New commuter bike required

Kieran_Burns

Hi folks - my first post, so please be gentle

I've got approximately £750 to spend on a commuter,

My commute (Derby way) involves, country roads, bridle way, suburban roads, cycle paths, urban roads and finally a last stretch of cycle path. A total of 14.3 miles

Given the above I think I need a Hybrid, I presently have a flat bar road bike that doesn't cut it on the bridle way, cycle path bits. Actually it's not so hot on the urban bit either!

So... I'm being steered (ahem) towards the Giant CRS range or maybe a Cannondale Bad Boy. With the CRS - is there any advantage to getting the CRS Zero or Alliance over the 1.0? I don't mind spending the money if I get a good return on it

I'm going to have the money at the end of the month (pay day) and will be looking to get the bike, and some wet weather gear and new lights at the same time.

Any advice, suggestions, hints and tips would be appreciated. I'm a long time road biker who needs some help with a new area.

Thanks for reading. Oh and if someone can show me the review for the Cateye ROL style lights I'd appreciate it (they look damn good and VERY bright, but I'ev heard things about the clips....)

Thanks again!

ride_whenever

So the roadie doesn't cut it generally, I'd be tempted to say a cyclo-cross bike, designed for this...

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Focus Mares cross bike?

Phixion

I just bought a Felt QX75: http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/c ... =&x=10&y=6

I'm waiting for it to be delivered, I went for the £350 model but you can get the top-end one for £550.

Kieran_Burns

Phixion wrote:

I just bought a Felt QX75: http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/c ... =&x=10&y=6

I'm waiting for it to be delivered, I went for the £350 model but you can get the top-end one for £550.

I hadn't seen that one - thanks for suggesting it. That's the kind of style I am thinking of... more road than ATB I guess as I do much more road cycling but DO need something for the rougher roads and bridle way (which was a complete bitch this morning... wet mud and gravel... joy)

Any more suggestions folks? I'm going to pop over to Evans this weekend so anything you know specific to that shop would help even more - thanks for the ideas so far

Kieran_Burns

NitrousOxide wrote:

Focus Mares cross bike?

I would prefer the straight bar, but that's a good bike!

Kieran_Burns

Well - things have just got more interesting...

It now seems that I can get a 15% discount from wheelies.co.uk!

A £650 bike becomes a £550 one... that'll do!

Mind you - it also looks like Evans have started THEIR sale and all their prices have dropped by the same amount.

Finally - I picked a good time to buy a bike

passout

I'd say either a cross bike (which will take guards - not all do) such as the Tpecilaised Tri Cross or a big wheeled (29inch) rigid MTB such as those offered by On-One.

ris

as far as lights go the cateye single shot 600 or 610 are ROL so i assmue they are the ones you are referring to. they get pretty good reviews and i've read good comments from users on here.

the consensus, or what passes for one on a bike forum (as long as its not helmets or campag... :shock: ) is to use a fenix torch as the front light. apparently bright enough to blind small hedgerow animals and annoy local astronomers, and good value when compared to the single shot.

doog442

Im in a similar situation:

My commute is trailway,road,field,farmers track more road then forest paths, 9 miles in total, being doing this for 4 months now on a mtb but have settled on a spesh tricross (£700) or £350 on cycle to work scheme

blorg

A cross bike sounds like a very good idea. With most cross bikes you will have secondary brake levers on the flats so that should not be a concern. But if you don't want drops anyway, maybe not for you.

A flat bar road bike is effectively a type of hybrid already; don't underestimate how much extra comfort you will get from wider tyres- even 700x25c is a lot more comfortable over 700x23c. I suspect you already have at least 25c but before buying a new bike I would see if you can put wider tyres on your existing bike (this may well not be possible) and try the route with the widest you can fit - ultimately the main reason for getting a cross or other bike would be "can fit wider tyres" so make sure you are as wide as you can go on your current bike first. IF you have frame clearance you might have to change the brakes to accomodate bigger tyres.

secretsam

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Finally - I picked a good time to buy a bike

Yeah, but get in there quick, unless you're a dwarf or a giant, the "normal people" sizes go quick