Whats the best bike to cycle the canal!?

Cableguy

Hi,

Its been over ten years since I cycled a bike and a recent visit to the local bike shop to pick one out had my head in a spin with the selection as I am looking to buy a bike to cycle to work. Its a 20km cycle along the canal and into the city. Something with the ability to handle some of road, maybe hop the odd curb! possibly cycle through a field, handle gravel an preferably something fast :-)

The three options Ive been looking at so far are:

1. Cannondale's Bad Boy (Not sure which one)
2. Giant Revolt 1 Road Bike 2015
3. Giant Anyroad 1 Road Bike 2015

Hoping someone in the know or who has experience with any of these bikes would kindly share their thoughts or possibly recommend something different!

I have only visited two shops so far Euro Baby Euro Cycle and the Cycle Superstore on the Greenhills road if you think there might be a better place to buy Id certainly check them out. Ive been approved for the bike to work scheme and have a voucher for €1000.

Thanks
B

lennymc

I'll get me coat

Seriously tho, take a look at cyclocross bikes. Should be perfect for your journey (Although they don't float)

arybvtcw0eolkf

I've a cyclocross bike which I eventually put road tyres onto, and a hybrid which I put cyclocross tyres on lol

I'm lucky that my job isn't too far from Porterstown so I can join the canal and cycle in either direction fairly easily.

I must prefer it on the hybrid tbh.. I find the position to be must more relaxed on this bike, I really enjoy it compared to the other bike (on the canal or through parks etc).

Lumen

Cableguy wrote: »

Its a 20km cycle along the canal and into the city. Something with the ability to handle some of road, maybe hop the odd curb! possibly cycle through a field, handle gravel an preferably something fast :-)

I would be interested to know whether the novelty of off-road commuting wears off. Treaded tyres and lower pressures will slow you down a bit compared to the road.

devonp

For the Royal canal..town to Leixlip
i use a Hybrid/MTB Specialized crosstrail with front susp during the good weather..May..Sept incl
there are a few bits around the deep sinking(narrow and rough) where i apply the susp. otherwise i have it off
also use this bike during the winter on the road (at present for commute),
sure its slow (but good for fitness) compared to my road bikes, you can always put smoother tyres for road if u wanna roll better

nak

Lumen wrote: »

I would be interested to know whether the novelty of off-road commuting wears off. Treaded tyres and lower pressures will slow you down a bit compared to the road.

It's a lot more fun than being on the road and cross tyres aren't that slow as pressure doesn't need to be that low for the occasional field. I have been doing this recently due to works on the canal and it has made my commute much more enjoyable. Only downside is the mud and having to clean it off everything.