New commuter bike for circa €1500

BoardsMember

Hi. New to having a budget for this much for a bike so want to be sure to get the right one. Have cycled all my life, mostly on crocks so this is a real treat.

It's for commuting around Dublin. I want to get something as light & comfortable as possible, decent brakes (not disk) and gears.

From what I have read so far, I am looking at Tiagra or shimano 105 groupset or better, aluminium frame, carbon forks. Decent racing saddle recommended.

Can anyone suggest what to buy or where to go shopping? Does comfort requirement rule out a standard racer type bike?

I will be paying cash, so if you have recommendations on where might give me a great deal it would be great. I'm only interested in new bike, but not on the bike to work scheme.

Thanks!

tunney

I get a 300 euro bike cause it will probably get nicked.

Lumen

What do you mean by "comfortable"?

Seaneh

What do you need it to do?

Do you need to carry stuff to work? If so, you'd be looking for a bike with rack mounts.

You obviously don't want a standard racer, you want something that will take mudguards.

I'd recommend something like this.

Light steel frame and carbon fork, mudguards come with the bike, has a rear rack mount, and a very good bike all in all for the money.
I'd go with the Rodi Airline Evo wheels, same as the standard wheels but has a sealed bearing, so will be better for irish weather and will stay running smoothly a lot longer.

€910 with tiagra or €1090 with 105, but truth be told, tiagra is all you need!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-reynolds-525-steel-shimano-equipped?part=SE13RIBREY525SHIM&sub=conf_SERW

BoardsMember

Thanks for the replies, though not that informative as yet??!!

Comfortable - as it sounds, a frame/set up that is not geared too much to speed. Something like a light hybrid type shape I suppose that goes quick but not require me to be at awkward angles!!

I dont leave the bike out, so not worried about it getting robbed. I will keep my current crock for trips in and out of town.

BoardsMember

Lumen wrote: »

What do you mean by "comfortable"?

Seaneh wrote: »

What do you need it to do?

Do you need to carry stuff to work? If so, you'd be looking for a bike with rack mounts.

You obviously don't want a standard racer, you want something that will take mudguards.

I'd recommend something like this.

Light steel frame and carbon fork, mudguards come with the bike, has a rear rack mount, and a very good bike all in all for the money.
I'd go with the Rodi Airline Evo wheels, same as the standard wheels but has a sealed bearing, so will be better for irish weather and will stay running smoothly a lot longer.

€910 with tiagra or €1090 with 105, but truth be told, tiagra is all you need!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-reynolds-525-steel-shimano-equipped?part=SE13RIBREY525SHIM&sub=conf_SERW

Thanks for this! Yes, something that will take mud guards definitely. I will use it primarily for commuting in & out of work, 15 miles a day kind of thing. Is there anywhere in Dublin that sells this type? Where should I go to start looking?

Tonyandthewhale

BoardsMember wrote: »

Does comfort requirement rule out a standard racer type bike?

No, racing bikes should be comfortable, otherwise you're doing it wrong. If you have a weak core or some other injury then a road bike with aggressive geometry might be uncomfortable at first (especially if you're riding in the drops a lot) but you can work around this an a quality road bike should have a decent saddle and nicely ergonomic handlebars with decent tape which won't cause you any discomfort. I use a road bike for commuting and for long distance audax type stuff (20 or 30 hours in the saddle at a time) and I don't suffer from discomfort because I'm used to the bike and I took the time to set it up properly. A light hybrid won't necessarily offer any greater comfort. If you invision having to use tyres larger than 28mm then you won't be able to use a standard road bike but for most people bigger than 28mm is over-kill.
I agree with Seaneh that an audax/light touring bike might be more practical if you need mudguards/pannier rack etc though.

Seaneh

BoardsMember wrote: »

Thanks for this! Yes, something that will take mud guards definitely. I will use it primarily for commuting in & out of work, 15 miles a day kind of thing. Is there anywhere in Dublin that sells this type? Where should I go to start looking?

Something similar would be a Kona Honky Tonk, which comes in at €999 from Cycleways on Parnell street or Fitzcycles in stilorgan.

http://www.cycleways.com/store/product/66504/Kona-Honky-Tonk/

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/916/2013-kona-honky-tonk-road-bike

You'd be able to get them to do you a deal and buy a rack and mudgaurds at the same time and they will fit them to the bike for you, probably get the lot for less than €1100.

radioactiveman

Hi OP
It's definitely worth getting something good quality. The quality of the components makes a big difference.

Got a bike on the bike to work scheme a while ago which allowed me a bigger budget and it was worth every penny. I wouldn't go for the very top of the line but definitely good quality drive components (good crank, good rear/front cassettes) make a big difference.

Did you try chainreactioncycles? They deliver fairly quickly in Ireland and it's free (delivery :pac:). The links Seaneh gave below look ideal also.

Also consider getting a set of tools to use with it & do basic maintenance.

BoardsMember

Thanks all for the input. I have enough to be going on with. I know I will go for a road bike now, and not a hybrid. I will try out a few different makes & models and see what I come up with. I'd prefer to buy from a shop here in Ireland, so will try the usual suspects around town/Dundrum/Stillorgan/Templeogue and see what I come up with.

StaggerLee

I just got one of these for my new commuter / winter training. Had it fitted with mudgaurds / rack, put some durable commuting tyres on it. Got it in Harrys in Clonskeagh for €999, very good shop, I traded my old commuter against it.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.tcx.2/11842/56837/

Seaneh

StaggerLee wrote: »

I just got one of these for my new commuter / winter training. Had it fitted with mudgaurds / rack, put some durable commuting tyres on it. Got it in Harrys in Clonskeagh for €999, very good shop, I traded my old commuter against it.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.tcx.2/11842/56837/

Would also be perfect, same price as the honky tonk.

I think the honky tonk is sexier though :P

StaggerLee

Seaneh wrote: »

Would also be perfect, same price as the honky tonk.

I think the honky tonk is sexier though :P

Agreed, the Honky Tonk is great looking :mad:

Surveyor11

Dolan Preffisio, SRAM Apex, Mavic Askium Wheels, Gatorskins, SKS mud guards (and more!) for STG£912. Can't go far wrong with that (I'm a bit biased, I used this for work but love it).

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road-bikes/aluminium/Sram/Preffisio%20Road%20Bike?product_id=621

Seaneh

Surveyor11 wrote: »

Dolan Preffisio, SRAM Apex, Mavic Askium Wheels, Gatorskins, SKS mud guards (and more!) for STG£912. Can't go far wrong with that (I'm a bit biased, I used this for work but love it).

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road-bikes/aluminium/Sram/Preffisio%20Road%20Bike?product_id=621

That is the exact same frame as the ribble 7005 winter trainer.

Surveyor11

Seaneh wrote: »

That is the exact same frame as the ribble 7005 winter trainer.

Yeah, looks like it. The Ribble will run £867.35 (Shimano 105, R501 wheels). Pretty good value ok for what's in it.

Seaneh

I'd rather the little extra for the Ribble Reynolds, steel is real and all that.

Surveyor11

Agree, it's a lovely bike

Lumen

I'd get the Ribble.

Shipping on complete bikes tends to be expensive from them.