To buy or not to buy....please help!

thegeordiewookie

Hi all.....firstly i have not commuted to work yet (!) but looking seriously into it.
The ride would be 14 mile there and back.

I use a Cannondale F4Z mtb for recreational single track jaunts and have completed the C2C last year, so i am used to reasonably long rides.

I have seen the Specialized Centrum Sport 08 at what seems to be a great price of £199
http://www.cyclesuk.com/139-258249

What are peoples views on this bike? Should i go fo it or is the cannondale suitable for this commute? (do i change the tyres if so what do i go for?)

Many thanks in advance
Graham

the_hundredth_idiot

What sort of commute will you have? Hills? On/off road?

The Specialised Centrum you linked is a single speed. Personally I'd prefer gears for riding any distance, particularly if there are any hills along the way. Sometimes, after a logn, hard day at work, I like a bit of technology to help me home.

But I anticipate a subsequent post telling me to MTFU and join the single-speed revolution (so to speak).

IMHO, I'd probably stick with the MTB and put some slicks on it. I've no personal preference over tyre brands but something which discourages the p***ture fairy from visiting might not be a bad idea.

If your commute will be road based, have you thought about a speedier bike? Perhaps drop bars or flat bars but light with skinny tyres? You wouldn't get much new for £199 (that Spesh Centrum is definitely a good price) but you could pick up something decent second-hand.