's probably very comfortable). Never actually seen it in person unfortunately, the bike shops I've looked in have the normal Nicasio gravel bikes but not that one.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
The Cube is a typical German trekking bike, and there are similar bikes from several makers.
If you don't mind buying online, this Radon from bikediscount is under £700 shipped, and has pretty much everything the Cube has except the belt.
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-urban-7.0-fe-584679
Rose and possibly Canyon may have similar, although I doubt you will beat the Radon for value.
If you don't mind buying online, this Radon from bikediscount is under £700 shipped, and has pretty much everything the Cube has except the belt.
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-urban-7.0-fe-584679
Rose and possibly Canyon may have similar, although I doubt you will beat the Radon for value.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I like the look of that Cube - eminently practical bike. I'm especially interested in the belt drive. I don't have any meaningful experience of owning/riding a bike with a belt drive, but in principle it makes a lot of sense for a commuter bike.
Alternatively, a full chain case (eg the Hebie Chainglider) would be a good idea. Obviously only compatible with singlespeeds/hub gears, but if I were in the market for a commuter bike right now, that's exactly what I would be focussing on.
Alternatively, a full chain case (eg the Hebie Chainglider) would be a good idea. Obviously only compatible with singlespeeds/hub gears, but if I were in the market for a commuter bike right now, that's exactly what I would be focussing on.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
[QUOTE 5114790, member: 45"]I like the idea of the belt drive, but know that things could get complicated if repairs are ever needed.[/QUOTE]
Why so?
AIUI belt drive bikes have a splitter in the chainstay for when it's time to replace them, and in any case, they aren't as prone to breaking as conventional chains.
I found this blog about the pros and cons of belt drives - some of the cons I wouldn't have considered, but they don't change my view that a belt drive is the way forward for commuter bikes.
Why so?
AIUI belt drive bikes have a splitter in the chainstay for when it's time to replace them, and in any case, they aren't as prone to breaking as conventional chains.
I found this blog about the pros and cons of belt drives - some of the cons I wouldn't have considered, but they don't change my view that a belt drive is the way forward for commuter bikes.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Oops, sorry - yes, here's the link:
https://www.cyclingabout.com/carbon-belt-drive-everything-you-ever-need-to-know/
What they say is that a) the Gates belt is less likely to break than a conventional chain in the first place, and b) they're so light that it's easy to carry a spare - just buy it well in advance rather than wait until you actually need it.
I used to be quite sceptical about belt drives but I've really come round to the idea and would like to try one.
https://www.cyclingabout.com/carbon-belt-drive-everything-you-ever-need-to-know/
What they say is that a) the Gates belt is less likely to break than a conventional chain in the first place, and b) they're so light that it's easy to carry a spare - just buy it well in advance rather than wait until you actually need it.
I used to be quite sceptical about belt drives but I've really come round to the idea and would like to try one.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
I tried this, er, bad boy at my local bike shop earlier today.
Nice bike to ride, although there was some drumming from the belt when giving it some beans - in my limited way - on climbs.
The change of the eight speed hub was sweet as a nut, and much better than the Alfine 11 I had which always felt fragile.
On the topic of gears, first wasn't especially low although that's probably deliberate on a bike aimed at urban use.
As regards carrying a spare belt, that's not quite as simple as it sounds because the belt should not be tightly coiled, particularly back on itself, so where do you put it on the bike?
Doable if you are on tour with large panniers, not very convenient when set up as a commuter.
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-bad-boy-1-2018-hybrid-bike-EV280373
Nice bike to ride, although there was some drumming from the belt when giving it some beans - in my limited way - on climbs.
The change of the eight speed hub was sweet as a nut, and much better than the Alfine 11 I had which always felt fragile.
On the topic of gears, first wasn't especially low although that's probably deliberate on a bike aimed at urban use.
As regards carrying a spare belt, that's not quite as simple as it sounds because the belt should not be tightly coiled, particularly back on itself, so where do you put it on the bike?
Doable if you are on tour with large panniers, not very convenient when set up as a commuter.
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-bad-boy-1-2018-hybrid-bike-EV280373
Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
[QUOTE 5114790, member: 45"]
With Cube I can get a belt-drive for the same price as everyone else is doing chain versions. I like the idea of the belt drive, but know that things could get complicated if repairs are ever needed. And I'm not sure about delivery times for Cube if they're coming from Germany.
[/QUOTE]
I think this is the right route.
With Cube I can get a belt-drive for the same price as everyone else is doing chain versions. I like the idea of the belt drive, but know that things could get complicated if repairs are ever needed. And I'm not sure about delivery times for Cube if they're coming from Germany.
[/QUOTE]
I think this is the right route.
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
There's no need to reinvent the wheel. The ultimate power train system for a commuter bike has been around for over a hundred years - it's a single front chainring protected by a chain guard, driving a single rear cog fitted to an internal hub gear. Non-derailleur chains take years and years to wear out and chain breakage is virtually unheard of if the thing is given some oil on a regular basis.
