Advice on a new bike

downwardslide

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'm looking at buying a bike for commuting. Initially I'll be doing about half of the 20 mile commute by bike, probably building up to the full distance.
Initially the commute will all be on roads, but as I extend the distance, I expect some of it may be over trails (disused railways, forest paths etc.).
Someone suggested getting a cyclocross bike.
Any recommendations? As I will be getting this through the cycle to work scheme, I am looking at up to the £1k mark.

lost_in_thought

Welcome, downwardslide!

Is there any restriction on where you can get this bike from? If you're planning to do most on-road and some off-road, then a cyclocross bike does seem like a good choice.

Also, I'm really encouraged at the minute to see how many 'about to start commuting by bike' threads there are.

prawny

20 miles each way?

If so yeah cyclocross would be where the smart money goes it's doable on an MTB but alot easier with drops and less tiring on your arms/wrists with the multiple hands positions.

downwardslide

Have to get it through Halfords, but having spoken to the people at cycle republic in york, it seems they can source most brands (although not the Focus that I had my eye on)

roger_merriman

a cross bike should take some of the sting out it, this said road bikes them selfs are not that fragile and do not implode if taken off tarmac so it does depend on in what the surface is like, i take my old bike with it's very thin tires down mild trails etc from time to time,

really does depend on what the surface is like, both grip and lumpy.

prawny

Goddammit woman you're too fast! :evil:

lost_in_thought

Bwahahahahaaaaaa

downwardslide

Thanks for the replies.
Have been tempted by the Boardman Hybrid, which seems like an excellent spec for the money, but definitely prefer the drop bars.
Anyone got an opinion on the Kinesis crosslight?

jeepie

Just got a Genesis MTB which I'm very impressed with:

This was in the Genesis catalogue and looks sweet >

http://www.airevalleycycles.com/product ... 7s200p4582

If I was in the market for a cross I'd consider it....

MrChuck

Don't know about the Kinesis but a cross bike sounds like the way forward. Lots of people on here seem happy with Specialized's Tricross.

biondino

Following the link to the Genesis led me to a very nice bargain for anyone aiming at a slightly higher and nippier machine - three grand for a Wilier Cento!

http://www.airevalleycycles.com/product ... Record_10_

cjcp

downwardslide wrote:

Thanks for the replies.
Have been tempted by the Boardman Hybrid, which seems like an excellent spec for the money, but definitely prefer the drop bars.
Anyone got an opinion on the Kinesis crosslight?

C+ reviewed the Kinesis a couple of months back. It was given a good review. I have a feeling that ITBoffin might have bought one recently.

£1k will get you something very tidy indeed. Check out the below.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/Cycle/7/Cyclocross_Bikes/

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cyclo_cross_bikes.php

Also worth a look are the Uncle John's by Planet X. And Dolan do one too - just to give you more food for thought!

Ebay might be worth a look too. The cross season is drawing to a close so people may be looking to sell off frames so they can upgrade for next season.

God, I want a cross bike!

jonginge

cjcp wrote:

God, I want a cross bike!

must... not... buy... a... sixth... bike... argh

il_principe

cjcp wrote:

God, I want a cross bike!

Just don't clean, fettle it for a while - it'll soon get angry.

*fetches coat.

biondino

*hands Jash coat, hat, points to door, shakes head.

il_principe

*trips over passing tumbleweed

biondino

*sees Jash falling arse over tit, laughs uproariously, invites him to take back his place as resident forum funnyman

il_principe

Yes - this is now well OT. Sorry OP. Just don't get a hybrid yeah?

downwardslide

Quite like the look of the genesis, will have to find out if anywhere local stocks it and have a look.

It was suggested on another thread that some independent shops take the halfords vouchers. Anyone aware of any shops in west yorks area that do this?

wantaway

Downwardslide - I've just bought a bike through the scheme. I've ended up spending almost as much on the extra bits as I did on the bike. My god there are a lot of things to spend money on.

downwardslide

Have plumped for the Kinesis crosslight 4T.
Next question. Alloy or Carbon forks?
Am leaning towards alloy ones as they are £60 cheaper, so would give a bit of extra cash towards accessories and also have eyelets for mudguards which would suit commuting use.
Anyone care to convince me that carbon forks are a must have?

alfablue

Carbon forks can give you a less buzzy ride, and you can get some ITM Visia forks with mudguard eyes for £68

cjcp

Agree with Alfablue that the carbon forks will dampen road buzz. If you're getting a cross frame though, I would go for cross forks, check the link below. You can get the cross version of the forks ablue posted.

http://www.shinybikes.com/bike/1-cyclo-cross/