Anyone recommend this for commuting?
Discussion
I've been considering commuting to work by bike for a while and will be buying in a couple of week's time.
My commute will be a flat route consisting of mainly cycle paths. 12 miles each way 4-5 times a week.
My budget is around £400 and I've narrowed it down to 2 bikes: Giant Escape R2 (£350) and Giant Bowery Mashup (£400). Just had a testride
of a Cannondale hybrid bike at a local shop to get a feel of riding a bike as I've not owned one for 9 years. First impression was that the hybrid
is quite an ideal bike but not so keen on the gears as it was crunching up a bit.
With that in mind, I started thinking more towards the Bowery as it's a single gear bike therefore will require less maintenance and as my route
is flat I don't mind the single gear - obviously get it set up to freewheel to avoid any potential embarassment!
Based on what I'm using it for, do you recommend a Bowery or Escape R2?
My commute will be a flat route consisting of mainly cycle paths. 12 miles each way 4-5 times a week.
My budget is around £400 and I've narrowed it down to 2 bikes: Giant Escape R2 (£350) and Giant Bowery Mashup (£400). Just had a testride
of a Cannondale hybrid bike at a local shop to get a feel of riding a bike as I've not owned one for 9 years. First impression was that the hybrid
is quite an ideal bike but not so keen on the gears as it was crunching up a bit.
With that in mind, I started thinking more towards the Bowery as it's a single gear bike therefore will require less maintenance and as my route
is flat I don't mind the single gear - obviously get it set up to freewheel to avoid any potential embarassment!
Based on what I'm using it for, do you recommend a Bowery or Escape R2?
The Bowery looks swish. Those messenger/fixid bikes are very popular at the moment, but don't let that sway your decision.
I wouldn't recommend one if you havn't had a bike for 9 years. The geometry will be quite steep, possibly uncomfortable.
Of the two, the Energy might suit you better, but it might also be worth looking for a bike with a geared hub. Then you will get the best of both worlds. Ease of maintainence and gears.
I wouldn't recommend one if you havn't had a bike for 9 years. The geometry will be quite steep, possibly uncomfortable.
Of the two, the Energy might suit you better, but it might also be worth looking for a bike with a geared hub. Then you will get the best of both worlds. Ease of maintainence and gears.
I'd definitely go for the Bowery, for the reasons you mentioned, plus as it's got less equipment it's significantly lighter which is always a plus, and (assuming it's got a flip-flop hub) when (not if) you want to go fixed, you can just turn the wheel around and off you go.
My latest bike is fixed (07 Langster) and it's absolutely fantastic, even on the hills I prefer it to my roadie, when you do go fixed, just be prepared to spin like a b
h when going downhill.
HTH
My latest bike is fixed (07 Langster) and it's absolutely fantastic, even on the hills I prefer it to my roadie, when you do go fixed, just be prepared to spin like a b
h when going downhill.HTH
Thanks for the advice guys. Obviously I wont be doing 12 miles straightaway as I need to build up my fitness / stamina to cycle the distance even
though I already train 3/4 times a week in the gym doing weights and cardio and football every Monday.
Another reason for cycling is that I already go to the gym in the morning to do my cardio for 40mins so cycling into work would not only get me
to work but also less boring than pounding the treadmill or crosstrainer.
Noticed the Bowery has only front brake - take it that should be sufficient?
though I already train 3/4 times a week in the gym doing weights and cardio and football every Monday.
Another reason for cycling is that I already go to the gym in the morning to do my cardio for 40mins so cycling into work would not only get me
to work but also less boring than pounding the treadmill or crosstrainer.
Noticed the Bowery has only front brake - take it that should be sufficient?
I'd suggest from the sounds of your fitness levels that the only thing you'd really need to work on for a 12 mile each way commute is your arse!
When I worked in Hammersmith, I used to commute by bike fairly frequently. It was 13 miles each way and also pretty much flat. I was exceptionally unfit, but due to the lack of gradient, it wasn't an issue, once, as stated above, I'd got over the soreness on the saddle contact area for the first couple of weeks or so.
One thing well worth looking at before you buy is whether you can get it on a bike to work scheme. It's government funded, and you'll basically get the bike tax-free.
When I worked in Hammersmith, I used to commute by bike fairly frequently. It was 13 miles each way and also pretty much flat. I was exceptionally unfit, but due to the lack of gradient, it wasn't an issue, once, as stated above, I'd got over the soreness on the saddle contact area for the first couple of weeks or so.
One thing well worth looking at before you buy is whether you can get it on a bike to work scheme. It's government funded, and you'll basically get the bike tax-free.
amare32 said:
Noticed the Bowery has only front brake - take it that should be sufficient?
When running SS it's usually sufficient, though in cases where there's not much traction you would really want a rear too, going round a corner on a wet road and having to brake sharply with only a front may just make it slide out, when running fixed your legs are the rear brake so it's fine, I don't have a rear brake on mine.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff