If you had £1,000 to spend...

joelsim

Just seen the Cycle2work scheme. Wonderful.

So, if you £1,000 to spend on a commuter bike, what would you consider? I would purchase from an independent rather than a chainstore too.

Suitable for 15-18 miles each way Cobham to Fulham.

What would you go for and why?

ride_whenever

this

Road bike but no maintenance and I know i like the geometry because i've got a pompy.

EKE_38BPM

See here.

If its good enough for Gaz, its good enough for me.

joelsim

Do you think these would be better than a Trek Soho?

Headhuunter

I notice that quite a few people have these hub gear systems. I know very little about them other than they seem to be similar to the old 1950s Sturmey Archer systems on the old sit up and beg roadster type bikes. What's the advantage of them over a derailleur system?

cjcp

Well, your commute is flat (bar the humps in Richmond Park), so you could go single-speed for much cheaper. However, if you want to do some weekend riding, then I'd go for gears.

The On-One is intriguing. Discs would be good in the wet.

I'm a fan of the Genesis Croix de Fer, too, although the spec may have changed.

Another option would be Boardman range.

Wrath Rob

This but with a carbon belt drive for zero maintenance

redballoon

I would not spend 1k on a bike for commuting cus it will get knicked or you will always worry that it will get knicked. Some people seem to use the cycle to work scheme to get themselves a decent bike to ride when not commuting. For commuting I would get an old steel 531 road bike that is the right size for a as cheap as you can off ebay, CTC, small ads etc. The more tatty it is the better but make sure it takes mudguards. It is not a pose machine, it simply needs to get you from A to B in all weathers. Keep the brakes, tyres and gears working properly and that's all you need to do.

SamWise72

Headhuunter wrote:

I notice that quite a few people have these hub gear systems. I know very little about them other than they seem to be similar to the old 1950s Sturmey Archer systems on the old sit up and beg roadster type bikes. What's the advantage of them over a derailleur system?

Cheaper chains, only one sprocket, much cheaper than a 10 speed cassette, less vulnerable to rain/kicks etc, looks (a bit) like a singlespeed - simpler looking lines.

asprilla

redballoon wrote:

I would not spend 1k on a bike for commuting cus it will get knicked or you will always worry that it will get knicked.

That depends upon circumstance; we've got a secure cycle park cage in the underground carpark at work. My bike is probably safer there than it is in my garage.

I've just bought an alfine hubbed bike with disc brakes for my commute from Walton to White City. I think it's pretty much the perfect commuter.

HH, the benefit of an IGH over a deraileur system is purely one of maintenance. An IGH is a sealed unit and so should not need any servicing over the course of it's life, although you can get an LBS to strip it and relube it periodically if you want.

joelsim

Yes, my bike will be safe at work in a gated office with very few employees. I'm looking for something with minimal maintenance and good durability but hopefully with a turn of speed if necessary.

joelsim

I don't really want racing handlebars either, would feel far more comfortable upright so that I can be aware of the plethora of other roadusers.

Headhuunter

Asprilla wrote:

redballoon wrote:

I would not spend 1k on a bike for commuting cus it will get knicked or you will always worry that it will get knicked.

That depends upon circumstance; we've got a secure cycle park cage in the underground carpark at work. My bike is probably safer there than it is in my garage.

I've just bought an alfine hubbed bike with disc brakes for my commute from Walton to White City. I think it's pretty much the perfect commuter.

HH, the benefit of an IGH over a deraileur system is purely one of maintenance. An IGH is a sealed unit and so should not need any servicing over the course of it's life, although you can get an LBS to strip it and relube it periodically if you want.

Thanks. Are there any downsides? It's a heavier system isn't it?

rando

Interested in this thread but not from a commuting view. I do not commute to work and as it stands never will but I am seriously looking at getting the on-one pompetamine or genesis day 01 or cotic alfrat http://www.sidewayscycles.co.uk/product ... 58&clid=23 but this would be for my weekend rides. Reasons for considering one of these over a true road bike are hopefully less maintenance compared to a derailler bike plus like the idea of disc brakes and drop bars and not so slick tyres. I want to be able to cycle decent distances on a weekend (anything between 30-100 miles) and on roads and some gravel paths. I do not like going too fast down hills but do like to keep a decent speed on the flat and cane it going up hills. So all you commuters that look at a hub geared bike would you ever consider having one as a weekend only bike ?
BTW I do not want different bikes for summer/winter/road/gravel. I have not got the money or the room !
Your views would be interesting to me.....

lardboy

cjcp wrote:

I'm a fan of the Genesis Croix de Fer, too, although the spec may have changed.

