What hub geared, disc braked, fast commuter from CycleScheme

[louiebaby]

I don't normally do a "What Bike" thread, but this one has got me a bit stumped for options.

I have almost comprehensively knackered my MTB by using it for commuting during the winter, but as luck would have it, I'm shortly going to be eligible for some form of cycle scheme, and have sign off from the wife for something to commute on.

My pre-requisites are:

1. Hub Gears. (Lower maintenance, ideally Alfine over Nexus, or a competitor, not bothered about belt drive.)
2. Disc Brakes. (Will be using in all weathers, ideally Hydraulic over cable.)
3. A little bit sporty-ish. (It's my training, so not a full on hybrid, not concerned by weight though.)
4. Mainstream manufacturer. (Not sure which scheme yet, so probably not custom built etc.)

So far I've found the following offerings from Genesis and Cube, is there something else I need to consider?

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban/urban-an...

https://www.cube.eu/uk/2018/bikes/trekking/tour/tr...

As you can see, I don't mind considering flat bars, but if that was a deciding factor, I'd go road style.

They're both about at the top end of the cycle scheme prices, and whilst I don't mind putting a bit of cash towards it if I can and need to, it doesn't want to be more than about £1,300 total price.

What else should I be putting on the short list?

[SAS Tom]

Don’t know anything about it but they have a cube Hyde in my LBS and it looks like a cool bike.

[idiotgap]

Shame the Shand Rohloff bikes are so expensive.
A stooshie would fit the bill nicely! https://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stooshie-rohloff...

[louiebaby]

Well, in case anyone cares, I'm now getting a bit closer to a decision...

The Pinnacle Arkose Alfine is a Cyclo-Cross bike with Alfine (the clue's in the name) 8, and hydraulic discs. This, in my book puts it ahead of the Genesis. I'd need guards and puncture-proof road tyres, and perhaps a sprocket change, depending on the gear range, but it moves up into first place:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-alfine...

Focus and Marin have a couple of offerings, but with flat bars:

https://www.focus-bikes.com/gb_en/43153-planet.htm...

https://www.marinbikes.com/gb/bikes/fairfax-sc6-dl...

[SixPotBelly]

Was just about to suggest the Arkose Alfine!

[idiotgap]

Looks good, shame about the bar-end shifter, are there any brifter options with Alfine (non-di2)?

[louiebaby]

idiotgap said:

Looks good, shame about the bar-end shifter, are there any brifter options with Alfine (non-di2)?

I don't think there are, I think that's the only option for curly barred bikes...

[SixPotBelly]

Got a bar end shifter on my Arkose and never found it a hindrance. Actually grown quite fond of it, TBH. Of course it's there because it allows you to get proper hydraulics on a CTW budget. And those TRP Hylex are very good proper hydraulics.

Full 'guard mounts and my (non-Alfine) version had tubeless ready rims as standard, which would help with Louie's puncture resisting requirements if this Alfine model does too.

[idiotgap]

SixPotBelly said:

it allows you to get proper hydraulics on a CTW budget.

Fair point well made. It looks fab, kinda wishing I'd not just done a commuter project build myself faced with that and the 50% off I can get at Evans with my vitality health insurance.

[troc]

I have a canyon commuter which pretty much fulfills all your criteria! I love mine

[SixPotBelly]

troc said:

I have a canyon commuter which pretty much fulfills all your criteria! I love mine

I do like the clean look of those. If it was me, I'd have one on my shortlist, assuming it was an urban commute. Can you get Canyon on CTW though?

[louiebaby]

SixPotBelly said:

Can you get Canyon on CTW though?

If you can, I'm all ears.

Not sure there is a Canyon option currently available, but I'd sack off all the criteria and put the CTW voucher towards an Endurace, and sleep in the garage until she forgives me.

[wobert]

How about this, meets the budget (just...) and the hub gear requirements, plus they look ace....

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-alpenchallenge-ac0...

Or this...

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-alpenchallenge-ac0...

Edited by wobert on Monday 27th November 18:58

[Captain Smerc]

https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/urban-bikes-c4/hybr...

[warp9]

Check out Charge bikes, used an 8 gear hub as a commuter for a few years and really liked it.

http://www.chargebikes.com/grater-3/

[louiebaby]

The Charge goes on the list, great spot, thank you!

The BMC ones are a possibility, but need to be heavily discounted to be within spec really.

I quite like the Bad Boy, but I think they are likely to be well loved in the theft world too. (Correct if I'm wrong.) As a £1,500 RRP though, I might struggle to get it past the missus / CTW Scheme. Worth keeping an eye on though.

[Captain Smerc]

Bad Boy is down to £1300 at Triton . But they all look like nice bikes .

[anonymous-user]

I have a Marin Fairfax sc4
Hub gears / hydraulic discs / belt drive, which is spookily quiet

[louiebaby]

Jimboka said:

I have a Marin Fairfax sc4
Hub gears / hydraulic discs / belt drive, which is spookily quiet

Hi,

Thanks for replying to the topic, always good to have first hand knowledge. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind...

The frame has a "break" in it to allow the belt to be changed. I'm a big chap, so a little concerned about this, have you noticed any flex / weakness etc from this?

What sort of mileages are you doing? How does the belt stand up to this? Does it ever slip? I'm going to be doing 100 miles a week in all weathers, including climbing where I will need to be out the seat, so want to be sure of the drivetrain.

Many thanks in advance.

[anonymous-user]

louiebaby said:

Jimboka said:

I have a Marin Fairfax sc4
Hub gears / hydraulic discs / belt drive, which is spookily quiet

Hi,

Thanks for replying to the topic, always good to have first hand knowledge. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind...

The frame has a "break" in it to allow the belt to be changed. I'm a big chap, so a little concerned about this, have you noticed any flex / weakness etc from this?

What sort of mileages are you doing? How does the belt stand up to this? Does it ever slip? I'm going to be doing 100 miles a week in all weathers, including climbing where I will need to be out the seat, so want to be sure of the drivetrain.

Many thanks in advance.

Hi
I only use it around 50 miles a week. No problems with the belt, it’s about a year old.
I’ve not noticed any flex at all.
The frame is quite a good design. I had to remove the rear wheel to fit mudguards. The wheel drops straight down, so no readjustment of belt required.
You can download an app to audiably ‘tune’ the belt if adjustment required !