Being the 'bike bloke' at work I've had the question posed. A very fit 50 year old bloke wants to ride to work - he is capable of running the 8 miles a couple of times a week but wants to give cycle commuting a go. So, 400 notes, flat-barred skinny-wheeled and able to take full mudguards - pannier mounts desired.
Is there anything nice out there at that price?
Check the Trek and Kona range of hybrids, should be something suitable for all tastes in there somewhere.
drop bars for sure. I have done 1500 miles on my pompino commuting this year and its perfect unless you have mental hills. There are loads of similar bikes for about £400.
I always had mtb things with skinny tyres before, I will never go back. I like the speed.
Have a look at the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Operative Courier, I went to have a look a few weeks ago.
Came away with a Pashley Princess though
If the commute is the majority through town(& traffic) I wouldn't recommend drop bars - brakes are too awkward to get to when a dumb-ass pedestrian steps out in front!
There's plenty of flat bar road bike options out there.
As a comprimise, I just ordered a dew deluxe for my commute - think the dew might be closer the £400 mark.
26 inch wheel - ridgeback storm. 700, Marin Belvedere.
The Boardman hybrids look really nice. Think £499 gets you the basic model but they seem to be much better value than the competition - would love to know how much Halfords are making on these things.
I've got a Revolution Courier Race, well, my brother does but I've stolen it. It's basic but it's good- 8 gears, bent coathanger frame, big wheels, weighs nothing. There was a disc version too, which I wish I had. But I think they may have been discontinued, and the new version seems to be on 26" wheels.
Drops make more sense, I don't like them personally but they're still better than flats for proper road riding.
got [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/my-new-commuter-bike ]this[/url] for £400. love it. skinny tyres (700c), road gearing, rack & mudguard mounts, carbon fork, fantastic geometry.
Something off the classifieds if it's his first bike? Then a bit more budget to spend on shoes/jackets/locks etc.