which bike
- Thread starter stubrant
- Start date
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iacula
Senior Member
- Location
- Southampton
I agree with Wigsie, I use a Trek 1.2, does the job fine on a 22 mile round trip, I bought it last year for £470. Eventually finished up buying mudguards, rack, better tyres (Schwalbe Marathons), SPD pedals, Ortlieb panniers, not essential but nice to have!
thomas
the tank engine
- Location
- Woking/Norwich
Wigsie said:
Allez +1...that's what I ride
MacB
Lover of things that come in 3's
- Location
- Farnborough, Hampshire
If feasible, then I'd advise not trying to get a do it all bike, get something for the commute only. If you get hooked you're going to want something fancy for weekends anyway. Looking at a commuter I'd consider, guards, rack(if you need to transport laptop etc) and lights. I also went a step further and had a hub geared wheel built, 9 speed, in the interest of low maintenance. My commute's a 40 mile round trip and I will rarely use more than 3 of my 9 gears, sometimes only 1. Though I suspect that, come Winter, I may be glad of the extra gearing. Next Winter I may consider going with a dyno hub front wheel.
Comfort is important for me as well, my steel frame bike is definitely a softer ride than the alu/carbon mix I used before, especially when weighted down. Tyre size makes a difference, I use 35mm M+ tyres, chosen for puncture protection. Though they have done 'what it says on the tin' they are very heavy and don't roll brialliantly. I'm looking at a new commute tyre, don't know what yet, but still considering a wider model.
If you get a bike that's great for the commute it probably won't be so great weekends and vice versa.
Comfort is important for me as well, my steel frame bike is definitely a softer ride than the alu/carbon mix I used before, especially when weighted down. Tyre size makes a difference, I use 35mm M+ tyres, chosen for puncture protection. Though they have done 'what it says on the tin' they are very heavy and don't roll brialliantly. I'm looking at a new commute tyre, don't know what yet, but still considering a wider model.
If you get a bike that's great for the commute it probably won't be so great weekends and vice versa.
Dont listen to MacB he has turned all sensible! ha ha
Only joking, the advice you will get will come from two main trail of thoughts (probably more) A sensible/practical commuter bike with wider tyres upright position, mudguards, racks/panniers etc then a road bike that may or may not have space for mudguards but thats about it..
He is right however, I would not recommend trying to find a combination of the two (other that perhaps a Specialized Tricross). Just try out a few bikes and go with a combination of gut feeling, sensible thoughts and passion. I ride 18.5 each way to work with no mudguards racks etc just a mobile, a spare tube and a tenner. But I have a wardrobe of spare clothes at work and reasonable changing facilities, and leave laptop at work when I am going to ride in.
Only joking
, the advice you will get will come from two main trail of thoughts (probably more) A sensible/practical commuter bike with wider tyres upright position, mudguards, racks/panniers etc then a road bike that may or may not have space for mudguards but thats about it..He is right however, I would not recommend trying to find a combination of the two (other that perhaps a Specialized Tricross). Just try out a few bikes and go with a combination of gut feeling, sensible thoughts and passion. I ride 18.5 each way to work with no mudguards racks etc just a mobile, a spare tube and a tenner. But I have a wardrobe of spare clothes at work and reasonable changing facilities, and leave laptop at work when I am going to ride in.
