Which bike for commuting

[Joedarkness]

Last year I was T-boned as I was using a crossing on green by some fktard turning left Who just didn't see me
He pissed off after I moved out and I didn't get the reg So my bike suffered 2 bent wheels and a bend crank arms

Repaired the best I could replacing both wheels,cranks and BB However since the accident I have suffered pulls,strains and aches
So I'm thinking the bike was more damaged than I thought but it did seem to measure up... (also I spent more on the repair than the bike is worth @#$@)

Too much man maths so I'm going to get a new commuting bike !!

Since it's commuting I'm thinking a hybrid/cross again

I have two main picks :-

Jamis Coda Elite http://www.jamis-japan.com/coda-elite.html

520 Steel Frame
Disc's brakes
Deore Shifters (27 gears 3x9)
Carbon fork

Merida Gran 200 http://www.merida.jp/lineup/cross_bike/gran_speed_... (sorry it's japanese but the main spec are there)

Alu Frame
Disc's brakes
Sora Shifters (18 gears 2x9)
Carbon fork

There's not much in it but I have never ridden on steel or had a carbon fork
I know the Deore are more MTB and the Sora are road but I'm not sure how this will work on a Cross bike ?

So I'm not really sure which one is best for me

Edited by Joedarkness on Saturday 19th May 00:44

[Barchettaman]

The 2x9 drivetrain will be fine if slightly overgeared. You won't use the 50x11 very much. I would have thought a 13/30 cassette would be fine for a commuter bike.

I can't tell from the specs but make sure that if you're getting a flat-bar hybrid that it has hydraulic disc brakes rather than cable actuated discs, as they are an absolute winner.

As far as frame material is concerned you probably won't notice the difference between aluminium and steel as both bikes will have so much 'give' in the fatter tyres. IME road bikes with skinny tyres show the differences between frame material much more. My steel frame and forked Merkx rides much better that my 1993 Cannondale did.

Another example, I've just retired my steel commuter after 24 years and built up a Boardman alu frame with disc brakes. There's no real difference in the ride, the Boardman feels a bit less tank-like, that's about it.

[Joedarkness]

Barchettaman said:

The 2x9 drivetrain will be fine if slightly overgeared. You won't use the 50x11 very much. I would have thought a 13/30 cassette would be fine for a commuter bike.

I can't tell from the specs but make sure that if you're getting a flat-bar hybrid that it has hydraulic disc brakes rather than cable actuated discs, as they are an absolute winner.

As far as frame material is concerned you probably won't notice the difference between aluminium and steel as both bikes will have so much 'give' in the fatter tyres. IME road bikes with skinny tyres show the differences between frame material much more. My steel frame and forked Merkx rides much better that my 1993 Cannondale did.

Another example, I've just retired my steel commuter after 24 years and built up a Boardman alu frame with disc brakes. There's no real difference in the ride, the Boardman feels a bit less tank-like, that's about it.

Thanks both have Shimano M315 brake sets which are hydraulic .. the Merida is cheaper and I think I can buy locally
I'm still annoyed about my bike as it was a good bike (scott Sub 30) but the discs will be a upgrade