What bike for London?

[NobleLord]

I have a basic mountain bike at my home in the sticks, but am living in London during the week and have come up with a cunning plan to keep a bike up here and cycle to some nice pubs this summer

I know little or nothing about bikes, but I do know that I don't want a street type racing bike with the thin wheels... I'm 16 stone and 6ft tall (rugby player) and I'd look a bit daft on one.

So; what should I get for my weekday evenings in London? I like mountain bikes, but doubt that I need anything really rugged as I'll be on the road most of the time. As it's a second bike, I don't want to spend all that much so I guess Fleabay's my best bet...

One last question; does anyone know of a good little GPS with a road database that you can attached to the handles of a bike and that has a reasonable battery life? A quick search on Google has provided a couple that are great for getting across the hills but none with a road database buit in.

Thanks,
NL

[schmalex]

I guess you are looking for a Hybrid. More robust than a road bike, but quicker than a mountain bike (larger wheels, less weight).

My wife has a hybrid & on roads or dusty tracks, she smokes me on my mountain bike everytime (even when I was a little fitter than now!!)

Something like these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=3108

[NobleLord]

schmalex said:

I guess you are looking for a Hybrid. More robust than a road bike, but quicker than a mountain bike (larger wheels, less weight).

My wife has a hybrid & on roads or dusty tracks, she smokes me on my mountain bike everytime (even when I was a little fitter than now!!)

Something like these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=3108

Thanks... That's the sort of thing I'm looking for. Do you know of any other makes as there aren't many of these of ebay right now?

NL

[pdV6]

Any rigid framed MTB with a set of fat slicks on will do you proud.

[schmalex]

NobleLord said:

schmalex said:

I guess you are looking for a Hybrid. More robust than a road bike, but quicker than a mountain bike (larger wheels, less weight).

My wife has a hybrid & on roads or dusty tracks, she smokes me on my mountain bike everytime (even when I was a little fitter than now!!)

Something like these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=3108

Thanks... That's the sort of thing I'm looking for. Do you know of any other makes as there aren't many of these of ebay right now?

NL

voila

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=1032

As said in the other post, failing a hybrid, any MTB with slicks will be fine

[dubbs]

I've just converted my Specialized Allez to a flat bar. 700c wheels, light frame, comfy geometry and flat bar for great manoeuverability (ugh! spelling!) and good brake leverage.

Why not do the same - get a reasonable and cheap road bike off ebay and spend a couple of quid converting it to flat bar?

I'd definitely go that route or hybrid rather than MTB as those small wheels and off-road gearing limits your speed significantly.

[will_]

Go second hand. If it looks flash it will get nicked. I bought a Marin for £80 and spent a few quid on mudguards and a rack, added some thinner puncture resistant tyres and an air horn - and that's my 100 mile a week commuter hack. Much as I'd love a proper racer I can't justify the risk of it getting nicked or crashed. Mine is a flat bar hybrid with quick shift trigger gears.

TBH any cheapish bike the right size would be fine for what you want to do. Gumtree is also a good place to look, though there are some very dodgy bikes on there - always ask if they have the original receipt.

[GHW]

will_ said:

Go second hand. If it looks flash it will get nicked.

Very good advice. Chap I know used to commute on a heavy, rusty old ladies town bike, complete with 3 speed hub gearing. He could leave it outside any tube station in the capital safe in the knowledge that it would still be there when he went back to collect it

[mk1fan]

Cotic Road Rat, Kona Paddy Wagon, Surly Karate. Single speed bikes, 700 wheels, mtb biased geometry.

[NobleLord]

mk1fan said:

Cotic Road Rat, Kona Paddy Wagon, Surly Karate. Single speed bikes, 700 wheels, mtb biased geometry.

I don't know much about bikes... that looks like Chinese to me

Thanks to all for the advice. I went to visit a shop last night to gauge what size bike I need. It seems that 55 inches is the right one and a hybrid is definately the way to go for what I need. Only negative for me was the lack of proper shocks on the hybrids I looked at.... guess I'm used to my country going MTB with a decent soft ride

If any of you spot something suitable on Fleabay or elsewhere, let me know

Thanks again,
NL

[dubbs]

Suspension will just sap your power - not needed on the road. If you want to be a girl then get a suspension seat post :-)

[mk1fan]

NobleLord said:

It seems that 55 inches is the right one.
NL

Holy Moly how tall are you that you need a 55-inch frame!?!?!?

