Push-bike help!

tomTVR said:
I've commuted 5 miles each way for the last couple of years on my heavy Carrera full suspension MB and but got a road bike in April this year and I cant believe I left it so long, it is so much easier to ride the difference in night and day.
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Nice bike!

Totally agree with your comments. It never ceases to amaze me why people would want to waste their money on gas tube cheapo mountain bikes and then use them on tarmac. I'm sure discerning Z4 owners on this forum can recognise the point I'm making here. :wink:

There are some brilliant road bikes on the market and it's not necessary to spend thousands of pounds. Boardman bikes, for example, sold in Halfords get great reviews and represent excellent value for money. Alternatively hybrid bikes are a great alternative with thinner tyres and lighter frame than even top of the range MTB's. If you have a half decent bike then you are more likely to continue to ride it rather than it residing in a dusty corner of the garage or shed. :wink:
 
Just thought I'd add my £0.02

I currently use a racer for the commute in to work and have a mountain bike for using on the trails, canal rides etc.

OP what distance is your commute to work? Also how averse are you to riding in all weathers? The reason I ask is this will make a big difference to what you need (also what's your budget?).

If your only going to use it in mild \ fair weather. Go for a racer. My drive to work is 25 minutes my cycle is 19 minutes but 25 minutes on the way back.

If you're looking at all weathers. I'd stick with a hybrid if only because the disk brakes are less affected by rain cak etc.

I'd only go mountain bike if you're thinking of taking it up, not that it hasn't got strengths but road and knobbly tires are hard work, failing that you can go slicks but then you've got the faff of changing tires every time you want to go off road :thumbsdown:

Also I'd take into account the roads you'll be cycling on and the times you'll hit them. Oh budget another 25% of your bike cost to lid, cycle wear, high vis, tool kits etc.

Best of luck!!
 
As others have said, just get a proper road bike. If you are going to only be riding on the road then it's the right tool for the job.

I rode mountain bikes for years and used to stick a set of slicks on a spare MTB for road use. I thought it was pretty good until I bought an actual road bike, not even a good one (Ribble Audax). Wow! What a difference, so much faster. It was like going from a ford Ka to an M3.

I spent years laughing a road cyclists in their poncy gear which is why I resisted a road bike for so long. I'm a total convert now and even wear the full poncy gear myself (this is optional, but you will succumb to it's lure).

MTBs are great for their intended use and hybrids are okay, but unless you have a very good reason not to buy a road bike if you are only going to be riding on the road then you are denying your legs a treat.

You can get road bikes with full mudguards or clearance to fit plus there is a wide variety of frame geometries to suit every rider. Audax/Sportive bikes have a more upright riding position as they are intended for long 100mile trips rather than races so they don't have a stretched riding position. You can also get cyclocross bikes now which are racers that are intended for some trail use. These have slightly bigger tyres and disc brakes but look like a road bike with drop bars (which you will be glad you have when pushing into a headwind).
 
Guess I can't really add much to what has already been said.

My choice was limited by needing a bike that folds because I take trains. Got myself a dahon cadenza p18 Which is kinda like a folding Hybrid with 26inch wheels with plenty of clearance for mud guards and a rack :) has road gearing as well so doesn't hang about :)
 
2dogs said:
Im looking to start riding to work, so need a bike!
someone has told me not to get a mountain bike as not so good for the road
and i dont want a racing bike, so is their anything in between? :?
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Oh wow! This is exactly what I have been pondering today!!
 
RubyBlueZ4MC said:
Without annoying the OP can anyone also suggest a good girls bike for inexperienced rider.
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For riding to work? Tarmac only? For inexperience I'd suggest sticking with flat bars (and not the drop bars you get on full-blown road bikes).

Flat bars
Clearance for full-length mudguards (often under-estimated how important this is on a commuting bike)
Gears (singlespeed good for the flat but a PITA if you've got any sort of gradient)
Don't worry about a "step-thru" frame that a lot of women's-specific bikes feature - unnecessary and heavier.

Not sure on your budget, but http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geared/ (I'm biased though, been riding one for a couple of years and it's perfect).

A bit cheaper: http://www.cube.eu/en/tour/cross-road/sl-cross/
 
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