Recommendations on a flexible commuting bike (Cycle to work scheme)

[chqshaitan]

Hi Guys,

I have recently started to commute to work (round trip of 20 miles a day), which i will be doing 2-3 times a week, primarily to loose weight and also get fitter.

Currently I am doing it on my 3 year old giant Hybrid which is fine(as i have nothing else to compare it against, as i last cycled as a kid a many years ago). I am around 22 stone but am relatively fit as I used to have a personal trainer at a local gym, which i attended twice a week.

My route from home to work, covers all types of surfaces, from a and b roads, to bridleway/footpaths including an unadopted road full of potholes.

So I need something that is flexible and can handle the varying terrain and my weight. I am not overly bothered about speeds and weight, but more about minimal maintenance required.

The company I work for partakes in the cycle to work scheme but i have to get everything sorted before the end of march to qualify. I am pretty sure that they use CycleScheme. I dont mind going all the way upto to the £1000 ceiling if need be.

Does anyone have any good recommendations for a bike type and basic features? so i can attempt to narrow down the suppliers (from memory when i looked at this in the past, decathlon and Evans are on the list as well as a raft of LBS).

Thanks in advance guys

 

[samsbike]

Given the terrain and your reqiurements for low maintenance, the genesis day one alfine 8, although it is above budget at £1149.
Although if you want to stick to the £1000, there is a derailleur equiped genesis croix de fer.

There are also other cross bikes under the £1000 you would consider. There is also the specialized tricross which is above budget again

 

[gaz]

Pinnacle arkose three from Evans. http://m.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec039563

1000 for a cyclocross bike with bb7 brakes, a mix of 105 and tiagra groupo. Takes a rack and mudguards with disc and mudguard mounts in positions that avoid issues (bending etc..). You also get £100 free accessories which you could use for mudguards, pedals and tyres.

I test rode this and a similar bike, I went for the other one as I preferred the ride and looked. So tempted to get the arkose three as a specific commuting / wet weather bike with full length mudguards.

This bike is seriously great value for money.

 

[aces_up1504]

Given the terrain and your reqiurements for low maintenance, the genesis day one alfine 8, although it is above budget at £1149.
Although if you want to stick to the £1000, there is a derailleur equiped genesis croix de fer.

There are also other cross bikes under the £1000 you would consider. There is also the specialized tricross which is above budget again

I picked up a 2012 Tricross for £600. I think the 2013 retails at £750. Meant to be Free Road, so will handle different terrains.

I think the main question is you want to stay with hybrid type bike or move road type bike?

 

[Sara_H]

Can I ask, what do you want that you're not getting from your current bike?

 

[CopperCyclist]

Boardman CX Team. Handles all the terrain you want easily, disc brakes, can fit mudguards, 11-32 rear cassette for real go anywhere easily gearing. Last I looked was 900.

The only downsides are the Halfords factor, and the stock tyres are awful - replace them, don't ride them. May as well be made out of paper they're that thin!

 

[SquareDaff]

Boardman CX Team. Handles all the terrain you want easily, disc brakes, can fit mudguards, 11-32 rear cassette for real go anywhere easily gearing. Last I looked was 900.

The only downsides are the Halfords factor, and the stock tyres are awful - replace them, don't ride them. May as well be made out of paper they're that thin!

949 a couple of weeks ago when I got mine. +1 for the Boardman CX and also for the tyre comment. Mine got a puncture overnight sat in the garage!!

 

[chqshaitan]

Pinnacle arkose three from Evans. http://m.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec039563

1000 for a cyclocross bike with bb7 brakes, a mix of 105 and tiagra groupo. Takes a rack and mudguards with disc and mudguard mounts in positions that avoid issues (bending etc..). You also get £100 free accessories which you could use for mudguards, pedals and tyres.

I test rode this and a similar bike, I went for the other one as I preferred the ride and looked. So tempted to get the arkose three as a specific commuting / wet weather bike with full length mudguards.

This bike is seriously great value for money.

thanks bud, i will look into that bike

Can I ask, what do you want that you're not getting from your current bike?

Well my main gripes with my existing bike are below :

- Frame too large - when i bought it from the local bike shop a few years ago he recommended a high frame but i struggle to get on and off it, to the point that my leg catches on the mudguard unless i angle the bike down low enough.

- I would like the capability to be able to carry some paniers as it would greatly simplify the logistics of commuting to work and back

- It has V caliper breaks, because i want to commute in all weathers, disc breaks are recommended.

Weight does not bother me, as its a good way to get fit if the bike is a bit heavier

Boardman CX Team. Handles all the terrain you want easily, disc brakes, can fit mudguards, 11-32 rear cassette for real go anywhere easily gearing. Last I looked was 900.

