Bad Boy or Charge Mixer for a commuter

DJS1968

I am about to start my riding again after a rest of about 7 years. Gosh, everything has changed..

I am after a fast commuter for work and have narrowed down to 2 bikes the Cannondale Bad Boy Solo 8 and the Charge Mixer.

Although they have similar levels of componentry, they are quite different bikes due to the frame geometry. I find both quite comfortable to ride although the Cannondale seems a stiffer less forgiving ride due I think to the Alloy frame vs the Cro-Mo frame of the Mixer.

Does anyone have any final advice before I order the ???Mixer???

mf5

Cannondale bad boy, great bike

jonny_trousers

The Cannondale Bad Boy seems to be the cycle thief's bike of choice (judging by the dodgy ads I have seen on Ebay and Gumtree) and I think you may be onto something with the steel frame being more comfortable on urban roads.

I'd probably go for the Mixer, but the Cannondale is still a great machine.

itsbruce

The Mixer is a great commuter bike and fun to ride. Very manoeuvrable, throws itself into corners and I get a very good turn of speed out of it; collecting plenty of scalps. It's not a light frame, so you do need a bit of muscle to carry it up and down stairs (I'm in a basement flat, so this is a daily ritual).

It's not as flash as the Bad Boy, while still being a nice looking bike. But then the bling factor of the Bad Boy does nothing for me.

I've not even tried out the Cannondale, so can't comment on that, but I can really recommend the Mixer.

spasypaddy

badboy for me, the mixer like all charge bikes is made out of left over scaffolding.

rjsterry

Have you considered the Scott Sub 10? Saw one running along the Embankment last night, and was quite impressed.

itsbruce

spasypaddy wrote:

badboy for me, the mixer like all charge bikes is made out of left over scaffolding.

Retro design is the word. Retro scaffolding, if you like :P But then your own choice of bikes indicates you aren't much of a steel frame fan.

spasypaddy

itsbruce wrote:

spasypaddy wrote:

badboy for me, the mixer like all charge bikes is made out of left over scaffolding.

Retro design is the word. Retro scaffolding, if you like :P But then your own choice of bikes indicates you aren't much of a steel frame fan.

that also shows why i ride my two bikes. my fixie is a steel custom build. so dont go making wild accusations that are wrong

vorsprung

I wouldn't get either

The Charge bikes have a bad rep for cheap ropey frames.

The bad boy 8 is good but it is let down by one small detail. The eccentric BB has a bad rep for being difficult to adjust. Personally I don't like the one legged fork but YMMV

I have a Cotic Roadrat with Alfine. I like it, not everyone does

silverpigeon

My Marin ALP/Hybrid is a great commuter. Even did a Triathlon using it once and recorded a PB. Very comfortable, but quick and manoeuvrable. Worth a look I'd suggest