Deciding on a bike for commuting

OutlawTorn

Helllo everyone,

I realise there is a lot of discussion on what bike to choose for commuting, and though it has been useful it doesn't answer my question entirely. The issue is that I need a single bike for a 5 mile (one way) commute in central london (NW6 to EC4 (High Holburn/Chancery Lane) - but I also want the option of doing some XC on the weekends (I'm into photography, so I need a bike that will put up with going down the occasiona muddy descent too, but nothing like traditional downhill MTB'ing as I'll be carrying sensitive camera equipment).

My research has led me to believe that I shouldn't consider a hybrid (in my budget) as it will be no good off road in anything more than a gravel path, so I'm looking primarily at a MTB (I realise this is the commuting Forum, but it'll be used for commuting 80% of the time - hence my posting here) with slicks for commuting and knobblies for everything else - is this a fair assumption for my needs? Lightweight is fairly high on my agenda, so I'm trying to avoid disc brakes (as far as I know, without hydraulic disc brakes there is little improvement on V brakes anyway. Is this true?). Front suspension is okay with me, as long as it is lockable. I haven't found any in Cycle Surgery (see below) that don't have front suspension.

Final stipulation is that it has to come from a CycleScheme shop - probably Cycle Surgery.

Budget is £425 max (bike only).

I've been looking at the:

Specialised Hardrock Sport or Comp
Giant Talon 3 (Has disc brakes, but I checked the weight in Cycle Surgery and it didn't put me off too much)
Marin Bolinas Ridge
Marin Pioneer Trail

I guess my main question is whether what I'm looking at is a sensible option, and I'm looking at the right price range for what I want. If someone could give a model recommendation that would be appreciated.

I have the option of servicing a reasonably old GT bike instead (about £300 new). As far as I know, it needs new brake blocks, new brake cables, new tyres (slicks and off road) and a full service - Cycle Surgery state that a full service is £100 but I'm not sure whether any new components are included in the price. Presumably not, but does anyone know whilst I'm here?

New bike, with accessories is around £700, but with a 31% saving from cycle scheme (£483 total payable).

If I buy the GT (£20 from family), plus service (£100) plus components (assuming they're not included, maybe up to £100) - £220, plus accessories - £300 - £530. So it's more, but that's on the assumption that to repair and service it will be upwards of £200. Not sure how realistic this is but I guess the very least it will cost is £100, plus £20 for the bike plus £300 for accesories so £420 - pointless paying that much when I could get a new one for £490, right? The only advantage this old GT has is that it's totally rigid and lighter than the new bikes I've been looking at, but not by a huge amount.

Thanks for reading.

R_T_A

Hi and welcome!

The best bit of advice I can give is to go to somewhere you can have a ride on the ones you mention. It sounds like you've got a pretty good idea of what you want and how you're going to use it, so most of the choices will purely be down to your personal taste.

I've just got a "fast hybrid", and suits my commuting well, although it is certainly a "jack of all trades; master of none". Anything more than a bridleway and I'm back on my MTB.

OutlawTorn

Okay, thanks.

I'm trying to decide whether it is worth spending the extra money in the £400 category vs the £300 category. Doesn't seem to be much difference in the style of bikes between the:

Marin Pioneer Trail vs. Specialized Hardrock Sport, or
Marin Bolinas Ridge vs. Specialized Hardrock Comp

So I guess it comes down to whether it is worth me spending the extra £100, then I need to decide on Marin vs Specialized.

greg66_tri_v2.0

What about a cyclocross bike?

You're criteria are: (a) must be suitable for commuting, which it will do 80% of the time; (b) must also be suitable for off road; (c) must be light. If you come at the problem from (b), looking for something to accommodate (a), then sure, you'll be looking at a MTB, which pretty much rules (c) out altogether.

Take a look at the cyclocross selection at Evans and Wiggle. You might decide that's not what you're after, but I think it might fit the bill pretty well...

Christophe3967

Greg66 wrote:

What about a cyclocross bike?

You're criteria are: (a) must be suitable for commuting, which it will do 80% of the time; (b) must also be suitable for off road; (c) must be light. If you come at the problem from (b), looking for something to accommodate (a), then sure, you'll be looking at a MTB, which pretty much rules (c) out altogether.

Take a look at the cyclocross selection at Evans and Wiggle. You might decide that's not what you're after, but I think it might fit the bill pretty well...

+1 for a cycloscross. Considering what you'll be spending the most time doing, it should be perfect.

OutlawTorn

Greg66 wrote:

What about a cyclocross bike?
Take a look at the cyclocross selection at Evans and Wiggle. You might decide that's not what you're after, but I think it might fit the bill pretty well...

Evans Cycles don't do the CycleScheme unfortunately (which my employer is signed up to). Also, the only Cyclo Cross in my budget is a single speed (which I'm not fit enough for) £500'er.

I had a look at the Giant Talon 3 again today, which doesn't seem too heavy. I'm thinking that perhaps lightweight isn't as important as I thought.