First commuter bike

[northernboy]

OK, apologies if the thread I posted in Pie and istn comes over here, but...

I want a bike to commute across London on. I have a nice road bike, but it is not really right for the commute, so I probably wanta hybrid. Bit more of a relaxed riding position, will not break on the potholes, etc.

Any thoughts? A Trek 4500, or a Cannondale F600 (I think) looked OK, but there are bloody thousands of different ones out there.

[emicen]

As per reply in P&P. Halfords stock GT's and their i-drive full suspension rigs are well spec'd, not very expensive and efficient for a full sus. They'd be my choice for urban commuting.

Cannondale make lovely bikes, attention to detail in the frame etc is second to none, but they are very expensive compared to the competition and a lot of their engineering benefits are very hard to quantify.

[sjg]

For commuting and general hacking about, I'd buy one of these:

www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=6922&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=

EBC Courier Race, down to just over £200 this weekend. All the bits you need (although I'd add mudguards), none of the bits you don't and less likely to attract thieves than a Trek or Cannondale.

Edited by sjg on Saturday 12th May 15:39

[beyond rational]

emicen said:

As per reply in P&P. Halfords stock GT's and their i-drive full suspension rigs are well spec'd, not very expensive and efficient for a full sus. They'd be my choice for urban commuting.

Cannondale make lovely bikes, attention to detail in the frame etc is second to none, but they are very expensive compared to the competition and a lot of their engineering benefits are very hard to quantify.

Why would you want a cheapo full suspension bike for commuting? He wants a hybrid.

[northernboy]

Bikes have changed so much since I last took them seriously that I feel a bit lost, but yes, i'd have maybe thought that I should avoid suspension for road work.

I'd appreciate hearing others' views, though.

[northernboy]

As this probably comes down to me finding a nice bike near home, I may just get the Cannondale that the bloke down the street is selling for £400.

If it's in very good condition, can people let me know if that sounds like a reasonable price?

Thanks.

[snotrag]

northernboy said:

As this probably comes down to me finding a nice bike near home, I may just get the Cannondale that the bloke down the street is selling for £400.

If it's in very good condition, can people let me know if that sounds like a reasonable price?

Thanks.

Find out what model and spec it is... But most cannondales are pretty highly specced, could be a good buy if its all in good nick.

[northernboy]

It is an F700. Not one of the top cannodales, but, I think, it will do the job.

I think I prefer to get a used "decent" bike than a new cheaper one, so will give this one a try.

Thanks for the input, everyone.