Bicycle for short road commute and the occasional very light off road use

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Caporegime
Joined
13 May 2003
Posts
34,443
Location
Warwickshire
Hi all

I've literally not bought or even looked at bikes for ten years! I have in my garage a rusty old push bike, and have decided that with the weather improving and me working only 3 miles from home, now is the time to buy a new one for some additional daily fitness.

Problem is I haven't a clue what's out there, where to get it from, and what I can get for my money. I'm hoping to spend not much more than £300 initially until decide that I don't hate cycling to work :p.

Please can you point me in the right direction for the best I can get for my money that will literally just allow me to get to work and back comfortably and reliably, with the potential to be used on the very occasional dirt track etc. Thanks a bunch.

PS is it generally accepted that everyone should wear a helmet these days when cycling on the roads?
 
Hi, thanks for the reply. Canal tow path is exactly the type of off road I'm talking about. So a hybrid...by which you mean a mountain bike with "bobbled road" tyres? I.e. hybrid between mountain bike and road bike?

Can anyone point me at what brands I should be looking at?
 
I'd look into the likes of the specialized globe/sirrus in the 700c wheel size as they will be good onroad but not as good as good/durable as a 26" wheel offroad. The globe is more for comfort with a 35c tyre and the sirrus is more for all out speed with the 28c.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/globe-vienna-2-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016933
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016920

On the 26" wheel front you get the same sort of feel as a mtb but it's a lot easier to shift arse.
Something like this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/centrum-elite-2008-hybrid-bike-ec001471 is nice. Internal gears means things last a bit longer between services but will overall be a but more expensive to service when it needs it.

I ride a carrera subway 1 and apart from the chain rusting solid(maybe my fault but it hadn't done much miles) it's been good. I can average about 17-19mph on the flat and 20mph if im pushing on. Maxing out at 36-38mph downhill :(
 
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