Flat Bar Bike for Commuting/Fitness/Day Rides

Beardy10

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I am looking to get a decent bike primarily for commuting but it will also be used for fitness. My commute home will have an hour added to it for fitness so I won't something decent/quick. I have up to £1500 to spend and wondered what people would advise. I have seen bikes by Specialized/Trek/Marin that all seem to fit the bill but I am a struggling to find a shop that stocks all those makes for a test ride and wondered what people's views were on those manufacturers or anyone else they could recommend. I have been told by one shop that they see more broken Marin frames than any other bike (albeit tiny a small percentage) and by someone else that Trek are lagging behind Specialized with their frames.

Bikes I have seen that I am interested include

Specialized Sirrus
Trek 7.9 FX
Marin Highway One

I'd be appreciate any advice!

Thanks

iainment

I have a sirrus, use it daily for an 18 mile commute each way and it is fine. No probs with it at all. Get one.

Random Vince

you'll have to go to a few shops then

most bike shops know you'll be looking around at what's available, most of them can't stock more than a few of the major brands as they have to put a certain shelf space percentage for that brand, a bit hard to give 60% to specialized and 60% to trek at the same time in the same shop!

if they don't think you'll be looking round at other makes or searching for a lower price then they are naive

richardjallen

I had a Marin Mill Valley - one below the HIghway One. I had it for two years and it was fine. I wouldn't get the Highway One though because it just looks too expensive for that kind of bike and I would want the ability to put a rack on which I dont think you can do with carbon stays. The latest Al ones are 60xx series aluminum rather than 7005. I looked up the differences and 7005 can be lighter but may be more prone to fatigue. If you do want carbon then for the money you have to spend I would look at the Orbea Diem. There are quite a few versions but I've seen a flatbar one.

SPOODZILLA

Nice budget. I have a Giant FCR3, £300, which I use as a commuter. Its basically a road bike with flatbars. Its fast and comfortable, but I can't help thinking that just getting an out and out road bike would have been a better move. Always been a mountain biker, wasn't brave enough to try drops!!

andrewc3142

For cycling on the road a reasonable amount, wanting something that will be quick and for that price I would definitely think very hard indeed before deciding against drops.

If you've never used them I expect they'll feel weird at first (not that I remember - it's over 30 years since I started using them and now it's my MTB that feels weird at first) but I also expect that after a short while you won't be able to imagine cycling on the road without them.

In general, I'd think carefullly before spending that much. It would be a shame to find that after a few months what you really wished you'd got was a good road bike, 23 tyres, drops, no mudguards, clipless pedals, etc, etc. Pure, fast, light, responsive, etc, etc. A wide choice within your budget - mine's a Condor Acciaio, not an all-out racer but ticks all the boxes for me.

redddraggon

I like my road bike aswell, I was a bit apprehensive about getting a bike with drops, but peer pressure ruled and got drops like a flatmate.

Now I couldn't do without them.

Mark Alexander

go fixed. steel frame!

Beardy10

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I went to a bike shop this weekend, they tried talking me into drops too but I think I really want to stay with flat bars. I've ridden bikes with drop handle bars before and have done most of my cycling on one...I just find a flat bar better and safer for dealing with the hassles of riding in the heavy London traffic. Just personal preference really....there is something that makes me feel a lot more comfortable about having the brakes right at my finger tips. Not something you always have with drops in my experience/riding style.

Found a shop that has a decent range so they are going to get a couple of bikes that they think would be good for me to try. I know these are expensive bikes but it's hard finding people that stock them or will help.

I e-mailed the distributors asking if they could recommend shops that would carry these bikes. One distributor in particular was less than helpful "we don't have details of our dealers inventory".....no sh1t! But maybe you do have a list of the bikes you have supplied them with so may be able to take a guess at who might have one!?!? If they are that helpful when youa re trying to spend a lot of money how helpful will they be if there is a warranty claim. Clueless.

aya604

Beardy10 wrote:

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I went to a bike shop this weekend, they tried talking me into drops too but I think I really want to stay with flat bars. I've ridden bikes with drop handle bars before and have done most of my cycling on one...I just find a flat bar better and safer for dealing with the hassles of riding in the heavy London traffic. Just personal preference really....there is something that makes me feel a lot more comfortable about having the brakes right at my finger tips. Not something you always have with drops in my experience/riding style.

