Fixie, Hybrid, Racer - Daily Commute

[Matt106]

In the next couple of weeks my job is moving a lot closer to home. It'll be 2 miles each way until I move house then it'll be 6 each way.

My dilemma is what bike to buy? Do I go for a fixie type bike which has minimal parts to be stolen, hybrid for the gears or full on racer to get home twice as quick?

I have got a big concern about the bike being stolen due to the area so the max budget is £100.

So if any of you commuters out there can give me some advice that would be great

[anonymous-user]

£100 will get you something useable on ebay, look for old steel framed rigid mountain bikes from the early 90s. there are loads out there just dont be tempted to get one with suspension, it will be heavy and not work, the simpler the better. I paid £60 for a useable old saracen which is my pub bike.

Fixies are trendy and thus have a premium attached and you wont get a uesable racer for £100. Age and appearance will deter most thieves although leaving a lock at your destination is a fairly useful and common practice for commuters.... then at least you can consider increasing the budget a bit and use it for other things...

[Steve vRS]

pablo said:

.... then at least you can consider increasing the budget a bit and use it for other things...

Careful. Small increases often turn into large increases!

Steve

[Matt106]

I'll need to carry the lock with me as the bike sheds are off site and I wouldn't want to risk it being vandalised.

I looked out old MTB's but wasn't sure they'd be up to the job of potentially a 12 mile round trip. The 'retro' ones are stating to look like they're worth more than £100 now so could be targeted?

[scubadude]

FWIW I have a 23yr old very early mountain bike, almost like a tourer geometry with cheapo slicks on for rolling into town/pub etc bike, its totally hideous and unappealing... but has recieved much TLC and rolls almost as sweatly as my road bike, it would easily do a 6mile commute, so don't be detered my a old MTB.

FWIW, defo get a geared bike, at some point you may want to carry things into work in a backpac or on a rack, once loaded up you might appreciate some gearing :-)

[2volvos]

Have a hunt around eBay for an old steel framed road bike from makes like Peugeot or Raliegh. It'll be tough enough for the commute and old enough to deter the thieves. And old steel bikes carry extra man points.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAPViewInCat.a...

Bumblebee auctions is a police auction site and usually has some old bikes on it, I paid £20 for a nasty Townsend thing to use as the basis for a custom project, every now and then something good appears but mostly its deep in the snotter territory but ideal for theft-proof commuters...

[donfisher]

pablo said:

but ideal for theft-proof commuters...

Except that presumably they got nicked in the first place?

[2volvos]

2volvos said:

Have a hunt around eBay for an old steel framed road bike from makes like Peugeot or Raliegh. It'll be tough enough for the commute and old enough to deter the thieves. And old steel bikes carry extra man points.

For instance...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Carlton-Grand-Pr...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Road-Bike-57cm-5...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Classic-Elite-My...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RALEIGH-Vintage-Retro-Ro...

There are hundreds of others...

[Matt106]

2volvos said:

For instance...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Carlton-Grand-Pr...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Road-Bike-57cm-5...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Classic-Elite-My...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RALEIGH-Vintage-Retro-Ro...

There are hundreds of others...

These are perfect, thanks for the links. I'll continue my search this evening and hopefully come across something local at a good price.

[2volvos]

Matt106 said:

These are perfect, thanks for the links. I'll continue my search this evening and hopefully come across something local at a good price.

Cool - that Carlton at the top is the one I'd have! Had pretty much that exact bike as a teenager.

If you read Slaying the Badger, about the Hinault/Lemond TdF rivalry, apparently Lemond had a lawnmowing round to save up for one of these as his first bike.

Good luck with the search.

Cheers

[shadylee]

I defiantly agree with the "older the less nick able " mantra,I use a Raleigh marauder to get 2 miles to the train station and back,never been touched once lol