Commuting/Winter/do-it-all bike recommendations?

[Yazzoo]

Hi all,

I got my knock off Pashley out of the shed the other night, ready for a makeover before I start a new job. I was going to commute on it. Went for a short test ride, forced to ride through a pothole by other traffic and the frame has broken! It could possibly be re-welded but to be honest it was a naff, heavy, clunky old thing that had seen better days and wasn't worth spending anything on repairing - which leads me to my next question. . .

I now need a bike that I can commute on, year round, so guards a must, rear rack a must, disc brakes seem a good idea but never had them? My commute is short, mainly flat and incorporates a small off road section. Not MTB applicable but prob want something aimed more towards CX or at least 28s? Ideally I'd like to be able to take the panniers off and use it as my winter road bike also so don't want anything too heavy - any ideas? It's not an option to buy more than one n+1 as storage is v limited, is it possible to get something that will do it all?

Been looking at something like this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-2-2016/m- but it's 12.5kg

Or maybe this:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV/planet-x-london-road-sram-rival-11-bike

Any input appreciated before I part with the hard earned!

 

[bonsaibilly]

I commute year round on rim braked bikes and have had exactly zero incidents over 14 years that were related to braking ability in wet or wintry weather. Therefore I don't believe disc brakes are necessary or beneficial for commuting. All they seem to do in poor weather is make a harsh screeching sound unless you clean them literally continuously.

The Px looks lovely to me. Horses for courses.

BB

 

[Roadrider48]

Hi all,

I got my knock off Pashley out of the shed the other night, ready for a makeover before I start a new job. I was going to commute on it. Went for a short test ride, forced to ride through a pothole by other traffic and the frame has broken! It could possibly be re-welded but to be honest it was a naff, heavy, clunky old thing that had seen better days and wasn't worth spending anything on repairing - which leads me to my next question. . .

I now need a bike that I can commute on, year round, so guards a must, rear rack a must, disc brakes seem a good idea but never had them? My commute is short, mainly flat and incorporates a small off road section. Not MTB applicable but prob want something aimed more towards CX or at least 28s? Ideally I'd like to be able to take the panniers off and use it as my winter road bike also so don't want anything too heavy - any ideas? It's not an option to buy more than one n+1 as storage is v limited, is it possible to get something that will do it all?

Been looking at something like this:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-2-2016/m- but it's 12.5kg

Or maybe this:
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV/planet-x-london-road-sram-rival-11-bike

Any input appreciated before I part with the hard earned!

I have the flat bat version of the London road and can thoroughly reccomend it.
Somebody will along soon though to say that PX is cheap and nasty and fall apart after a week.
I found the PX sizing is quite true to form in my case.
Hope it helps a little bit.

 

[Roadrider48]

I have the flat bat version of the London road and can thoroughly reccomend it.
Somebody will along soon though to say that PX is cheap and nasty and fall apart after a week.
I found the PX sizing is quite true to form in my case.
Hope it helps a little bit.

 

[jowwy]

I would look at something from genesis on evans cycles for a nice steel commuter with discs.....contrary to what others may post, i have used discs in all weather as a commuter and road bike and have yet to hear a single screech or suffer from rubbing noises.

 

[Yazzoo]

Thanks guys, I did wonder if the disc brakes thing was largely irrelevant (for my needs)

I don't want to pay extra for the 'charge' name if its just cause it's fashionable. I don't mind paying more for something that is better!

 

[vickster]

How hilly is your route? If not, look at the spiffing Whyte Carnaby, also do compact double options

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=17859&O_ID=2 (This years is £600)

The supremely named Victoria is another option

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=17956&O_ID=1

Edit, you said it's flat, Carnaby perfect (Even if not as well named )

 

[vickster]

Do you work for or get commision from Whyte because your always plugging their bikes?

No, I've had two so I have personal first hand experience of how good they are

And many people aren't familiar with them which is a real shame

 

[Yazzoo]

I do like those but would rather drop bars if poss, route is short and flat, just not all lovely smooth tarmac!

 

[vickster]

I do like those but would rather drop bars if poss, route is short and flat, just not all lovely smooth tarmac!

They do drop options too, Somerset is wsd I think

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co....Somerset Disc Sora 2015 Ladies Road/Race Bike'

 

[h1udd]

All my bikes are now disks (apart from the Klein but that lives on the turbo) .... And there is no improvement in wet braking over rim brakes ..... This could be though due to embarrassment of me using the brakes in the wet due to the squealing ..... I so envy the guy on this thread with the silent wet disk brakes

 

[vickster]

I've seen them close up at the Bike show in Birmingham and they looked to be really good. I got the impression they were very much winter/commuter type bikes.

Which is exactly what the OP wants in the thread title???

 

[User269]

Went for a short test ride, forced to ride through a pothole by other traffic and the frame has broken!

Did you not realise you had a carbon fibre frame?

 

[Yazzoo]

lol sadly I think it was made from some kind of rusty old scaffold, at least it felt like it

 

[Yazzoo]

I think what I might be looking for is more like a tourer?