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Best Commuter bikes?

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  • January 4, 2015 at 5:42 pm #22958
    fpharry

    Hi Everyone,

    I’m looking to get myself a commuter bike (ie road/hybrid) through the C2W scheme and would really appreciate some advice.

    I’ve done a lot of research but as a relative bike novice, I’ve become a bit lost. Can’t see the spokes for the wheels, you could say.

    I will do a 20-mile round journey approx 3 times a week for most of the year (including winter, ice permitting). The route is generally on-road, but with a couple of dirt tracks that do a good job of covering the underside of the bike in mud during wet weather. Pannier rack and mudguards are essential.

    I could go for something up to the £1000 mark, but I’m primarily looking for something that’s good value. So if I can spend a lot less and still get something that will do the job for many years, is good to ride, is durable, and requires little maintenance, then I’d be delighted.

    If it’s useful to know, I’ve been riding a Raleigh steel frame bike for the past few years, which has served me well. (Bought for about £150 five years ago with little upkeep since required).

    A few bikes I’ve seen that appear to be options (all towards the upper end of the price bracket) include:

    GT Grade Alloy 105

    Whyte Dorset

    Boardman Hybrid Team

    Trek Soho 4.0

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  • October 20, 2015 at 6:56 pm #825249
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    iamwilloldham

    fpharry wrote:
    Thanks for

    [quote=fpharry]Thanks for all these suggestions. I suspect that the cheapest option would actually be to persist with my Raleigh frame, but… I’ve gone for a Marin Fairfax SC3 (2015 model), for £550. Looks great, rides very well, seems well made and the shop I’m getting it from very helpful. I was heading towards a Specialized Sirrus Comp, but the Marin feels more comfortable, seems to ride better and has disc brakes rather than the Sirrus’ rim brakes. I haven’t managed to find a lot of reviews of the Marin Fairfax SC3 online. Does anyone have one? Would you recommend it? I’ve still got a few days to change my mind…

    Hi fbharry,

    I understand I am commenting on this thread long after it was originally posted.
    I am in the exact same scenario as yourself, I am looking for a good commuter around the £500 mark. Having looked at the Specialized Sirrus I have been recommended the Marin Fairfax SC3 (2015) from a local bike shop. As the 2016 model has now been released, they have reduced the 2015 SC3 to £385 which for the spec I feel is very reasonable.
    Did you eventually stick with the Marin or did you change to another brand? I would love some help and guidance here as I am very inexperienced when it comes to bikes.

    Thanks for your time!

    iamwilloldham

    February 7, 2015 at 4:15 pm #825247
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    gazza_d

    Decathlon do a decent range
    Decathlon do a decent range of proper bikes which look ideal for commuting with guards, racks and dynamo lighting ranging from cheap & very good value

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-520-city-hybrid-bike-id_8307666.html

    They’d be high on my list for a new commuter. Or a Brompton actually, which are quick fold up to hide under the desk or take on the bus/train home if the weather really turns horrific.

    I’m a big fan of Moultons & think the TSR makes the ultimate commuter, but the Cycle2work scheme limit doesn’t even come close to covering the cost of a new one.

    February 7, 2015 at 3:31 pm #825245
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    fpharry

    Thanks for all these
    Thanks for all these suggestions. I suspect that the cheapest option would actually be to persist with my Raleigh frame, but…

    I’ve gone for a Marin Fairfax SC3 (2015 model), for £550. Looks great, rides very well, seems well made and the shop I’m getting it from very helpful. I was heading towards a Specialized Sirrus Comp, but the Marin feels more comfortable, seems to ride better and has disc brakes rather than the Sirrus’ rim brakes.

    I haven’t managed to find a lot of reviews of the Marin Fairfax SC3 online. Does anyone have one? Would you recommend it? I’ve still got a few days to change my mind…

    January 6, 2015 at 7:42 pm #825243
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    Jack Osbourne snr

    MKultra wrote:If you have an

    MKultra wrote:
    If you have an old steel Raleigh clubmans frame I would possibly stick with it.

    If it’s an older 126mm OLN frame they convert to fixed or even hub gears quite easily, they are in fact one of the perfect commuting bikes, especially if they have the full compliment of rack eyes and braze ons such as a pump peg

    There is little it will not do with less than a few hundred quid spent on new old stock parts from ebay and the cycle jumble.

    All very true, but no n+1 points to be had with that option.

    January 6, 2015 at 4:22 pm #825241
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    MKultra

    If you have an old steel
    If you have an old steel Raleigh clubmans frame I would possibly stick with it.

    If it’s an older 126mm OLN frame they convert to fixed or even hub gears quite easily, they are in fact one of the perfect commuting bikes, especially if they have the full compliment of rack eyes and braze ons such as a pump peg

    There is little it will not do with less than a few hundred quid spent on new old stock parts from ebay and the cycle jumble.

    January 6, 2015 at 3:15 pm #825239
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    Matt eaton

    10 mile tarmac/dirt commute
    10 mile tarmac/dirt commute eh? My vote would be for a fixed-gear CX set-up with full mudguards. Regular road commuting tyres will probably suit even for the dirt sections; CX tyres don’t generally have good puncture protection.

