Starting anew! Looking for a decent road bike for commute, what would you recommend?

[Bonefish Blues]

Here's a solid choice that will do everything that you ask quite comfortably, and with £25 left to fit mudguards (and you should):

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-3-2017-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV275578

 

[vickster]

Here's a solid choice that will do everything that you ask quite comfortably, and with £25 left to fit mudguards (and you should):

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-3-2017-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV275578

Might be a bit slippy on grass on slick tyres.

 

[jefmcg]

Here's a solid choice that will do everything that you ask quite comfortably, and with £25 left to fit mudguards (and you should):

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-3-2017-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV275578

So not a road bike.?

Maybe you are right and this is perfect for @HelenQueen, but when I went shopping explicitly for a drop bar bike, I kept being steered towards flat bars, which I felt was sexism. Those shops lost my business.

Of course Helen might not have meant drop bars, but that's what "road bike" generally means.

 

[vickster]

She didn't answer when I asked above, she wants to ride on grass...if that is truly a key use then a 'typical' roadbike with drop bars and slick skinny tyres probably isn't the right machine. CX might work, but potemtially hard to find for £500 and small enough for someone who is 5'4

 

[User19783]

Get the London Road, you could ride that off road on a weekend as long as you have some suitable tyres on. The small will fit you, but you will have to put a bit more money towards it.
OR this in extra small https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-croix-de-fer-10-2016-cyclocross-bike-EV258264

Imho
Having a PX London Road, flat bars, I would only recommend if you are not to bother about toe overlap, I fitted mudguards, which made the problem worst.
But having said that, the bike is great to ride, I use mine for commuting and all day touring, with the right tires, not the ones it came with, I feel I can go and experience most trail's.
Enjoy whatever you get.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Might be a bit slippy on grass on slick tyres.

I understand that on these contemporary models one is now able to change them. Not sure I believe it myself but the bike shop person was most insistent!

 

[vickster]

I understand that on these contemporary models one is now able to change them. Not sure I believe it myself but the bike shop person was most insistent!

If there's room once the suggested mudguards are fitted

 

[dim]

get a Trek 7.2 FX: (£344 brand new)

http://www.jejamescycles.com/trek-7...THTSx261v65TXUYLgNvQDqZD2vET-6WVagaAnrg8P8HAQ

use the change to add mudguards, lights, a gold rated D-Lock and pannier bags

 

[Bonefish Blues]

If there's room once the suggested mudguards are fitted

Have you seen the clearances? Mahoosive.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

So not a road bike.?

Maybe you are right and this is perfect for @HelenQueen, but when I went shopping explicitly for a drop bar bike, I kept being steered towards flat bars, which I felt was sexism. Those shops lost my business.

Of course Helen might not have meant drop bars, but that's what "road bike" generally means.

I was being guided by her description of the bike's typical usage, but I may be up the wrong strasse, OP will reveal all, I'm sure!

 

[dim]

Shes after a road bike, which I take to mean a bike with drops.

she is still confused so I'm giving my suggestion which is a Trek Hybrid 7.2 FX .... brilliant bike IMHO, good price and many of my clients who have taken my advice by buying one have thanked me and are very happy

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Apropos of these threads I do love the way that they gather a momentum of their own without the need of intervention from the OP

 

[dim]

Apropos of these threads I do love the way that they gather a momentum of their own without the need of intervention from the OP

buying a bike is like buying a car .... ask 10 people and you get 10 different suggestions

 

[Tail End Charlie]

get a Trek 7.2 FX: (£344 brand new)

http://www.jejamescycles.com/trek-7...THTSx261v65TXUYLgNvQDqZD2vET-6WVagaAnrg8P8HAQ

use the change to add mudguards, lights, a gold rated D-Lock and pannier bags

This is excellent advice, it will last for years and do everything the OP describes.

 

[HelenQueen]

Well that was a lot of information to take it!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, muchly appreciated! I need a few moments to go through all this to pick something.

I am a total newbie at this so all the info you've given me will be great in making a decision, thanks everyone!