Commuter bicycle

[DrDonnyBrago]

I am moving house soon and I will live about 11 miles from work.

I will primarily commute by car but I want a bicycle to ride in on maybe once or twice a week. I haven't owned a bicycle in years, so fitness and stamina aside, what factors make a good commuter bike? Don't really want an arse in the air racer type bike, so I was thinking more of a multi-gear XC bike with road tyres, is there something in the middle?


I am also pretty poor, would like to spend sub £250 and will mainly be looking for used bikes, what brands and models are good?

Other than gayBay, what else is there in terms of finding one?


Thanks in advance .

[Frost]

www.gumtree.com

[FURBAR]

Once or twice as week !! .. buy some beer and watch the tour de france .. and save a few quid .. !!
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Fuk um !!

[G]

You do get specific 'commuter' and 'hybrid' bikes.
These tend to have flat bars and be a bit tougher than standard road bikes. But not quite as serious as mountain bikes, thinner smoother tyres for less rolling resistance etc.

Worth having a look at wiggle etc for such categories, then go back to second hand places - pink bike is good for mountain bike adverts, don't know about other stuff. Bike magic is often ok too.

[DrDonnyBrago]

[herulach]

If you have a decathlon near you they can hook you up with a half decent commuter for that price. Same goes for Edinburgh Bicycle. Other than that, get a second hand (decent) mtb and spend a tenner on a set of tyres. Don't worry about tarty bits, any suspension is good enough for the road (although lockout is a plus). Bear in mind gearing will get knackered pretty quick (before I moved to the YBR i got maybe 5 months out of a chainset (110/120 miles a week + off road at weekends in all weathers.)
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YBR 125>FZS600

[KevTM]

I was like you, not been on a bike for years and now doing a 10 mile commute (each way) 5 days a week. At first it took 50 mns, now 35 mins.

a cyclocross or hyrid bike would be ideal if you have some light trails along your route. I wouldn't bother with suspension as it just gives you more to maintain and saps your energy.

I bought a GT Zum S2, nothing fancy but as I hate rust it made sense, aluminium frame and forks (forks feel dead though).. Had to add bar ends and change the grips and also got a Brooks saddle but worth it. I think most hybrids and cyclocross bikes have provision for mudguards and racks... if you're going to commute mudguards are a must!

once or twice a week?! c'mon, do it all week and you'll be as fit as a fiddle in no time.

[Amreet]

I currently commute a few miles each day to and from the bus stop, (Still waiting on bloody piston rings ) and Ive been riding a fixed gear bike for a few months now, maybe something to consider?
It may seem daunting at first but I got used to it really quickly and would choose a fixed bike over anything with gears any day! There are loads of advantages, mainly weight saving, you have no cassette on the back wheel, only 2 cogs, no derailieurs. You can fit 'riser' bars which are very comfortable so you can have as up right a position as you like, not necessarily the arse in the air stance,
maybe look into it and have a go on one, they're fun to build and brilliant to ride, ideal for the sort of commute you'd be doing!

btw, I do know theres a load of hipster stigma with them but many people do ride them just because they are a more fun way to ride, not just because they're apparently 'fashionable' but I must admit i think the simplicity of fixed bikes does make them look great.

[Gazz]

If nothing else, you need to get a basket on the front !!!

[chris-red]

I like specalized as a brand we have had 3 of them now, I got a hard rock pro off of ebay for £250 fit some slick tyres and away you go.

https://lh3.ggpht.com/lpriestland/RQ_T7HhTABI/AAAAAAAAAF0/HOmbHHuWqC8/Dozers_mrsDozer.JPG

Not my bike but that same as mine colour and everything, I think mine has a bigger frame though.
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[Gazz]

[G]

Generally 'girls bikes' have the top bar meeting the seat tube lower than the angled bar coming from the rear wheel.

Bit silly these days of course as it's rather rare to see women riding in dresses.

[dodsi]

I have a 20" 2009 GT Agressor XC3 you could have for a reasonable sum.

it has lockout front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes and road tyres. basically surplus to requirements as I also have a 23" Specialized rockhopper SL which I use daily instead.

[Frost]

https://www.babygiftsoutlet.com/images/large/mantis-raptor-girls-24inch-mountain-bike_BG05846.jpg

Like that.

I've ridden one before and it felt no different at all, no one took the piss either these days unless it's bright pink its 'just a bike'. All the girls i know also ride 'mens' style bikes so i'd say it's something the desire for high technology has left behind.

[G]

[Frost]

Maybe, or perhaps a hand me down from their sister after their bike got nicked?

[bikertomm]

Cross country mountain bike mate, (XC)

Then when you get bored of riding to work you can go offroad

Scott are a good brand I have a Scott Scale 70.

Scale being the cross-country / racing bike. Have a butchers.
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