UK all-weather commuter

CheeseToastie

TGOTB wrote:

Many of us ride for fun, rather than just to get from A to B. For example my commute is 15 miles each way, a lot of it ridden at or above 20mph, and it's something I look forward to. Doing that mileage on a utility bike would be a far less enjoyable experience, probably one I wouldn't look forward to at all. I'm happy to pay the price of a bit of extra maintenance (in reality a few minutes a week) to get an extra hour and a half of fun every day. Judging from the number of commuters riding similar bikes at similar speeds, I'm not the only one...

This! This is why I'm upgrading from my current bike. Just looked at the Contend 2020 and looks like they're dropping the conduct brake system and have gone full 105 hydraulic. I do also prefer the black colour scheme. Ah well, can't have everything and I should probably think myself lucky I've been allowed to get another bike anyway! And it seems like I'm getting a lot of bike for the money so I dont see why I won't enjoy the 2019. Eventually I may get a dedicated weekend racer, who knows.

keef66

PBlakeney wrote:

keef66 wrote:

Well I'm about to start all-weather commuting on my rim-braked winter bike, but it's to all intents and purposes a pancake flat route so rim wear won't be an issue.

No stop/start pia due to lights, junctions, congestion etc? You do stop for lights?
That's what did for my last commuting rims.

9 miles, 2 junctions, 2 roundabouts, 2 mini roundabouts, and two sets of lights at which I invariably stop because I don't think I've ever encountered either of them on green. But the middle 7 miles are quiet country roads, so as pleasant a commute as I could've wished for.

Believe me, if I thought I could justify another, disc braked bike I'd be ordering one

CheeseToastie

bendertherobot wrote:

CheeseToastie wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

CheeseToastie wrote:

I think I'm leaning towards disc brakes and, more specifically, Giant Contend sl1 which has the semi hydraulic setup - anyone have any experience? Shimano 105, 9.2kg, mudguard mounts. The savings through my ctw are massive (circa £600 for a £1000 bike with no final payment or deposit - option to lease bike for further 5 years at end of agreement for £0pcm). Oddly they accept cycle surgery but not halfords.

As an all weather it has to fit guards.

So, here's my experience.

If you can get the 2020 model it has more clearance and I can pretty much guarantee it will take SKS Chromoplastics with 25c tyres and probably 28's. WORST case you have to go down to 25's.

If you get the 2019 model, I can tell you that it WILL fit Conti 4000iiS 25's front and rear but you need to pop the front black plastic thing off the front guard.

In BOTH cases, the retainer at the "bottom" of the rear guard is not on a bridge at the chainstay, it's part way up the seat tube, you will need to drill a new hole and the bottom bit is free to move but presents no practical issues.

The Giant Conduct system is very very good.

Thank you for that! It's good to hear some first hand feedback on the braking system.

All they say on the website is "has mudguard mounts". From the description it comes with Giant P-R3 AC 700x28. I would have hoped they'd ensure there was enough clearance even with 28s. Maybe they do some proprietary ones as someone mentioned above? Either way it's good to know I can fit mudguards in one form or another. Worst comes to worst I'll have to go with a Swan type one (what I currently have on my hybrid). Do you think clip on ones would work?

Unfortunately I can't get the 2020 (I noted a number of improvements - thru axles etc) but it's about 300 quid over budget until it's reduced once the 2021 models come out.

Full explanation here.

viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=13107802

My advice. 25s and Sks. Or you will get dirty. The Giant guards are terrible

Did you go with this bridge adapter?
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/mudguards/g ... ke-bridge/

bendertherobot

No, I found something like this in my tool box.

https://www.strongtie.co.uk/products/de ... bracket/96

The shorter end went behind the forks.

But, seriously, don't. No need, just swap to 25's and get SKS 35mm.

bendertherobot

When you say, over budget, what is your actual budget? Because, good as the Contend is, fitting guards once you've bought it is important. But, if you haven't, I wonder if you're better with something else and wider tyres?

bendertherobot

So, I see you like the RIbble, for example, but this is a better year round bike in my view.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-c ... -tiagra-1/

photonic69

What about this?

£99 over budget but you get Tiagra hydraulic brakes and room for mudguards with 28mm tyres

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-vr40-road-bike-2019

photonic69

or if you are a 54 or 58 then there is the 2018 model at Merlin for £899!

https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-vr40- ... 46239.html

A steal!

CheeseToastie

The budget is £1000 for the purposes of cycle to work. I could then pay extra/separately for mudguards etc. Unfortunately can't purchase from wiggle, it's mostly LBS that's supported.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

PhotoNic69 wrote:

or if you are a 54 or 58 then there is the 2018 model at Merlin for £899!

https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-vr40- ... 46239.html

A steal!

It has a £200 automatic discount when added to basket, ~£720 including delivery charge for Tiagra hydraulic is superb in the current market. About the only slight downer for me is the crankset is not Shimano, it's FSA Mega Exo 32/48... Which means I couldn't fit my 4iiii power meter, but more importantly, from past experience I'd be concerned about how the FSA will hold up over time.

CheeseToastie

NitrousOxide wrote:

PhotoNic69 wrote:

or if you are a 54 or 58 then there is the 2018 model at Merlin for £899!

https://www.merlincycles.com/felt-vr40- ... 46239.html

A steal!

It has a £200 automatic discount when added to basket, ~£720 including delivery charge for Tiagra hydraulic is superb in the current market. About the only slight downer for me is the crankset is not Shimano, it's FSA Mega Exo 32/48... Which means I couldn't fit my 4iiii power meter, but more importantly, from past experience I'd be concerned about how the FSA will hold up over time.

Ah I just checked and I'd be a 56 in Felt VR, and i can't purchase from merlin through my ctw.