Which Bike ( cycle to work )

[TUBZ69]

ok hi everybody, ive just joined this site. I have been cycling for a few yrs now, last yr i was doing roughly 16miles a day 6days a week... mainly B-roads for my daily comute.
Now however i only have a 15 min sprint to work as i live and work in central cambridge ( John Lewis )
I have taken advantage of the cycle to work programe so im lookin to sell my current ride ( Giant SCR 3.0 ) and upgrade. I have tested a Giant Trinity ( 2009 ) yes i know its a little extreme for comuting but tbh its a very short quick blast etc....
Alternatively i like the look of the Giant Defy 1 ( 2009 )

The Trinity looks an feel amazing,very very quick, very light, powerful responsive brakes, and a very racey look to it.
The only thing that puts me off is the gear change at the end of the rods?!! as i am used to shifters being on the bars like the SCR.

I havent riden the Defy 1 but it looks to be a similar ride to my current bike, only a bit lighter and with better equipment etc..

What im realy asking is can i get away with using the Trinity for everything i usually do, ie comute, blasting round camb, visiting mates whilst my Zx6r is off the road ( Longer hikes 15/20miles + ) as i like fact that the Defy 1 looks to have a slightly more practical edge to it, but on the other hand i fancy sumthing a bit more extreme...

oh and im 26, 5'10 and pretty fit.

 

[Randochap]

Trinity? That's a time-trial/tri bike. IMO completely inappropriate for commuting ... or any other kind of riding other than specific short-distance, timed racing.

The Defy 1 could be pressed into service, but you do realize that it also has no provision to install rack and mudguards. Would this bike encourage you to commute on a rainy day?

IMO, you'd do better with a touring, or, if you want something lighter/quicker, an audax-style bike.

 

[MajorMantra]

I agree, a TT bike is totally inappropriate. If you want fast and exciting then get the best road bike you can afford. Look at Planet-X, Ribble, Focus and Boardman for maximum value and lightest weight for your money.

Matthew

 

[TUBZ69]

hmmm il have a look at the defy then i think, ive never had mudguards so probly wont miss them...

 

[ed_o_brain]

Why would you want to sell your SCR? Leaving an expensive job locked up all day whilst you work in a shop is hardly the greatest idea.

And mudguards are good on a commuting bike. They stop so much rain/salt/much from getting washed over your transmission and make it last a lot longer.

I would keep the SCR, put some mudguards on it and use the cycle to work scheme for a carbon fibre planet-x/ribble/Focus, commute on it a few times in the summer (using a very decent lock) and get out for a few club runs at the weekends.

Sorry for being so opinionated, but you are only young once so get your nice bike and use it for nice cycling. Regularly leaving a nice bike locked up like that for the sake of a 15 minute commute is a bit silly.

It's a bit different if you sit in an office and keep the bike by your desk all day.

 

[TUBZ69]

Yea u might b right, I had the idea of selling the scr, but maybe that's a better plan....

 

[hackbike 666]

Get a fixie.It's the 'in' thing at the moment ;-)

 

[ed_o_brain]

I suspect hackbike is referring to an earlier thread?

Gears are also very popular, so I hear.