Need a commuter bike...advice please?

Flinty

Hi Folks,

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, this is certainly not a 'Sporty Cycling' related question...more a commute to work question...so there may be a 'transport Cycling' forum, which I couild not find, So mods, please feel free to move.

I've decided to get a bike to get to work from the early Spring on, so I have a month or two to pick the ideal bike.
My budget is about €400-450. I have a daily commute of 13k (each way). I also live close to the Dublin/Wicklow mountains, so I would hope to do a bit of cycling in the mountains, but won't need anything really off road, as I wouldn't be heading into forests or anything.

So, I was looking at the Specialized Hardrock sport 2010 (http://www.kearneycycles.com/galway-bicycles-details.php?act=viewProd&productId=464 - under €400). Now my only criteria, as I know very little about bikes, is that it is a mountain bike, it looks decent, is light enough and would be a good bike for the commute I do.
I only really know about the Specialized coz 53 Degrees North sent in a flyer to my gaff and they are around the corner from my house (they don't sell them in Carrickmines branch, but will deliver from Blanch).

Am I looking at the right brand? Are there cheaper, better bikes?
Any help would be great,

Thanks a lot,
Flinty

ednwireland

Flinty wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, this is certainly not a 'Sporty Cycling' related question...more a commute to work question...so there may be a 'transport Cycling' forum, which I couild not find, So mods, please feel free to move.

I've decided to get a bike to get to work from the early Spring on, so I have a month or two to pick the ideal bike.
My budget is about €400-450. I have a daily commute of 13k (each way). I also live close to the Dublin/Wicklow mountains, so I would hope to do a bit of cycling in the mountains, but won't need anything really off road, as I wouldn't be heading into forests or anything.

So, I was looking at the Specialized Hardrock sport 2010 (http://www.kearneycycles.com/galway-bicycles-details.php?act=viewProd&productId=464 - under €400). Now my only criteria, as I know very little about bikes, is that it is a mountain bike, it looks decent, is light enough and would be a good bike for the commute I do.
I only really know about the Specialized coz 53 Degrees North sent in a flyer to my gaff and they are around the corner from my house (they don't sell them in Carrickmines branch, but will deliver from Blanch).

Am I looking at the right brand? Are there cheaper, better bikes?
Any help would be great,

Thanks a lot,
Flinty

dont buy a mountain bike then buy a hybrid or a road bike

Flinty

ednwireland wrote: »

dont buy a mountain bike then buy a hybrid or a road bike

Cool, sounds good. I'll have a look online...any good ones to get me going?
Cheers

Lumen

Flinty wrote: »

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, this is certainly not a 'Sporty Cycling' related question...more a commute to work question...so there may be a 'transport Cycling' forum, which I couild not find

This forum covers transport cycling too. You're in the right place.

Flinty wrote: »

Now my only criteria, as I know very little about bikes, is that it is a mountain bike

You don't need a mountain bike unless you're cycling off-road.

edit: sorry, too slow

barongreen

hybrid bike is the way to go........guess what i'm selling mine!!!! its a hybrid, in perfect nic and is quite big im 6ft 2". this bike was 650 new and used it for cumunting and trithalons so it was well serviced also. 230 is my asking price.
pm me if your interested

Flinty

"You don't need a mountain bike unless you're cycling off-road."

Ok, total noob Q so...Just having a quick look around online...Do road bikes have the 'Racer' handle-bars? I'd certainly prefer the mountainbike style handle bars.
Any brands I should be looking at?

justo

Nothing really new to add... just to endorse the other responses.

The reason a mountain bike is not the best solution is because it's heavier and full of equipment you don't need (fat wheels, shocks etc). Racing or hybrid have lighter frames and thinner wheels which result in more output for your physical input. Although a hybrid may be tempting, I'd go straight for the racing bike, as you would probably feel like progressing to this in a while anyway. The more upright posture (on a hybrid) may become a bit irritating after a while if you are commuting 26k a day.

