which do it all commuter (with rack addition)

trickydisco

This is my first post so go easy

I know this question gets asked all the time so here goes.

After i had my old school steel rigid mountain bike stolen at the weekend i'm after something to primarily commute to work but would also like to attach a rack and panniers to for a longer day ride.

I've narrowed my choices to the edinburgh cycles revolution range, but i'm unsure which one (i've been riding full on mountain biks for 4 years now and never ridden a drop bar road bike)

1. Revolution cross - £349



this is more of cross bike that can take a bit of beating and it as trouring like clearance (and has brake access on the top bar). I also love it's bit more understated looks

2. revolution continental - £349



Out and out road bike with option of attaching rack. But no brake access on top bar

3. revoluition courier classic - £249


this is a bit cheaper than the other two and i love the look of it. I'm thinking i might find it more comfortable than the other 2 because of the hybrid flat bar. (also looks understated)

I was also looking at the trek 7.3 which i;'m told is very good (but cannot find any stated weights for)

andylaw79

Welcome to the forum Tricky,

I can't comment on the Revolution range but I've got a 7.3 for my 16 mile round commute and I've got to say it handles it brilliantly. Don't know the exact weight but its pretty light. I've got a 17.5" frame and the compact geometry gives an agile and fast ride. You'll have no problem fitting full guards and a rack either.

meanwhile

Try the version of the Courier with discs - you should have much more stopping power in the rain.

Don't forget that bikes can be re-configured easily. Eg shouldn't cost much to get extra levers on the Conti, and the Courier get get Midge var drops with Dia Compe v-brake/disc drop levers.

If it makes any difference, it's widely believed that drop handles get stolen less.

Finally, check to see if you can use the Bike To Work scheme and get 50% of the bike's cost back.

robhowes

I'm relatively new to commuting but do 20 miles a day on my Dawes Kara Kum which has rack and panniers. It lugs my laptop and loads of junk around pretty well.

However for the really sunny day blasts, I've got a Merida Speeder T3 flat bar road bike which is excellent when I don't need to carry stuff. It doesn't have mudguards though so there is the risk of a wet bum which the Kara Kum avoids. However the Speeder makes up for it in the fun department though.

You can get them using Cycle to Work here: www.CycletoWorkNow.Com