Best commuter for 20 miles?

[ALawson]

Any real experience on here for suitable bikes for commuting 20 miles, 2-3 times per week.

In theory I could drive Monday and Friday and take in shifts etc. for the week and then take home. However, I think it would be better having the ability to carry some load.

Ideally the bike should probably be -
hydraulic disk
drop handlebar
ultegra mechanical
titanium frame and carbon fork (maybe steel/aluminium)
tubeless ready wheels.

Budget as always is flexible, but no more than £1.5-2k.

I have ridden my Tarmac up to 220km in a single ride (and hanker for potentially longer distances), this bike could double up to that.

Any suggests and pointers would be helpful.

[bigdom]

I built up a Genesis Croix de Fer as my commuter, albeit in steel, with a whisky carbon fork. It has discs, I've mixed the groupset, so a blend of 105/Ultegra & Dura.

I has some wheels made up by DCR for commuting, Full SKS mudguards and 35c fit fine. They will run tubeless, never got around to running them that way though.

I use a rack and Ortlieb panniers - bulletproof and always dry. In hindsight, the only thing I'd do differently is add a Son dynamo to power lights - I might just have the wheel rebuilt pre winter.

Edited by bigdom on Tuesday 31st July 11:00

Edited by bigdom on Tuesday 31st July 11:03

[troc]

For year-round commuting, you really do need to include proper mudguard and a rack. I'd also agree with the above that a dynamo light would be almost essential.

I'd also consider looking at belt-drive and maybe Alfine, Rohloff or pinion gearing as these are all essentially maintenance-free.

Anything to make the journey less hassle will reduce the temptation to jump in the car instead

I've tried using a "proper" road bike with clip-on mudguards, narrow 25/28mm tyres, rucksack or messenger bag and battery-lights and there was always some issue with mudguards that didn't work, punctures or simply lack of comfort from high-pressure tyres, sore neck from riding drops in traffic, oil n crap everywhere, constant wear and maintenance of the drive in winter, sweaty back etc etc.

My commuting bike is a Canyon Commuter with a couple of modifications (Deore XT discs, tubeless brakes and XT touring pedals with SPDs on one side and flats on the other). I use it with ortlieb panniers. Maintenance involves the odd wipe down to remove caked-on mud, new brake pads and an annual oil change for the hub (5 minute job). I grab it from the shed, ride to work and in the evening just ride home again and chuck it back in the shed. I don't worry about oily, muddy chains or gummed up indeding or misaligned mechs.

[joema]

E-Bike!

[uncinqsix]

I would have thought any one of a number of CX or gravel/adventure bikes would do the job. Something like a Specialized Diverge.

Wider tyres do make commuting on crappy city roads much more comfy.

[Janosh]

Hi Alex, I did a 35km commute on a Specialized tri-cross, has mudguard mounts and space for 28c tyres. If riding all year, is spec it with nothing more than Tiagra or 105 (cheaper consumables and works just as well for commuting purposes) but as suggested would definitely go for hydraulic discs.

[Usget]

Pinnacle Arkose would do the job - the "3" spec gets you RS505 hydraulics, full 105, sensible gearing, bags of clearance for guards.

Or this is a bargain if you happen to be size 56. https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/gt...

[ALawson]

Route is Fleet to somewhere just South West of Reading, and could most likely be off main roads. I run 25mm tubeless at 80psi which is plenty comfortable at the moment. I initially planned to only ride over the more dryer months and defult to car.

I am keen to shift some lumber and I think commuting should be a good way to do that without having to sacrifice on the food too much. New work location is limited for eating "off campus" hence needing panniers for lunch etc.

I will have a look at those suggestions, I saw the canyon commuter with 11sp belt driven hub, not sure on the looks to be honest. Having now run Di2 for 3 years I almost need convincing not to get that.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I'd love something like this but would stick with 105 or even Tiagra for the gears. The cost of replacing Ultegra parts is more than 105, and if you are riding through the winter you will need to do that almost annually.
I have a small rucksack for my commutes, so I wouldn't be hung up on panniers. But then, I don't commute every day; I find that becomes too much of a chore. I like the option of driving when I am just not in the mood or the weather is a bit ropey.

[bakerstreet]

Thats quite a wish list for £1.5-2k.

I personally wouldn't run Dynamo lights. I am a recent convert to Lezyne USB2 Rechargable lights. I just re-charge them when I'm at work and have multiple lights, so if they run out mid commute, I always have a spare.

My commuting is fairly short now, but I used to do 17 miles each way three to four days a week.

I also ran a rucksack and it was fine. You can get a rucksack where the back has a mesh so it gives your skin space to breathe.

If you still want Titanium, then I would look at the Planet X or Kinesis frames and buy the bike in kit form. Some Hunt Four Season or CrossLight Wheels would be ideal, but I recon the build will still be north of £2k if you have to pay a shop to build it.