I have a entry level racing bike with tyres that take 700 x 28 tubes which is larger than the off the shelf variety and serves well to make a smooth commute.

ednwireland

ok getting somewhere
just a few links to thee site you linked to
http://www.kearneycycles.com/galway-bicycles-details.php?act=viewCat&catId=127
http://www.kearneycycles.com/galway-bicycles-details.php?act=viewCat&catId=102
http://www.kearneycycles.com/galway-bicycles-details.php?act=viewCat&catId=113#

Flinty

hmm...I was just off looking at hybrids...:)
I guess the reason the hybrid sounded good is because I haven't cycled regularly in a few years and haven't been on a racer in about 20. I think I always found them difficult when I was a kid, so stayed away from them.

i wouldn't really be worried about 'progressing' at this early stage (although, I never was one for long term plans).

Cheers for the advice all. Any brands I should be looking at/staying away from?

Lumen

Perhaps buy this for almost nothing, then save up for a nice drop-bar road bike.

Flinty

ednwireland, they look exactly the kind of thing I'm after.
cheers

Flinty

Lumen wrote: »

Perhaps buy this for almost nothing, then save up for a nice drop-bar road bike.

Nice one...I might pop into a bike shop and see what height bike I should be riding and then look further into 2nd hand bikes.
Thanks a lot

Flinty

Ok folks, got some great feedback here and now realise what kind of bike I need.
One last question on bike size. Does it go on height?
I'm 5"9'. Would a 20" bike work for me, or does it go on leg size or anything like that?
Cheers again folks.

Lumen

Flinty wrote: »

Ok folks, got some great feedback here and now realise what kind of bike I need.
One last question on bike size. Does it go on height?
I'm 5"9'. Would a 20" bike work for me, or does it go on leg size or anything like that?

Height is a reasonable first guess.

Probably a 54cm or 56cm in traditional road bike sizing, although different manufacturers use different systems. Size charts are generally provided by the manufacturer.

ednwireland

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/sbcfaq.jsp

1st question what bike is the right size for me

although most bike shops will do this for you.

just for example the specialized sirrus would be between a medium and a large (i would be the same at 5'10" on my last bike so i went for a longer top tube as i like a fairly stretched out position)
so you would really need to try them (if a shop has them in)

and as lumen says all manufactures (and models are different as well so what goes for one company doesnt cross to another)

cdaly_

Flinty wrote:

My budget is about €400-450

Is this your pre or post Bike To Work Scheme budget? It might be the thing to get a €900 bike that way...

Flinty

ednwireland wrote: »

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/sbcfaq.jsp

1st question what bike is the right size for me

although most bike shops will do this for you.

just for example the specialized sirrus would be between a medium and a large (i would be the same at 5'10" on my last bike so i went for a longer top tube as i like a fairly stretched out position)
so you would really need to try them (if a shop has them in)

and as lumen says all manufactures (and models are different as well so what goes for one company doesnt cross to another)

Great advice, cheers. I'll try and put off the mad desire I have for an impulse buy and take my time with this and get a feel for a few bikes in the shops.

Flinty

cdaly_ wrote: »

Is this your pre or post Bike To Work Scheme budget? It might be the thing to get a €900 bike that way...

Hmmm...haven't really investigated the whole Bike to Work Scheme yet. I must do. I was kind of under the impression that it would not apply to me, as I have a car parking space in work, which I cannot afford to give up. Although I want to start to cycle into work, I definitely will need the car one or two nights a week, for football, etc. I doubt I can do both???

AstraMonti

Flinty wrote: »

Hmmm...haven't really investigated the whole Bike to Work Scheme yet. I must do. I was kind of under the impression that it would not apply to me, as I have a car parking space in work, which I cannot afford to give up. Although I want to start to cycle into work, I definitely will need the car one or two nights a week, for football, etc. I doubt I can do both???

Of course you can do, there is no limitation on how many days per week you will be cycling.

empirix

bike to work scheme is great if your on the higher tax band you can get a bike for double the price for half price i.e 900 euro in your case. Personally id buy a mtb, good for weekends should you wish to go for a spin up the mountains where you live etc. Higher end hardtails are quite fast too, i recently bought one circa 2k and its nippy - i love it.

Russman

+1 on that. You can absolutely avail of the bike to work scheme, there's no stipulation as to the number of days you cycle. The only limitation is that the bike must be bought by the employer and paid for by the employee by way of salary sacrifice. It can be done through BIK but its not quite as tax effecient. If you are on the higher tax band you're basically getting a bike for a little more than half price.

