Recommend a good commuting bike?

[SquareDaff]

Just to let all the people that commented here know. I now have my new bike. Went for a Claud Butler Explorer 400. Hard tailed but with front suspension. I've seen all the comments about energy absorption etc... but as a general rule I kepe my backside in the saddle and have very little weight over the front forks. Certainly don't feel like I'm losing any power transmission. Have it fitted out with my lights/speedo etc... and have a U lock (and locked/covered compound) to store it in at work.

Went for the CB as I'd had one before a few years ago and it just felt like a part of me. The new bike is just the same and motors. Have already taken 4 mins of each leg of my 4 mile commute (one either side of train journeys getting here). Crusing speed on the flat is now a lot more respectable 23mph and feels like there's more to come once my legs get fully back in shape.

Still really enjoying the commute. Just need to get some paniers now to carry in things like clothes and laptop (for the one week in 4 I'm on call). At the moment using a rucksack which isn't ideal as it restricts the rib cage a little. Any suggestions for decent ones?

 

[battered]

I now have my new bike. Went for a Claud Butler Explorer 400 and it just felt like a part of me.

Great stuff. The most important thing is that you like it.

Crusing speed on the flat is now a lot more respectable 23mph and feels like there's more to come once my legs get fully back in shape.

Er, is your name actually Contador? *Cruising* at 23mph?

I have Edin bike coop panniers, they are ok. Nice and waterproof.

 

[Moodyman]

Crusing speed on the flat is now a lot more respectable 23mph?

That's most people's flat out speed. If you can improve on that when you're legs get stronger, you ought to enter the TdF.

 

[SquareDaff]

I'm way too old for the TdF and seriously doubt those guys cruise at a lowly 23mph on the flat.
I only haven't cycled for a long while....still kept in shape - so aerobically I'm up to it but the leg muscles aren't yet! Am helped by having my faithful SPD pedals fitted too, so can generate power on the upstroke as well as the down.

 

[battered]

The next time I'm out, bowling along at my customary flat terrain 15mph ish, if someone zaps past at 23mph, humming softly to himself and idly glancing at the scenery, I'll know who it is and *if I can catch up* I'll say hello.

 

[MacB]

yep it took me several thousand miles to get to a cruising speed of 17ish mph

 

[Crankarm]

Great stuff. The most important thing is that you like it.


Er, is your name actually Contador? *Cruising* at 23mph?

I have Edin bike coop panniers, they are ok. Nice and waterproof.

No, he thinks he's Mario Cipolini .................

 

[Crankarm]

yep it took me several thousand miles to get to a cruising speed of 17ish mph

Wow! MacB you've got stamina .........................

What was your stopping distance?

 

[MacB]

Wow! MacB you've got stamina .........................

What was your stopping distance?

I still remember breaking the 10mph average speed barrier on a ride of less than 5 miles and being quite proud of myself.

 

[jay clock]

+1 for no suspension, +1 for a Subway or +1 for a Specialized Sirrus.

I have a Subway from about 04 or 05 and it is a fab bike. One of 6 now but if I ever had to commute it would be ideal. Have used it for touring too (see here for a lovely pic from last year! http://www.crazyguyo...&v=g#pic_532896 )

My partner has Sirrus and that is lovely bike too, a little more "road" than the Subway

 

[Alun]

Crusing speed on the flat is now a lot more respectable 23mph and feels like there's more to come once my legs get fully back in shape.

Do you mean 23kph?

 

[SquareDaff]

There's nothing to look at on the flat part of my commute! That's probably why I cruise at 23mph!!

 

[Wobblers]

Enjoy your new bike!

Altura Arran panniers are quite robust, I've been using a set for the last year. They're not waterproof though. Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative do their own brand waterproof panniers which are made by Vaude (good!) and are excellent. Otherwise, if you want to spend more money, panniers by Vaude or Ortlieb such as the Ortlieb roller classic have a good reputation, if a bit pricy.

 

[SquareDaff]

They'd have to be waterproof for transporting the laptop - which is by far the heaviest thing I carry in my rucksack at the moment. I'm on lunch now so will have a look around. Thanks, all, for the suggestions to date!

 

[SquareDaff]

And I do mean mph - normally wouldn't trust speedos (not the trunks) - but have been double checking with the GPS monitor I use too. I could manage a continuous 17mph on the old mountain bike - but that was too slow which was why I upgraded.