    January 6, 2015 at 12:23 pm #825237
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    Anonymous

    DaveE128 wrote:Another vote

    DaveE128 wrote:
    Another vote for the Pinnacle Arkose, it ticks all the right boxes for you in my opinion. However, like many bikes these days it has a stupid integrated headset. Mine was assembled by Evans with too tall a headset spacer stack, which combined with the carbon fork steerer, has caused a constantly loosening headset which wears the frame. With any integrated headset bike with carbon steerer, make doubly sure the spacers are an appropriate height and that the stem is torqued correctly before riding.

    I know this is a daft question, but have you tried taking it back to Evans to get it set up to your liking?

    January 6, 2015 at 10:54 am #825235
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    DaveE128

    Another vote for the Pinnacle
    Another vote for the Pinnacle Arkose, it ticks all the right boxes for you in my opinion. However, like many bikes these days it has a stupid integrated headset. Mine was assembled by Evans with too tall a headset spacer stack, which combined with the carbon fork steerer, has caused a constantly loosening headset which wears the frame. With any integrated headset bike with carbon steerer, make doubly sure the spacers are an appropriate height and that the stem is torqued correctly before riding.

    January 6, 2015 at 10:20 am #825233
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    fpharry

    Thanks so much for all these
    Thanks so much for all these suggestions, I really appreciate it. Food for thought!

    January 6, 2015 at 9:32 am #825231
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    JoshCroxton1

    The best option would be an
    The best option would be an touring type bike. They’re set up more upright and comfortable, meaning you’ll enjoy the ride more so than if you were in an aggressive position. They can take a wider tyre if required for extra comfort, come with pannier and mudguards as standard and will eat up mile after mile with no problems.

    The Bike Shed have a sale on at the moment, and they accept C2W.

    http://www.bikesheduk.com/Dawes-Touring-Bike-Sale

    The Dawes Clubman is a superb bike for the money, but any of these would be a perfect fit for your needs.

    January 5, 2015 at 8:43 pm #825229
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    gmac101

    My commute is about 6 miles
    My commute is about 6 miles and relatively flat. I use a On-One Pompetamine Alfine, it has an 8 speed Alfine hub and hydraulic disc brakes. The bike really suits my commute, it requires minimal maintenance and is comfortable to ride, the 35mm tyres, steel frame and curved forks all contributing to the “magic carpet” effect that is most pronounced after getting off my all alloy 25mm shod road bike. I appreciate that hub gears are not for everyone but I would recommend trying something similar to my On-One before you make a choice.

    January 5, 2015 at 4:16 pm #825227
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    parksey

    If you’re looking to do that
    If you’re looking to do that sort of distance with that frequency then you’ll appreciate the riding position that a drop bar bike offers you, particularly when there’s a headwind! In that regard, I’d be inclined to rule the hybrids out.

    A growing range of “adventure” bikes has appeared over the last 12 months or so, which are basically road bikes but with the likes of disc brakes and clearance for bigger tyres and mudguards, with some suitable for light off-road use too.

    The Pinnacle Arkose, Giant Revolt and Specialized Diverge are all worth a nose, and offer good value around the C2W price point. Maybe look at the Genesis Croix de Fer if you’re a steel fan too.

    You mentioned the Whyte Dorset, I bought myself a Suffolk a couple of weeks back as my year-round commuter. So far, so very good. Have literally only done about 60 miles on it as I’m only back to work today, but I’ve been nothing but impressed. The disc brakes particularly are a revelation against the rim brakes on my other Trek road bike, I can actually stop when it’s raining!

    The Dorset is basically the same bike as the Suffolk but with a slightly lower-spec gearset on it. The frame, wheels, brakes, finishing kit is otherwise identical, so I’d recommend it.

    I tried to find a GT Grade 105 to test-ride too, but no-one had them within the timeframe I was working to. I did ride the Sora version, and it was a decent bike, very sure-footed despite it being wet out when I tested it, and unexpectedly fast in such conditions too. I didn’t think the overall quality was there though, but the offset is that the range offers fantastic value for money.

    Good luck with the search!

    January 5, 2015 at 2:13 pm #825225
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    userfriendly

    Another thumbs up for the
    Another thumbs up for the Whyte. Almost got the Suffolk myself, went with another bike in the end – but then a mate got the Suffolk shortly afterwards, and we’re both pretty impressed by it.

    January 5, 2015 at 11:41 am #825223
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    jacknorell

    The Whyte should work. Also
    The Whyte should work. Also saw the Giant Revolt (funny-looking, but…) which would likely do you well. Recent review on this site too.

    January 5, 2015 at 10:33 am #825221
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    OldRidgeback

    GREGJONES wrote:i’ve ridden

    GREGJONES wrote:
    i’ve ridden to work (10miles each way) using a face high spec bike, a single speed, and a fixie. the fixie was best of those simply because it was cheap to maintain and there’s less to go wrong en route.

    But best of all was my 1985 Raleigh Royale 5 speed, really cheap to fix, reliable, and most importantly comfortable. I’d stick with what you’ve got mate.

    If you want to spend money, get yourself something fancy for sundays.

    +1

    The cheap bike is also less likely to get nicked and even if it is stolen, less of a pain to replace. Buy the flash bike but keep it for weekend rides. Parked properly, two bikes take up only little more room than one.

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