Bike options: flat bar commuter, discs, mudguard clearance?

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Bike options: flat bar commuter, discs, mudguard clearance?

85 posts & 34 voices | Started 1 year ago by a11y | Latest reply from glenp

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a11y - Member

Finally had notification this morning that my employer's bringing in both the cycleplus (independant shops) AND cycle2work (Halfords) schemes within the next week. Time to go shopping

I'm looking for suggestions to replace my current Genesis Vapour CX bike I've been using as a commuter.

Requirements as follows:
- flat bars or drops
- must NOT have any toe overlap
- disc brakes essential
- gears essential due to route used
- full-length mudguard compatible
- under £1,000

So far the best suggestion I'm looking at is a Cotic Roadrat flatbar with gears and hydraulic discs. I've already enquired with a local Cotic dealer about them being able to supply one and awaiting a response. But I'm struggling to find anything else fulfilling my fussy requirements...

If you have any suggestions, please post up as I'm a bit stumped at this...

Cheers
Ally

Posted 1 year ago #
cynic-al - Member

Boardman hybrid range, £500-£1K, GF has cheapest one and it seems good.

EDIT I looked around a lot and found no alternatives at £500.

Posted 1 year ago #
Albanach - Member

I've been using a Merida Speeder T2 (£570) for my daily commute and it hasn't missed a beat. I don't know if they do disc brakes though. Maybe their s-presso range does though.

Posted 1 year ago #
richcc - Member

I've got a roadrat which I've just retrofitted with SLX discs. Really like it for the commute and ticks all of your boxes.

Posted 1 year ago #
5lab - Member

out of interest, why disks on a commuter? its not like the mud fowling is going to affect Vs a lot?

Posted 1 year ago #
trail_rat - Member

but the salt kills pistons on hydraulics ....

Posted 1 year ago #
epicsteve - Member

I'm another Roadrat user - mine is an Alfine with disks.

The reason for disks on a commuter is that they've got lots more power, require less maintenance and are far less annoying in wet conditions IMHO. Also in my case all my other bikes have disks and I'm so used to that level of stopping ability now that V's or cantis feel terrible in comparison.

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

First time I've seen this Roadrat. Looks awesome! Now I want one. Discs for commuting seems a little excessive to me, although I can sympathise with the horrible feeling of rim brakes!

Posted 1 year ago #
cynic-al - Member

The reason for disks on a commuter is that they've got lots more power, require less maintenance and are far less annoying in wet conditions IMHO.

+1 - and been said a million times on here!

Posted 1 year ago #
orena45 - Member

On One Pompetamine? £799 at the mo including Shimano Alfine hub gears and hydraulic discs. Be quick tho as this is probably an 'intro offer'!

Posted 1 year ago #
rootes1 - Member

Charge Mixer 2010? got all the things you want part from toe overlap - but not an issue on the road...

where are you going to use it? flat part of the world?

road rats look cool (black) but not the brown ones, I wanted one, but they are too small..

Posted 1 year ago #
HoratioHufnagel - Member

but the salt kills pistons on hydraulics ....

This is exactly what i found on my commuter too!

They were avid juicy 3's which are known for corrosion, so maybe others are better? i guess maintenance would stop it, but the whole point as that they'd be less maintenace. i've stuck with rim brakes since.

Posted 1 year ago #
epicsteve - Member

My roadrat (although it now has a front rack as well):

Posted 1 year ago #
Fat-boy-fat - Member

You might want to think about a Kona Dr Dew. Bit short on the top tube so you'd probably have to buy a bigger than normal size but v.fast and they have Shimano hydraulic brakes as standard.

Oops, just saw the requirement about no toe overlap. That's going to be difficult for any commuter with 700c wheels.

Posted 1 year ago #
epicsteve - Member

Oops, just saw the requirement about no toe overlap. That's going to be difficult for any commuter with 700c wheels.

That doesn't seem to be an issue on my Roadrat.

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

The reason for disks on a commuter is fashion, 100%. Be honest. It's not a bad reason - your money, get what you want. But power? Please. Personally I think it is daft, but each to their own. I wouldn't be seen dead on a flat barred road bike either - again, each to their own.

Toe overlap becomes very hard to avoid if you're on the shorter side. Also quite easy to get used to though...

A recommendation for a great road bike - I am very happy with my Kinesis Racelight tK, which is fast and comfortable. Or another Audax style bike - basically a well-fitted drop barred "racer" but with a wee bit more tyre/mudguard clearance, a smidge more "give" for comfort, and a little bit more relaxed in the angles for slightly more stable handling.

Posted 1 year ago #
epicsteve - Member

Is there a reason for not running disks on a commuter bike?

Posted 1 year ago #
kelvin - Member

Is there a reason for not running disks on a commuter bike?

1) Cost a little bit more
2) Don't look as good
3) A bit heavier
4) Fashion

I'll take that over constant faffing around with filthy rim brakes in the winter though. I can see why those who think that road bikes should reflect the sport of road bike racing would hate them, but for day in day out winter slogs they're useful. Also useful if you want to take the occasional shortcut off road when it's wet out.

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

Is there a reason for not running disks on a commuter bike?
Apart from looking like a fashion victim, carrying more weight, spending more money, being way over-braked, limiting your choice of wheels… no.

