Thinking of cycling to work - recommend me a bike
Discussion
Hi all,
I am starting a new job in the coming weeks which is 5-6 miles from home depending on route. This is across Sheffield from the bottom of ecclesall road/sharrow to Meadowhall area. It will be the shortest commute I have had and thought that it would be a good opportunity to cycle to save some money and get fit, plus it is likely to take 20-30 minutes in the car depending on traffic so about 35 mins on the bike?
I'm really not sure on the type of bike I would like/should get? I do prefer mountain bikes to road bikes and would like something that can stand being thrown up and down curbs and up and down steps through underpasses etc. basically something that can take a bit of hammer.
Strange analogy but I would like more of a hot hatch than a sports saloon.
Budget is likely to be up to £500 I would think, will also be looking to see if the new company have a cycle to work scheme I can take advantage of.
Would really appreciate your thoughts as I am a bit out of touch with cycling.
Cheers
Matt
I am starting a new job in the coming weeks which is 5-6 miles from home depending on route. This is across Sheffield from the bottom of ecclesall road/sharrow to Meadowhall area. It will be the shortest commute I have had and thought that it would be a good opportunity to cycle to save some money and get fit, plus it is likely to take 20-30 minutes in the car depending on traffic so about 35 mins on the bike?
I'm really not sure on the type of bike I would like/should get? I do prefer mountain bikes to road bikes and would like something that can stand being thrown up and down curbs and up and down steps through underpasses etc. basically something that can take a bit of hammer.
Strange analogy but I would like more of a hot hatch than a sports saloon.
Budget is likely to be up to £500 I would think, will also be looking to see if the new company have a cycle to work scheme I can take advantage of.
Would really appreciate your thoughts as I am a bit out of touch with cycling.
Cheers
Matt
If it was me i'd get something like this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Or this
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
They'll be quick, easy to manoeuvre in traffic and pretty good fun, although you wouldn't be able to smash it about like a mountain bike as I don't think the wheels would last long.
Depending how many lights slow you down you should be able to manage 12-14mph average speed fairly easily so should take about 30mins - probably less when you get into it.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Or this
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
They'll be quick, easy to manoeuvre in traffic and pretty good fun, although you wouldn't be able to smash it about like a mountain bike as I don't think the wheels would last long.
Depending how many lights slow you down you should be able to manage 12-14mph average speed fairly easily so should take about 30mins - probably less when you get into it.
Edited by scottri on Thursday 5th December 09:39
Would you use it other than for cycling to work and back?
You say you prefer mountain bikes - is that for the looks or because you expect to use it off road at the weekends?
Mountain bikes are popular in the UK as a lot of people see them as good all rounders - I'm not convinced they are the best bet for the main part of your journey (the commute) though. I'd say you need something practical for that - something with mudguards, perhaps a rack, slick tyres rather than nobblies (it is easy to swap the nobbly tyres on a mountain bike for slicks). Maybe hub gears for low maintenance.
You can get some pretty good hybrids for the price you are talking about. They would have fat enough tyres for slightly rougher stuff, a comfortable uprightish riding position, etc. Some people prefer road bikes for the commute but they do tend to come with thinner tyres, no mudguards, etc - for a shortish 6 mile commute, the long distance capability of a road bike is wasted.
Something like this would work well.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/globe/work-3-2...
In practice you'll get a mountain bike because you like the look!
If you do, make sure you don't go for full suspension (will be awful at that price) and make sure the forks lock out to make it easier on road. And make sure there is enough in the budget for a pair of slick tyres and mudguards!
You say you prefer mountain bikes - is that for the looks or because you expect to use it off road at the weekends?
Mountain bikes are popular in the UK as a lot of people see them as good all rounders - I'm not convinced they are the best bet for the main part of your journey (the commute) though. I'd say you need something practical for that - something with mudguards, perhaps a rack, slick tyres rather than nobblies (it is easy to swap the nobbly tyres on a mountain bike for slicks). Maybe hub gears for low maintenance.
