What comprises the perfect commuter bike?
- Thread starter Rykard
- Start date
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BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
<- my bike. But then I expect many of you wouldn't agree with that.
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
The bike that you have, generally.
New kit is nice, but nothing beats the bird in the hand, as it were.
New kit is nice, but nothing beats the bird in the hand, as it were.
(Aside from 998cc of Yamaha power 
) Flat bars, 700x28c tyres, mudguards, rack and panniers, good lights and solid rather than cutting edge technology.
Some will prefer drops to flats, some may prefer smaller tyres, I can only think of the riding that I would do (which does not involve major conurbations and would be all on tarmac) and what I would consider an ideal machine.
) Flat bars, 700x28c tyres, mudguards, rack and panniers, good lights and solid rather than cutting edge technology.Some will prefer drops to flats, some may prefer smaller tyres, I can only think of the riding that I would do (which does not involve major conurbations and would be all on tarmac) and what I would consider an ideal machine.
jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
Rykard said:
One that goes, stops and does all the stuff in between without falling apart too much.
As a personal choice, I ride an old MTB (with city slicker tyres) so that I can get more use from it with kids and stuff at weekends (in the parks, down at Bedgebury, that sort of thing)
Hybrids, road racers, recumbent's, fixes, Electro-assist, more than enough to suit all pockets and requirements
Drop bars, 700x25's, no mudguard and no rack & panniers.
Norm said:(Aside from 998cc of Yamaha power)
Flat bars,700x28c tyres,mudguards,rack and panniers, good lights and solid rather than cutting edge technology.
Some will prefer drops to flats, some may prefer smaller tyres, I can only think of the riding that I would do (which does not involve major conurbations and would be all on tarmac) and what I would consider an ideal machine.
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
Simplicity and low maintenance would be my main criteria:-
frame - steel or titanium if you can afford it
wheels - solid Mavic rims and at least a 32 spoke count on rear
gears - as few as you can manage while giving you options for 'bad' days. I'd want either an internal hub gear or a single chain ring with a max 9 speed cassette.
tyres - puncture proof, M+ or similar, heavy and slowish but really do what they claim
saddle - if you've got the right bum then a Brooks every time
bars - any combination that suits except plain flat bars, unless it's a really short commute
mudguards - yes, and full ones
rack - yes and panniers
frame - steel or titanium if you can afford it
wheels - solid Mavic rims and at least a 32 spoke count on rear
gears - as few as you can manage while giving you options for 'bad' days. I'd want either an internal hub gear or a single chain ring with a max 9 speed cassette.
tyres - puncture proof, M+ or similar, heavy and slowish but really do what they claim
saddle - if you've got the right bum then a Brooks every time
bars - any combination that suits except plain flat bars, unless it's a really short commute
mudguards - yes, and full ones
rack - yes and panniers
Slim
Über Member
- Location
- Plough Lane
If money was no object (and bearing in mind my commute is pretty much all in town)...
Carbon frame
Rohloff 14 speed
Flat Bars
Ergon Grips
SPDs
Disc Brakes (cable)
600cc engine
Carbon frame
Rohloff 14 speed
Flat Bars
Ergon Grips
SPDs
Disc Brakes (cable)
Trevrev
Veteran
- Location
- Southampton
My Trek 7.1. Although near bottom end it's been quite solid. Puncture resistant tyres are a must. Full mudguards....They take away the looks, but you need practical when commuting. I prefer Rack and panniers. Again, not pretty, but i did a year with a ruck sack and they're just too hot on my back. And i carry too much !!
Mainly food......LOL.
Mainly food......LOL.
swee'pea99
Legendary Member
One BIG question: do you have somewhere absolutely safe to keep it during the day?
If yes, the nicest racer you can afford.
If no, the nicest racer that looks (or you can make look) like a piece of crap.
If yes, the nicest racer you can afford.
If no, the nicest racer that looks (or you can make look) like a piece of crap.
jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
[quote name='swee'pea99']One BIG question: do you have somewhere absolutely safe to keep it during the day?
If yes, the nicest racer you can afford.
If no, the nicest racer that looks (or you can make look) like a piece of crap.[/QUOTE]
Good advice!! I like that
If yes, the nicest racer you can afford.
If no, the nicest racer that looks (or you can make look) like a piece of crap.[/QUOTE]
Good advice!! I like that
Here's the 2010 project.
BSA '20' Steel frame.
40 hole rear wheel with Sturmey 3 hub 39, 52 and 69" gears.
Schwalbe Durano 28-451.
Brooks B17
OE bars re-chromed
OE Full Mudguards
Rack and bag.
Sturmey Dynohub with OE lampset. Additional rear and 5W LED front for darkness hours.
BSA '20' Steel frame.
40 hole rear wheel with Sturmey 3 hub 39, 52 and 69" gears.
Schwalbe Durano 28-451.
Brooks B17
OE bars re-chromed
OE Full Mudguards
Rack and bag.
Sturmey Dynohub with OE lampset. Additional rear and 5W LED front for darkness hours.