Found a shop that has a decent range so they are going to get a couple of bikes that they think would be good for me to try. I know these are expensive bikes but it's hard finding people that stock them or will help.

I e-mailed the distributors asking if they could recommend shops that would carry these bikes. One distributor in particular was less than helpful "we don't have details of our dealers inventory".....no sh1t! But maybe you do have a list of the bikes you have supplied them with so may be able to take a guess at who might have one!?!? If they are that helpful when youa re trying to spend a lot of money how helpful will they be if there is a warranty claim. Clueless.

have you not considered a bike with disc brakes? I should say safer for London commute.

aya

cupofteacp

Could I suggest the Kona Dew's

MrHulot

Mmm... for that sort of money I'd be tempted to get two bikes - the flat bar you think you need and one with drops as the one you will end up wanting :twisted:

tardington

I would agree!

A friend of mine got a grand in compensation from the council (her drains pretty much went into reverse - NOT pretty). Instead of getting a reasonable hardtail (she commuted on an old rigid mtb - which was okay) and stashing most of the cash, she got a Cannondale touring thing. Now, after suffering Toe-Overlap from hell and deciding she HATES drop bars, she is spending a lot of money (I gather) converting to flat bars. AND still has toe-overlap.

A yi yi! :?

simon_e

Definitely look at the Cirrus and Kona Dew Plus/Dr Dew if you can. Even the Carrera Subway models at Halfrauds are worth a look. The more models you try the better, though no dealer will stock more than a couple of the main brands. Shop around.

Disc brakes are worth considering, IMHO the ability to take full-length mudguards is a more pressing matter. Most flat-bar commuters should be fine for this. How about a bar bag? Less hassle than pannier/rack for small loads.

A good shop may be able to do a bit of a deal off the RRP, definitely if it's a 2007 bike. And get some skinnier tyres if you can, Armadillos or something similarly p*ncture-resistant. Have you considered a separate post asking for LBS recommendations in your area?

Beardy10

I'll have a look at the Kona too...I had a Kona mountain bike quite a few years ago which I loved. I am affraid as much as you can try to convince me I'm not going to get drops! I know it's not a proper bike with flat bars but I really do think they are safer for London commuting....plus if I'm honest more comfortable!

Disc brakes are definitely worth considering though it seems like the components suffer elsewhere because of the extra cost so you end up with a heavier bike all round for the same cost as a bike with rim brakes ? I only need to carry my work clothes so a backpack will be plenty...mudguards are definitely worth thinking about too.

Thanks again for the input/feedback.

Random Vince

if you find you don't like the stretched out position of flat bars then consider a set of on one mary bars, they curve towards you a bit more but are still kind of flat, a bit more natural shaped wrist position apparently

or is that the midge bar...

Fixedweasel

The Cotic Roadrat may be worth having a look at, as it will run discs, rack, mudguards, singlespeed/fixed or gears.

dav1

with that sort of cash you may be better off having a fitness bike and a cheaper £300 commuter. That way you will lower the wear rate on your expencive kit and it wont be as bad if your bike is stolen whist locked in a bike rack.

Im just about to dive into a road bike as a commuter (been using my MTB for the past 18 months and the drivetrain is shot as well as an attempted theft a month ago has forced the switch to a dedicated commuter)

BlueLetter

I commute in London and am looking at exactly the same bikes - let me know how you get on. As well as my commuter bike I also have a bike with drops - a Specialized Tricross. I love it but agree that a bike with a flat bar is far better for London streets. Many of my friends use conventional road bikes and end up choosing less bumpy routes and not going out when it's wet.

If I get one of the bikes you list it will be an upgrade from my current commuter bike - a Kona Dew Deluxe, which has disc brakes. I bought it because it was heavily discounted - the bike itself is fine but I wouldn't have disc brakes again. I don't know how to maintain them and regular brakes are certainly good enough for commuting.

I considered a fixie - it's very appealing but when it gets really windy I'm reluctant to give up the low gears.

Very interested to see what you end up with.

Beardy10

Well. Not a straightforward answer!

