To get a new bike or not...

If you cycle 16 miles every day it's definitely worth having a good
bike. Yes, in my experience hybrids are faster and more comfortable
than mountain bikes, especially over longer distances. They also look
more old-fashioned, which decreases the chance of theft. It's a good
idea to buy a new one because that will mean lower repair bills in the
first couple of years. Modern bikes wear very quickly if you use them
daily.

Timo said:

If you cycle 16 miles every day it's definitely worth having a good
bike. Yes, in my experience hybrids are faster and more comfortable
than mountain bikes, especially over longer distances. They also look
more old-fashioned, which decreases the chance of theft.

The chance of theft and vandalism in London is pretty high though,
which even with insurance has a large cost in lost time for a commuter
bike.

Jim.

Ian B. said:

I have a bit of a dilemma whether to invest in a new bike for
commuting or not. .........

I currently have a mountain bike, with semi-slick tyres and no
suspension that I got about 6 years ago for £140 (clearance), but
haven't ridden much until recently. This bike is still in good riding
condition, though the tyres are wearing a bit and it could probably do
with some mudguards and panniers.

So the question is, is it likely to be worth buying a hybrid (maybe
with lockable suspension forks), in the £300 - £350 range?

Depends how "[censored]" and "worn out" the old bike is.
If its reasonably light and in decent condition, I'd just put the mudguards,
rack and new tyres on the old machine. If its worn out, or weighs a ton,
then I'd replace it.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

In message id <[email hidden]> on
Thu, 01 Dec 2005 17:51:27 GMT, Ian B. wrote in uk.rec.cycling :

Quoted message said:

I have a bit of a dilemma whether to invest in a new bike for commuting
or not. I cycle 16 miles a day, with a couple of reasonable hills, and
entirely on roads (though when the weather is good I like to ride
through the very bumpy Wimbledon Common).

I currently have a mountain bike, with semi-slick tyres and no
suspension that I got about 6 years ago for £140 (clearance), but
haven't ridden much until recently. This bike is still in good riding
condition, though the tyres are wearing a bit and it could probably do
with some mudguards and panniers.

So the question is, is it likely to be worth buying a hybrid (maybe with
lockable suspension forks), in the £300 - £350 range? Would I likely
notice any difference in speed/comfort of my journey (obviously this is
slightly subjective)? Or should I just stick with what's working at the
moment, especially as my bike is left in a communal area overnight and
getting insurance would be tricky?

Thanks for any thoughts!
Ian

(16) or 8 miles from Wimbledon in which direction?

Another thought for your consideration. Do you have secure off street
parking at your destination? Would you expect to effectively leave
£400 (on the road price includes locks, lights and any other
accessories - it is not just the price of the machine) on the street
everyday and to find it where you left it every night?

That sum will get you a bike of a decent spec. I have spent the same
myself in recent months. I wouldn't park it any further north than
Wimbledon. I am currently commuting from Sutton to areas south of
Wimbledon.

Good luck

Go on, you know you're just looking for justification for a new toy.
And there's nothing wrong with that if you've got the cash.
If you commute on it every day instead of using public transport it'll have
paid for itself in a few months.
Have fun trying out a whole bunch of bikes from a decent shop.
Get yourself something reasonably lightweight and some panniers.
Get some tough but not nobbly tyres, and don't get suspension unless you
plan to ride down mountains and you can't have a different bike for that.

My 2Ps worth

- Pat

John Blake said:

In message id <[email hidden]> on
Thu, 01 Dec 2005 17:51:27 GMT, Ian B. wrote in uk.rec.cycling :

Quoted message said:

(16) or 8 miles from Wimbledon in which direction?

8 miles each way, and 8 miles north of Wimbledon.

Quoted message said:

Another thought for your consideration. Do you have secure off street
parking at your destination? Would you expect to effectively leave
£400 (on the road price includes locks, lights and any other
accessories - it is not just the price of the machine) on the street
everyday and to find it where you left it every night?

Secure cycle parking is an option, though involves an extra walk so I
wouldn't normally bother. Other two options are fairly good too really,
busy places covered by CCTV (and a good selection of bikes!).

I'm more worried about where I have to leave it overnight, as I can't
put it in the flat really. So it goes in an old rubbish chute shed,
converted for use by bikes with the addition of some wonderful wheel
lock things. Still, it is out the way so I'd think it'd be fairly ok.

Quoted message said:

That sum will get you a bike of a decent spec. I have spent the same
myself in recent months. I wouldn't park it any further north than
Wimbledon. I am currently commuting from Sutton to areas south of
Wimbledon.

What bike did you get? Any good shops you know of around Wimbledon area?

Ian B. said:

I have a bit of a dilemma whether to invest in a new bike for commuting
or not. I cycle 16 miles a day, with a couple of reasonable hills, and
entirely on roads (though when the weather is good I like to ride
through the very bumpy Wimbledon Common).

