Advice/ideas for an all-rounder

IanTrcp
IanTrcp Posts: 761
edited September 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm looking for a bike to keep at my house in Portugal. It'll be used on road, and on gravel/forest/beach tracks etc. I'm looking for something that I can ride anywhere you might ride with a kid on the back and that'll be ok for doing the shopping on also.

My thoughts so far:

- flat bars (I already have a road bike out there)
- must be able to take a rack and/or child seat
- strong wheels, probably 32mm+ tyres, no mudguards needed;>
- hub gear would be nice
- lockable front suspension???
- disc brakes would be nice

Some possibles:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360037610/
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=30591
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... 276#show=0
http://vannicholas.com/WbmBikeHome.aspx ... bXmAzoNh1i
http://www.cyclehouse.net/products.php? ... p881&rs=gb

All thoughts / ideas welcomed. Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • flat bars (I already have a road bike out there)
    - must be able to take a rack and/or child seat
    - strong wheels, probably 32mm+ tyres, no mudguards needed;>
    - hub gear would be nice
    - lockable front suspension???
    - disc brakes would be nice

    =

    Thorn Cycles
    http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/models.html

    The Thorn Sterling would be a good choice for you.
  • Been very happy with mine. Around 6k miles in 18 months or so.

    http://www.wheelingwrinklies.co.uk/Home/cubepure.html

    Only thing I would say is that Cube are not comprehensively represented around the UK. Mine was £675 originally but like most bikes they're a lot more expensive now.(Heard this morning that the pound dipped below the Euro!)
    I may be a minority of one but that doesn't prevent me from being right.
    http://www.dalynchi.com