City/hybrid bike

levi

Ok so I need some advice about what bike to get... I'm considering cycling into work rather than taking the luas. It's downhill on the way into town from where I am so I'm hoping not to have to shower/change when I get into work as this is too much hassle.

I'm a girl and wear skirts/dresses to work a good bit so I would need a step through style bike with maybe 3 hub gears but I'm open anything (except a single speed - I have one at the moment and would prefer a couple of extra gears).

Keep in mind that I've used my bike to work on a road bike which I'm really happy with but it's just not suitable to cycle into work.

My budget is to spend as little as possible for something reliable enough that'll get me to and from work everyday.

Any advice much appreciated!

monument

How far is the cycle into work?
And how large is the hill returning home?

zindicato

my wife has one of em fuji absolute 3 surprisingly light i might say we looked at spesh, giants, trek and other big name brands but this one was the cheapest of em all plus the spec of it is would have her pay extra if we would have gone for the big name branded one's. the one shes got at the moment came with sora front and rear derailleur which is a different spec from the website. btw she has got the white one and we fitted white mudguards to it too.

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-30-st-usa

levi

The commute is 5.5km and the hill isn't mad steep on the way home just one of those annoying long inclines.

Hoping to get a bike that's already fitted with sturdy mudguards and maybe a back carrier/basket.

Had a look at the Fuji - it looks nice alright but I was thinking of a more traditional style - might have a look at it anyway, where are they stocked in Dublin?

Andy-Pandy

How about something like this from wiggle. Dont worry about purchasing online from them, they are very reliable and offer fast delivery.

monument

levi wrote: »

The commute is 5.5km and the hill isn't mad steep on the way home just one of those annoying long inclines.

Ah, that's grand for any kind of bike -- I thought it might be longer or a larger hill.

levi wrote: »

Hoping to get a bike that's already fitted with sturdy mudguards and maybe a back carrier/basket.

Had a look at the Fuji - it looks nice alright but I was thinking of a more traditional style - might have a look at it anyway, where are they stocked in Dublin?

There's a few. Freewheeling on Pearse Street stocks only or nearly only commuting bike (see http://freewheeling.ie/ -- wider range in store) and a good few shops stock the same types of bikes.

For an older looking / Dutch bike there's the Clontarf-based http://www.prettypennybikes.com/ who sell one bike for €269. The bike have a back rack for panniers built in, but if you want a basket they sell that as an extra. They also have an advert.ie (sister site of boards.ie) mini-site http://www.adverts.ie/shops/pretty-penny-bikes/ -- No physical shop, but the owner says that she will meet people for a test cycle.

levi

Those pretty penny bikes look pretty nice. I'll check those out I reckon. Thanks!