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Off the peg commuting setup - £600ish

(35 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Darkerside
  • Latest reply from custard
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  1. Darkerside
    Member

    A uni friend asked me last night what I'd recommend if I had a budget of £600ish and was completely new to cycling, but wanted to start off cycling to work. They've got a new job down south and are looking at about houses about 5-15km away. Flat terrain, but will include a short chunk of dual carriageway. Everything bought new, rather than second hand.

    It was surprisingly hard! I'd assumed that the world had come to accept cycle commuting, but the big online stores still direct you to either road, mountain or sit-up-and-beg jobs that weigh the same as the moon. All have their place, but where's all the competitively priced, rigid, flat bar, slick tyre, rack+mudguard bikes?

    I ended up suggesting something like a Kona Dew, mid-range krypto lock, bog standard spd shoes+pedals, magicshine rear and dealextreme torch front light (dual carriageway...), altura night vision jacket and whatever gloves/pump/tubes/tyre levers/multitool are on offer.

    I'll probably carve this into a blog post, so I'm intrigued as to other opinions. With £600ish to spend, where would you go?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Uberuce
    Member

    Flat terrain says 'singlespeed' to me* so that'll let you transfer a few squiddles from cogs to toys?

    I believe Crowriver of this parish uses something from the Specialized/Globe range that don't look ebil heavy.

    Dawes and Ridgeback do a few commuters/trekking devices in the £400-500 price range too.

    *although it's fair to say that Kaimes Road says that to me as well.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Darkerside
    Member

    I ummed over singlespeeds for a while, but felt it would be a bit of a hard sell to someone just starting out who needs the ability to get up to a decent pace on a dual carriageway without spinning like a madman.

    Will have a mosey round Dawes/Ridgeback as well.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. 14Westfield
    Member

    I'd be more tempted to blow more of the budget on bike and add SPDs shoes etc when/if required (esp for a new cyclist).
    The EBC courier range go all the way to hydraulic brakes around this budget which would fit the bill.

    I have a specialized globe with the front cogs removed and replaced by a single and ebay brakes. its proven great for city commuting and requires very little maintenance

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. wee folding bike
    Member

    Sit up and beg.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. steveo
    Member

    Not sure Hydraulics are an ideal starting place, they can be a little difficult to repair for the diy hacker so they end up in the lbs. On the other hand they're pretty maintenance free up until they need bled...

    Apart from that I generally recommend people start with the EBC revolutions and at least have a compelling reason for dismissing them.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. Tom
    Member

    @steveo - I have a Revolution Courier. I had to replace the chain, mech, chainrings and sprockets to get acceptable (to me) shifting. The more expensive models might be better in that regard.

    @Darkerside - I think the more you try to find a do-it-all bike the more likely you are to end up with an bike that's boring to ride anywhere. So I would recommend a mountain bike if your friend is going to use muddy paths and tracks at all (and take the performance hit on the roads). Or a road bike which will provide the speed needed on the main roads to better deal with traffic conditions. I know that's totally contradictory but he will have to adjust his cycling style to suit the bike he chooses.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. crowriver
    Member

    Most people new to cycling will struggle with SPDs: they're better off with flat pedals and some rubber soled tennis shoes or similar.

    I have a Specialized Globe Vienna 2, pretty similar to the Kona Dew, which I've customised with bits added on. They don't make it any more, but the Globe range includes some nice, reasonably light, 'everyday' bicycles: nearly all under £500. The range includes the really nice 'Daily' (7 speed Nexus hub) and a simplified version of what I have (21 speed instead of 24), designed as a 'fast commuter' and rebranded 'Work'.

    http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/globe/

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Min
    Member

    This Cube Town is a nice bike. Comes in a step-through version as well. It comes with rack, mudguards and dynamo front and back lights. He'd need something more powerful for dark nights but these are great for dull/rainy conditions and as an emergency. It is heavy but on a flat route that is not going to be a problem. I think it is a cracking and practical commuter bike.

    The change should cover a lock and a few other bits and pieces. Agree not to bother with SPDs.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Roibeard
    Member

    I've just bought daughter a Ridgeback Velocity

    Flat bar - which I prefer for town use, and may be less intimidating to the newcomer or returning cyclist. Of course, if they're a former roadie, then ignore this!

    700c wheels and good range of gears - should be fast enough on the road, but also capable of hills and Sustrans routes.

    Mudguard and rack capable - added myself.

    Daughter liked the adjustable stem to permit a more upright position.

