What bike do I want for a cycle path commute?

Hi all, first time posting in here I think.

Thinking of going back to cycling for my commute, mainly. It's been 15+ years since I've ridden a bike! My old bike was a 'downhill slalom' bike from when I was a teenager, so definitely in need of an upgrade.

Taking a slight detour, I consider myself quite lucky that I could basically make 90% of my journey be on a cycle path. I'm not really keen on a road bike as such, plus on the odd occasion I may wish to go off-road with it (I did used to love cycling in the woods) and it'd be ideal to take on Center Parc holidays etc. so I was thinking perhaps a hybrid? Don't think they even existed when I bought my last bike!

I'm so far out the game I don't really know what to look for any more. How do I go about sizing other than actually going in store and trying some for size?

It'd be nice to get something under £500 but would spend up to £1,000 if it gets me something a lot better.

Happy to hear suggestions so I've at least got a starting point

My brother thinks I'm mad and cycling in the winter will be horrible (he used to cycle a lot) I don't know, I've done it before, but not permanently.

Oh the commute is 5/6 miles 30/40 minutes depending on slight route detours etc.

Thanks!

Dead easy, Gravel Bike if you want drop bars or a Hybrid if you are okay with flat bars. Both are ideal for paths and will handle light off road no probs.

£500 you are looking at 2nd hand to get something decent. New £1K will get you a decent Hybrid, but for a Gravel bike you may need to come up slightly. For example the Boardman Adv 8.9 is one of the best value models out their and its £1200.

As for winter riding, my rule of thumb is when the temps are averaging 5 degrees or less I don't ride. If you want to go die hard, all year round, depending on where you live you'll need winter gear and ice capable tyres.

5/6 miles is a nice, easy cycle commute, and cycle paths make it a lot more stress free with the cyclist-driver animosity currently plaguing the cycle lanes of the UK. If the weather is apocalyptic then can take public transport or the car, but having the primary cycle option is great.

If you're not a super keen cyclist and mostly won't be using it for weekend rides a hybrid sounds like a good option. Being slammed over the front bars with a long top-tube aero road race bike is fast but not necessary on a morning commute, you will also curse your life decisions at 7am. You might be worth also looking at some of the gravel bikes, the geometry is usually a little slacker than their road bike equivalents and accommodating for a commute, plus the wider tires add some security in the beautiful British weather.

Sizing is super important and somewhat personal, with the 4-6 sizes manufacturers sell often not conforming to those with long/short limbs for their height. You're best to try some bikes at your LBS as different manufacturers build to wildly different geometries and sizes.

Also be worth having a look if you can get something on a Cycle to Work scheme, can be really handy. New bikes are ruinously expensive these days, you will be quickly closing in on a grand for a reliable new bike - not to say it can't be done cheaper. Worth having a look at some of the preowned offerings on the usual sites but need a little nous to spot what has actually been maintained to fair level.

Have a look at something like the Ribble Hybrid Al, Cube Nuroad, Specialized Cirrus. Plenty of options out there for this type of commute - your local shop will work with specific brands obviously but there are also plenty of online straight to consumer offerings such as Ribble, Canyon etc.

The cable disc brakes on the Adv 8.6 would be a deal breaker for me, especially since winter cycling is in the mix and they can't be upgraded cheaply on a drop bar bike.

I commute on a Canyon Roadlite. This is a flat barred hybrid.

I would also say that mudguard mounts are essential.

Winter riding is a psychological problem rather than a real problem - winter tyres, insulated boots and gloves and away you go.

Buy a heavy fk-off bike lock and leave it at your work.

I cycle commute all year round, about a 4 mile trip using road and bits of cycle path. I use something equivalent to this, and over the last 7 years it’s been perfect: https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/urban-bikes-c4/hybr...

On the road my head is essentially level with the driver of a Transit van. It does feel like you’ve got more presence on the road than hunched over a road bike. The hub gears/brakes are bombproof, the mudguards work very well (unlike ‘guards on a road bike), the chain case cuts down maintenance.

When my current bike dies I am considering a Brompton as a replacement, mainly for the benefit of being able to use it for any trips using the train, and the benefit of being able to take it inside/leave it under my desk rather than park up outside.

It was never intended but I find myself using my commuter bike if I ride into town for a night out, or if I need to nip down to the village shop, etc…

I commute year-round on a cube editor with 11 speed Aldine in-gear-hub and disc brakes. Fitted with lightweight mudguards and some decent lights, it’s immune to the weather and needs almost no maintenance.

People poopoo belt drives and geared hubs but for all year round commuting they are brilliant.

I went from a 30 mile round trip summer cycle commute to doing it year round, 3 or 4 times a week. The biggest change was the mindset - from 'I'll go on the bike if it's nice' to 'I'm going on the bike".

The only thing that stopped me was snow or real ice.

It was great. I miss it now I WFH and have to go to the gym to get my exercise.

As far as the bike goes, mudguards (to save replacing headsets every year) and rack mounts for me. Schwalbe Marathon tyres for low/no punctures. if I were doing it again. I would prob get a hub gear too, as winter riding wears out derailleur drive chains v quickly.

If going with derailleur gears, stick to mid range components or maintenance prices can stack up. I got through at least 2x chains, 1 cassette and 1 chain ring annually. Also 4 sets of brake pads (2 each end) and 2 discs.

Do it, you won't regret it. 6 miles on towpaths sounds a fantastic way to get to work.

Wow thanks guys that's really great information there!

I don't have to carry a laptop as most of my work is on a desktop or actual heavy machinery. I'm lucky enough to have an office all to myself, which is big enough for three... so storing the bike won't be an issue. My only concern with a backpack (for my lunch) is getting a sweaty back which I always do even if I'm only walking with a backpack on! I think there are showers somewhere lol, but I don't think they're intended for our department to use.

I'm guessing waterproof trousers/jacket is definitely going to help in ste weather.

As for size I'm 5ft 10" but, although this sounds weird... short arms! Sleeves on tops always run too long for me, and my father-in-law who's 5ft 8" has a longer reach! I guess this'll effect my handlebar setup.

I like the look of the Specialized above, I used to have a Rockhopper back in the days. It seems loooads of bikes are constantly sold out anything above a small though

Funnily enough been commuting last three months on 90's V brake! Rock hopper,only concession to commuting,trimmed handlebar a bit,London traffic,and down here at least canal paths can be not frought with e bikes, scooters