[Gizmo535]

I took a Ridgeback Velocity for a ride the other week - £300 so not the end of the world if it does get pinched, 24 speed, very very quick, and came with a suspension seatpost.

It's been tempting me...

[NobleLord]

mk1fan said:

NobleLord said:

It seems that 55 inches is the right one.
NL

Holy Moly how tall are you that you need a 55-inch frame!?!?!?

I'm 5'10" or so... the guy in the bike shop that I went to the other night recommended a 55-inch frame. I have to admit, it did seem a bit on the big side, but worked fine. He also told me that the saddle should be level with the top of your hip. Is that right?

NL

[pdV6]

Have to assume he meant 55cm, which would be about 21" or so.

Still sounds big for a 5'10"-er.

You do realise that seats can go up & down, right? No need to buy a larger frame just to get the seat up an inch!

[NobleLord]

pdV6 said:

Have to assume he meant 55cm, which would be about 21" or so.

Still sounds big for a 5'10"-er.

You do realise that seats can go up & down, right? No need to buy a larger frame just to get the seat up an inch!

I think you're right... 55cm sounds more logical The bike I tried was a Specialized hybrid jobby. Yes; the saddle was raised a bit.... I'm pretty lacking on bike knowledge, but I did realise that the saddle can be moved

So, 20 or 21 inch frame for me I guess. A quick search on the web and I found a new Ridgeback Velocity for £204. Sounds like a good deal to me. Might go for it.

Cheers,
NL

[will_]

NobleLord said:

pdV6 said:

Have to assume he meant 55cm, which would be about 21" or so.

Still sounds big for a 5'10"-er.

You do realise that seats can go up & down, right? No need to buy a larger frame just to get the seat up an inch!

I think you're right... 55cm sounds more logical The bike I tried was a Specialized hybrid jobby. Yes; the saddle was raised a bit.... I'm pretty lacking on bike knowledge, but I did realise that the saddle can be moved

So, 20 or 21 inch frame for me I guess. A quick search on the web and I found a new Ridgeback Velocity for £204. Sounds like a good deal to me. Might go for it.

Cheers,
NL

Good choice but I'd still go second hand if you can - not just the cost saving but it will be a bit rougher and less nickable. TBH any 'brand name' bike is a target for the scum, it's easy money for them as they never get caught and any bike lock can be broken in a minute or so. The best anti-theft option is to have a bike that at least doesn't look like it's worth nicking.

[pdV6]

NobleLord said:

So, 20 or 21 inch frame for me I guess.

I'd try some for size first; 20"+ is very big for you on a MTB / hybrid style frame, I'd have thought more like 19" would be nearer the mark?

[deckster]

Stock answer to this question is EBC's Revolution Courier. Been using one for five years; it lives at Paddington and takes me to Fleet Street and back every day. I clean it once a year and it's never missed a beat, really can't fault it.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

[Sway]

DON'T get a 20'' frame, I'm 6 foot, and would ride a max of 18''

As you've said, the saddle can be raised or lowered, the important measurement is the length of the top tube, as it's far more hassle to change the length of the handlebar stem (and can affect the steering).

Far better to go slightly smaller, so being able to ride more compactly, putting less strain on your wrists, and allowing you to flick in and out of traffic more easily.

Used to commute 15 miles each way through London, best bike I ever had for it was a race BMX frame, with a 19'' top tube, cruiser bars, long seatpost, and road gearing. The small wheels meant it accelerated really quickly, good in stop/start stuff, it could be thrown around easily, and was tough as you like. (Probably not for you though as at the time I worked in a bike shop so could play with components til the sizing/gearing was perfect)

Get a 21'' frame and you'll never be truly comfortable unless you've got a disproportionately long upper body (or gorilla arms)