what bike for my short commute

[blueant27]

I'm after a bike for a short commute to and from work. The route is a mixture of road, paths, gravel and grass. It's only around 4 miles each way. My budget at the bottom end (under £500 ideally). I'm 5-11 so unsure on bike size too. I would prefer a flat bar and as light as possible.

Would rather a new one that I can just buy from a shop or online than troll trough auction sites etc

What would you guys suggest?

[TwistingMyMelon]

Will it be locked in a public place, is it a flat commute?

[blueant27]

No won't be locked anywhere. Will be garaged at home and will be safely next to me in the office at work. The commute is basically flat yes

[TwistingMyMelon]

If it was me I would be i'd look at a single speed, Mango bikes look nice, nice and simple and good fun. They do Single Speeds and geared bikes

I had a Kona Dew Hybrid , that was a great simple commuter, I think they retail @ about £400

[Gilhooligan]

I'm going to be commuting a similar distance soon and have been looking at this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-bi...

29er with 2" tyres and 3 speed internal geared hub. So should be easier to maintain.

[battered]

I'd go for one with an internal geared hub. Single speed sounds like a great idea until you are tired, it's cold, you have shopping and that 100 yard slope that you normally don't even notice becomes inpossible. Your budget is fine, £500 will get you a choice of really nice bikes.

[TwistingMyMelon]

My only slight concern with internal hub gears is parts and knowledge. Whilst they are usually require less maintenance, when they do go wrong local shops often don't have the parts or knowledge to fix. Not a major issue, but a pain if you ride every day. For example when my Tiagra mech snapped, the LBS grabbed one off the shelf , bolted it on, easy to reindex and I was out on the road the next day.

[SystemParanoia]

brompton?

[The Rookie]

I wouldn't go for a Mango or other road tyred bike for use on grass when its wet!

The Voodoo Marasa from Halfords is a great utility hybrid and with some lighter tyres its is quite a sprightly ride.

[Mammasaid]

I got a Norco Storm through my Bike to Work scheme, and it's great for similar duties.

Latest one is available from Evans ~ £500

https://www.evanscycles.com/norco-storm-9-1-2017-m...

[battered]

One thing you will want is mudguards. Yes, I know, cue flaming. All the internet hard men are able to cycle around the world without mudguards, indeed they have, nobody needs mudguards unless they are a girlyman who should be on the bus. However, trust me, when it's November, p*ssing down and you have just arrived at work for the 3rd day that week with filthy water dribbling down your ar5e crack, you will want mudguards.

[Deerfoot]

battered said:

One thing you will want is mudguards. Yes, I know, cue flaming. All the internet hard men are able to cycle around the world without mudguards, indeed they have, nobody needs mudguards unless they are a girlyman who should be on the bus. However, trust me, when it's November, p*ssing down and you have just arrived at work for the 3rd day that week with filthy water dribbling down your ar5e crack, you will want mudguards.

I rode all winter without mudguards.


I`ll not be doing the same this year.

[anonymous-user]

SystemParanoia said:

brompton?

Apart from paths/gravel/£500 budget (new) it's a great idea