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Since a move of job I now work 2-3 miles from my house, and there is a direct route which is all (light) off road (until I get on the site which is actually quite big).
Before I used to commute by train, and had a Brompton. I love(d) that bike but it is now sitting in the garage waiting to be sold. One of the things I like so much about it was just how utilitarian it was, I simply never worried about cleaning it much, apart from the chain every now and then.
Now I commute on my hardtail (Genesis Core) I find that I'm a bit more grumpy because I now I have to clean it a lot more (which I'm not doing yet!). Probably some of this is that I'm riding off road now, but I get a bit more concerned about getting the gears and forks all crudy.
So I'm thinking new commuter bike.... Singlespeed CX or rigid fork 29er I think. I suppose an Alfine hub would be best because I probably do need them (hill in the middle of the commute), but I don't want to spend that much (£500-600).
I have reservations about the singlespeed 29er because although different to my hardtail I don't know if it warrants a new bike.
I'm also not sure if I should be discounting derailleur gears anyway, or indeed if I'm worrying to much about my current bike - I never used to when I was a kid.
It is a good excuse for a bike!
I run a 1x9 disc-brake flat-bar ti CX bike as a commuter/winter bike.
It runs 28mm Conti GP4Seasons, full gear outer, spds, 39t steel chainring, hope hubs, King headset&BB, Archetype rims and a 11-28 out back.
Basically, it's bombproof. I clean the chain&cassette occasionally but the rest is mucky all winter.
I'm all for buying new bikes, but for a 2-3 mile 'commute'?! Just ride the one you've got. Or walk.