Firstly if you want a trek 7.9 FX...you should know they have stopped making them and for example the XL frame size (which I wanted) is out of stock globally. I wonder if Cycling Plus knew that when they reviewed one last month? I have to say Trek UK couldn't have been less helpful if they tried too...having failed to find a dealer who had a 7.9 FX I contacted Trek directly asking them to recommend a dealer..I was told it was an "extremely expensive and rare bicycle" and that dealers only ordered them on request. I wonder why dealers don't stock the high end Trek's whilst it's quite east to find the Specialized and Marin bikes?

I eventually rode a lesser model in the FX range and then asked the dealer to see if they could get a 7.9FX and at that point found out they were no longer being made and had none in my size. Thanks Trek UK for telling me that in the first place! Having lost my rag with Trek UK I checked with them in the US and they told me the bike may be replaced as soon as April so I would wait and see if you want one. At the least you may be able to pick up one of the existing bikes cheaply.

I then had second thoughts about the flat bars after what people said on here. Having tried out a couple of bikes with drops I have ended up ordering a Condor road bike and am throughly looking forward to picking it up. It seems to me that whilst a lot of people think Condor are expensive you can get a full Ultegra equipped road bike with a high quality frame for the same money as these high end hybrids. The bike has been set up with a relatively upright riding position for me so hopefully I'll be fine!

BentMikey

Condor bikes are very nice though!!

secretsam

BentMikey wrote:

Condor bikes are very nice though!!

Second that, saw a lovely flat bar Agio there last time I was in, was chatting to the new owner, lucky s0d.

I'd go with drops, maximum versatility. Or get a summer and winter steed - bear in mind during the hols the roads in the smoke are less busy.

£1,500 for a bike? You lucky g1t. Don't forget to build in the cost of locks, lights, lid et al.

Beardy10

I already have the locks and lights etc as I did a bit of commuting on my old MTB a while ago. I ithink I may put some slick tyres on that and keep the Condor for summer commuting and weekend rides.

pw1brown

Dav1 wrote:

with that sort of cash you may be better off having a fitness bike and a cheaper £300 commuter.

I agree. You could get a very good road bike indeed for £1200. I'd get a rigid or hardtail mtb with slick tyres for your commuter, so between the road bike and it you're covering most of the possibilities.

bear_bearson

Go flat bar for london commutes. Its more comfy and easier to nip in and out of traffic IMO.

All the bikes you mention are good. You may wish not to spend too much money on a first bike. I would recommend getting something relatively cheap say £399! :shock: and deciding what you like don't like and then if you decided to stick to commuting you can either upgrade your bike or buy a new one with all the features you like.

I would seriously recommend trying a steel frame bike if at all possible.

bear_bearson

Stanley222 wrote:

Hi

Stick with what you are comfortable with - I bought a road bike 10 months ago and after much deliberation went with the drop bars from countless advice from this forum and from numerous shops - cant help tinking I wish I had got flats!!!

There are some really nice flat bar 'fitness' bikes about at the mo - take a look at the Genesis Day range (00 or 01) or the Giant FCR range (F for fitness) they are road bikes with flat bars but have excellent components etc

Another great bike which hasn't been mentioned in this thread is the Boardman range of bikes - these are exclusively sold by Halfords - take a look they are excellent. The base model is £400 I think and has mechanical disc brakes whereas the other 2 in the flat bar range (I think they are £500 and £700) have Avid Juicy hydraulic brakes - great brakes and ideal for commuting!!!

Hope this helps!!!

The genesis flat bars are VERY nice.

Rykard

Spesh Sirrus 2007
Boardman Comp Urban

ride_whenever

I'd mirror the separate fitness bike, and add a fixed+bullhorned commuter bike. Gears are way too much hassle on a commute, you need your full attention on the road, not the gears. I'd suggest a rigid mtb with discs and 26" wheels and slicks as it'll be pretty much the same speed and quite a bit more manoeuvrable.

star_rover

ride_whenever wrote:

I'd mirror the separate fitness bike, and add a fixed+bullhorned commuter bike. Gears are way too much hassle on a commute, you need your full attention on the road, not the gears. I'd suggest a rigid mtb with discs and 26" wheels and slicks as it'll be pretty much the same speed and quite a bit more manoeuvrable.

Come off it. Gears aren't that distracting.

BentMikey

Seconded, and I do ride both fixed and geared.

ride_whenever

All it takes is for you to be thinking about shifting down as you approach lights, and

BAM

lorry turns across you