Commuting bike +/- panniers

[mft]

My employer has just joined Cyclescheme - which allows employees to buy a tax-free bike & kit to cycle to work with. I'm a semi-lapsed MTBer, and the route is hilly but fairly easily doable, so this is all the encouragement I need.

Trouble is, I only know MTBs, so have a couple of questions:

• any advice RE: a decent drop-bar road bike to commute on? Looking to spend up to £4-500 quid. Hub gears - are road derailleurs really that fragile? Road vs cyclo-cross - geometry differences?

• Panniers - intend to get a rack and bags in with the cost. Can a rack be fitted to any bike or will some (for example, racier road bikes) not accept them?

Thanks

[arryb]

Racier road bikes won't have eyelets for a rack. Is this bike going to be used solely for commuting?

[mk1fan]

I have an On One Inbred built up for commuting. 700 size wheels, mudguards and panniers. Rides really well. Charge Roadrat worth a look too if you're looking for a more mtb than road bike feel.

[mft]

arryb said:

Racier road bikes won't have eyelets for a rack. Is this bike going to be used solely for commuting?

Pretty much - I'm not really interested in road biking for pleasure.

[HOGEPH]

Might be worth considering if the bike will take mudguards as well. No fun arriving at work soaked from the road spray.

I'm in much the same situation. Looking for a flat barred road bike that will accept a pannier and mudguards, but still light enough for long fast training rides. After months of looking I think I've narrowed it down to a Trek 7.7, Marin Mill Valley or Lapierre RCR700.

[a11y_m]

HOGEPH said:

Might be worth considering if the bike will take mudguards as well. No fun arriving at work soaked from the road spray.

ESSENTIAL IMO.

I started off using a Specialized Allez roadbike (basic one) with half-guards as it had no clearance for full-length guards. I've changed it for a Genesis Vapour cyclocross bike with full-mudguards, so much comfier to ride on, more relaxed, wider tyres (32c v 23c) but still quick rolling on tarmac and offroad too.

I don't bother with a rack and carry stuff in a rucsac, but I arrange it so that I rarely have to carry work clothes - all I bring most days is my lunch and bits and bobs. If I had more to carry I'd definately be looking for a rack and panniers.

[skudupnorth]

Got a Specialized Sirrus Elite Hybrid on the scheme for my commute.I take all my weeks work wear in the car on the Saturday shift and ride the week days avoiding that wonderful thing called congestion/traffic jams ! Like some of the others all i carry in my bag is lunch,stuff and over-trousers if i get a tad chilly.I have a saddle bag for spare tubes,tools and waterproof trousers which cuts the weight down on my back.

[Exige46]

Kinesis Racelight, various Ribble options, and I am now using an eBay Giant SCR which takes mudguards and panniers for a very decent price.

[Roger645]

I use a flat barred road bike to commute on with a rack fitted. I use 1 pannier, to carry clothes and stuff and it also has a mount for another rear light. Panniers are handy to keep a rucksak off your back in the summer and also for that impulse purchase of wine etc on the way home!

[mk1fan]

I'd advocate using two panniers for better weight distribution. Not only whilst riding but to avoid putting eccentric loads on components.

[sjg]

Full-length mudguards - essential
Rack - nice to have, especially if you occasionally have to carry something bulky (like amazon parcels you've got delivered to work!)
Panniers - maybe, bit faffy but worthwhile on longer commutes.

I used to use a courier bag but I'd keep some clothes at work so it was just a fresh shirt and underwear in the bag. Plenty of space left over to pick up shopping on the way home too.

As for bike, look at anything marketed for touring or winter training as they'll have the right mounts - Planet-X Kaffenback or Uncle John would do nicely, and they do cyclescheme orders direct too.

[A - W]

skudupnorth said:

Got a Specialized Sirrus Elite

I have the same, full guards and rack with panniers on mine.
Two years on the it has been great, only one puncture and no other other.

Highly recommended.

[skudupnorth]

A - W said:

skudupnorth said:

Got a Specialized Sirrus Elite

I have the same, full guards and rack with panniers on mine.
Two years on the it has been great, only one puncture and no other other.

Highly recommended.

Glad they are up to the job,only had mine since January and i've put a few miles on it without any misshaps or punctures.Good bike for the road,pity the roads are rubbish !