Posted 1 year ago #
HoratioHufnagel - Member

people using discs look like fashion victims but you 'wouldn't be seen dead on a flat barred road bike'!?

all the anti disc brake arguements were used in exactly the same form against disc brakes for MTB's when they first came out.

aren't most road bike calipers more than disc brakes anyway?

Posted 1 year ago #
cynic-al - Member

I've run discs for 5 years on my commuting road bike.

Plenty benefits as above, and funnily enough glenp is not persuading me back yet, he's prob a low mileage fair weather rider with vanity-project bikes.

"overbraked" FFS!

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

I've already said "each to their own", was only responding to the question.

Flat barred road bike is just wrong, for me. Unless its a Sturmey Archer'd ancient sturdy shopper.

Posted 1 year ago #
rootes1 - Member

i have a Pearson Touche - light, choice of bars (bullhorn, drops or straight) single speed or 3 speed hub.. or fixed

room for proper guards with space for 622-28 tyres and also rack mounts - very comfy and quick, but with some practicality. Toe overlap is not an issue on the road and dual pivot calipers work well.

Posted 1 year ago #
cynic-al - Member

The reason for disks on a commuter is fashion, 100%. Be honest.

Don't patronise me please.

Posted 1 year ago #
theflatboy - Member

these people who think discs are overkill for town/commuting use must ride a lot slower than i do or are talking from a position of ignorance.

the amount of adjustment it takes to keep vs working even 10% as well as discs is ridiculous, and even then in wet weather or with any sort of load on the rack the stopping power is absolutely shit. not much good when you ride around a busy city full of unexpected traffic/pedestrian manoeuvres!

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

Strange that you've formed such a detailed opinion based on one tiny piece of information.

If you could read, you would have seen that I was not attempting to persuade anyone back - I've said several times "each to their own". It's you money, your bike and you are perfectly entitled to express your "taste" however you please.

I don't think any of my bikes are vanity projects, whatever that is.

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

If you are frequently needing to stop in an emergency fashion your road observation must be absolutely dire, in which case perhaps disks are a good idea, for you. Looking ahead is a good idea, and doesn't cost anything.

Posted 1 year ago #
soobalias - Member

constant faff with filthy rim brakes

its a commuter ffs. the centre-pull brakes i have, got new blocks about 2yrs/4000miles ago, since then ive not adjusted them at all and not cleaned the bike.

ok so i gotta put new blocks in soon, the levers nearly touch the bars

Posted 1 year ago #
theflatboy - Member

who said anything about emergency stopping?

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

Why stop so suddenly then? You mentioned unexpected things that you are reacting to - so, to answer your question
who said anything about emergency stopping?
You did.

Posted 1 year ago #
rootes1 - Member

at the end of the day on the road brakes are only as good as the road / tyre grip level an din places this is an issue, grid irons, diesel, sick, whitelines.

and for the rear disc can get in the way of panniers, racks etc but they are racks etc that are designed to clear etc and frames that have inboard calipers to help

some of the new little road specific disc systems look neat.

as for which bike, just take a few out for a spin and see which you like the feel of most.

as for other options these Marins look nice:

vee brakes - happy compromise? plus alfine

Posted 1 year ago #
a11y - Member

Ooooft, that's a lot to get through...

Firstly, cheers for the suggestions - I've yet to look but will do

My commute's about 50/50 road/offroad mix inc proper, occasionally muddy trails. Goes from 180m altitude (home) to sea level in 5-6 miles, so gears are essential as I refuse to MTFU. Through all weathers regardless, including a few days this winter where my freehub froze...

Alfines: unfortunately the gear range isn't sufficient for my commute. I run a 29er MTB with an Alfine and tried it on my commute, but I need a wider range. Shame really as I love the low-maintenance aspect of it.

Disc brakes: essential for me. Part of my commute is proper (occasionally deep) muddy forest tracks - canti/V-brakes eat pads and are manky as a result. Plus IMO discs require far less maintenance: my wife's commuter has Shimano discs (and an Alfine) and I barely need to touch it. I also had water freeze onto my rims a few times this winter, so discs are a no-brainer for me.

Toe overlap: really gets my goat! Not an issue on tarmac, but a bloody liability offroad with tight turns like I have. Not helped by size 11 feet, bulky winter boots and full-length guards! The flat-bar Roadrat doesn't have overlap issues (I heard from Cotic that this was one of Cy's pet hates) hence it's appeal.

TBH I think I'm swinging more and more towards the Roadrat. I've yet to hear that I can definately get one via my work's particular scheme, hence still wanting to hear about more "mainstream" possibiities should I have to resort to Halfords.

(folks - please lets leave the whole disc vs rim brakes on commuters, otherwise this could rumble on forever LOL).

Posted 1 year ago #
theflatboy - Member

[ glenp - Member

Why stop so suddenly then? You mentioned unexpected things that you are reacting to - so, to answer your question

who said anything about emergency stopping?

You did.

i see where you got confused. i said stopping power, meaning the ability to decelerate. you read the word stop and thought i was talking about emergency stopping. not your first error in this thread.

Posted 1 year ago #
kelvin - Member

Disc brakes on commuter bikes is anti-fashion, as are mudguards: no-one fits either to look cool, they only do so for practical reasons, no?

Functional : http://cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geared

Posted 1 year ago #
glenp - Member

I read what you wrote.

And since I've only expressed my opinion, how can I have made any mistakes at all?

Actually, I have made an error - I'll stop responding to your posts and that's that one sorted.

Posted 1 year ago #

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