Bike to work - Out my depth!
Discussion
Hi guys, I've been commuting on an old Carrera Crossfire Hybrid.
The commute is 75% roads a bit hilly, 25% gravel and forest floor with a little mud, also a bit hilly but relatively smooth all the way. Ten mile round trip only.
My employer do a ride to work scheme with Evans and I'm looking at their 2019 sale bikes just now. Budget wise I'm looking at;
Cube Nature EXC
Trek FX3
Cannondale Quick Disc 4
Alternatively they have a couple of 2020 Specialized models, Sirrus and Crosstrail that are on budget.
Haven't a clue which would be best for me, they are all a marked improvement on the pedals I'm using just now!
Any advice to a relative newbie, still on a budget?
The commute is 75% roads a bit hilly, 25% gravel and forest floor with a little mud, also a bit hilly but relatively smooth all the way. Ten mile round trip only.
My employer do a ride to work scheme with Evans and I'm looking at their 2019 sale bikes just now. Budget wise I'm looking at;
Cube Nature EXC
Trek FX3
Cannondale Quick Disc 4
Alternatively they have a couple of 2020 Specialized models, Sirrus and Crosstrail that are on budget.
Haven't a clue which would be best for me, they are all a marked improvement on the pedals I'm using just now!
Any advice to a relative newbie, still on a budget?
ALY77 said:
Hi guys, I've been commuting on an old Carrera Crossfire Hybrid.
The commute is 75% roads a bit hilly, 25% gravel and forest floor with a little mud, also a bit hilly but relatively smooth all the way. Ten mile round trip only.
My employer do a ride to work scheme with Evans and I'm looking at their 2019 sale bikes just now. Budget wise I'm looking at;
Cube Nature EXC
Trek FX3
Cannondale Quick Disc 4
Alternatively they have a couple of 2020 Specialized models, Sirrus and Crosstrail that are on budget.
Haven't a clue which would be best for me, they are all a marked improvement on the pedals I'm using just now!
Any advice to a relative newbie, still on a budget?
Fit is important, so which one fits the best and then choose colour/look The commute is 75% roads a bit hilly, 25% gravel and forest floor with a little mud, also a bit hilly but relatively smooth all the way. Ten mile round trip only.
My employer do a ride to work scheme with Evans and I'm looking at their 2019 sale bikes just now. Budget wise I'm looking at;
Cube Nature EXC
Trek FX3
Cannondale Quick Disc 4
Alternatively they have a couple of 2020 Specialized models, Sirrus and Crosstrail that are on budget.
Haven't a clue which would be best for me, they are all a marked improvement on the pedals I'm using just now!
Any advice to a relative newbie, still on a budget?
Thanks for the replies guys.
I ended up plumping for the Cube, mostly as I liked the mainly matt black finish and partly as I found a friend with an unhealthy, but on this occasion useful, knowledge of bikes who steered me away from the CD which I'd been leaning towards due to the material the frame was made from!?!
Its not huge distances I'm doing daily but the difference between an old Carrera and the new cube is night and day. Even managed to overtake some other cyclists on the new one. The hydraulic brakes are taking a bit of getting used to mind.
Now looking at additional illumination options as the nights are drawing in!
I ended up plumping for the Cube, mostly as I liked the mainly matt black finish and partly as I found a friend with an unhealthy, but on this occasion useful, knowledge of bikes who steered me away from the CD which I'd been leaning towards due to the material the frame was made from!?!
Its not huge distances I'm doing daily but the difference between an old Carrera and the new cube is night and day. Even managed to overtake some other cyclists on the new one. The hydraulic brakes are taking a bit of getting used to mind.
Now looking at additional illumination options as the nights are drawing in!
ALY77 said:
Thanks for the replies guys.
I ended up plumping for the Cube, mostly as I liked the mainly matt black finish and partly as I found a friend with an unhealthy, but on this occasion useful, knowledge of bikes who steered me away from the CD which I'd been leaning towards due to the material the frame was made from!?!
Its not huge distances I'm doing daily but the difference between an old Carrera and the new cube is night and day. Even managed to overtake some other cyclists on the new one. The hydraulic brakes are taking a bit of getting used to mind.
Now looking at additional illumination options as the nights are drawing in!
Try Halfords. No, seriously!I ended up plumping for the Cube, mostly as I liked the mainly matt black finish and partly as I found a friend with an unhealthy, but on this occasion useful, knowledge of bikes who steered me away from the CD which I'd been leaning towards due to the material the frame was made from!?!
Its not huge distances I'm doing daily but the difference between an old Carrera and the new cube is night and day. Even managed to overtake some other cyclists on the new one. The hydraulic brakes are taking a bit of getting used to mind.
Now looking at additional illumination options as the nights are drawing in!
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-lights/bike-...
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-lights/bike-...
Both come with a rubber/silicon strap, but the mount can be swapped to fit a GoPro type bracket (supplied) with a single Allen Key. Both have, in addition to the usb charger input, a usb "powerbank" output port, so it's more than just a front light, and can be used to recharge a rear light or a phone, etc.
The 1600 lumen model is properly bright, as in charging around the woodland single track on a MTB at night bright. I bought two when there was an offer on (they were £35 at the time) and they have eight brightness modes, three of which are flashing variations. Battery life is decent too, 3 hours at "full whack", more on lower outputs. The led bar on the top of the unit acts as a "fuel gauge" too, so you get warning of impending loss of power, and it will dim itself if it overheats, or if it's running low on power to enter a "get-you-home" mode.
