Orbea Bicycle for Commuting

dancook

I have just been to the local bike shop, they have a stock of Orbea bikes. They had on in particular which looked pretty awesome.

http://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/rallon-x30/
£2199

But before I get too carried away here is the route.
http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/45093514/

The fastest route is along roads and something I stopped enjoying on my road bicycle - a combinations of potholes and narrow busy A roads. Some parts were 60mph, narrow road, blind bends, hilly - pretty scary for some in a car, never mind a bicycle.

Considering what off-road alternatives I have, and could end up with a 14 1/2 mile route.

I'm about 6 foot, and was recommended a medium frame with 29 inch wheels.


They didn't have this one in showroom, but in their catalogue and it seems to label it as a cross country racer (Which i obviously needs as a commuter )
http://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/oiz-m50/
£2399

Or there is a hardtail
http://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/alma-m30/
£2199


I'm not adverse to spending this much money, but I still like to make sure it's not a rip off.

Any thoughts or suggestions? thanks

The Rookie

Have you scoped out the route?

For fast gravel tracks without much in the way of technical features then a 29er hardtail would be fine, or maybe a cyclocross bike - dropped or flat bars would be better/faster.

All those would be fine, but you could get as good for less money

For the usage I think you mean, I'd consider this http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRDAPEXFB/planet-x-london-road-sram-apex-flat-bar-urban-bike and swap on some CX tyres like a Schwalbe Smart Sam, will roll much faster than an MTB.

dancook

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639140#p19639140]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Have you scoped out the route?

For fast gravel tracks without much in the way of technical features then a 29er hardtail would be fine, or maybe a cyclocross bike - dropped or flat bars would be better/faster.

All those would be fine, but you could get as good for less money

For the usage I think you mean, I'd consider this http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRDAPEXFB/planet-x-london-road-sram-apex-flat-bar-urban-bike and swap on some CX tyres like a Schwalbe Smart Sam, will roll much faster than an MTB.

haven't checked the route, but it's the 'quiet' version of the route which shows - - - - tracks through fields.

Dropped bars make my neck ache, trying to look ahead - I won't discount them.
I'll had considered cyclocross - I was even looking at single speed cyclocross bikes at one point - not as far as a fixie..

What I don't want is my old road bike, precarious feeling and discomfort of riding which is no good for leaving the road.

dancook

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPICKCX1/on-one-pickenflick-sram-cx1-cyclocross-bike

With upgraded wheelset that'd be nice..

imatfaal

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639248#p19639248]dancook[/url] wrote:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPICKCX1/on-one-pickenflick-sram-cx1-cyclocross-bike

With upgraded wheelset that'd be nice..

Actual CX - yes looks fun. Commuting - no, not without better gearing. You would have to be over 110rpm to get past 30kph and 40 kph would be near impossible (well for forty-something legs like mine). And if you are not looking to cruise at a decent speed when the road opens out then you don't need to spend best part of 2 grand on a commuter

dancook

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639688#p19639688]imatfaal[/url] wrote:

Actual CX - yes looks fun. Commuting - no, not without better gearing. You would have to be over 110rpm to get past 30kph and 40 kph would be near impossible (well for forty-something legs like mine). And if you are not looking to cruise at a decent speed when the road opens out then you don't need to spend best part of 2 grand on a commuter

The idea of choosing the CX is so I can get off the road, but it's a 29 mile round trip commute - so don't want something slow and heavy.

It's also pretty hilly.

imatfaal

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639830#p19639830]dancook[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639688#p19639688]imatfaal[/url] wrote:

Actual CX - yes looks fun. Commuting - no, not without better gearing. You would have to be over 110rpm to get past 30kph and 40 kph would be near impossible (well for forty-something legs like mine). And if you are not looking to cruise at a decent speed when the road opens out then you don't need to spend best part of 2 grand on a commuter

The idea of choosing the CX is so I can get off the road, but it's a 29 mile round trip commute - so don't want something slow and heavy.

It's also pretty hilly.

I think you can ignore my last - I think I had my maths wrong :-) 42 11 cannot be as bad as I calculated it to be. Gonna find a decent web-calc and rethink.

edit: Yeah I was getting mph and thinking it was kph.

I would still like wider gearing but not half as bad as I thought it was

dancook

I'm struggling to choose a CX

I've been put off the planet-x because it doesn't have mounts for mudguards
I've been looking at Trek Boone - supposed to be more comfortable with their ISO Speed 'thing'

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-boone-5-disc-2015.html
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-boone-7-2015.html

Nice deal with finance and accessories - just not so sure about the paint job

imatfaal

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639849#p19639849]dancook[/url] wrote:

I'm struggling to choose a CX

I've been put off the planet-x because it doesn't have mounts for mudguards
I've been looking at Trek Boone - supposed to be more comfortable with their ISO Speed 'thing'

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-boone-5-disc-2015.html
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-boone-7-2015.html

Nice deal with finance and accessories - just not so sure about the paint job

All the journos and bike-co are loving Force CX1 - and it is nice and simple. But a double at the front isn't that unreliable and it makes up hill easier and downhill more fun.

I built up my CX for about the price of the on-one Ti bike and its a kilo and a bit lighter, got Shimano cx70 double, but still no mudguards.

but MOST IMPORTANT I would always try out any bike - let alone a 2 grand bike.