    I'd probably pitch "hybrid" as being the best starter - I don't think suspension is required except properly offroad (on a diamond frame), and it appears to add weight and expense whilst sapping energy. That said, chdot's Moulton was very nice (and out of budget!). I think "hybrids" were once called "tourers", race bikes, built to have mudguards and load capability (although they may have retained drop bars). Even then, I suspect many would have recommended them as racers could be uncomfortable or fragile for utility use, and a butcher's, vicar's or postie's bike would be too slow for a longer distance...

    Plus ca change!

    Robert

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Dave
    Member

    "someone just starting out who needs the ability to get up to a decent pace on a dual carriageway"

    Think I've identified one of your main problems right there, but if that's the way it has to be, it's the way it has to be.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. DaveC
    Member

    I'd recomend a Dawes, and this one is on sale for £600 in Fife:

    http://www.hardie-bikes.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s258p2099

    Dawes Vantage, 2011

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. wingpig
    Member

    Concerning the dual-carriageway bit: some people might like to cope with it by being tucked forwards and able to properly pull on the handlebars to go faster, whereas other might prefer to be more upright and more visible-feeling and more easily-able to look right over the shoulder, despite the wind-resistance cost.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. Kirst
    Member

    I love my Specialized Vita Elite - toe clips rather than SPDs - and I'm sure there must be a male version.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. custard
    Member

    "

    but where's all the competitively priced, rigid, flat bar, slick tyre, rack+mudguard bikes?
    "

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_777843_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

    I know,its Halfords.
    however it ticks all the boxes and is a decent commuter.

    follow this method...

    1. Go to Topcashback and search for British Cycling (£10 cashback)
    2. Follow the "British Cycling" and get a membership - cheapest is £13.50 and gives you 10% off at Halfords, amongst other benefits
    3. Call 0161 274 2010 to get an email version of your membership card
    4. Print off your Halfords 10% voucher (the voucher is only usable instore)
    5. Go to Topcashback and search for Halfords (3.03% cashback, worked out on the pre-10% discount price)
    6. Follow the Halfords link and Reserve and Collect a Boardman Road Team in the right size - I checked what size I needed instore first a few days ago
    7. Pick up your bike and present your voucher.

    to drop the price.

    personally. I've been eyeing up the Spesh Tricross recently

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. Nelly
    Member

    Depends how big they are - £379 fully built On One Pompino medium currently on their website. Add mudguards / rack etc, bobs yer mothers brother.

    p.s. I know its single speed, but I am biased.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. Darkerside
    Member

    Interesting points of view all round!

    SPDs are certainly something I wished I'd started using earlier and add so much to the efficiency of pedalling. Set loose you can 'rip' out of them if needs be anyway. Agree it's money that could go elsewhere early on though.

    @Dave - similarly wary about the dual carriageway, but there's nothing else going at all. Weird bit of the world, south England. Said chap is suitably road savvy and fit enough to not make it too much of an issue.

    @Roibeard - I looked for tourer first, as they make great commuters in my humble opinion. The Kona Sutra I started on is still going strong, and although I've changed chunks of it that's more due to me not being able to resist fiddling than any failing of the bike. However, they command a bit of a price premium...

    Had forgotten to look at on-one. Will mosey over later.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    Would also be worth him going into a few bike shops and saying 'I want to spend £500 on a bike for commuting' and see what's on offer.

    We all know that ultimately it's about the colour/look...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. ExcitableBoy
    Member

    I bought my Cannondale Bad Boy a couple of years ago now on the bike to work & in the sale, so a bit of a bargain. I intended it to be my hack bike, but it has been very versatile. Done about 7000+ miles on it including C2C.
    My Sirrus Sport feels lightweight and nippy and is more upright than the Bad Boy. I enjoy riding it a lot.
    My wife, after a lot of hunting around has recently bought a Trek from Biketrax and she has been happy with this.
    If I were him I'd buy that sort of bike, mudguards (perhaps Bikestation?), a lock and a pannier rack(again ? Bikestation). I'd see if I could find a 2nd hand or cheap pannier. I would wait and get the lights etc as needs be.

    More of a gamble would be Nelly's suggestion of an On-One singlespeed, which does look a tempting offer (I wish I didn't keep looking at their emails!).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Smudge
    Member

    +1 for a tourer.
    Unless they were a keen cyclist before, I'd agree with forgetting spd's at first (they can always fit them later on if they fancy, propably for less than the cost of a tankful of diesel!).
    Include a *good* set of panniers in the cost. 100% waterproof and easy on/off a must.
    As others have said, mudguards, rack and led lights. Tell him to hold £50ish back for a different saddle if he can as well, I cannot understand why so many people persevere with uncomfy saddles because they "look right" or that's what came with the bike!

