Commuter bike - Cube Town

gerbear1

So there's been loads of threads about bikes commuting to work and here's another one. Most threads I've read people have specific budgets in mind. I'm kinda wondering why bikes are so expensive.

I was looking at a bike, Cube Town, it was 700 euro and on the cycle to work scheme. It's a bit more than I wanted to spend, but not by much. Thought I'd get a good bike for 500 to 600. My commute is about 4.5km each way. Plus I might need to cycle around town or whatever once or twice a week at about 10km each time. Basically, my use would be very little. I'm currently cycling to work on a mountain bike that I bought off adverts for 80 euro. The bike is fine, but I feel like I'm definitely using too much energy to make the thing go! Which is one reason why I want to upgrade, so it's easier and more pleasant cycling to work.

What's people's take on the bike I mentioned Cube Town. What advantage would it have versus a bike that was a couple of hundred euro cheaper?

Considering my bike needs and that I'm currently cycling an 80 quid bike, could some people who know more about bikes than me advise on what to look out for and what exactly I'm getting for my money.

Outkast_IRE

Basically better parts/tyres possibly better lighter frame, cube make good quality bikes ,i have mine a year now and with a little care from myself the irish weather hasnt made a spot of rust on anything.

petethedrummer

A carerra subway (€350) from halfords or a bottom of the range Giant rapid or Escape (€525) would be cheaper than Cube and still do the job for you.

There is a point at below around €300 where bikes become BSOs (bicycle shaped objects). Do a search for the term in google and read the articles.

Lumen

Does your MTB have a suspension fork?

Swapping a MTB for a hybrid with suspension fork like the Cube Town isn't going to make your commute any faster or easier unless the MTB is really badly maintained, e.g. the bottom bracket or derailleurs are screwed.

What tyres are you running? If you have fat knobblies stick some skinnier high pressure tyres on it. That'll make a big difference.

gerbear1

My MTB is pretty badly maintained, a bit of rust gathering and it has big fat tyres on it. I'm pretty sure anything would be an upgrade really!

I don't want to spend any money on the bike I'd rather get a new one, if even just for the chance to have a nice new toy to play with!

Lumen

Fair enough, retail therapy is a good enough reason but a new hybrid with a suspension fork really won't be any faster than a MTB with slick tyres on it, and will be more nickable.

Find something with a rigid fork, like these:

Cube Hyde Bike 2012
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=47727

Cube Hyde Pro Bike 2012
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=48158

gerbear1

Thanks for the advise. Anybody know of a good place to buy? I live in the city centre, went to a bike shop just off Capel Street was gonna buy there, but open to any suggestions.