You can get some pretty good hybrids for the price you are talking about. They would have fat enough tyres for slightly rougher stuff, a comfortable uprightish riding position, etc. Some people prefer road bikes for the commute but they do tend to come with thinner tyres, no mudguards, etc - for a shortish 6 mile commute, the long distance capability of a road bike is wasted.
Something like this would work well.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/globe/work-3-2...
In practice you'll get a mountain bike because you like the look!
If you do, make sure you don't go for full suspension (will be awful at that price) and make sure the forks lock out to make it easier on road. And make sure there is enough in the budget for a pair of slick tyres and mudguards!You might want to have a sturdy bike as there are some good off road cycle routes that will take quite a lot of time off your route. There is the Transpennine trail along the canal/ river and cycle cut throughs in the city centre as well. 30 minutes sounds reasonable , it will probably much quicker than the car in rush hour.
Look at https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads/travel/cycling/... for the routes in the city centre. Sometimes its worth taking the cycle route other times not. The best thing is to experiment and explore.
I use a mountain bike with smoothish tyres and this seems OK for this type of riding.
Look at https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/roads/travel/cycling/... for the routes in the city centre. Sometimes its worth taking the cycle route other times not. The best thing is to experiment and explore.
I use a mountain bike with smoothish tyres and this seems OK for this type of riding.
For Sheffield City Centre you'll probably want a full blown downhill bike to survive the potholes!
I've been commuting on my road bike for the last year or so but it's starting to take it's toll on it so I want to switch to the MTB. What puts me off is how slow MTBs are in comparison.
If you want to stick with an MTB then a 29er is probably a good idea. I'm in a similar position, and I just cant quite bring myself to want a hybrid. Plus I'm still likely to go MTBing still.
If your not using cycle to work then there's plenty of deals on ebay. Or dare I suggest Gumtree???
If buying new have a nip over the road from work to Planet X.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBOOIN29SRX5/o...
I've been commuting on my road bike for the last year or so but it's starting to take it's toll on it so I want to switch to the MTB. What puts me off is how slow MTBs are in comparison.
If you want to stick with an MTB then a 29er is probably a good idea. I'm in a similar position, and I just cant quite bring myself to want a hybrid. Plus I'm still likely to go MTBing still.
If your not using cycle to work then there's plenty of deals on ebay. Or dare I suggest Gumtree???
If buying new have a nip over the road from work to Planet X.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBOOIN29SRX5/o...
Carrera Subway is my go-to recommendation for this. Mountain bike geometry with no unneeded suspension forks to go wrong and tyres which wont kill you if you hit a pothole.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
It's closer to a mountain bike than the Boardman Hybrid linked above.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
It's closer to a mountain bike than the Boardman Hybrid linked above.
Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 5th December 10:39
Boardman Hybrid is a great bike for the money unless you have a decathlon local, (or happy to pop pedal / bars etc on yourself).
In which case http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53-mountain-b...
Spend £20 on smooth tyres http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Nutrak-Slick-MTB... for a smoother and much easier ride on paths / roads but with plenty of puncture protection.
In which case http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53-mountain-b...
Spend £20 on smooth tyres http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Nutrak-Slick-MTB... for a smoother and much easier ride on paths / roads but with plenty of puncture protection.
budgie smuggler said:
Carrera Subway is my go-to recommendation for this. Mountain bike geometry with no unneeded suspension forks to go wrong and tyres which wont kill you if you hit a pothole.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
It's closer to a mountain bike than the Boardman Hybrid linked above.
Ive 2000 miles of mainly commuting on my Subway this year,it takes endless abuse and is a great all rounder.http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
It's closer to a mountain bike than the Boardman Hybrid linked above.
Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 5th December 10:39
Mines a lower spec and older model than that one, that new colour scheme looks pretty sexy, great for the money.
I have a MTB (for proper offroad shennanigans) and a road bike for commutes (11 miles each way) and weekend pleasure rides.
But... if my commute was only about 6 miles and i could only have one bike, i would get a mountain bike. Yes, it will be slower, but for that distance the time difference is slight, and at least you can use the MTB for any form of riding at the weekend. If you got a road bike or a hybrid, you wouldnt be able to take it properly offroad.
