Circa £500,
I’m going to get rid of my Norco Sight C7.2, too much bike to be riding to and fro work on.

With some of the sales money I intend to replace it with something more suitable (small amount of road, mainly cycle path. 7 miles total a day)

What would you recommend? Thanks STW.

Voodoo make a decent budget hybrid and now a CX/gravel type thing as well.

Unless you are Halfords phobic of course.

on one pompino?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-dee-city-bike-2017/rp-prod147644

single speed and £179! perfect for a short commute

What about that Voodoo Morasa or whatever it’s called

Recykabike (or similar) – I have Specialized Hybrid for £125, so far cost me brake pads and new tyres in a year.

For that budget, and that small distance, on cycle paths?

Any bike that you like to ride. With mudguards. Natch.

I’d have either

1. Something suitable, ie comfortable, naff-looking, full guards (chain and wheels) – naturally theft-deterrent also with integrated locks, rear-rack, dynamo-lighting, even roller brakes and hub gears (near-zero maintence). Fun in a relaxed, meditative, dry and comfortable fashion. Set off 10 mins earlier.

2. Something completely unsuitable and sporty, so commute is a 7 mile heads-down sprint spray-covered sprint with clothing change in a rucksack. Fun in a diff way. Set off last minute or late.

3. Indulge a retro-itch (old tourer, roadie or ATB). Fun in either ‘don’t GAS, it’s an old ruster’, or ‘obsessively polish every night’ way. Delete as applicable

I did once buy a 700c alu hybrid (Raleigh X1) for 11 miles each way commute. It was the worst purchase ever. Felt like a deadweight lump of junk-punishing junk, yet made to look ‘sporty’.

I now do the same distance on a Genesis Vagabond or a 3 speed Dutch town bike. Either feels great, in different ways. Genesis is fairly quick and zingy over potholes and back lanes, Dutch bike is slow, sure and supremely relaxing, and easy to use as everything always onboard ready to roll.

Pinnacle lithium

Thanks for the suggestions so far, that Vitus looks cheap as you like, not a bad suggestion – would need to look into the sizing for me though at 6ft, I’m not sure the one size they have would fit.

Forgot to add, no fixed gear.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, that Vitus looks cheap as you like, not a bad suggestion – would need to look into the sizing for me though at 6ft, I’m not sure the one size they have would fit.

Forgot to add, no fixed gear.

I have recently bought one of these, it was £550 when i bought it (now £699 but worth watching Jan sales?)

Really nice to ride, and the hydraulic brakes are ace and worth £240 alone, easy bike to get along with

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-grinduro-single-speed-adventure-road-bike/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=100331870&kpid=100331870&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Bikes&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mckv%7csAMQrv5W9_dc%7cmcrid%7c67090792502%7cmkw%7c%7cmmt%7c%7cmrd%7c100331870uk%7cmslid%7c%7c&mkwid=sAMQrv5W9_dc&pcrid=67090792502&prd=100331870uk&pgrid=17507339462&ptaid=aud-131695477502:pla-121249593422

Comfortable, practical, 3 speeds will do fine – this is all you need:

https://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/m36b0s283p10886/GAZELLE-Esprit-C3-Gents-2018

Have a look at the Gazelle Esprit C3?

https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/esprit-c3/

Ha! ^^Synchro Gazelles 😆 (must remember to look before posting)

I use a 3spd almost daily on a journey of the same distance as OP, and it’s simplicity itself. Just spec a ratio that suits yr terrain. With an MTB and a gravel/adventure bike to choose from I nearly always go Dutch for short carry trips (<20km total). Hop on, dynamo lights, no mess, no fuss. Clear view of traffic, rolls smoothly always, no sweat, breathe easy. It’s as near to perfect utilitarian transport as I’ve encountered.

Oh my. (Drools) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gazelle-Van-Stael-Gents-Bicycle-700c-28-inch-wheels-21-inch-frame/112499416119?hash=item1a317cdc37:g:QhUAAOSwvv5Zez7S

Am leaving this thread as my N+1 impulse is kicking into overdrive.

I’ve got one of these, does me ok for the 2 miles to work and at the weekend towing the trailer to the park then pub.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bobbin-daytripper-2017-hybrid-bike/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-york-2017-singlespeed-bike/

what do you guys think of that? (in Singlespeed, not fixed)

The commute is fairly flat also.

^ better than the Bobbin for the money (higher spec, cromo vs hi-ten). But I’d still have either Gazelle as mentioned above on quality and spec. They cost more yet will prob not require upgrades (the Felt has 25c tyres for one)