Me too!

The spec hasn't changed for 2011, but the price has; it's just gone up to £1,099. If you're very lucky, you might find a 2010 left in an Evans for their sale price of £899 for exactly the same bike. I think I've got the very last one listed on their website, but a shop might have one knocking around that's fallen off their stock systems. Unlikely though.

Alternatively, the drop bar Alfine bikes look lovely, and it was only Sideways telling me it would be December before they had any Versa shifters back in stock that made me plump for the CdF ahead of their Alfrat. The Genesis Day One Alfine was my fallback option, but I wasn't mad on the colour, and the Pompetamineslook nicely specced, but I'm not 100% sold on the frames, as they seem to be the same for drop and flat bar, so I think there's a compromise in the design. The finishing seem a little off as well, with scruffy looking cable runs on the site that make me concerned for the finished product

ride_whenever

Not really, the pompino/etamine rides really well, it isn't really like a road bike, it's more mountainbike and as a result is actually mischievously fun to ride!

asprilla

Headhuunter wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

redballoon wrote:

I would not spend 1k on a bike for commuting cus it will get knicked or you will always worry that it will get knicked.

That depends upon circumstance; we've got a secure cycle park cage in the underground carpark at work. My bike is probably safer there than it is in my garage.

I've just bought an alfine hubbed bike with disc brakes for my commute from Walton to White City. I think it's pretty much the perfect commuter.

HH, the benefit of an IGH over a deraileur system is purely one of maintenance. An IGH is a sealed unit and so should not need any servicing over the course of it's life, although you can get an LBS to strip it and relube it periodically if you want.

Thanks. Are there any downsides? It's a heavier system isn't it?

Weight, lower number of gears and consequently bigger steps between them and there can be some restrictions on shifters.

Shimano do two 8 speed hubs and a new 11 speed and Rolhoff (sp) do a 14 speed.
The 11 and 14 speeds have to use thumb or twist shifters (the 14 might only be twist, not sure) whereas there are also brifters available for the 8 speed. This means if you want drop bars to can only have 8 speed. It's limited by the amount of cable travel required (the 14 speed needs 9cm!)

garrynolan

Joelsim wrote:

I don't really want racing handlebars either, would feel far more comfortable upright so that I can be aware of the plethora of other roadusers.

Try a Boardman Performance Hybrid Bike Team. Had one (until it was nicked) and I couldn't fault it. Some will say avoid Halfords like the plague but that is unfair - they're not all morons. Have a look, and if you go for it and you have concerns, your local LBS will help. A 2010 model is £875. You can one model up or down and the price changes accordingly. Good luck and don't forget to post your choice.

Headhuunter

Asprilla wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

redballoon wrote:

I would not spend 1k on a bike for commuting cus it will get knicked or you will always worry that it will get knicked.

That depends upon circumstance; we've got a secure cycle park cage in the underground carpark at work. My bike is probably safer there than it is in my garage.

I've just bought an alfine hubbed bike with disc brakes for my commute from Walton to White City. I think it's pretty much the perfect commuter.

HH, the benefit of an IGH over a deraileur system is purely one of maintenance. An IGH is a sealed unit and so should not need any servicing over the course of it's life, although you can get an LBS to strip it and relube it periodically if you want.

Thanks. Are there any downsides? It's a heavier system isn't it?

Weight, lower number of gears and consequently bigger steps between them and there can be some restrictions on shifters.

Shimano do two 8 speed hubs and a new 11 speed and Rolhoff (sp) do a 14 speed.
The 11 and 14 speeds have to use thumb or twist shifters (the 14 might only be twist, not sure) whereas there are also brifters available for the 8 speed. This means if you want drop bars to can only have 8 speed. It's limited by the amount of cable travel required (the 14 speed needs 9cm!)