    For an only bike and for commuting I wouldn't choose a singlespeed, too slow when the winds at your back and far too hard when a detour introduces hills (and your panniers are full of heavy stuff). This is meant to be a working bike after all ;-)(presumably for a "non enthusiast", though I'm sure they'll come round)

    I've got an altura night vision and tbh I'm not that impressed, I'd look for something a bit thicker and better made (and ideally *properly* waterproof :-/)

    Oh and drops on a tourer or hybrid shouldn't be too intimidating, but they'll be appreciated when he hits a headwind on that flat route...

    maybe one of these if he can time it right for the sales? http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-country-traveller-12?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2ftouring-bikes

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. ExcitableBoy
    Member

    Hmm. Smudge may be right with "Tell him to hold £50ish back for a different saddle if he can as well, I cannot understand why so many people persevere with uncomfy saddles because they "look right" or that's what came with the bike!" - but that's not what I'd do. Would the difference £50 can make not have more impact at the bike purchasing stage?? I've never had any discomfort from a stock saddle and he is only going less than 20 miles a day.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. Smudge
    Member

    You're possibly right mate, though 10 miles could be an hour for a newish commuter and in my experience that's long enough to suffer on an uncomfy saddle. My own preference is for the English made leather saddles starting with a "B"* (which, for me, were as comfy as "conventional" saddles new but just got better with age.) Certainly on my one remaining bike with a sporty saddle, six miles each way is enough for it to get painful on day two or three :-/
    Of course he may get lucky and find the one fitted suits him and is comfy, who knows! :-)

    *other brands are available ;-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. crowriver
    Member

    I still say Specialized Globe is the way to go for someone that is not already a cyclist. Some of them come with (stainless steel) mudguards, chainguards and hub gears.

    Again, drop bars for a newbie: offputting I'd say. Straight or riser or best of all north road or back swept bars. Then if he goes with hi-viz Altura he'll be plenty visible on the dual carriageway.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. Smudge
    Member

    Yup, some of the Globe models look a pretty good bet.

    Personally I've always found swept back bars a bit weird and off putting to use, but if we all liked the same thing the world would be dull ;-)
    Possibly best to present the potential purchaser with a number of options/suggestions (handlebar and otherwise) and outline the advantages/disadvantages?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. custard
    Member

    must admit,i find a sweptback handlebar 'wrong' in its feel

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. amir
    Member

    At the distance quoted, drops would have the advantage over drops especially on flat roads. I find flat bars tiring over 5 or 10 miles. They are not hard to get used to. I also this some gears would be good for windy days or just when tired.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. crowriver
    Member

    This evening I conducted an entirely unscientific survey of the two bikes still parked outside my workplace. Coincidentally both were city/commuting/trekking type bikes with mudguards, hub gears, hub dynamos and rear racks! My wee silver folder felt right at home.

    First up was something similar to this but with a hub dynamo lighting setup (may have been retrofitted or maybe an older 'lux' model). Made by Focus bikes from Germany.

    Then a bike I'd never seen before, proudly proclaiming on a frame sticker it had been purchased at Bikeworx, Dundee. The KTM City Line 7 is apparently from Austria. 7 speed hub gears as you might guess, adjustable stem, etc. The one I saw was a step through frame, but gent's (sloping/compact) frames available too.

    Dundee is 'flat' if you're going East/West but not North/South unless you coulnt the road bridge. I imagine either of these steeds would make a very practical commuter bike. The KTM City Line 7 is £480*, The Focus Wasgo TR 3.0 is a budget busting £650 (plus extra for dynamo setup?).

    * Good spec for the price but a bit heavy - must be all the extras! The step through is nearly 1kg heavier than the gent's version...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  28. Smudge
    Member

    Wouldn't want the suspension fork on the ktm (just surplus weight to push around, and in that price bracket it will be the cheapest of the cheap) but other than that both look sound enough bikes.
    KTM are a respected motorcycle brand, no idea what they are like bicycle-wise.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  29. WickyWocky
    Member

    How about an adult Islabike? http://islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn29.html

    I've not seen/tried their grown-up bikes but my family (age 6 and 10) love their kids ones.

    One of the benefits for someone new to cycling (and for my 10 year old son!) is the wide range of gears on a single chainring. These are built with flexibility in mind, so he could buy something quite basic, see how he goes on and then add to it as he gets a better idea of what he needs and has a bit more spare cash.

    One thing I would want if I was regularly commuting would be a hub dynamo so I didn't have to faff about with taking lights off the bike, batteries/recharging etc

    Posted 12 years ago #

  30. SRD
    Moderator

    If it wasn't white, I would be v. tempted to get myself one. (debating between folder or something light to run about on, so Mr SRD can use tandem more - as long as he promises not to crash it)

    Posted 12 years ago #

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