[Closed] Commuter bike?

Try to be a little more vague please - setting your criteria that tight is going to make it really hard to help.... 😉

ok broistolbiker

something along these lines

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO26IN1FG/inbred-commuter-bike-single-speed-v-brake

with gears would be doable (not ridden SS before but my commute is pretty flat so very doable.)

cheaper would be a bonus.

* this looks pretty good too.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPCOMP/on-one-pompetamine-alfine-comp

Budget? Off road/on road/bit of both commute? Rough length of route? Just going to use for this, or will it be your do-it-all bike? Will you be a fair-weather commuter, or is the ability to fit guards a good thing? Rucksack or panniers (may depend on length of route and what you need to carry)? Do you have a CycleScheme to use at work? Do you want to use it/will it restructive on your choice?

I'd suggest the Inbred will be a soild and dependable workhorse, but you'll need to think about all of the above and more to work out if it's right for you.

ok cheers

solely a commuter bike
looking at less than £500 really (but the alfline inbread looks worth the extra)
only about 16 miles a day
mainly tarmac'd tow paths or river paths
all weather
no panniers needed (ruck sack will suffice)
no cycle scheme

hope that helps a bit.

i appreciate this (im out of touch with what's on the market)

want a SS Roadrat on the cheap...

£250 (£10 off online so £240) SS inc branded components, mudguards eyes, front and rear rack eyes, 700c wheels

nice looking frame

i recommended one to my colleague on our latest c2w scheme - he got one... he is chuffed with it and it really does look a tidy bike...

shows halfords buying power.. yes it is halfords, but amazing value, wear a bag on our head etc etc
[url= http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_551205_langId_-1_categoryId_165534 ][b]Clicky Click[/b][/url]

they do a 20" and an 18"

to me honest in terms of value alone (ignoring badging and branding) makes sense and actually the branding is so subtle you would never know it cam from halfords..

well worth a butchers and for the money how could you go wrong

If you're not looking to set the world on fire pace wise, then something like the Inbred may be a good choice for you - it'll be relatively comfy (more upright than a road bike, and biger tyre volumes to boot), but the rigid forks will make it feel quick on the tarmac. If you want gears the price will go up, but Alfine might be the way forward to keep maintenance down and keep you on the road for longer with less effort.

At your price point something from Halfords or Genesis might suit, but all of the big boys will have a commuter friendly/hybrid-ish MTB in their range. I have no personal experience here, so await specific suggestions from the hive mind as the clock swings towards 5, or give it a cheeky bump next week for the Monday crowd 😉

There you go - perfect timing 😉

I was gonna suggest the Carrera Subway.

I have just started commuting some of the way to work on my Inbred. I bought some wheels solely for road use a while back and so it is my commuter/off road HT/pub bike.
The stems a bit short, so I'm gonna get a longer one at some point, but apart from that it is fine.

Check out a Kona Smoke.

They've got them on eBay for £190, it comes with full length mudguards.

Spec isn't massively brilliant but I'm probably getting one as a winter commute.

rootes1 wow that looks amazing VFM and looks pretty nice too cheers for the heads up .

BB just a gentle pootle to work is my style TBH

yer and it is light too....

bit pissed my SS road bike cost so much more for what your get!

biggy - fair enough. If you can live with singlespeed and a bit of bulk/low end spec in return for a lower up-front cost, then all of the above will serve you well and you can upgrade as stuff wears out. It is arguable, perhaps, that the Inbred spec is better and will last longer, but the buying power that Halfords has means the upfront cost of the Subway will still represent a very good deal overall.

N.B. - There is another thread running about the lack of longevity in the BB/chainset used on the Subway. Might be worth a nose.

N.B. - There is another thread running about the lack of longevity in the BB/chainset used on the Subway. Might be worth a nose.

sure halve if not all of these issues is people not checking bolt tightness after riding a new bike/kit for a few rides...

seems to be all sort of people going through a BB a week, a chain a month etc... what on earth of these bods doing?

anyhow the BB on that subway is a square taper so if it went then any £15 quid cartridge shimano BB would do and probably under warranty..

