Which type is right for me?

[thecopster]

Guys,

Its new bike time... I have been commuting on an MTB with slicks for approx 4,000 miles and now my commute is longer I feel the need for a more suitable bike.

I think I want either a full on road bike or something like the Cube Editor - which is an Alfine hub geared machine. Budget is max of around £1,500

My commute is approx 14 miles a day total. Oh and I like to go fast!!!

I was erring towards the road bike but the guys in my LBS reckon the Editor would be a better choice for my commute.

Just can't make my mind up!

[Gizmo!]

Depending on the roads, I'd almost certainly go for a roadie for 14 miles a day. A carbon front fork will soak up some of the buzz; Specialized and others do rubber inserts which also help.

And at that budget... Some lovely bikes indeed. I have a thing for the Cubes.

[paps]

Cube Editor....

Dear God that is a sexy bike!

[matt-ITR]

What about something like the Genesis Croix der Fer?

Road bike with alpine and discs. Seems like the perfect fast commuter to me!

[anonymous-user]

A Spesh Roubaix isnt a bad call, the plastic inserts in the fork and seat stays are nice and comfy for busy roads, cobbles etc and the geometry favours a long period of time on the hoods.

I'm seriously considering a Charge Filter Apex, its a stunning "do anything" bike and would take on the local trails well enough and still fly along the roads.

[Uriel]

Are you planning on commuting every day, all year round in all weathers? Is this bike to be used purely for the commute only?

If not, then I'd get the best roadie that was on offer.

If so, then I'd look at a cross bike like the Genesis (bonus of mudguard and rack mounts) or the Cube if it's tickled your fancy (for fast, I couldn't be doing with flat bars).

[craigb84]

I've been researching new bikes and there's a lot of positive reviews about the value that Planet X and Ribble give. For that money you'd get a cracking carbon roadie.

£1500 gets you a Ribble Nero RC upgraded to Ultegras. That's what my money would go on. It looks a bit special and I've read many reviews saying that it competes with the big Italian names in terms of quality.

[Fluffsri]

That Cube is bloody lovely. Im just about to start commuting 10 miles each way. Ill be using my Ribble Bianco Sportive. Its dead comfy and well worth a look if you go the road bike way. Its fitted with Crud Roadracer guards.

Edited by Fluffsri on Wednesday 8th February 10:55

[Roman]

I'd recommend either a good Sportive bike with clearance for 28c tyres & low profile mudguards or one of the new generation of lighter disc braked ali/carbon cross bikes.

Your slick tyred mtb fitted with a rigid carbon fork for £100 is effectively a hybrid so I don't see any point in duplicating it and disc braked steel framed cross bikes tend to be sluggish on hills.

Sportive bikes: Roubaix, titanium Van Nicholas or Sabbath, carbon Ribble or Planet X.

Ali/carbon cross bikes with discs: Boardman CX, On-One Dirty Disco, Whyte.

• Check for rack mounts if you want to fit one!