Commuting Bike Help

I'm currently using a low-end hybrid bike to commute 14km either way to work. It takes me about 48 minutes each time as the bikes quite heavy.

I know I could be doing this a lot quicker ~35 minutes and am looking to invest in a new bike to achieve this. I've €400 to spend but I don't actually have a clue what I should be looking out for to indicate if the bike would do the job i.e. How light should the bike be? Is it possible to get a bike capable of doing this based on my budget? etc

I'm quite the newbie in this area and any advice would be greatly appreciated

triggermortis

It depends how you want to commute. ie do you wear normal clothes on the bike or do you want more of a workout and get there quicker (road bike and lycra?)
A simple change of tyre or even just correct tyre pressure could make a big difference to the bike you have already.
I commute on a road bike and wear lycra, but I'm lucky that I have showers in work and lockers to keep change of clothes in.
Road bikes usually don't have eyelets for mudguards or racks, but there are solutions - another thing to consider.

ted1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm currently using a low-end hybrid bike to commute 14km either way to work. It takes me about 48 minutes each time as the bikes quite heavy.

I know I could be doing this a lot quicker ~35 minutes and am looking to invest in a new bike to achieve this. I've €400 to spend but I don't actually have a clue what I should be looking out for to indicate if the bike would do the job i.e. How light should the bike be? Is it possible to get a bike capable of doing this based on my budget? etc

I'm quite the newbie in this area and any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cycle surgey in dundrum had some giant debts ( can't remember if they were the defy 3 or defy 4) for about 400. Might be worth giving them a call.

Carawaystick

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm currently using a low-end hybrid bike to commute 14km either way to work. It takes me about 48 minutes each time as the bikes quite heavy.

I know I could be doing this a lot quicker ~35 minutes and am looking to invest in a new bike to achieve this. I've €400 to spend but I don't actually have a clue what I should be looking out for to indicate if the bike would do the job i.e. How light should the bike be? Is it possible to get a bike capable of doing this based on my budget? etc

I'm quite the newbie in this area and any advice would be greatly appreciated

Have you got slick tyres on the existing bike?
Are they pumped up hard 5-6 bar or so (75-90psi)
Lidl do good pumps for about 7quid every now and then as most garage airlines will not go that high

This will make a huge difference from knobbly soft tyres.

Thanks for the advice guys, I've checked the tyre pressure and have redone it.
I notice a significant improvement alright, hopefully this will tie me over

beauf

What tyres are on the bike and what kinda bike is it. How heavy it it.