Commuting Bike

funkey_monkey

Hi,

I'm looking to update my bike which I commute on and would like to get something with a bit less hassle.

So, I'm looking for somthing that definitely has hub gears, disc brakes (preferably hydraulic) and reasonably light.

I would like something in the style of a hybrid.


In terms of drive system my preference would be in order:
1. Shaft (cost/weight prohibitive at the minute???)
2. Belt? (I know nothing about them)
3. Fully enclosed chain

I've asked my bike to work appointed shop what they have and they said nothing, but if I could find something they might be able to order it in for me.

In terms of cost, this will be the decisive factor and may knock out the shaft drive - I'm willing to spend up to £600 - £700gbp.

Does anyone on here have any recommendations or opinions? Obviously a Cannondale OnBike would be my ideal bike, but thats not going to happen.

mondeo

For alot less you can have a Carrera Subway, it's highly regarded on many sites like Bike Radar etc. Just my own experience on the Subway has been more then good.

Darkglasses

I think Raleigh have some belt-drives with disc brakes and hub gears, the Misceo and the Tripper but they seem to be mainly American which may affect cost.

Edit: Misceo 4.0 to be exact

funkey_monkey

Darkglasses wrote: »

I think Raleigh have some belt-drives with disc brakes and hub gears, the Misceo and the Tripper but they seem to be mainly American which may affect cost.

Edit: Misceo 4.0 to be exact

Thanks.

Any idea of the weight of it - I couldn't find any on the offical website or the external links I tried.

Darkglasses

Nope that's as much information I have on it too. Looks pretty swanky though, 11 speed Alfine and everything.

tomasrojo

Bike Snob said a few days ago:

Wow, it's almost like chains are cheap, durable, and easy to maintain, whereas belt drives are expensive and ****ing stupid.

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.ie/2013/10/its-monday-october-28th-and-i-just.html

(Also contains a picture of Lou Bega Reed on a bicycle.)

Morgan

Shaft-drive bikes are so uncommon as to be practically non-existent. Not that many belt-drives around either (some good deals on Civia Kingfields knocking around though).

You can always fit a chain-guard yourself after purchase e.g.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hebie-chainglider-prod21367/

Here are a few options (non in your price-range though)
http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/hybrid-bikes#!Number%20of%20Gears=8,7;Brake%20Type=Mechanical%20Disc,Hydraulic%20Disc

Lumen

Single speed with chain case

doozerie

The only belt drives I've read about cannot be split, and I assume that's common to all of them, so you need a frame whose rear triangle can be split instead and they seem quite rare. Personally I'd be curious to try a belt drive for a while on a commute bike but the need for a specific frame put me off a while back when I was in the market for a new commuter.

macnab

I think Lumen hit the nail on the head.

As for belt-chain-shaft issues, if you are buying a motorbike this would be a consideration but not really relevant with a bicycle, in my opinion a chain drive is the only way to go.
For simple gears you will not beat a single speed, unless you regularly encounter long steep hills.