Wouldn't get a MTB though....:D
Just IMHO.

Paul Kiernan

Mountain bikes are great for mountain biking, that being what they're designed for, in the same way that snow shoes are great for snow and crampons for ice. Commuting on a mountain bike is a bit like walking to work in snow shoes (Mockler excepted)!

Personally, I would go for a fairly upright road bike, that can take mudguards and wider tyres (say up to 28 or 32, standard road tyre is 23). I think some of the Carrera range from Halfords fit the bill or this nice Dolan.

Remember that road bars give you a range of positions (reducing cramps and aches) and if you're battling a brutal headwind you can get your mainsail down a bit more.

Flinty

ok, ok...this whole bike to work scheme has changed everything. I have done a bit of research on it tonight (coupled with the advice above) and it seems like it would be madness for me not to avail of the whole €1000 and get a great bike + accessories for the full amount.
I'll talk to my employers tomorrow and see what they think.

So, everyone has been great so far, if you could just indulge me a little further, it would be much appreciated.

A bike for €900-€1000...
I called into Halfords tonight and had a look at a few bikes and definitely liked the highbreds, tbh. I had a look at a few mtbs, but I don't think I need one and I'm really not a fan of the Racer handle bars (probably just a confidence thing).
I quite like the Carrera Subway 2. So, is there anything like that out there (but obviously better ), that you could recommend.

Thanks again,
Flinty

Russman

I'm fairly new to this forum and not expert by any means, but I was buying a bike before Christmas and debating the whole flat-bar or racer-bar thing and ended up going for the racer. It felt a little strange at first but after a few spins the drop bars are fine. I got a Felt Z100 which is a pretty upright bike so I'm not too crouched over (yet). From what I could gather when I was researching, the Giant Rapid is one of the best flat bar road bikes on the market or the Lapierre Shaper is pretty good too.

Two examples
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=38&idproduct=31134
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=38&idproduct=30992

or the one I bought:
http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_info.php?products_id=1647&osCsid=1aad4406869651b7a9f78efe6b4f27e5


Obviously there are many more, thats just my tuppence worth

droidus

The Boardman range in Halfords is said to be very good value despite the possible problems with setup and post-purchase service:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?catalogId=15551&storeId=11101&categoryId=212377&langId=-1&action=listrefine&constraints=teq||Brand||Boardman||sor||Price||1

jwshooter

Flinty wrote: »

ednwireland, they look exactly the kind of thing I'm after.
cheers

i have a trek 7.1fx for sale ,22.5" black in very good condition

SerialComplaint

ednwireland wrote: »

dont buy a mountain bike then buy a hybrid or a road bike

Depending on your commuting route - On my route, I have a couple of stretches over grass which keeps me away from traffic, so the MTB is great for me.

cdaly_

Flinty wrote: »

ok, ok...this whole bike to work scheme has changed everything. I have done a bit of research on it tonight (coupled with the advice above) and it seems like it would be madness for me not to avail of the whole €1000 and get a great bike + accessories for the full amount.
I'll talk to my employers tomorrow and see what they think.

If they're not already using one of the Bike To Work brokers, tell them to make sure not to. It's extremely easy to administer (just pay an invoice, put it through accounts as no-VAT-reclaimable and deduct from salary) and the brokers take 8% to 10% which means you have no negotiating room with the bike shop.

If you can get the employer to go that route, when dealing with the bike shop, make sure they understand they'll get paid direct.

Flinty

cdaly_ wrote: »

If they're not already using one of the Bike To Work brokers, tell them to make sure not to. It's extremely easy to administer (just pay an invoice, put it through accounts as no-VAT-reclaimable and deduct from salary) and the brokers take 8% to 10% which means you have no negotiating room with the bike shop.

If you can get the employer to go that route, when dealing with the bike shop, make sure they understand they'll get paid direct.

Thanks for the advice. I approached work this morning, but still waiting to hear if they are willing to participate in the scheme...fingers crossed.

Paul Kiernan

Just to add to what Cdaly said, there's a lot of information on the wiki including a link to the Revenue document outlining the plan. This shows just how simple it is, no forms or applications to be filled in. Employer just pays for bike, deducts it from your gross pay and gets you to sign a declaration that you have all the good intentions in the world to cycle to work now and again.