New commute/gravel/lane/bridleway type bike

[Deleted User 234324]

Currently on the look out for a new bike, its going to be mainly for commuting (14+ miles/day) which is a combination of road/lane/bridleway and cycle path, but also for the occasion long distance (50+ mile) mini adventures (around dartmoor/exmoor etc)

Now I already have a heavy duty hard hitter (haibike allmtn emtb) for those crazy trails and sketchy rides and a really crap decade old road bike that is horrible to ride and even on our roads is a spine shattering experience.

I'm looking for something sub £1k, ideally closer to the £700-£800 mark. Question is with the sudden rush for people to get bikes due to covid-19 would it be worth holding out for a month or two because chances are there will be a influx of used bikes once this all blows over.

 

[mattyfez]

A short travel light cross country type hard tail,
a flat bar hybrid/commuter type bike
or a cyclo cross (cx) bike if you want drop bars.

I suppose that's the 3 main high level general options. Once you know that you can narrow things down more.

 

[Deleted User 234324]

Figure it would be my go to bike for long rides, so comfort is key as is a wide gear ratio for climbing those steep hills around Dartmoor/Exmoor. Possibly need space or attachment options for luggage as well, should the desire to camp out under the stars ever occur.

Thinking adventure/gravel bike would be the better option.

 

[Junglist]

I have had a hybrid for the last 6 years and it's been great to use for commuting. Basically a road bike with 28c tyres, carbon forks, disc breaks and a flat bar. Can't remember exactly how many gears i think it was 18 but not sure. I never really used the smaller front ring unless it was really windy and I was struggling.

I got it from Evans cycles and it's a Hoy bike, was about £750 when i got it, could be worth seeing if they have anything similar. Not a snazzy name but ended up getting very decent components on it compared to the Specalized Sirus I was also looking at around the same time

 

[mattyfez]

Thinking adventure/gravel bike would be the better option.

I was just thinking that actually, maybe more of a tourer type thing with lots of options for panniers etc.
I suppose now the question is flat bars or drops as it's probably more of a faf to change later with gear shifters and brake levers etc.

Not my area of experience really but lots on a dedicated bike bike forum like https://forum.cyclinguk.org/

More of an older crowd that do longer distance and bike packing etc. Have a read there and you'll get more specific advice. Good luck!

 

[mattyfez]

I have had a hybrid for the last 6 years and it's been great to use for commuting. Basically a road bike with 28c tyres, carbon forks, disc breaks and a flat bar. Can't remember exactly how many gears i think it was 18 but not sure. I never really used the smaller front ring unless it was really windy and I was struggling.

I got it from Evans cycles and it's a Hoy bike, was about £750 when i got it, could be worth seeing if they have anything similar. Not a snazzy name but ended up getting very decent components on it compared to the Specalized Sirus I was also looking at around the same time

Not a bad shout actually... Some of the Evans Hoy bikes are pretty good for the money but check the frame specs If you want to attach loads of bags and stuff. Easier if it already has frame mounts than trying to fit stuff retrospectively

 

[FishFluff]

If your commute is 14 miles, I would 100% be getting some kind of drop bar bike (be that CX/Gravel/Adventure or whatever) with the ability to carry a pannier bag. Something like this Ribble maybe (although it's at the top end of your budget): https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al-orange-shimano-tiagra/

 

[Deleted User 234324]

Yeah will be a Gravel bike that I get, just gonna wait a bit until the sales start so I can get the spec I want for my budget, thinking a shimano 105 or sram apex 1x11 groupset (my MTB is 1x11 speed) so can keep a spare chain around for either bike.