I need a good all round bike for long day trips, messages and commuting ?

The Quadratic Equation

Hi, I need a good all round bike for the odd day long day trip, messages and commuting now and again. Something easy to maintain myself, and that if looked after, will do me for life, something that parts will always be available for, and perhaps something that could even be converted to electric if needs be.

I won't be going off road, so I don't need a hybrid, I don't need 30 speeds (3 would do me), and I'm not into racing contests or wearing spandex or tiny saddles of any type. I would like a bike that blends in, and can be kept chained outside a shop, pub etc., nothing too fancy or unusual. I also need something that won't clatter my clothes in wet weather too much, and can carry a few messages etc. but still good for the odd long day touring trip if it has too.

My budget would be around € 500-800, or a bit extra if needs be.

Appreciate the help.

kumate_champ07

I would find a nice nos steel frame, some mavic open pro silver wheels, 3 speed rear hub. Or maybe a 5spd freewheel for the rear wheel and nice large flange hubs. You could have it set up as 5/10spd that way with nice vintage parts. Brooks saddle..
Chrome/plastic chrome mud guards, chrome rear rack

any bike can get stolen if left outside long enough so only thing that will help stop that is not leaving it locked somewhere dodgey too long and buying a very good U Lock.

Ole Rodrigo

Have a look at Ray O's Kona over on the credit card thread...perfect, imo.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055577641&page=112

coastwatch

I think a 2nd hand touring bike would suit, something like this or this or this. Great for long day trips, racks and panniers for your messages and commutes. You could also change the saddle and pedals to suit the most frequent intended use and change back for the long spins.

You might find just 3 gears makes hard work on long spins, especially if there are any hills involved. I think servicing 3 speed gears (hub gears) is really a job for bike mechanics, there's a lot less involved in the far more common 18/20/30 speed derailleur systems.

tomasrojo

coastwatch wrote: »

You might find just 3 gears makes hard work on long spins, especially if there are any hills involved. I think servicing 3 speed gears (hub gears) is really a job for bike mechanics, there's a lot less involved in the far more common 18/20/30 speed derailleur systems.

True about hills, but hub gears require very little servicing. When something goes wrong, you need expert help, but very little goes wrong with them. That's what I've read about them and it's also my experience (so far).

Touring bikes are, as said, great workhorse bikes if you need to carry a lot.

Tonyandthewhale

The Kona Honky Tonk from chain reaction cycles that roc star mentioned would probably fit the bill or maybe the charge fliter; http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-filter-mid-2011/.

Alternatively, get a proper touring bike for something a bit more rugged at the expense of a bit of steel. Evans have a decent selectiong; http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/touring-bikes#!!price_from=;price_to=;on_sale=;sort=asc;

There's also a second hand dawes touring bike in the adverts section on here I think which might be worth a look if it's still available and the right size for you.

penexpers

Surly Long Haul Trucker

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker

or Surly Cross Check

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check

Somewhat hard to find in Ireland, I think Cycleways in Parnell St are dealers.

The Quadratic Equation

Thank you for all the advice so far.
I used to cycle a lot as a kid and teenager, but that was 20 years ago.

I've spotted this, gets good enough reviews, and would make a good all rounder for me. I like the fact it has mudguards and chain cover as I don't want to get my clothes all sparked in wet Irish weather when just going to the pub / shops etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ORTLER-Lindau-men-Frame-size/dp/B001CF5VCY/ref=sr_1_35?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1325354401&sr=1-35

Would I miss drop handlebars in any way ? Can I retro fit some if I do ?

Wishbone Ash

The Quadratic Equation wrote: »

Thank you for all the advice so far.
I used to cycle a lot as a kid and teenager, but that was 20 years ago.

I've spotted this, gets good enough reviews, and would make a good all rounder for me. I like the fact it has mudguards and chain cover as I don't want to get my clothes all sparked in wet Irish weather when just going to the pub / shops etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ORTLER-Lindau-men-Frame-size/dp/B001CF5VCY/ref=sr_1_35?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1325354401&sr=1-35

Would I miss drop handlebars in any way ? Can I retro fit some if I do ?

It has 21 gears - a lot more than a '3 speed' as mentioned earlier and a excessive for just going to the shops/pub. Seems to be good value but I'd be a bit suspicious of most 'cheap' bikes.

It would probably be easier and more economical to choose another bike than to retro-fit drop bars.

The Quadratic Equation

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It has 21 gears - a lot more than a '3 speed' as mentioned earlier and a excessive for just going to the shops/pub. Seems to be good value but I'd be a bit suspicious of most 'cheap' bikes.

It would probably be easier and more economical to choose another bike than to retro-fit drop bars.

Cheers, in fairness the 3 speed spec was probably too conservative. Apart from shops/pub, it also has to do the odd day tour. It does look too cheap to be good, but it gets good reviews from buyers.

It's being sold by bikester.co.uk, are they any good ?

Tonyandthewhale

The Quadratic Equation wrote: »

.

I've spotted this, gets good enough reviews, and would make a good all rounder for me. I like the fact it has mudguards and chain cover as I don't want to get my clothes all sparked in wet Irish weather when just going to the pub / shops etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ORTLER-Lindau-men-Frame-size/dp/B001CF5VCY/ref=sr_1_35?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1325354401&sr=1-35

Would I miss drop handlebars in any way ? Can I retro fit some if I do ?

That looks like pretty good value for a relatively short distance commuter/errand bike. You probably won't miss drop handle bars on short distances especially since you're not used to using them but their absence becomes harder to ignore as distances increase. You could retro fit them but it might be a bit of a bodge job as the geometry of the bike is for flat bars and the brakes are designed to work with flat bar levers and if you do change over the proper integrated gear and brake shifters could cost you as much as the bike did to begin with. It'd be easier to fit mudguards and chain covers to a road bike than turn a town bike like this into a drop bar road bike.

Having said this it's still a pretty viable option if your focus is on short distance stuff as it looks pretty well-considered and solidly built albeit with a fairly crappy shimano tourney drivetrain but you won't get much better than that at £200.

Lumen

I wouldn't bother with drops if you're cycling in normal clothing.