Edit: One By Drive train would also get my vote. No need to worry about front mech. I'd be fine with mechanical brakes. SRAM Apex One might be a good choice

[ALawson]

bakerstreet said:

Thats quite a wish list for £1.5-2k.

I personally wouldn't run Dynamo lights. I am a recent convert to Lezyne USB2 Rechargable lights. I just re-charge them when I'm at work and have multiple lights, so if they run out mid commute, I always have a spare.

My commuting is fairly short now, but I used to do 17 miles each way three to four days a week.

I also ran a rucksack and it was fine. You can get a rucksack where the back has a mesh so it gives your skin space to breathe.

If you still want Titanium, then I would look at the Planet X or Kinesis frames and buy the bike in kit form. Some Hunt Four Season or CrossLight Wheels would be ideal, but I recon the build will still be north of £2k if you have to pay a shop to build it.

Agreed on Titanium, nice material but a bit of an indulgence. Hadn't considered a back pack, I suppose commuting would be at a more Z1/2 level of effort so less likely to sweat up.

[Barchettaman]

Drivetrain takes a beating on a year-round commuter, so I wouldn’t use anything as nice as Ultegra. 10-speed Tiagra with nice cables/housing will be more than adequate.

I have Avid BB7 on my commuter, and they’re proving robust and effective albeit not as nice to use as a hydraulic set up. One major advantage, however, is that with mechanical discs it’s easy to add a set of interrupter levers on the ‘tops, which I love for urban riding.

I’d also look for a mega-robust, high-spoked wheelset. Commuting in the dark and wet means you’re more likely to hit pot holes etc.

Best of luck with the build. Happy to post a photo of mine if you’re interested (build cost ca. €500)

[Janosh]

Usget said:

Or this is a bargain if you happen to be size 56. https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/gt...

Great suggestion, exactly what I'd be looking at, leaving plenty of budget for mudguards, lights, etc.. quite tempted myself!!

[option click]

CX bike will do the job.

I do my 25 mile commute on a Specialized Crux X1 Expert.
Sram X1 keeps it nice and simple plus the benefits of hydraulic brakes.

It's pretty fast too.

Edited by option click on Wednesday 1st August 08:42

[Usget]

Proper CX bikes often don't have guard mounts though, hence posting a couple of more - sorry for using the term - "gravel" type bikes.

OP - Kinesis Tripster AT frame might be another good, if pricey, option. £700 for the frame, £500 for a 105 hydro groupset, £300 for a set of Mason x Hunt 4 Seasons, gives you £500 to spend on the other bits. And when you've finished commuting on it you could ride it to mongolia if you fancied.

[option click]

That sounds good.

I can't understand the mentality that a commute bike should be some heavy, cheap, ugly chunk of crap - you're going to be riding it a lot so you should make sure you actually want to ride it.

[ALawson]

Usget said:

Proper CX bikes often don't have guard mounts though, hence posting a couple of more - sorry for using the term - "gravel" type bikes.

OP - Kinesis Tripster AT frame might be another good, if pricey, option. £700 for the frame, £500 for a 105 hydro groupset, £300 for a set of Mason x Hunt 4 Seasons, gives you £500 to spend on the other bits. And when you've finished commuting on it you could ride it to mongolia if you fancied.

I saw there were a few AT frames on the TCR pre start photos. Any wheels will not be from Hunt will support a UK based wheel builder but thanks for the pointer for the Kinesis frame!

[bakerstreet]

Usget said:

Proper CX bikes often don't have guard mounts though, hence posting a couple of more - sorry for using the term - "gravel" type bikes.

OP - Kinesis Tripster AT frame might be another good, if pricey, option. £700 for the frame, £500 for a 105 hydro groupset, £300 for a set of Mason x Hunt 4 Seasons, gives you £500 to spend on the other bits. And when you've finished commuting on it you could ride it to mongolia if you fancied.

Some can take guards. I think the Boardman ali CX bike can (Has proper mounts)

I don't really get Gravel Bikes. I suppose the industry is always looking for a niche and Gravel bikes is it.

[louiebaby]

I just got a Pinnacle Arkose 8, which has an Alfine Hub. (8 speed.)

I've put a rack on it, and have guards to go on when I get a longer bolt for the front.

The back wheel is currently away being re-built with double-hard-bd spokes, as I'm a rather lumpy 100 and a bit kgs, but otherwise, I'm very pleased with it. I've put 32c Gatorskin Hardshells on, and will be using it through the winter for 7 mile each way commutes, 5 days a week.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-alfine...

Happy so far, might be worth considering...

[Barchettaman]

option click said:

I can't understand the mentality that a commute bike should be some heavy, cheap, ugly chunk of crap - you're going to be riding it a lot so you should make sure you actually want to ride it.

It should be 'overbuilt', not too attractive to thieves, have mudguards, lights and rack/panniers, be robust, have puncture-resistant tyres and a comfortable saddle.

You'll be riding it a lot, so you want to make sure it isn't broken, doesn't get nicked, is reliable in all weather conditions and comfy.

Just my 2 cents