Interesting. 14 speed?! Wow. What about the chainrings? Do you just have a standard derailleur or only 1 chainring?

asprilla

Headhuunter wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

redballoon wrote:

I would not spend 1k on a bike for commuting cus it will get knicked or you will always worry that it will get knicked.

That depends upon circumstance; we've got a secure cycle park cage in the underground carpark at work. My bike is probably safer there than it is in my garage.

I've just bought an alfine hubbed bike with disc brakes for my commute from Walton to White City. I think it's pretty much the perfect commuter.

HH, the benefit of an IGH over a deraileur system is purely one of maintenance. An IGH is a sealed unit and so should not need any servicing over the course of it's life, although you can get an LBS to strip it and relube it periodically if you want.

Thanks. Are there any downsides? It's a heavier system isn't it?

Weight, lower number of gears and consequently bigger steps between them and there can be some restrictions on shifters.

Shimano do two 8 speed hubs and a new 11 speed and Rolhoff (sp) do a 14 speed.
The 11 and 14 speeds have to use thumb or twist shifters (the 14 might only be twist, not sure) whereas there are also brifters available for the 8 speed. This means if you want drop bars to can only have 8 speed. It's limited by the amount of cable travel required (the 14 speed needs 9cm!)

Interesting. 14 speed?! Wow. What about the chainrings? Do you just have a standard derailleur or only 1 chainring?

Yeah, 14 speed and only £700 for the hub alone........

The shimano 8 speed alfine (better than their 8 speed nexus) is around £150 and the 11 is expected to be about £400 when it starts becomming available at the beginning of 2011.

Dunno about chainrings. I assume there isn't anything to stop you from having one, especially as alfines are becoming popular on MTBs.

joelsim

Try a Boardman Performance Hybrid Bike Team. Had one (until it was nicked) and I couldn't fault it. Some will say avoid Halfords like the plague but that is unfair - they're not all morons. Have a look, and if you go for it and you have concerns, your local LBS will help. A 2010 model is £875. You can one model up or down and the price changes accordingly. Good luck and don't forget to post your choice.

What is the resale value like for a bike that's only stocked in Halfords? Surely it has a knock-on effect.

On something like a Trek, Cannondale, Kona I imagine there's always a large second hand market. Rather like buying an Audio instead of a Citroen, it may cost more upfront but you get a better price back so the actual cost is probably better.

Would that be right?

joelsim

*Audi

:-)

asprilla

Boardman road bikes are quite well though of, although they are one of the biggest selling due to the C2W scheme. The limited edition white road bikes were going for £200 more than retail on ebay.

Not sure about the long term as they have only been around for a couple of years as a brand.

SamWise72

Might be some confusion over chainrings; you only have one. You COULD put a chain tensioner on and run 2, but then you're back into extra complication and maintenance. The obsolete Nexus 7 gave similar gear range to an old 10 speed from the 80's. The 14 speed Rohloff gives a similar range to a modern touring bike.

Incidentally, whilst you can now get a brifter for the 8 speed, that's not the only option on drop bars. There is also a bar end shifter out there, plus a thing that plugs into the end of your drop to let you mount a twist-grip. Alternately, you can put together your own ghetto system. I've mounted my twist grip on the stem of my old tourer (bit of a tricky hand position though!), plus I think you could mount it on a Minoura Space Grip, or probably on an MTB bar end mounted from the stem. There are ways....

shouldbeinbed

You can tension and have +1 chainring on the front but the range ends would be beyond pedalling for normal humans

the Alfine 8 has near as dammit the range of a 24 speed derailleur. you lose a little bit at either extreme and the gaps more noticeable (no overlap) but easily manageable. It also weighs quite a bit more at the back end but your eally dont notice it unless you're lifting it for a stile or pedestrian chicane. I ride both derail and Alfine and am happy on either.

but I'm not a speed demon or weight weenie tho.

the genesis looks a very pretty bike and I do like the company offerings, I could well be tempted if I keep my job come January now I've bough a cx hacker and my chiro is fettling my neck for drops