Recommend a Road Bike for Commuting...

jobysp

I've decided that I'm going to take the plunge when get back from my holidays and get a Road Bike that I will use over the summer months to get too and from work. I've been tooing and fro-ing with the idea for a month or two, but watching this chap in front of me this morning has completely swung me round, because the effort he was putting in was minimal for the speed he was getting, and I was pedalling like a freak to keep up with him!

I can't afford to be stupid and spend £1,000+ all at once on a bike, but should have no problems being able to pay £20 - £25 a month through Wiggles finances (this works out at around £600 to £800 for the bike)

I currently take my daughter too and from Nursery on by Felt QX80 Hybrid (I know, I know... But Evans recommended it as I was new to cycling) - will that be a problem with a road bike (I can always drive her to nursery with my bike on the bike rack, and leave my car at nursery if this is a problem.

Any help greatly appreciated!

always_tyred

I recommend a road bike for commuting.

il_principe

Focus Variado from Wiggle: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Variado_Expert_2009/5360037597/
Wilier La Triestina http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Wilier_La_Triestina-Lampre_Road_Bike/5360040042/
Specialized Allez http://www.noahsark.co.uk/specialized-allez-18-2009-p-2757.html

Christophe3967

Have you checked with your employer that they don't have a bike to work scheme, or won't put one in? Not sure about the nursery trip though, sounds like a swings and roundabouts thing, having to start driving. :?

jobysp

I am already in the CycleToWork scheme with my Felt Hybrid. I could wait til that runs out in November, but dont want to wait that long.

As for the nursery - it's only a mile away from the house, so driving that mile isn't too bad. Just means I do an 16 miles commute instead of a 18 mile commute (round trip)

DonDaddyD

Focus Varrido or Focus Varrido Expert.

c12345

ebay.
My first road bike came that way, and it becomes your winter hack when you upgrade in next year's c2w scheme when its worth spending the money cause you founmd yourself cycling more than you ever did.

Its also the best way to fully appreaciate the benefits of £1k of carbon goodness by comming from a ten year old steel jobby. Old bikes are great value.