Bike suitable for London commute

[LustyLew]

Hi All,

I've been toying with the idea of cycling to work in the warmer months, not only from a fitness perspective, but also time. On my route there's an increasing number of routes where bikes get priority over other traffic.

Riding home from work the other day I passed a colleague on his push bike just as I turned off the main road (I live 50 yards away from the main road). We left at the same time and he seemed to get through the traffic far easier.

I have a hardtail MTB, but that really not suitable. Knobblies and even with the front forks locked out it's still a bit of a lump!

Any suggestions on a decent setup? We have Cycle to Work, but it's limited to Evans Cycles...
____________________
Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[chris-red]

How much money do you want to spend?


A very quick look and I'd suggest this...
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-five-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054765

Best bet is to go down there and have a look.

Personally I'd want...

700c wheels - skinnier tyres mean lower rolling resistance less effort needed to travel.

2x10 gears - 2 because it is simpler and 3 are not needed in town and 10 because most quality mechs are 10 speed.

Rigid forks - Suspension sucks up your power, is heavy and not remotely needed in town.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes - This may be a point some will argue about, however if I were commuting in the city I would want Hydraulic discs, the chances of wanting to stop sharply are fairly high! I have Hydraulic Discs on my MTB and they are fantastic I can put the bike on it's nose with all 18st of me on it. I have decent rim brakes on both my Road bikes, both duel pivot and both cost more than a cheap bike out of Halfords, however at speed these to not stop me anywhere as near quickly as the discs on my MTB even if I was on lose surface. Discs also aren't affected by the rain whereas rim brakes are. I'm sure decent cables discs are fine for most however mine weren't that great with me on em.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Seb]

As Chris says, a narrow bar Hybrid or CX is the best bet. All out road bikes can be a bit fragile if you really want to go for it whilst MTBs are just plain slower on tarmac.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[G]

I've got cable disc brakes on my Charge Scourer hybrid - it's basically a tougher road bike (road gearing and wheels) with flat bars - and they do the job nicely enough.

Hydraulic brakes are hard to find on bikes intended for the road.

Sure, the ones on my mountain bikes stop better and would probably cope better when I've had 25kg+ of bulky luggage on the bike, but these have never been lacking.

If I had to commute through tight stuff (I don't and normally have a dog running next to me anyway), I'd want road bars.
As it is, while initially I was regretting not going for a full on road (while, cyclo cross) bike, I've been finding I quite like the flat bars - have tuccano urbano muffs mounted on them a lot of the time. Just got put back on today after a few days off thanks to the weather.

[chris-red]

Just remembered my friend actually bought a bike for a London Commute last year. He is the sort that would spend time researching what is best and he went for one of these.


https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/55822/Orbea_Carpe_H10_2013_Bike_W_TMN7541?gclid=CjgKEAjwkpacBRCNlprWw-u-nBwSJACwHiw-2-cammKJYR9ANVbNRD2IXRG1961h4E74eiVCf1Pb2PD_BwE
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Bandit Boy]

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

[G]

[Bandit Boy]

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

[G]

[arry]

Took a mate of mine for a leisurely coast around the trails last weekend - his bike made half a lap before the thread in the pedal arm stripped and the pedal fell out 2 year old Apollo piece of crap. Rear bearings weren't going to last much longer either.

Only thing it was good for was leaving at the station as the only bike that wouldn't get nicked

[sickpup]