New bike short commute london

secretsam
secretsam Posts: 5,120
edited July 2007 in Road beginners
Oh no another "Help clueless newbie needs bike"

Right - formerly knowledgeable but due to 20 year gap clueless newbie wants bike to replace 3.5 mile trip to office by tube with cycle ride, to prevent him going insane on the train

Not much to spend say £400, don't want a MTB but would need to be tough to cope with city streets, occasional towpath maybe (but mostly road use)

Have thought about Specialised Sirrus, Genesis Day 00, not sure if a drop 'bars bike would be appropriate, the flat super fast hybrids such as those listed seem to be similar geometry to a fast tourer????

All advice gratefully accepted

It's just a hill. Get over it.

Comments

  • Big Red S
    Big Red S Posts: 26,890
    What's the route?
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Marylebone station to Clerkenwell

    Flat, I think (well, the tube line's flat, anyway :lol: )

    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,903
    edited July 2007
    This might be worth a look.
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryrn_60956

    The 8's get rave reviews, I have a 2 year old, but previously never used Subway one, for a bargain £85.

    My commute is about the same length as yours, but more cyclepath, and a bit of towpath involved, so suits me down to the ground.

    Dan
    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
    Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
    Scott CR1 SL 12
    Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
    Scott Foil 18
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Errrr....no, sorry, right off course, looks like an MTB (nein danke) and has hub gears, which I totally associate with old people and Raleigh Choppers

    not that I'm prone to ill informed bias and prejudice, you understand :oops: :lol:

    Don't however have an aversion to Carrera bikes (only the idiots that sell them)

    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • Small Fish
    Small Fish Posts: 84
    I have a Genesis Day 00 and I love it. It's fast, light, gives you a buzz when you ride it and it looks great (which is of course very important even though we're supposed to judge our bikes on performance!)

    Only bad things I'd say are:-

    the tyres that come with it are are rubbish - Continental Ultra Race which should be good but I've been getting punctures galore (at least one a fortnight) and after 10 weeks commuting the rear tyre needs replacing as it has 2 cuts which are starting to bulge.

    The pedals - can't get used to the toeclips on the pedals, had no problem on previous bikes but these don't flick round properly! Plan to get clipless anyway so not too fussed.

    Bars/front forks - the ride is absolutely fine for the commuting sprint but gets a bit harsh on longer/bumpier rides.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Small Fish wrote:
    I have a Genesis Day 00 and I love it. It's fast, light, gives you a buzz when you ride it and it looks great (which is of course very important even though we're supposed to judge our bikes on performance!)

    Only bad things I'd say are:-

    the tyres that come with it are are rubbish - Continental Ultra Race which should be good but I've been getting punctures galore (at least one a fortnight) and after 10 weeks commuting the rear tyre needs replacing as it has 2 cuts which are starting to bulge.

    The pedals - can't get used to the toeclips on the pedals, had no problem on previous bikes but these don't flick round properly! Plan to get clipless anyway so not too fussed.

    Bars/front forks - the ride is absolutely fine for the commuting sprint but gets a bit harsh on longer/bumpier rides.

    Thanks, yeah, the fact that it looks meaner than the Sirrus has no-o-o-o-o impact on my thoughts...nor does the presence of 3 chained up near my office that I can stare at...

    Pedals - can you not get those flip things you used to be able to buy??? Little bolt on 'tongues'...

    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • ArDee
    ArDee Posts: 156
    Either of these may fit the spec:

    http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70574

    http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70093

    If this posting links thing has worked
    Little by little, one by one, the Penguins are stealing my sanity.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Yup, it worked, hadn't seen the Scott, yet more options...am now tending towards the Sirrus as the others use caliper brakes, and don't seem to have much clearance for more chunky tyres...

    It's just a hill. Get over it.