Cheers
Si

I spent taxpayers money on this using the B2W, I have some sort buggery bits on my commute (stopping at bottom & top of bridges after going DH fast n'that) so decided to get discs and gears. A lot of cash for commuting but I use it alot for going to the off license to buy brown ale and it hops up / down curbs well.

[img] [/img]

ok cheers for all the replys so far the subway does seem to be up there on my list.

rootes any idea if there anything else out there, single speed for the £300 mark?

cheers

This is my 1x9 canal commuter, basically I went for a lightweight bike (22lbs) without going into silly money, everything is 2nd hand. I can quickly stick a set of suss forks on if I want to go MTB.
[img] [/img]

How about this [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/vitamin-117071608/ ]Decathlon Vitamin[/url] ? For £69.99 you can't go wrong, just put some decent brakes on it.

[img] [/img]

My wife is thinking about this one?

drofluf that is amazingly cheap...
some brakes and it would be sorted.

rootes any idea if there anything else out there, single speed for the £300 mark?

not that i have seen really that kona smoke is cheaper, but much heavier than that subway SS, though you do get mudguards which are key for a commuter.

Might be worth a look at Evans/Cycle Surgery, they had some Spec Globe Vienna's in the sale £299 down to £199 and some down £349 to £249 - relaxed hybrid type things

anyhow re the subway I reckon best bet would be to put your postcode into the halfords website and see if any stores near you have one then take a look for yourself and see what you think.

Other option is to build one up yourself.

for example it cost about £300 to turn this
[img] [/img]

into this:
[img] [/img]

not that the effort was appreciated.... 🙄

Cheers
Si

rootes1 - the 'after' shot is extremely pretty. Well done!

There's also the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op Courier bikes. I've used one of the 'classic' one for years for commuting, and had also used it for longer rides (before I got the proper road bike) and off-roading (before I got the proper MTB).

this http://www.streetfire.net/video/monster-bike_2049632.htm

not quite what im looking for kitchenroll.

I have the subway 1, can't go wrong for the price.

lol

I have a GT ZUM for sale in VGC. I have been using it twice a week or so for my 27 mile round trip commute. It is pretty much stock apart from the raceface cranks and hone rings, oh and lock on grips. Size 19", can sort pics tonight if interested, but it's on the Halfords website.

Cost me £430, I'm looking for £250.

B.A.Nana - Member
This is my 1x9 canal commuter, basically I went for a lightweight bike (22lbs) without going into silly money, everything is 2nd hand. I can quickly stick a set of suss forks on if I want to go MTB.

[img] [/img]
br />

Who makes those forks? I can't quite make it out...

I was going to suggest taking a look at the Spesh Globe range. Massive choice, good value and subtle branding. I've got a 2009 Globe San Francisco, which I love. It's an interesting shape, very quick and flickable around town and now I've put a smaller cog on the back it's happy on longer runs too. Not sure if this model is still available, but worth a look. I picked mine up on here for £100.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Re globe above, they also did a nice 3 speed hub gear version as well... Cyclesurgery had both in the sale, but not sure you can still get them... Nice bikes though

BOL that is beautiful i have a thing for bendy/bent top tubes!

tree-magnet, I believe they are made by some Taiwanese company and are retailed under many names. This might come as a massive shock, I bought them for the logo colour match with the frame. 😉

Kellys Saphix would be good. Like this one:
[img] [/img]

I'm still considering this - but it's going to have to wait till I get back from Hols now. Steel - Alfine hub 600 notes (for the comp)

[img] [/img]

ah - just read the thread again and see that you're already considering the pompetamine

breatheeasy - Member

Check out a Kona Smoke.

They've got them on eBay for £190, it comes with full length mudguards.

Spec isn't massively brilliant but I'm probably getting one as a winter commute.

+1. Loving mine.

Kona Smokes are a great ride. A few unsurprising bits don't last long, headset etc, but the frame is a keeper.

cheers guys i won myself a superb condition (from the pics) carrera subway zero. with ritchly flat bar and bar ends plus the original bars. for £170ish posted!

happy happy 😀