tourer
- Thread starter dave coe
- Start date
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Ben M
Senior Member
- Location
- Chester/Oxford
Why do you want a tourer for 20 mile trips?
Will your commute be entirely on good surface roads or anything more "rural"?
Will your commute be entirely on good surface roads or anything more "rural"?
Tarmac roads, but need panniers, so suppose lots of choice as long as it has fixing points, & and comfy.
Sugestions?
Ben M
Senior Member
- Location
- Chester/Oxford
Quite a large number of bikes have mountings for panniers, it is, generally, only more expensive road bikes that don't have them. For a commute of 20 miles I'd be looking at hybrids, road and audax bikes. A lot of road bikes also have clearance for full-length mudguards, if not you can still find a solution anyway.
It depends on how much cycling you've done, how fit you are, what else you're going to be using the bike for etc.
A hybrid bike is slower than an audax bike is slower than a road bike. as for comfort, a hybrid is pretty "point and go" whereas for a new rider a road or audax bike will take some getting used to (drop bars etc) An audax bike is more comfortable than a road bike. A cyclocross bike is another alternative, they are fairly durable, light and fit for some abuse, as well as being pretty comfortable over distance, cross-top-levers also enable you to operate the brakes from the top of the handlebars.
Edinburgh cycles are, I gather, a pretty good outfit, have you perhaps thought about going in there and chewing there ear for a while asking for recommendations.
You havn't stated a budget. Hybrids generally fall into a lower price bracket than the other bikes I've mentioned so that may make your mind up for you.
It depends on how much cycling you've done, how fit you are, what else you're going to be using the bike for etc.
A hybrid bike is slower than an audax bike is slower than a road bike. as for comfort, a hybrid is pretty "point and go" whereas for a new rider a road or audax bike will take some getting used to (drop bars etc) An audax bike is more comfortable than a road bike. A cyclocross bike is another alternative, they are fairly durable, light and fit for some abuse, as well as being pretty comfortable over distance, cross-top-levers also enable you to operate the brakes from the top of the handlebars.
Edinburgh cycles are, I gather, a pretty good outfit, have you perhaps thought about going in there and chewing there ear for a while asking for recommendations.
You havn't stated a budget. Hybrids generally fall into a lower price bracket than the other bikes I've mentioned so that may make your mind up for you.
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Their own brand Country Explorer is a nice bike;
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C440&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343
They do Ridgeback too;
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C440&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343
If you're pushing the C2W envelope, the Genesis Croix De Fer would make a fab commuter;
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C438&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018341
Although you'll have no cash for accessories.
FWIW, I commute on a Tourer (Surly Long Haul Trucker).
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C440&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343
They do Ridgeback too;
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C440&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343
If you're pushing the C2W envelope, the Genesis Croix De Fer would make a fab commuter;
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C438&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018341
Although you'll have no cash for accessories.
FWIW, I commute on a Tourer (Surly Long Haul Trucker).
Sheffield_Tiger
Legendary Member
EBC Country Explorer is my main commuter for same reasons (panniers, picking up shopping on the way home)
My commute can be 3, 13 or 24 miles each way depending on how I feel and what time I get up.
I do however look longingly at the thing of beauty that is the Croix de Fer every time I pass the shop...which considering it's about 400 metres from my house is quite often
My commute can be 3, 13 or 24 miles each way depending on how I feel and what time I get up.
I do however look longingly at the thing of beauty that is the Croix de Fer every time I pass the shop...which considering it's about 400 metres from my house is quite often
Piemaster
Guru
- Location
- UK City of Culture
You've got a lot more willpower than me. If there was one that close I'd have to move - or rather my wife would insist we move.
normskirus
Veteran
- Location
- Edinburgh
Hi
Sounds like your going through the same thought process as I did when I wanted a new commuter bike. My commute is 20 miles round trip, which I was doing on my old faithful trek 820. I bought the ridgeback voyager from EBC on the bike to work scheme. I got it because I wanted a steel frame tourer as I may, eventually, when the kids get more self sufficient go on some tours. At the time the EBC bike was an aluminium frame and I was led to believe steel was better for a tourer. Both bikes came with rack and mudguards, which is a plus.
However the EBC country explorer now has a steel framed bike and disks so now I might make a different choice. Im shocked at the state of my rims on the voyager after about 2500 miles. I can see me getting a new front wheel in another years time.
I more than happy with the voyager its a very comfortable bike.
I liked the look of the croix de fer but it was at the top of the BTW limit, and I just couldnt justify it to my self. Nice bike though.
By the way be aware of the new HMRC guidance on the fair value of the any bike bought through the BTW scheme.
Normskirus
Sounds like your going through the same thought process as I did when I wanted a new commuter bike. My commute is 20 miles round trip, which I was doing on my old faithful trek 820. I bought the ridgeback voyager from EBC on the bike to work scheme. I got it because I wanted a steel frame tourer as I may, eventually, when the kids get more self sufficient go on some tours. At the time the EBC bike was an aluminium frame and I was led to believe steel was better for a tourer. Both bikes came with rack and mudguards, which is a plus.
However the EBC country explorer now has a steel framed bike and disks so now I might make a different choice. Im shocked at the state of my rims on the voyager after about 2500 miles. I can see me getting a new front wheel in another years time.
I more than happy with the voyager its a very comfortable bike.
I liked the look of the croix de fer but it was at the top of the BTW limit, and I just couldnt justify it to my self. Nice bike though.
By the way be aware of the new HMRC guidance on the fair value of the any bike bought through the BTW scheme.
Normskirus
thanks each for your thoughts decided on the EBC Pathfinder.