The only downsides are the Halfords factor, and the stock tyres are awful - replace them, don't ride them. May as well be made out of paper they're that thin!

ah yea, ive heard mixed reviews on halfords, i bought some marathon plus tyres so thats not a problem

 

[400bhp]

Pinnacle arkose three from Evans. http://m.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec039563

1000 for a cyclocross bike with bb7 brakes, a mix of 105 and tiagra groupo. Takes a rack and mudguards with disc and mudguard mounts in positions that avoid issues (bending etc..). You also get £100 free accessories which you could use for mudguards, pedals and tyres.

I test rode this and a similar bike, I went for the other one as I preferred the ride and looked. So tempted to get the arkose three as a specific commuting / wet weather bike with full length mudguards.

This bike is seriously great value for money.

+1, if I would have bought a disc road bike it would have been one of those.

You could go for a lower specced up one too, save a few quid and the weight difference will be negligible.

 

[chqshaitan]

thanks guys, i will put that bike at the top of my list, i know nothing about bb7 brakes or 105 / tiagra groupo lol, anyone mind explaining what these do/provide above and beyond basic equipment?

 

[SquareDaff]

thanks guys, i will put that bike at the top of my list, i know nothing about bb7 brakes or 105 / tiagra groupo lol, anyone mind explaining what these do/provide above and beyond basic equipment?

Each manufacturer has different qualities of "product". In terms of mechanical disc brakes Avid produce BB5's and BB7's. BB7's are better quality and, I believe are easier to setup than BB5's.

Shimano produce several grades of component. Tiagra is pretty much considered "entry level" for road bikes (although there are levels below this), then 105, then Ultegra. Each level up improves quality - so in theory a 105 groupset shifts more easily then Tiagra. Costs also increase with each jump in quality. It's generally recognised that a better quality component will last longer and give you less maintenance issues during its lifetime. The new Tiagra 10 speed system appears to be quite decent though.

Hope that helps - sure some of the others will elaborate on my basic round up.

 

[chqshaitan]

Thanks SquareDaff. Since i will be using this several times a week (and at the weekend), i dont mind paying a bit more for something that will last longer , be of higher quality and lower maintenance.

 

[chqshaitan]

when i get the new bike i will have a choice of what pedals to go for.. mmm, i am currently using normal ones and wear semi water proof hiking boots.

I take it that clip shoes are only really suitable if you generally dont need to get off the bike? as my route is very muddy in parts, so i have to walk it. Also there is a lot of stopping and starting.

 

[lejogger]

thanks guys, i will put that bike at the top of my list, i know nothing about bb7 brakes or 105 / tiagra groupo lol, anyone mind explaining what these do/provide above and beyond basic equipment?

In general terms, if you're planning on using a bike a lot or keeping it for a number of years, then the frame is more important than the components as that is the part of the bike that will remain constant. All the components will wear and need to be replaced at some point so I've always been told to buy the best frame I can afford and not worry too much about things you'll just end up replacing at some point anyway.

You shouldn't have any complaints about the BB7 brakes. they are towards the higher end of cable pull disc brake systems and because the pads are adjustable from both sides they are relatively simple to set up and maintain. Once the pads wear a bit you simply turn the dial a notch to bring them in closer to the disc. On cheaper models you can only dial in from the one side, and hydraulic brakes are generally a 'take to the LBS' job if they need fettling. If I were to upgrade the disc brakes on my CX I'd get the BB7.

From the looks of the spec the only Tiagra component is the front mech. You won't have a problem with this. It's not entry level... that's Sora, although there are cheaper ranges below that too, although you wouldn't often see them on these sort of machines.
Everything else important, like the shifters and your rear mech are 105 which is a good standard of component that will provide a smooth shifting and smooth running drivetrain. It's not as flashy as Ultegra or Dura Ace, but who needs that on a commuter that's going to get worn, gunky, wet and gritty?

On paper this bike is excellent value, especially with the accessories voucher etc, but obviously you'd want to give it a test ride before committing.

 

[lejogger]

when i get the new bike i will have a choice of what pedals to go for.. mmm, i am currently using normal ones and wear semi water proof hiking boots.

I take it that clip shoes are only really suitable if you generally dont need to get off the bike? as my route is very muddy in parts, so i have to walk it. Also there is a lot of stopping and starting.

That depends. If you have to do a bit of walking I wouldn't use road race pedals, but there shouldn't be an issue with SPDs if you did want clip in pedals/shoes. They have a recessed cleat so walking isn't usually a problem.