> £170 Bike for London Commute recommend

[Bruce_M]

Hi

I am new here.

Looking to purchase my 1st serious bike.

I live in central London and looking to commute 3 - 6 miles per day along the busy streets of London. Can you guys help me by recommending a bike?

I am 5 ft 10 and athletic. Looking for a fast and durable bike (I know its a lot to ask for)

At the moment I have narrowed it down to these two bike -

VIKING GIRO D'ATALIA 56CM GENTS 14 SPEED ALUMINIUM ROAD RACE BIKE


Barracuda Azzurri 56cm Alloy Road Race Bike



Why do you guys think of these bikes?

Any advice is very much appreciated. I really don't want to make the wrong choice as £170 is quite a big investment for me at the moment.

Thanks

 

[punkypossum]

At that price I would go 2nd hand! Even then you might struggle...

 

[Maz]

Hello/Welcome:
To be honest, I've never heard of either of those bikes. Both have got downtube shifters (meaning the gear lever is on the diagonal tube, not on the handlebars) - I don't know if that is a big deal to you or not. You might have to go 2nd-hand to get a half-decent bike at £170.

Maybe you could visit Decathlon? - they've got a bike in that price range e.g. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-1-42393917/

 

[shimano]

feel free to ignore me as I'm new to all this but should you really be looking at racing bikes for 'the busy streets of London?' Surely a decent hybrid would be better for sitting more upright and seeing what's going on around you? I did 8 miles across Edinburgh (ok mostly flatish roads) yesterday in 20 minutes and I'm not exactly what you'd call fit...

 

[djb1971]

You may get a deal on an old model Kona smoke if you hunt around ~£200. Bomb proof, not a very knickable bike and comes with mudguards to keep your ass dry

 

[Bruce_M]

I have been looking 2nd hand also but haven't found anything yet. Visited a few bike shops today.

Went to Decathlon on the weekend, but nothing looked good. Maybe I should give them another visit to look at the one within price range.

The one linked above; the b'twin sport 1, is the shifter on this also on the downtube?

 

[punkypossum]

If you went for a hybrid, you could get a Carrera Subway 1 for £199 - and halfords often through in 25 quids worth of free accessories, etc. Obviously that's no good if you definitely want a road bike...

 

[djb1971]

If your route is flat or you're pretty fit

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/page/114/Bowery

 

[Bruce_M]

If your route is flat or you're pretty fit

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/page/114/Bowery

This bike looks good. A little over budget though, but I'm considering it.

It has a gear ratio of 46/17. What does this mean?

I mean, how does this compare to the Decathlon high gears for example?

 

[Sittingduck]

Hi Bruce

I got myself a Specialized Globe08 last week from Evans' End of Summer Sale for £199.99. I had the Subway1 on reserve from Halfords but decided to opt for the Specialized for 700c wheels, trigger shifters and the slightly larger 48 notch Chain wheel.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/globe-2008-hybrid-bike-ec001483

I am very happy with my choice so far

 

[djb1971]

46/17

That's the front chain ring and rear sprocket size. I think the giant has low gear inches in the 70's so it is ideal for flat riding and easy hills

 

[kyuss]

I got a Giant Bowery from Pearsons last week and I'm loving it. Don't let the fact it has no gears put you off, it's a proper bargain at that price and perfect for commuting. Certainly better value for money than either of the two you've listed IMO and there is less to go wrong so you'll save money in the long run.

I'm running the standard 46/17 gear around Edinburgh which is pretty hilly compared to London so if I can lug my unfit, fat arse up the hills round here without trouble I can't imagine you'll have any problems with it in London. It's still good for 20+mph quite comfortably, faster if you learn to spin or fit a bigger rear sprocket.

If you really need or want a geared road bike then out of the Viking, the Barracuda and the Decathlon I'd get the Decathlon. At least they have a history of making decent bikes and I know someone on another forum who was dead chuffed with his until it got nicked. You'll get a much much better bike secondhand off ebay or gumtree though.

 

[Bruce_M]

I got a Giant Bowery from Pearsons last week and I'm loving it. Don't let the fact it has no gears put you off, it's a proper bargain at that price and perfect for commuting. Certainly better value for money than either of the two you've listed IMO and there is less to go wrong so you'll save money in the long run.

I'm running the standard 46/17 gear around Edinburgh which is pretty hilly compared to London so if I can lug my unfit, fat arse up the hills round here without trouble I can't imagine you'll have any problems with it in London. It's still good for 20+mph quite comfortably, faster if you learn to spin or fit a bigger rear sprocket.

If you really need or want a geared road bike then out of the Viking, the Barracuda and the Decathlon I'd get the Decathlon. At least they have a history of making decent bikes and I know someone on another forum who was dead chuffed with his until it got nicked. You'll get a much much better bike secondhand off ebay or gumtree though.

Thanks for the advice.

At the moment I've actually given up on the Viking and Barracuda. The problem is deciding whether or not to go for the Giant Bowery or the Decathlon B'Twin Sport 1.

The Decathlon one is cheaper and is not fixed gear so I can coast, so I don't need to learn a new style of riding. The downside for me is that it seems like it has downtube shifters and seems a little fragile.

The Giant Bowery; I have read many reviews on this and everyone says it is solid like a tank and needs little maintenance. The fixed gear, I am actually finding very attractive and tempted to go for. Problem is, its slightly out of budget.

Today I will go to decathlon to test ride their B'Twin Sport 1. If I don't like, I'll be getting the Bowery instead.

Anymore advice between these two?

 

[kyuss]

Keep in mind that you don't have to run the Bowery as a fixed. It comes with a flip/flop hub, so it's only fixed on one side with a freewheel on the other so you don't have to give up coasting just yet.

 

[punkypossum]

I'd go for the Giant!