Recommend bike for a commute 12.5 M road/path

Jack Bauer

Jack Bauer

Jack Bauer

Associate
Joined
6 Nov 2005
Posts
1,675
Location
Oxford
I cycled to work for the first time today. Roughly 12.5 miles from Witney to the centre of Oxford along the a40.

While it was certainly not painless, for my first try I was happy enough with a time of 1 h 9 m. Plenty of room for improvement, but as I don’t cycle at all good enough. Not so sure about the return trip but let’s see what happens tonight!

Regardless of that, now that I know I can make the journey in reasonable time (at least equal to my bus/car commute) I want to considering getting a better bike for this purpose.

Something around the £300 mark would be good. At this price it will pay for its self in 10 weeks. If I am still cycling to work by then it will be a good investment and maybe, I will consider something more expensive.



I have had a quick look at the forums and found recommendations for the following.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html

with new tyres.

MICHELIN PRO4 Endurance 700x25 Flex Bead Road Bike Tyre / ETRTO 25-622

The was an old thread/recommendation. Is there anything better I should be considering?

Thanks for the help.
 
Currently I am using a second hand bike I got given

APOLLO KALAMUNDA MENS BIKE

Quick search indicates it is a cheap halfords bike.

Unlikely to get any leisure riding unless it with the kid. This would be slow riding over various terrain so the Apollo will do the job.

The route is all bike path or road. Surfaces are good apart form the last mile in Oxford where the roads can be poor. In summary, the bike is only for the commute so if I gain a little speed from the road bike then I will go with that.

I know little about bikes so didn't want to go second hand. Looks like this is as good an option as anything.

Cheers
 
The tyre suggest came from

FrenchTart said:
Good call on the tyres too. Pretty much all bikes at this level will come with awful tyres and the first thing you should do is swap them out. If you can get the bike shop to do it for you during the build then all the better. I recommend Pro4 Endurance 25mm for good all-round awesomeness (and not breaking the bank).
Click to expand...

Don't want to spend money if I don't have to.
 
Cheers will do.

Think I will sleep on it and then decide if I want to commit to the commute tomorrow. Feeling fairly positive about it today and looking forward the the time neutral (no extra time out of my day) cardio.
 
I'm going to pick it up today.

Cycled home last night. It was a pleasant ride tbh. Looking forward to the new bike as my current bike feels like I am riding a tank after a few miles. Will consider mudguards towards the end of the summer.

Also...I stated watching Legacy and it seem to capture the feeling of the original. Only got 1or 2 episodes in so will have to finish at some point. It was certainly better than 24 London.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom