Recommendations for light, sporty commuting bike?

[ManiaMuse]

Hi,

I'm looking for a new commuting bike. My current bike is a Merida road bike bought 4 years ago. Came with mainly Sora bits/carbon forks although quite a lot of things have since been replaced. Has served me well but is starting to get a bit tired so thinking of getting something else as I have a bit of money saved up.

What I want (in rough order of priority):

• Something with panniers - fed up of lugging a backpack
• Mudguards - fed up with flimsy blades which don't really work
• Lightweight/sporty - still want to be able to able to destroy others at SCR
• Good value - not bothered about having a flashy brand if I can get more for my money elsewhere

Budget - probably up to £1000ish, although maybe more if it's worth my money.

Any recommendations?

 

[vickster]

Whyte Cambridge - I have one, it's fantastically comfortable, 10kg (without rack and guards), hydraulic disc brakes for stopping, be supporting a UK-based company too

This company has 2011 / 2012 / 2013 versions at various sizes and various prices http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/search_results.php?searchwords=whyte+cambridge

Otherwise the Specialized Sirrus, Cannondale Quick or Giant Rapid are popular choices on the forum if you are happy with a US brand

 

[gavintc]

I got a Kinesis TK frame, takes rack and full mudguards. Not sure what they currently retail for. I transferred the groupset, wheels etc from my old Ribble frame.

 

[vickster]

Question - do you want flatbars or drops?

If drops, maybe look at the Ribble winter bikes, fully commuterisable

 

[ManiaMuse]

Question - do you want flatbars or drops?

If drops, maybe look at the Ribble winter bikes, fully commuterisable

Drops yes please.

Also don't need a triple, a compact would be preferable though guess triples might be more common for the sort of bike I'm after.

 

[vickster]

Forget the Whyte then

 

[Chutzpah]

Another vote for a Kinesis. Designed in the UK and have a very loyal following. I have the Tripster but the Racelights (cyclocross bikes) do everything you want too.

 

[musa]

I had a thing for the Kineses tk2 butim now going towards the Pearson EasyComeEasyGo

 

[ManiaMuse]

Another vote for a Kinesis. Designed in the UK and have a very loyal following. I have the Tripster but the Racelights (cyclocross bikes) do everything you want too.

Oooh, look nice. Yeah definitely the sort of thing I'm looking for, will do more investigating!

Thanks for the tips.

 

[DCLane]

Mudguards and panniers - it'll be a tourer type then. How about last year's Ridgeback Platinum, which is £699: http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/p...um_2012_Bike?gclid=CN-0oLe0xrcCFbMdtAod7yIA9Q

10-speed Tiagra and a decent frame.

 

[native son]

Tifosi ck7
Great for commuting. Winter training.
Good spec for the price
Check out the reviews too

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for a Ribble, this was one I built as a full on commuter last year, great bikes whether loaded for the commute or stripped back for weekend warrior duties

I also had a rack on it at one point but I've no pics of that as it wasn't on long due to my preference for a rucksack TBH.

 

[samsbike]

I think the ridgeback is good value. The genesis equilibrium comes close but you have to adapt it to fit a rack.

Triton cycles had the salsa casseroll around £700ish, which is a bargain and I think that has mounts for both.