I have a 3-mile walk to work currently and I'm wanting to start cycling it instead (to save time). It's in Edinburgh, so it will be a mixture of tarmac and cobbles.
My family home is in Glasgow, where I have a Boardman HT Comp for weekends. I live in Edinburgh during the week, and I can't be bothered bringing my MTB through every weekend (too much hassle), so I'm thinking I'll buy another bike just for Edinburgh.
My main conundrum is: do I go with hybrid (probably a hardtail) or do I go with MTB with smoother tyres? Two I had seen in my initial wanderings were the Specialised Rockhopper and the Crosstrail Pro Disc (both 2011 models with about 20% discount). Looking to spend no more than £700.
Just wondering what the more experienced opinion is of others here? I've never had a hybrid, so can't compared to a mtb.
Thanks alot! 😉
Lots of good trails around Edinburgh for mid-week riding, so maybe get an MTB so you can ride it in the evenings as well? Get a spare set of wheels so you can switch between commute and MTB modes easily?
For that sort of distance, there would be little in it. Depends what you expect from the bike? are you going to cruise in taking it easy, or hammer it along?
For me, urban should be a simple nippy striped down machine that can be chucked about ( single speed, carbon rigid fork, disc brake, shinny tyres, and i'd personally go mtb frame )
For 3 miles I'd buy an mtb and not bother changing the tyres, it's not going to get you anything. Then you'll have the option of a midweek ride too.
Every hybrid I've ridden. I'd rather be on a roadbike or an MTB. I'd get a crossbike, if speed is an issue on the commute .. but 3 miles is no distance on a bike.
Don't know if a 29er is an option for £700 ..
for 3 miles i'd buy what ever ebc have on offer.
Get a decent hybrid with rigid forks, Cannondale Quick CX or similar and make the cockpit a bit more aggressive with whatever cash you have left in your pocket.
Thanks guys. I was in the Edin Bike Coop on Friday and they said they would match the Evans Rockhopper deal (they stopped it the week before). But, I then wondered if it was stupid to get another MTB. As you say, 3 miles is chicken-feed, I suppose I fancied picking up a bit of speed as I went along, but probably little in it between a hybrid and mtb for this (tyres may be more important).
I quite fancy getting into road cycling at some point, but I imagine this won't happen until our daughters leave home (or no longer wish to commicate with their parents, which is the current state of play with the 12-year old...).
If I ever learn to leave work early enough, it would be nice to try out some Edinburgh trails. I'm out in Trinity.