There's also a remote control button you can add to cycle through the brightness settings and turn it on/off without letting go of the bars. I bought one for my MTB and it's more useful than I thought it would be. Mine was only £5.
For rear lights I'd look at Moon or Cateye, or perhaps a Bontrager Flare.
Edited by yellowjack on Sunday 1st September 23:28
yellowjack said:
Try Halfords. No, seriously!
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-lights/bike-...
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-lights/bike-...
Both come with a rubber/silicon strap, but the mount can be swapped to fit a GoPro type bracket (supplied) with a single Allen Key. Both have, in addition to the usb charger input, a usb "powerbank" output port, so it's more than just a front light, and can be used to recharge a rear light or a phone, etc.
The 1600 lumen model is properly bright, as in charging around the woodland single track on a MTB at night bright. I bought two when there was an offer on (they were £35 at the time) and they have eight brightness modes, three of which are flashing variations. Battery life is decent too, 3 hours at "full whack", more on lower outputs. The led bar on the top of the unit acts as a "fuel gauge" too, so you get warning of impending loss of power, and it will dim itself if it overheats, or if it's running low on power to enter a "get-you-home" mode.
There's also a remote control button you can add to cycle through the brightness settings and turn it on/off without letting go of the bars. I bought one for my MTB and it's more useful than I thought it would be. Mine was only £5.
For rear lights I'd look at Moon or Cateye, or perhaps a Bontrager Flare.
Wow, they seem fantastic value for money lights! https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-lights/bike-...
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-lights/bike-...
Both come with a rubber/silicon strap, but the mount can be swapped to fit a GoPro type bracket (supplied) with a single Allen Key. Both have, in addition to the usb charger input, a usb "powerbank" output port, so it's more than just a front light, and can be used to recharge a rear light or a phone, etc.
The 1600 lumen model is properly bright, as in charging around the woodland single track on a MTB at night bright. I bought two when there was an offer on (they were £35 at the time) and they have eight brightness modes, three of which are flashing variations. Battery life is decent too, 3 hours at "full whack", more on lower outputs. The led bar on the top of the unit acts as a "fuel gauge" too, so you get warning of impending loss of power, and it will dim itself if it overheats, or if it's running low on power to enter a "get-you-home" mode.
There's also a remote control button you can add to cycle through the brightness settings and turn it on/off without letting go of the bars. I bought one for my MTB and it's more useful than I thought it would be. Mine was only £5.
For rear lights I'd look at Moon or Cateye, or perhaps a Bontrager Flare.
Edited by yellowjack on Sunday 1st September 23:28
OP, I would suggest two cheap rear lights. I always have two on my winter rides, you can never be sure when one will run out of charge on you, and the feeling of trying to get home without a rear light is awful. I have one that is USB rechargeable, and one that runs on a tiny AAA battery; if you get so into weight saving that you can't bear the thought of carrying a spare AAA battery you have to rethink!
Agreed on running multiple lights. Moon shield for the rear is cheap and does a good job. Get some reflective tape for the rear and the cranks too. Spoke reflectors are good and cheap too.
As for the front it really depends if you’ll be riding on unlit roads or cycle paths with oncoming traffic. In that case you can’t run silly lumens, so something with a focused beam is more useful. It’s a lot of money but I’d recommend something like the Exposure Strada. It’s a lot of money but buy cheap buy twice. You won’t be charging it every two minutes either.
I also use a smaller second front light, a Cateye Volt, and run it flashing during the day. That way if you get caught out later than expected at least you’ve a light on you to get you home. In winter it’s a useful backup light.
Good luck and enjoy!
As for the front it really depends if you’ll be riding on unlit roads or cycle paths with oncoming traffic. In that case you can’t run silly lumens, so something with a focused beam is more useful. It’s a lot of money but I’d recommend something like the Exposure Strada. It’s a lot of money but buy cheap buy twice. You won’t be charging it every two minutes either.
I also use a smaller second front light, a Cateye Volt, and run it flashing during the day. That way if you get caught out later than expected at least you’ve a light on you to get you home. In winter it’s a useful backup light.
Good luck and enjoy!
I've got a moon Nebula on way for the back.
Already have a little button style light that runs on a couple of 2032 batteries so will stick with that too as a secondary.
Still looking for something to go on the front.
To avoid going up steep hills I go to work entirely on the road, but come back mostly on dedicated paths. Having given some attention to both routes, they're mostly lit, forest area aside of course if I use that route.
Also looking at Proviz rucksacks/jackets. The stand for in the garage is on way too.
This cycling lark is as easy to start spending on as cars!
Already have a little button style light that runs on a couple of 2032 batteries so will stick with that too as a secondary.
Still looking for something to go on the front.
To avoid going up steep hills I go to work entirely on the road, but come back mostly on dedicated paths. Having given some attention to both routes, they're mostly lit, forest area aside of course if I use that route.
Also looking at Proviz rucksacks/jackets. The stand for in the garage is on way too.
This cycling lark is as easy to start spending on as cars!
Sounds like the Halfords light will be ideal then, will cover the be seen element in town and will light up the trail.
As for proviz I’m not so convinced by the visibility during a dull day, the grey will blend with the clouds and roads etc.
I use a standard hi viz rucksack cover, and a light underneath it attached to the bag, as well as a reflective helmet. Planet X did a cheapy, if not reflectives or a white helmet is a good start.
As for proviz I’m not so convinced by the visibility during a dull day, the grey will blend with the clouds and roads etc.
I use a standard hi viz rucksack cover, and a light underneath it attached to the bag, as well as a reflective helmet. Planet X did a cheapy, if not reflectives or a white helmet is a good start.
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