another which commuter thread :)

lennymc

im looking at getting a commuter, for doing about 100k round trip a few times a week. Budget is in around 5 - 600 quid. I have a mountain bike, and a road bike and a single speed bike, so this will purely be a commuter. Something to get me from a - b in comfort, that will take mudguards and a rack/panniers, and still have a wee bit of pace.

I was looking at the giant defy 4 and the rapid 4. Similar spec bikes, one is upright, one is drops.

I was also looking at the the trek valencia, which i have rode, and it felt surprisingly comfy.

Is there anything else I should consider? Not buying on bike to work, and have all the gear i need.... for now:)

Thanks!
Lenny

twinsen

Try Trek 7.5. great bike for commuting, very comfy, did on mine 5k last year , with no issues.

civilnug

I have a Trek 7.5FX too.

Don't have much experience with any other bikes but really like the trek.

Coronal

I'd say the defy is a better bet for that kind of a trip. The drop bars are really nice to have, and you get used to the sharper handling really quickly. Also, you'll probably get annoyed with a hybrid or upright position after a few months and swap over to drops anyway!

civilnug

I am looking lustily at all the road bikes on adverts.ie and the cycling adverts here.

Definitely gonna give it another few months on the hybrid before I seriously think about splurging on a more serious machine.

ThisRegard

There's lots of us here with the 7.5s, I don't think I've ever met another on the road though. Anyway, couldn't fault it, comfy and fairly hardy. And to split hairs, it's not a standard hybrid, it leans more towards a flat bar so you're not as upright as other hybrids.

BostonB

Hub gears?