Which bike?

Rykard

Hi,

I am looking to replace my rigid bike that I commute on. I currently ride on 26" wheels and have contilever brakes.

I have seen various different machines being used to commute on / couriers etc. My question is what should i look for when replacing my current steed? I should also say I weigh about 110kg at the mo...

Front Suspension?
Disc brakes?
I need rack mounts which gives me an issue with the disc brakes.
26" or 700c?

all your thoughts are gratefully received.

Niland

Maybe this is a dumb question but why disc brakes?

I saw a chap on a shiny black Genesis with mudguards, rack etc this morning, nothing amazing but it looked very smart and handy.

peejay78

it's up to you...

my advice is...

get a lightweight road bike of some description, if not a racer.

BentMikey

I'd second PJ. No real need for disc brakes on the road, they are just flash.

alecstilleyedye

bin the front sus too. all that energy spent moving the sus post up and down could be going towards pushing you along quicker!

the carerra subway (from halfords) has had rave reviews and if you are just using the bike for commuting or general pootling about it looks a great buy.

Tartanyak

My friend bought a subway and I was mightily impressed at it for the money! Simple, sensible, adjustable and tough.

So I bought something different.

I commute either on my Coiler or the flat-bar road bike thingy I have. The road bike is so, so much faster but the mountain bike is so much more comfortable. If you have to go on the ill-kept, rough, potholed nightmares plagued with drain covers that have the gaps in the perfect alignment and size to drop a road tyre in.

Nigeyy

I also second forgetting about the disc brakes and definitely the front suspension.

Of course, if you cycle in the wet a lot and down steep hills, then maybe I'd say go with the disc brakes, and of course if you have to commute some way on off road trails likewise go with front suspension.

But for "ordinary" commuting on a decently paved road, no front suspension is necessary and disc brakes are just a nice-to-have (a heavier nice-to-have at that). I do have disc brakes on my tourer (which I'd use for commuting if I didn't have another commuting specific bike) but that's because I do prefer them when fully loaded. When I commute into work I use a Downtube 9-speed folder, an old 12 speed Japanese steel freebie road bike I was given or my more modern 18 speed Cannondale road bike.

I'm not sure I'd recommend a road racer -it depends on your style of riding, length of commute and back status; you might be better off with a more relaxed road bike or hybrid. All depends.

By the way, why do you want to get rid/replace your current bike? It may be that you can upgrade your current ride to something nicer. Of course, if you don't feel comfortable on it, or want to get a new bike, I understand that. Cantilever brakes are still used on touring/cyclocross bikes so they aren't that bad you know! If you feel like your brakes are inadequate, try different pads/new cables/re-adjusting/new levers to get a better braking performance for certainly less than the cost of a new bike.

mazcp

peejay78 wrote:

get a lightweight road bike of some description, if not a racer.

Aren't these the same thing?

passout

Forget suspension and pay attention to tyre choice. Cheap disc brakes aren't any good.

redddraggon

Depending on your budget, I'd go for cyclocross bike. If I commute by bike to work after uni I think I'd go for one - they seem to give a lot of the benefits of a road bike and a MTB.

Hairy Jock

Find a good local bike shop, try a selection of bikes that fit your budget (if they won't let you ride it outside then try another shop) and find one that feels good to ride. Front suspension and disc brakes, are a waste of money if you are commuting. 700c, mudguards and a rack are a much better idea. You want a working bike not a play thing.