Commuting bike advice/options

dm38

I'm hoping someone who knows a bit about the technical aspects of bikes can help me out. A friend has just moved to Haywards Heath from London and is looking for a commuter bike as he starts work ridiculously early and can't really rely on small town public transport. The journey is about a 30min commute each way and he is also hoping to do the London to Brighton Bike ride with it. He's asked my advice and while I do a lot of cycling and triathlons etc I'm not exactly clued up when it comes to the technical aspects.

I've found some of the following which seem like good bikes - I'm probably maxing out his budget here but i'm a big believer in you get what you pay for. I would also appreciate any suggestions anyone may have of decentish commuting bikes for £200-£300

Pinnacle Lithium hybrid
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec044192
Ridgeback Speed 2013
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... e-ec043396
Giant Eascape 3
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/43076/Gia ... -2013.html
Mongoose Crossway 2013
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mon ... e-ec042771
gt aggressor 2 2012
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/ ... 67#reviews

Thanks :-)

MichaelW

Those kinds of bikes are fine. Avoid suspension like the GT. Mongoose often have pretty low grade frames at the low end. Pinnacle Ridgeback and Giant are usually lots of bike for the buck.
Consider tyre upgrades to Schwalbe Marathon Plus, probably the toughest tyre on the market, a bit slower than most but at least you will always get to work on time.
Budget for accessories: mudguards, lights, rack, lock, helmet, gloves, waterproofs. Dont forget insurance, esp 3rd party which usually comes with bike club membership. I'm not a huge fan of bike-theft insurance for lower end bikes, you should insure the costs you can't afford to shoulder. If you can keep £300 in a piggy bank or premium bonds, it is much cheaper.
If you consider this as local transport for the next 5 years at virtually no extra cost, what is your friend saving? What are his current costs over 5 years? Is £300 still a lot of money?

supersonic

The GT is a full on mountain bike. However it is the best specced there but will be far heavier. The others are mostly poor, low rent 7 speed parts, though saying that the Giant and Pinnacle at least get a threadless headset system and some decent alloy parts.

The Carrera Subway is something of a classic commuter now, very good spec with solid components, especially that 24 speed drivetrain.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65534#tab1

I would, as above, change the tyres for something lighter.

The Rookie

One of these is wortyh stretching too if they can http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165534