New bike for daily ride

Carnmore

Hi. Just joined the forum.

I'm looking for a practical low-maintenance hybrid bike with full mudguards, rear pannier rack, dynamo lights, no suspension and a bit sporty.

I only do A-B journeys of a couple of miles every day through traffic - to work, socialise, grocery shop - with a longer distance ride a couple of times a year.

I don't really have a budget - I want a quality durable bike needing as little maintenance as possible; I'm thinking belt drive and hydraulic discs. (It's to replace a thirteen-year old Dawes Sonoran)

The Canyon Commuter 4.0 https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/urban/comm ... ter-4.html is a possibility but the pannier rack is only bolted to the frame at two points - how practical would it be, such as for carrying two large bags of groceries?

Would be grateful for any recommendations and comments!

The Rookie

You are probably best off buying a decent hyrbid that fits the bill and then add the rack and guards and dynamo rather than trying to find a bike that may be otherwise compromised in some way but already has them.

Canyon make good value bikes but delivery time is very hit and miss with some people waiting up to 8 months (though many are delivered OK) and UK customer service is very hit and miss (well mostly miss).

The Commuter looks interesting but as you say I wouldn't want to trust that rack when decent 4 point mounting (two vertical and two horizontal) is common, the belt drive and hub gear are nice but the hub gear is heavy compared to a conventional dérailleur setup and belt drives are fussy on setup (not good if you're repairing a puncture in the dark) and life hasn't proven to be much, if any, longer than chain and gears but replacement costs more.

Personally I'd look at something like the PX LR ( http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLRDFLA ... -road-bike ) and add a rack and guards (it has all the mounts) and a dynamo hub (either new wheel or get it built into the rim it comes with).

The LR is proving very popular as a commuter (and yes I have one and there are a total of 4 arriving daily at the University where I work). They are a comfy ride (I've dropped a tyre size compared to my old harsher frame) yet feel sporty and 'snappy'. You could even consider getting it as a frameset and get a bespoke build to the exact spec you wanted.

Carnmore

The Rookie wrote:

Personally I'd look at something like the PX LR ( http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLRDFLA ... -road-bike )

The LR is proving very popular as a commuter (and yes I have one and there are a total of 4 arriving daily at the University where I work). They are a comfy ride (I've dropped a tyre size compared to my old harsher frame) yet feel sporty and 'snappy'. You could even consider getting it as a frameset and get a bespoke build to the exact spec you wanted.

Thank you - it seems adding mudguards and a rear rack is the best option.

I want a durable -and safe - bike though so I'll be avoiding the PlanetX LR due to its carbon fibre forks http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycli ... bikes.html

craker

Carnmore wrote:

I want a durable -and safe - bike though so I'll be avoiding the PlanetX LR due to its carbon fibre forks http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycli ... bikes.html

Oh come on, you could have attracted way more suggestions to this thread by giving it a suitable title.
'Please recommend me a bike and by the way I've read somewhere that carbon fibre is bad'

graeme_s-2

The Rookie wrote:

Personally I'd look at something like the PX LR ( http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLRDFLA ... -road-bike ) and add a rack and guards (it has all the mounts) and a dynamo hub (either new wheel or get it built into the rim it comes with).

The LR is proving very popular as a commuter (and yes I have one and there are a total of 4 arriving daily at the University where I work).

As one of the other LR riders at said University I personally know 2 other people who are seriously considering buying them as commuters.

I wouldn't worry at all about carbon forks on a commuter. They'll be fine.

Carnmore

craker wrote:

Oh come on, you could have attracted way more suggestions to this thread by giving it a suitable title.
'Please recommend me a bike and by the way I've read somewhere that carbon fibre is bad'

That'd be nonsensical -not interested in debating carbon fibre. And "somewhere" is this forum.

The Rookie

If you believe one idiot you'd never buy any material as someone will always have a horror story about it!

Carbon fibre forks have been around for a long time, many have been used for a long time.

gbsahne001

The Rookie wrote:

If you believe one idiot you'd never buy any material as someone will always have a horror story about it!

Carbon fibre forks have been around for a long time, many have been used for a long time.

I was involved in a shunt which saw my front wheel (and me) hit the back of a car, the wheel and carbon fork took the brunt of the impact, with the fork remaining intact; the force passed through the fork into the frame and destroyed that instead.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/ikea ... -30326733/ could be perfect for your requirements.

fenix

FFS - I've had CF forks for 30 years or so ? And CF bikes for 20 years or so. I've no worries taking my bike to >50mph downhill.

That guy's a nobber. Anything can break. CF is a great material. The London Road has great reputation.

If you're that risk averse - you are probably better off avoiding cycling.

Cars and lorries are a much worse risk than carbon fibre.

Carnmore

Does anyone know this bike?

https://www.cube.eu/en/2017/trekking/tr ... nred-2017/

Carnmore

...

arthur_scrimshaw

Carnmore wrote:

...

That looks pretty much your spec, I don't have one but I know someone who does, their only gripe was the mudguards, or fitment of them (not robust and rubbed) so perhaps bear this in mind - sure they can be replaced with something more up to the task.