A more suitable commuting machine

[Holdsworth]

That is what I am looking for, something more suited to commutes and general day to day cycling than my one and only 23 road bike. It has done me well and I commute (when it isn't broken) 9 miles each on it 3-4 times a week, the occasional longer ride and some trips into town.

I fell now though that maybe when I build up some more money I should invest in bike that will better suit the above task and reserve the Holdsworth for weekend, leisure and sportive riding.

My current bike just seems to not offer what I need to commuting, a comfortable ride on potholed country lanes and mudguard/pannier mounting points, 23c tyres give a harsh ride and maybe 28c ones would be better.

I currently get by with a Carradice saddlebag and clip on RoadRacer Mk 2 'guards. The bag is fine and has enough capacity to bring all work related things to and fro but I would appreciate the option for pannier when I want to do grocery shopping in town and not have to make multiple trips to bring it all back.
The mudguards as well do a good job at keeping the mud and water off of me but they rub quite a bit under the brake arch and are easily damaged (as demonstrated by the Mavic mechanic at the Cheshire Cat in March).
The ability to fit full SKS type 'guards would be a great addition to my commuter.



I have been considering a few bikes than fall in my budget of just under £400 that meet my criteria including a few "fast" hybrids such as the Specialized Sirrus which I like the look of a lot.

I would appreciate any recommendations

 

[upsidedown]

For that money i would seriously consider a second hand Dawes Galaxy or similar. If you can find a lightly used one it will be pretty bomb proof and have all the attachment points you will need.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Specialized tricross? Drop bar "ruffty-tuffty" road bike. Just make sure you are happy with cantilever brakes!

For that budget you would be abaying it, so make sure you are happy checking a bike over or take someone that is.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op Revolution Cross, £425, takes guards, rack, etc. Lot of bike for the money and folk say EBC are pretty good.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...4&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018333c018335

 

[John the Monkey]

Revolution's tourer is a nice bike too, the "Country" something or other.

Their nearest shop is in Manchester, on Oxford Road, not too bad to get to from our neck of the woods.

Save up a bit more, and you've a Cotic/Surly dealer over in Alsager (Sideways Cycles) who do nice builds.

 

[Holdsworth]

I like the look of the Revolution Cross quite a lot, does the more expensive Country Traveller offer any advantage over it, apart from ready fitted 'guards and rack?

Would I be right in thinking that I could fit a slightly narrower tyre to the rim on the Cross, 35c knobblies seem a bit overkill for commuting although they have an advantage off road?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Without going into too much detail I can't see that much of a difference, the Cross looks better unless really compact frames are your thing. If the rim takes 35 tyres chances are it'll take 32, ring 'em and ask - if you're going to buy it from them they may even fit the 32s for you.

 

[Holdsworth]

Without going into too much detail I can't see that much of a difference, the Cross looks better unless really compact frames are your thing. If the rim takes 35 tyres chances are it'll take 32, ring 'em and ask - if you're going to buy it from them they may even fit the 32s for you.

That's an idea to consider, thanks

I am sure it would be easy to swap over the tyres, assuming the rims are okay, and hopefully there would be minimal/no expense to do so. I will contact them closer to the time when I will have the funds to buy, current estimates about 2 and 1/2 weeks from now all being well.

I wonder when their next sale will be on, they were selling some ff cheap at the end of last year so I am hoping there will be a repeat of that in the next month or so. I remember seeing the cross at something like £350 once!