But... if my commute was only about 6 miles and i could only have one bike, i would get a mountain bike. Yes, it will be slower, but for that distance the time difference is slight, and at least you can use the MTB for any form of riding at the weekend. If you got a road bike or a hybrid, you wouldnt be able to take it properly offroad.
Thank you everyone for the advice, I would be looking for something I could use at the weekend too as I have a few mates who do quite a bit in the peaks so tagging along with them would be a good goal when the fitness improves.
I understand the idea of the hybrid but I'm not sure I would feel the benefit, I like the idea of being able to bomb down the canal paths on my route as has been suggested.
I think something like the B-twin looks like it could be a good contender, price for me to get some extras for the commute tyres good helmet clothing etc.
I have a decathlon less than 1/2 mile from me. what are people's opinion on the b-twin kit?
I'm really starting to like the sound of this now. It's exciting
Might have to grab my old Raleigh out of the cellar and see if that can be used to try it out, although I feel it may need too much work to sort it out and it's a heavy old bit of kit.
I understand the idea of the hybrid but I'm not sure I would feel the benefit, I like the idea of being able to bomb down the canal paths on my route as has been suggested.
I think something like the B-twin looks like it could be a good contender, price for me to get some extras for the commute tyres good helmet clothing etc.
I have a decathlon less than 1/2 mile from me. what are people's opinion on the b-twin kit?
I'm really starting to like the sound of this now. It's exciting
Might have to grab my old Raleigh out of the cellar and see if that can be used to try it out, although I feel it may need too much work to sort it out and it's a heavy old bit of kit.
Hmmm if you want to go offroading in the peaks I wouldn't recommend it instead something like this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Friend has just bought one and he is your size too he really likes it.
But remember it wont be a "sports hatch" for your commute like the subway.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Friend has just bought one and he is your size too he really likes it.
But remember it wont be a "sports hatch" for your commute like the subway.
If you want to do proper off-roading on the weekend, how about this Boardman in the Halfords clearance?
British Cycling membership to get your extra 10% off and you're pretty close to your £500 budget.
British Cycling membership to get your extra 10% off and you're pretty close to your £500 budget.
sorry I thought budget was 2-300, if £500 available I would look at boardman on clearance and do a better deal plus BCF discount and a bike to work voucher . Or Indeed look at decathlon who have some decent bikes in that budget . But you wont get as good a deal as a clearance boardman I don't think.
I have had one of these for a couple of months through my bike to work scheme.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwoeNHfLU4c
It's remarkably comfortable on and off road, the components all seem reliable and consistent and it's well put together.
Have done some trail riding in muddy and wet conditions and it's been great on all surfaces so far. I have not tested it in 'proper' off road conditions yet ie where you would normally expect to use an MTB but I get the impression it would be competent enough not to fall apart too readily.
If your usage will primarily commuting and trail/cross country riding rather than downhill mtb / rocks etc then I would seriously consider a hybrid.
My Hardtail gary fisher has not turned a wheel since I got this as it's so much easier on the hybrid for most of the riding I do.
Edited to add .... It's got locking forks for on road use and all the necessary brackets for attaching mudguards and panniers if you so wish.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwoeNHfLU4c
It's remarkably comfortable on and off road, the components all seem reliable and consistent and it's well put together.
Have done some trail riding in muddy and wet conditions and it's been great on all surfaces so far. I have not tested it in 'proper' off road conditions yet ie where you would normally expect to use an MTB but I get the impression it would be competent enough not to fall apart too readily.
If your usage will primarily commuting and trail/cross country riding rather than downhill mtb / rocks etc then I would seriously consider a hybrid.
My Hardtail gary fisher has not turned a wheel since I got this as it's so much easier on the hybrid for most of the riding I do.
Edited to add .... It's got locking forks for on road use and all the necessary brackets for attaching mudguards and panniers if you so wish.
Edited by 4lf4-155 on Thursday 5th December 22:48
Edited by 4lf4-155 on Thursday 5th December 22:49
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