Best for long(ish) commute?

[tordis]

I'm looking for a good all-rounder bike that would make my 1-hour long commute to work a pleasure without breaking the bank. I'm willing to spend £350, but I would be happy to pay up to £400 for the perfect bike. So far, I've singled out a few models and I was wondering what your advice would be.
Is this Claud Butler Classic any good? Or should I consider Trek T30? I like some of the Raleigh ones, but apparently, apart from being sturdy and durable, they don't have many advantages. What do you think about the Saracen Venturer?
I'm planning to pop into Evans this afternoon, but I'd like to get some advice from you guys before I speak to the staff.

 

[Browser]

How long, miles-wise, is your commute and what sort of surfaces are you riding on i.e. all tarmac roads/cycle paths, some rough surfaced etc? Do you need a rack/carrier?

 

[tordis]

I use 2 different routes, one is 10 miles, the other one - 12 miles. They're both mostly on roads, with some rough bits around North Woolwich (holes, bumps, humps, you name it). Some of it is on green cycle paths. I do need a rack and I'd like it to be pre-fitted.

 

[jay clock]

My girlfriend has a Sirrus and these are excellent light hybrids in my view. Unless you go for a tourer most bikes will not have a rack prefitted in my view....

 

[Browser]

I can't really recommend a bike (sorry), my only input would be to say to try and find a bike with slimmer wheels that those you've linked to, unless you are after a feather bed ride. 38C tyres will drag rather, and if your ride is mainly paved you should be OK with 25 or 28's. You can always get a sprung saddle stem to soften the bumps?

 

[MartDavis]

I use a 531 framed tourer with a Brooks saddle for my 18 mile commute. It doesn't get more comfortable than that. It has mudguards to keep off road muck, a rack for carrying stuff (which you need in the winter), drop bars with 5 different positions and hard wearing puncture-proof marathon tyres. It also has a fair turn of speed when I feel up to it.

By the way, is that a picture of you Tordis - damn fine if it is!

 

[tordis]

I use a 531 framed tourer with a Brooks saddle for my 18 mile commute.

Where did you buy that one? Or was it custom-built?

By the way, is that a picture of you Tordis - damn fine if it is!

Wish it was! I'm about 5 inches shorter. And 25 pounds heavier, I suppose

 

[MartDavis]

The bike has evolved over the past 25 million years. The only original thing left on it is .............um..................actually there's nothing original left on it!

As for the girl in the picture, I bet she's not a cyclist like your good self.

 

[Kestevan]

I started commuting on a Saracen Venturer (admitedly not that model). Whilst it was OK, and would probably have been fine for a more occasional use, I found ultimately it just wasn't built well enough to handle the mileage (24 mile a day commute 5 days a week).

I've now got a Trek, which apart from some issues with the wheels (exacerbated no doubt by my "generous" build) has been the model of reliability.

 

[pinkkaz]

I agree with the others and think you should get something lighter with thinner wheels for a 10 mile commute across London. A road bike or a light hybrid I reckon.

 

[Tynan]

road bike if you're anything vaguely athletic, it goes quicker and it's a lot more fun

fast hybrid if not, don't believe anything people tell you about a road bike being uncomfortable or bad in traffic, bike shops seem to prefer to sell people hybrids

 

[tordis]

Thanks for all your help - I find road bikes quite tricky and I wobble a lot on them, but I reckon it's just a matter of getting used to them. Thing is, I'm not sure if my modest budget of up to £400 will be enough for a decent road bike.

 

[HLaB]

My girlfriend has a Sirrus and these are excellent light hybrids in my view. Unless you go for a tourer most bikes will not have a rack prefitted in my view....

+1 on the Sirrus and if the OP wants a rack fitted, I'm sure the lbs will be happy to help.

 

[smavter]

Yeah i'd get a roadbike or something in between like a giant fcr4, but please dont just search for female bikes, i think its pretty outdated, you need to find something youre comfortable on. good luck!