Help me buy a bike for £1000!

[Phugoid]

I’m looking for a bike for circa £1000. I commute about 3-4 miles daily on tarmac but would like something for weekend use too. I’m essentially looking for a road bike with a flat bar and provisions for mudguards and panniers therefore my search so far has yielded the following hybrid bikes:

Charge Mixer
http://www.chargebikes.com/news/2012-mixer-review-...

Cotic Road Rat Alfine Geared
http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/alfin...

Whyte Stirling
http://www.whytebikes.com/2011/bike_page.php?ModNo...

Cube Editor/Hyde Race
http://www.cube.eu/en/tour/uls/editor/
http://www.cube.eu/en/tour/uls/hyde-race/

Anyone had any experience with these or can throw any other names into the hat? The Boardman range looks to be highly rated for my requirements, but every man and his dog seems to have one!

[anonymous-user]

alfine hubs are really heavy so try one before you buy it.

does it have to be flat bars? the charge mixer looks really uncomfortable, for some reason it just looks too cramped, have you had a look at the filter? the cotic is a lovely bike and you can be sure that by buying it you are supporting a rider owned bike company and not a corporation.

other things to consider are the Dawes Galaxy and the Thorn Audax, not as trendy as a Cube but bombproof and uber comfy.

[Fluffsri]

We have a guy in the club with an Alfine and hes always having problems with it. I saw the Whyte in Cycle surgery and have to say it s a lovely looking bike and it would be my choice

[Catchme]

You'll find the hub gear heavy...

I must say that I love the Whyte. I seem to recall there was some concern over the performance of the disc brakes re flex in the front forks.. Someone with better memory than me will point you to the reviews that brought up this issue.

It's a nice looking bike though.....

[Phugoid]

Which one has the best performance credentials? Would it be best to avoid Alfine and what are the benefits of hydraulic discs rather than mechanical?

Cheers guys

[itsnotarace]

Phugoid said:

I’m looking for a bike for circa £1000. I commute about 3-4 miles daily on tarmac but would like something for weekend use too. I’m essentially looking for a road bike with a flat bar and provisions for mudguards and panniers

Giant Rapid 1 meets all your requirements

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/ra...

[anonymous-user]

mechanical cable discs will suffer from cable stretch and as such arent as powerful as hydraulics. that said, i wouldnt see the need for hydraulics on anything but a mountain bike really where you need consistently powerful and reliable braking, bleeding them is a complete PITA though and cable discs are far easier to maintain and set up. you still get the advantage over rim brakes in the wet too and the avid mechanical discs are a cheap upgrade if the OEM ones are a bit pants.

loads of giant rapids in the bike shed at work as there is a giant dealer nearby, they really do look like flat bar road bikes, you cuold really fly on one.

[BalhamBadger]

I just love that Cotic, such a fantastic looking bike.

[hellsbuddha]

Can I add to the mix and suggest a genesis equilibrium for £900 , although its not a flat bar

[Gizmoish]

Flat bar? Meh. Took me about two rides to get used to drops.

I'd be more tempted to say that £1k is way too much for a 3-4mile ride. But of course I would be wrong to discourage a purchase of shiny new toy.

[Phugoid]

I've narrowed it down to the Cube Hyde Race and the Cotic. Hopefully I'll be able to get it theough my company's cycle to work scheme although in the past few years they've only allowed purchases at Halfords. What are the chances of Halfords being able to get either of these bikes?

[anonymous-user]

go for the Cotic, I'm still building my BFe but they are a nice company and really easy to do business with. super friendly and being a small comapny based in the UK, you get quick customer service (aka the Boss' mobile number!). The Cube will be a great bike too but I just like supporting the little man!

[Bonefish Blues]

Phugoid said:

I've narrowed it down to the Cube Hyde Race and the Cotic. Hopefully I'll be able to get it theough my company's cycle to work scheme although in the past few years they've only allowed purchases at Halfords. What are the chances of Halfords being able to get either of these bikes?

Better than even - Halfords can order from elsewhere, albeit they'd prefer you to order one of their brands.

[Phugoid]

Found another I really like - Fahrrad Manufaktur - DR31.

There's a bike shop in Cambridge which appears to be the only place in the UK that sells this brand! Anyone else know of these bikes?

[Fluffsri]

Phugoid said:

Found another I really like - Fahrrad Manufaktur - DR31.

There's a bike shop in Cambridge which appears to be the only place in the UK that sells this brand! Anyone else know of these bikes?

Thats nice looking, whats with nearly all the hybrids being black or very dark?

[a11y_m]

Cotic Roadrat flat-barred but with gears and hydraulic discs. Has been my commuter for the past 2 years and I love it. 35c CX tyres and full-length mudgaurds for year-round commuting on semi-offroad trails and tarmac, in all conditions.

I used an Alfine for over 2 years on my MTB before the hub died. I liked it at the time but it IS heavy and it just feels weird - not as direct as stamping on the pedals and the bike going, it just feels rubbery. I won't be going back to one even though the lack of faff is a great thing.