I currently have a mountain bike, with semi-slick tyres and no
suspension that I got about 6 years ago for £140 (clearance), but
haven't ridden much until recently. This bike is still in good riding
condition, though the tyres are wearing a bit and it could probably do
with some mudguards and panniers.

So the question is, is it likely to be worth buying a hybrid (maybe with
lockable suspension forks), in the £300 - £350 range? Would I likely
notice any difference in speed/comfort of my journey (obviously this is
slightly subjective)? Or should I just stick with what's working at the
moment, especially as my bike is left in a communal area overnight and
getting insurance would be tricky?

Thanks for any thoughts!
Ian

Cheers for the advice everyone! Though I still haven't made up my mind
yet, but at least I have a good excuse for going to some bike shops and
trying out a few bikes!!

In message id <[email hidden]> on Sat,
03 Dec 2005 00:25:57 GMT, Ian B. wrote in uk.rec.cycling :

Quoted message said:

John Blake said:

In message id <[email hidden]> on
Thu, 01 Dec 2005 17:51:27 GMT, Ian B. wrote in uk.rec.cycling :

Quoted message said:

(16) or 8 miles from Wimbledon in which direction?

8 miles each way, and 8 miles north of Wimbledon.

I was guessing it would be north. That would take you into Zone 1 and
that is why I had the negative thought pattern due to the number of
bikes or bits of bikes I have had nicked in that region.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Another thought for your consideration. Do you have secure off street
parking at your destination? Would you expect to effectively leave
£400 (on the road price includes locks, lights and any other
accessories - it is not just the price of the machine) on the street
everyday and to find it where you left it every night?

Secure cycle parking is an option, though involves an extra walk so I
wouldn't normally bother. Other two options are fairly good too really,
busy places covered by CCTV (and a good selection of bikes!).

CCTV is not necessarily going to make a difference. There have been
stories in here of people trying to get their own bikes back after the
lock was damaged in a failed attempt at theft. They were not
challenged when they were trying to remove their own bike!

Quoted message said:

I'm more worried about where I have to leave it overnight, as I can't
put it in the flat really. So it goes in an old rubbish chute shed,
converted for use by bikes with the addition of some wonderful wheel
lock things. Still, it is out the way so I'd think it'd be fairly ok.

As long as it is secured to something immovable and not in a fire
escape you should be ok.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That sum will get you a bike of a decent spec. I have spent the same
myself in recent months. I wouldn't park it any further north than
Wimbledon. I am currently commuting from Sutton to areas south of
Wimbledon.

What bike did you get? Any good shops you know of around Wimbledon area?

I started looking for a Ridgeback, finished up with a Specialised
Sirrus. I started *shopping* via the Internet and found myself drawn
to Evans in Croydon. They were abysmal in my dealings with them. In
the past I have used Evans in Wandsworth, the Cut and Waterloo and had
excellent service.

In my search for a Ridgeback, I landed up at De Ver in Norbury. The
guys there produced the bike that I thought I wanted and set about
trying to explain / convince me that it was not going to be suitable
for my needs. Spent about 3 hours with them trying different bikes
with different settings as the important thing for me was to get a
bike that fitted.

At the time, it didn't feel right, mainly because I had got used to
riding in a bad position on the old bike. Now I am enjoying riding
again. IMO it was time well spent.

Action Bikes are in Wimbledon but I have never used them. There is a
small shop on Merton High St opposite Haydons Road whose service is
excellent but their name escapes me. Try www.upmystreet.com looking
for cycle shops. Pearsons here in Sutton have a good reputation but my
dealings have been hit and miss.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What bike did you get?

I started looking for a Ridgeback, finished up with a Specialised
Sirrus.

I went through the same excersise a few months ago, started looking for a
Trek and ended up with a Specialized Sirrus too.
Been very pleased with it, apart from the tyres which were made of
gorgonzola.

Quoted message said:

I have used Evans in Wandsworth, the Cut and Waterloo and had
excellent service.

I've used Evans at the Cut and Waterloo and they've always been fine for me,
and they are just around the corner from my work.
After several test rides they reckoned I needed a larger frame, 'phoned
around and sent me to their St Paul's branch where they had one in stock.
When I complained about the tyres they sent me some better ones at no
charge.

Ian B. said:

I currently have a mountain bike, with semi-slick tyres and no
suspension that I got about 6 years ago for £140 (clearance), but
haven't ridden much until recently. This bike is still in good riding
condition, though the tyres are wearing a bit and it could probably do
with some mudguards and panniers.

I'd go the route of gradual improvement, like if the frame and wheels
are ok, just upgrade stuff as it wears-out/brakes-down. You end up
with a bike that doesn't look like its worth 300+ quid, you have
effectively built it by hand and you get good at roadside repairs and
tune ups.
I found XT level kit worked well on a commuter and was reasonable value
for money, and it soon looks as tatty as the entry-level stuff.