Best bike for London commuting. Hybrid ?

Hi Warwick, you shouldn't really need suspension on a road bike to get you from North London into the West End, unless you insist on a blast across Hampstead Heath. Far better to put your money into something with a good frame and reliable (& servicable)running gear. For around 260 quid you can get a decent lightweight city mount from the likes of Trek / Specialized/Marin. If you really crave suspension get sprung seat tube to fit (if it doesn't already come fitted with one), or then again, you could search ebay for a nice four speed Moulton F-frame. Just remember though, the main problem with having a decent bike in London, is all the scurvy bastards with bolt cutters waiting to separate you from it.

I wonder if you'd be better off buying a cheap bike maintenance book, getting some bits off Ebay and fixing your own brakes!

£300 is not a lot of money for a town bike. Decathlon tend to be competitive at that end of the market but I'd still buy a s/h MTB with a rigid fork and a triple chainset for the hills. Nice and simple, and something that will not attract too much attention from thieves either. I'd be nice to your local bike shop and see what they have, £30 on a service may also save you time later if you do buy s/h. Get some city tyres too, fast enough but still with a bit of squidge. You surely do not need suspension for a road commute, even in London!

Bruce

That's a nice, do-able distance Warwick but a 12 mile round trip is nearly 3000 miles over a year and that will break a cheap cycle. You'll also need to buy good clothing and lighting for winter.

Don't overlook touring bikes as they give you the gear ratios of a mountain bike but weight and speed closer to a road bike plus fixings for the inevitable bit of luggage which is better off on the bike than on you. Intended for long trips with big loads, good ones stop really well and use reliable components. Dawes make a range of both touring and Audax bikes which are widely available and start new around 500. If buying new find an good independent bike shop with a background in touring as they'll tell you about all the little things that will get you to your destination on time if things go wrong.

3000 miles costs me about 200 pounds in tyres, brake blocks, cables and chain/drive components but saves 920 in train fare.

C

Forget it!! Do yourself a favour and call in with Condor cycles on Greys Inn Road - more money than you are talking about, but worth every penny. If you are taking about road use I would still recommend a racer with a decent groupset eg Campag Veloce. Modern frames and wheels are extremely robust & in my opinion there is no need for suspension in north London.

Alternatively, if you are an employee, check if your company have signed up for the Ride to Work scheme - this basically enables your company to purchase a bike on your behalf, they claim back the VAT and you repay the balance deducted from your gross salary and is exempt from NI contributions also - repaid over a 12 or 18 month period. The result is, for higher tax payers, approx 50% discount off display price. The likes of Evans Cycles participate in this - not sure about Condor.

Good luck!

Peter

I think a racer is insane for someone new to commuting as most have little to no clearance between the front wheel and your foot.
You don't need suspension, it is extra weight for no benefit on the road. If you have a particularly delicate bum go for clearance for bigger, softer tyres.
I have; a racer, hybrid and cross-country MTB, all of which have been used for my 20 mile round trip daily commute in London, over the past 15 years. For the first few years the MTB felt safer due to the upright position and manoeuverability. This gave me the confidence to keep going in all weathers and lighting conditions. These days I use a compact Audax with mudguards and rack, and the full-on racer on dry sunny days. I prefer drop bars now as I get numb hands after about an hour with straight bars, but straights are easier in traffic for a beginner.
I feel your budget is a bit low if you plan to commute daily, just look at the fares you are saving. I spend more in a year on lighting and cycle clothing.
My top tip for commuting is get a mirror. I was very sceptical, but now wouldn't ride without one.

Have to agree with Rockingdoc, unless you want to turn your commute into a hobby I'd stick to flat bars, a more upright sitting position and softer tyres. All safer/more comfy in traffic.

Good to see somebody else feels the need for 3 bikes. I was actually contemplating my fourth....

Bruce

I commute from North West London to the West End - about a 25 mile round trip, taking around 45-55 minutes each way (depending on traffic, headwind and energy levels!)

I started out on a mtb but now ride a carbon fibre racer which is much lighter and so less work and quicker.

I have not tried a hybrid so cannot really comment on them but they do seem a good compromise, saving the needless weight of suspension and combining a comfortable, more upright position. They also seem much cheaper than "proper" bikes!

Condor are part of the scheme mentioned above. I'd certainly recommend getting properly fitted and getting the right bike. Without that you are risking injury and not really knowing if you truly enjoy cycling! On the other hand it might be wise to buy a modest bike now, see if you like the whole experience and later upgrade. Then you can use the old bike for winter etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Good to see somebody else feels the need for 3 bikes. I was actually contemplating my fourth....

Bruce

Well I didn't like to mention the folder and the expedition/tourer. Didn't want to set Fritz off about GPs' pay again.

So that whippy custom Ti or steel hardtail can remain on my shopping list then!

Don't forget you need room in the garage for your Caterham.

...which is a whippy hardtail sort of a car....