Well I did it..new bike bought!

[HB_Dude]

Well after much head scratching and deliberation, decision made, I have bought my new commuter!

I ended up going with the Marin Fairfax SC2, nice and understated and no shiny discs to attract thieves

Added some SKS mudguards, double sided pedals and a pair of Marathon tyres, LBS did me a very nice deal .......... let the commute proper begin

 

[Crankarm]

Don't get SMP+ tyres - expensive, heavy and poor rolling plus not that puncture resistant. I say get Specialised Armadillo Nimbus tyres or the others I like are Continental Sport Contacts which would also be good for a hybrid bike such as yours. I use the Nimbuses at the moment and have never had a puncture with them unlike SMP+ where I had 4 punctures in about 6 months always on the way to work as well! Keep tyres well inflated to max. Buy a track pump.

You could also do with fitting bar ends to give you more hand positions. Also a rack and panniers to avoid carrying a rucksack on your back.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

yeah but apart from all of that, nice looking bike eh @Crankarm.

 

[HB_Dude]

yeah but apart from all of that, nice looking bike eh @Crankarm.

LMAO

 

[HB_Dude]

@Crankarm ... too late, its already home, the Marathons will do for now, only got them because of the good reviews.... but I can always add new rubber later.

Lockon grips with bar ends on order!

I was planning on using my hammerhead on my back, would a rack be that much better?

 

[Crankarm]

@Crankarm ... too late, its already home, the Marathons will do for now, only got them because of the good reviews.... but I can always add new rubber later.

Lockon grips with bar ends on order!

I was planning on using my hammerhead on my back, would a rack be that much better?

I have no idea what a hammerhead is except for a very big not to be messed with fish ? But whatever it is that you intend to carry on your back, a rack and panniers would be far better. Period.

 

[Crankarm]

yeah but apart from all of that, nice looking bike eh @Crankarm.

Yeah, it's ok .

 

[shouldbeinbed]

@Crankarm ... too late, its already home, the Marathons will do for now, only got them because of the good reviews.... but I can always add new rubber later.

Lockon grips with bar ends on order!

I was planning on using my hammerhead on my back, would a rack be that much better?

There's been a thread on here recently rack v backpack. Its about 80% in favour of racks & panniers.

 

[KneesUp]

Yeah, it's ok .

There is no way I'm letting you near my chips if you need the toilet.

 

[Alan Whicker]

Panniers also seem to have the added bonus of making drivers give you a little bit of extra room...

 

[HB_Dude]

Panniers also seem to have the added bonus of making drivers give you a little bit of extra room...

Hmmm, thats food for thought. I may well add a rack anyway and I guess its better to have the weight on the bike rather than my back, only downside is I dont have much storgae space at work so would need some smaller panniers

 

[vickster]

Topeak trunk bag with fold out panniers. Fantastic piece of kit

 

[HB_Dude]

Topeak trunk bag with fold out panniers. Fantastic piece of kit

Now thats a great idea,what a neat bit of kit, thanks Vickster!

 

[vickster]

I have this one, slides on really simply to the rack too, fab

Don't forget quidco for cashback from CRC

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-mtx-trunk-bag-exp/rp-prod28792

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-super-tourist-dx-rack/rp-prod32817

 

[HB_Dude]

I have this one, slides on really simply to the rack too, fab

Don't forget quidco for cashback from CRC

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-mtx-trunk-bag-exp/rp-prod28792

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-super-tourist-dx-rack/rp-prod32817

Thanks for that

Quidco? is it worth using? tbh I can't say as I've ever looked