New Bike required

[Boycie999]

Ive just decided that the commute to work should really be on a bike. To be fair its only 4 or 5 miles each way however not through the nicest of areas but ill just have to ride fast at that point.
Most of it is on cycle paths and through estates so a road bike is probably out of the question however much I quite fancy a change.
Ive currently got a seriously retro Specialized FSR extreme in lime green which isn't exactly the ideal bike for a commute.
What does everyone think - Hardtail mountain bike - Hybrid - or mountain bike with a spare set of wheel for the commute so I can still stick the old ones back on and go and throw it around some trails???
Something between £500 - £1000 as I might try the cycle to work scheme! Any recommendations?

[Uriel]

Personally?



or if that was a little extreme:

[itsnotarace]

I don't think those bikes have enough drop personally

[Boycie999]

The Fuji may be a little extreme yeah.. Awesome tho!

[Roman]

Boycie999 said:

Ive just decided that the commute to work should really be on a bike. To be fair its only 4 or 5 miles each way however not through the nicest of areas but ill just have to ride fast at that point.
Most of it is on cycle paths and through estates so a road bike is probably out of the question however much I quite fancy a change.
Ive currently got a seriously retro Specialized FSR extreme in lime green which isn't exactly the ideal bike for a commute.
What does everyone think - Hardtail mountain bike - Hybrid - or mountain bike with a spare set of wheel for the commute so I can still stick the old ones back on and go and throw it around some trails???
Something between £500 - £1000 as I might try the cycle to work scheme! Any recommendations?

I'd go for a cyclocross bike personally but if you've ruled these out look at a rugged 700c all road hybrid or light fast 29er:

Cube XC 700 hybrid:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

On One 29er:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO29SCST/on-one-scan...

Rocky Mountain 29er:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

All will take faster road tyres and I'd go for the On One out of the three.

[Uriel]

Maybe a little extreme, but would get you through the rough areas quickly enough

I don't know, I just have a hard time fathoming why mountain bikes are the default choice these days. I find them utterly miserable to ride on the road - big, heavy, slow, poorly handling, high maintenance with noisy uncomfortable knobbly tyres that will wear down quickly or that require a 2nd set of wheels with road oriented tyres.

[ad551]

Cyclocross bike? I got a Tricross last year and I love it.

More sturdy than a road bike, but if you stick narrower tyres on it will be almost as fast. And if you leave the original tyres on you can do some mild offroad on it...

[mchammer89]

ad551 said:

Cyclocross bike? I got a Tricross last year and I love it.

More sturdy than a road bike, but if you stick narrower tyres on it will be almost as fast. And if you leave the original tyres on you can do some mild offroad on it...

Was just about to suggest this. Either a Tricross or a Jake The Snake.

[shalmaneser]

mchammer89 said:

ad551 said:

Cyclocross bike? I got a Tricross last year and I love it.

More sturdy than a road bike, but if you stick narrower tyres on it will be almost as fast. And if you leave the original tyres on you can do some mild offroad on it...

Was just about to suggest this. Either a Tricross or a Jake The Snake.

This.

[anonymous-user]

CX bike is a good alternative, they make for great fun off sealed surfaces on forest roads and the like. personally i would look at the kenesis crosslight and build a spec up yourself but thats only because off the shelf bikes are overpriced for what you get.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/27530/Up...

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Another to consider or a Boardman hardtail with lockout..

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXUJSP/uncle...

[Furberger]

Uriel said:

Personally?

No brakes, no mud guard/rack fixing points, a ride so rigid it'll rattle your fillings out and an 84 gear inch to make sure you bust a kneecap.
The fashion victim is strong in this one.

Tool for the job:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPETVERSA/on-one...

[mchammer89]

shalmaneser said:

mchammer89 said:

ad551 said:

Cyclocross bike? I got a Tricross last year and I love it.

More sturdy than a road bike, but if you stick narrower tyres on it will be almost as fast. And if you leave the original tyres on you can do some mild offroad on it...

Was just about to suggest this. Either a Tricross or a Jake The Snake.

This.

http://vimeo.com/11695455

Edited by mchammer89 on Monday 17th January 23:56

[Mars]

Quite pleased with my toy. Was intended as a commuter but I'm rarely within riding distance from work.

[Boycie999]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
Im not sure how to put the 'quote' thing into a post but im liking the look of this a lot!
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO29SCST/on-one-scan...

Cheers

[mchammer89]

I've got a 29er and it's awesome, it's a fully rigid Haro Mary, so it's just a case of sticking some Midge bars on it and presto! I have a monster cross bike!

[Boycie999]

What does everyone think of this...

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro... comp

im a bit limited on options due to buying it on the cycle to work scheme. My work only deals with 2 small bike shops in my area so its a bit of a nightmare.

[anonymous-user]

the rockhopper is a nice bike but not something i would commute on. i guess you have to ask yourself how often it will be used for commuting and how often you will be using it on trails and bridleways. you will only need to swap the tyres to commute on it though the 44t chainring will be hard work on the flatter bits of the commute. you will be surprised what a cx bike can cope with however, i still think its a better option.

[Magic919]

I've got a Trek hybrid and it's great for a commute. Upright riding position gives better view of the other idiots on the road. I've got the 7.7 FX, but the 7.6 will fit in the budget better.

[Uriel]

If you had a 15 minute commute on traffic free, paved roads would you rather a Caterham or a lifted, expedition spec Defender with a snorkel and 35" mud tyres? That's the way I see it.

Depending on the route I take, my commute is a 30-40 mile round trip and I do it on a Look 464. If for some reason the only one of my bikes that was available to use was my 29er, I'd probably drive.