What bike should I get? 2 mile commute.

LewisRaz

LewisRaz

LewisRaz

Soldato
Joined
23 May 2016
Posts
3,781
Location
North Essex
Hello all. I have recently sold my car and plan to cycle my 2 mile journey to work. It is 95% cycle path and virtually flat.

I have a full suspension MTB with 24" road tyres on but its quite rotten and is very slow on the road. Not to mention heavy.

Originally I was just looking to buy a cheap MTB, put some smooth tyres on it and go but since doing some shopping around have noticed hybrids and road bikes can be picked up in my budget (sub £200).

Does anyone here have any advice on what I should look for? The idea of a road bike is attracting me as I have always enjoyed cycling (off road) and would quite like to try it out.

Anyone who is into cycling or knows about it got any advice? When riding I tend to be a 100% or nothing kind of guy. The few times I have tried it on my current bike were exhausting just for the 2 miles!

Thanks

Lewis
 
LewisRaz said:
Anyone who is into cycling or knows about it got any advice?
Click to expand...
There's probably a few of us that fit this description in this sub-forum :p
(though I guess this thread might have been moved here)

Probably your best bet is to look at Decathlon Triban's with that budget or second-hand. If you want less maintenance and as your route is flat perhaps consider a single-speed - though I don't have any specific recommendations there.

Which other road bikes have you found sub £200? We can offer our opinions on them.
 
On eBay there is this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/272894930204

And on Halfords there is:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165710&productId=1326979&storeId=10001

And

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165710&productId=1357968&storeId=10001

Hopefully those links work. Am posting on mobile. Cheers.

I'm fully aware that bikes this cheap will be laughable to those in the hobby but it just needs to be good enough for work or getting into cycling!

Lewis
 
A hybrid or road bike will be much easier, but have you checked whether you can lock the suspension out on your current mountain bike?

Failing that - do you have any local independent cycle shops? Probably be worth popping in and seeing what used bikes you can pick up - for the budget you will may be able to get something a bit better (E.g. lighter frame and/or better groupset) than those halfords bikes.
 
LewisRaz said:
On eBay there is this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/272894930204

And on Halfords there is:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165710&productId=1326979&storeId=10001

And

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165710&productId=1357968&storeId=10001

Hopefully those links work. Am posting on mobile. Cheers.

I'm fully aware that bikes this cheap will be laughable to those in the hobby but it just needs to be good enough for work or getting into cycling!

Lewis
Click to expand...

If it's only for two miles I wouldn't get a drop bar bike. Also, as it's not on the road but on cyclye paths, you'll want mud guards to keep the deutrius off your back. A rack would be good if it's for work as well, you'll soon get sick of wearing a backpack for commuting.

If I only had 200 quid to spend on a commuter I'd be looking at this:-

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165534&productId=1246690&storeId=10001

And using the 30 quid saved to buy a pannier bag:-

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...goryId=165643&productId=1331549&storeId=10001
 
Last edited by a moderator:
2 miles? personally I'd walk that! :D 40 minutes or so if you're a brisk walker.

If not, I'd reccomend a fixed gear bike, drop bar or flat. On the flat they fly as the momentum keeps your legs spinning which keeps the wheel turning, and so-one. I rode one for commuting/getting around in Bristol which ain't flat!! You'll need clips or a cheap set of clipless pedals to go with it.
 
By the time you've put your cycling kit on, got the bike out, cycled the 2 miles (10-15 minutes), locked it up at the other end and then got changed you'll be close on 30 minutes I reckon.

If you're going to be using it for other stuff apart from just commuting then fair enough.
 
TallPaul_S said:
By the time you've put your cycling kit on, got the bike out, cycled the 2 miles (10-15 minutes), locked it up at the other end and then got changed you'll be close on 30 minutes I reckon.

If you're going to be using it for other stuff apart from just commuting then fair enough.
Click to expand...

This is why I don't cycle my 2.5 mile commute. That and the fact it's a bunch of roads full of traffic too.
 
TallPaul_S said:
By the time you've put your cycling kit on, got the bike out, cycled the 2 miles (10-15 minutes), locked it up at the other end and then got changed you'll be close on 30 minutes I reckon.

If you're going to be using it for other stuff apart from just commuting then fair enough.
Click to expand...

The answer to that is to get a bike that you can ride at a pace that doesn't leave you sweaty so that you can just ride in normal clothes. Takes me 15 minutes to get the 2 miles from my living room to my desk at work and that includes locking it up at work. All I need to do is attach my bag to the rear rack (I have a satchel type bag that doubles as a pannier), put my helmet on and off I go. I have a u-lock mounted to the frame for when I arrive at wherever I'm going.

The bike I use has hub gears and a chain that's fully sealed off in a chain guard so there's not even any risk of getting chain grime on my work clothes.
 
I got a carrera the same as the one from ebay but black. £150 from facebook and as new with receipts and a couple of extras.

First day on it today and it was good. Until on the way home and the skinny wheels got caught on a ridge barely 1cm high and I stacked it :D

Enjoy the ride tho. Cant wait for the better weather now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom