Commute bike advice

Bryan*

Hi Everybody,

New to the site and I have to say it's a great place to start when thinking of getting back up on a bike.

I'm looking for advice regarding the purchase of a new bike. My situation is: I live 10miles from work in south county Dublin, Ireland. Recently there have been road upgrades producing fine looking smooth cycle lanes in the area.So the commute now will be about 7-8 miles on cycle lanes and the rest fighting it out with the traffic. It is relatively flat with one big hill on the way home.This has prompted me to get back up on the bike and give it a go.Budget wise I have about £300 - £400 sterling to spend. I used to have a Falcon Road bike about 15 years ago then I changed to a mountain bike. I like the position of the mountain bike but always missed the speed and efficiency of the road bike.
That lead me to the Giant FCR3. It appears to be a well specked bike for the money. However I haven't a clue when it comes to components and value for money.
Your thoughts on this bike and any similar alternative would be much appreciated to help me jump in and make the purchase...

redddraggon

You may be better off with a SCR3 that has drops to be honest. Drops made road cycling far easier.

SPOODZILLA

I've been using my 2008 FCR3 for 5 months now, commuting daily, 14 miles each way. Components are probably considered low end, but good value for money, and they've not failed me yet. Bike is pretty light, sturdy (15.5st of me), but if it has kenda kontender tyres like mine did bin them and get something, anything, else or be prepared to spend a lot of time at the side of the road fixing punctures (8 in a 5 days was my record). Your sat more upright than on a proper racer - good for vision and traffic dodging in the city centre. Wider bars than a roadie - better steering control?

Now i've said all that, i'd have to admit that if I was buying again i'd go for a proper road bike with drops. The FCR has been a great bike thus far, but I cant help feeling that i'm missing out on a little more speed and a little more efficiency. Whether i'd actually feel the benefits of drops when i'm stopping at lights every 2 mins and weaving around stationary traffic remains to be seen.

See if you can try one out, compare it to a road bike, and let me know which you prefer.

Trudester

Hi Bryan*

Last year I bought the FCR2 and I have to say I've been extremely happy with it. The only changes I have made has been to change the tyres to Conti Ultra Gator Skins as I did suffer with a couple of bad punctures.

I much prefer the more upright riding position you get with the flat bars as you can comfortably keep your eye on the traffic.

The FCR will certainly give you the speed of a road bike with the riding position of the mountain bike.

Happy hunting!

RtD

I have an FCR1 for my commute and I am very pleased with it. As regards drops or straight bars I would say that really depends on your commute, if it's start-stop with a lot of lights and traffic then go for the straight bars, you'll feel more in control of the bike and have a better view around you. If you have long open stretches then you may prefer the feel of speed of the drops. I put 23c tires on my bike so it's basically speced like a racer with the single exception of the bars, I can get a fair bit of speed up when I want to.

Interested to know where these fine looking smooth cycle lanes in south county Dublin are, my commute is from Cabinteely to Dublin city centre and they're nowhere near me

Bryan*

Hi,

Thanks for the great replies. I think the general concensus is i can't go wrong with a FCR for the money but need to change the tyres. I will hunt around and see if i can get the tyres changed as part of a deal.
As regards drops. My theory is i am just getting back on a bike after a number of years. I would prefer the heads up position to keep an eye on pedestrians etc. The cycle couriers around town tend to use them which says to me they work in an urban enviornment.
I remember from 15 years ago when i was super fit and really liked the drops. My mid term plan is to get back on the bike first with an entry level price and then all going well i will probably change to a better spec. road bike in a year or so.

RtD: Tthe new road is at Taylors Lane beside Marlay Park. The plan is to cylcle to Dun Laoghaire via green route. Cycle paths don't look too bad up to stillorgan but the proof of the puddin'........

Cheers,

Bryan.