new commuter bike and good route to ctn london needed ..

dccok

the endless question this isnt it? which bike do people reccomand for riding in the £250-300 bracket ...?
i know everyone has their preference but i am interested in ride quality and user friendlyness so my partner and i can share on other days etc ..i am trying to get her to see my love of the bike ( its slow progress)
i have looked at the specialised glode.. any ideas from you guys
also
the commute wiil be starting in mid feb-( need to get my confidence and base fitness up i think) from bromley to central london- has anyone any good routes which aviod traffic congestion/jams/old kent road etc

thanking you
dave

Bassjunkieuk

I might be able to help with the route part, a friend of mine found this site and it seems to get some rather interesting routes!

http://www.cyclemaps.net/D/gaz.asp

This one follows a more direct route, and there is an option at the top for using the cycle network. The map supplied is a bit crap so I'd advise getting a set of the cycle maps from Tfl and marking out the route from the written directions onto one of those, or sitting there with Google Maps open in another browser window/tab!

BentMikey

I do Biggin Hill to the West End, and I've settled on taking the A21/A202 pretty much every time. It's the flattest and fastest route, I think.

Depending on where you need to go exactly, you could probably cut through on that well known shortcut via Jerrard Street/Thurston Road.

Greggyr

Dear Dave

I ride from Petts Wood to St Pauls via Bromley. From Widmore Rd I go to Bromley Hill, thru Downham, Catford, Crofton Park, Peckham, Bermondsey, Tooley St, london Bridge. It's basically london Cycle Network 22. The a21 from Bromley Hill thru Downham is pretty wide, I then go down Canadian Ave & up to peckham Rye. It's not traffic-free, but I think it's a huge improvement on the route thru Lewisham and Deptford, which has dreadful traffic. My route merely crosses the Old Kent Rd, and doesn't go along it !!. If you want to ride the route with me I'd be happy to take you. I'm normally going thru Bromley at 6.30 am, leaving St Pauls at 5.30 tyop go home. I've got 2 Specialized bikes & have been very happy with them.

Rgds & welcome to commuting !!

Greg

dannyboycowe

for a bike - try the Revolution COurier Race from Edinburgh Bike Co-op

Plus, their sale statrs tomorrow morning and there is 50 quid off (only £229)!

I have asked around and everyone who's had a go on one reckons it's a quality bike for the cash.

dccok

cheers for the positive encouragement ....i am very close to buying a specailized globe..need to give it a bit of a road test first but i think it seems to tick alot of the boxes..

still aiming for late feb/mar-- have to go on holidays to south africa with my mrs- will hopefully be riding every day...and man it will be hot -

again thanks for the positive vibes - this forum seems friendly and helpful

cheers

dave