New bike!

[Phil66]

I’ve been asked to help a friend try and choose a new bike and now I’m asking you folks for some suggestions. She’ll be using it every day for a short commute to work but also possibly some light short touring weekends/week, sportive's and day rides. She doesn’t want to spend more than a £1K, it needs to be okay on tracks and tow paths, Disc Brakes would be good and no too heavy. Need to be able to fit a rear rack minimum, possibly front rack too. She’s signed up for a 67 mile sportive in April (which she’ll manage without a problem, she’s super sporty) and is only aiming at doing it at a fun speed and she likes the idea of a Hybrid rather than a traditional road bike. So, has anybody got any suggestions? All help appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[LittleGreyCat]

Spa Cycles always worth a look.

[rotavator]

Check out Decathlon. Their BTwin Triban 520 fits the bill apart from the disc brakes. They have two road bikes with disc brakes now, although I haven't tried one.

[thelawnet]

Evans have some remaindered bikes on Fleabay

e.g.,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pinnacle-Lit ... 3590192178
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pinnacle-Lit ... 3590190835

£310 (new) or £275 (test-ridden) with 3 * Alivio & Shimano hydraulic discs, track-friendly tyres, not too heavy (11.4kg), front + rear rack no problem.

The Vitus Mach 3 is a bit more towards the 'fast hybrid' side of things https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vit ... prod159758 also with Shimano hydraulic discs There is the Metrea which is a 1kg or so lighter, and basically the equivalent of 105, wheels also upgraded https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vit ... prod159757 It's £750 rather than £480, and it's a single chainring with the same 11-32 cassette, which may or may not appeal.

[MrsHJ]

If I had to do an emergency bike purchase to cover a range of bases I might go for something like this to cover urban and touring etc. YMMV.

https://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/expedition-2019

[Bonefishblues]

Specced as your friend would prefer:
https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/sonder-camino-alloy

[keyboardmonkey]

Giant Escape 0 Disc 2019, a men's bike @ £799 leaving plenty of money left over for a women-specific saddle if required and a pannier rack:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/escape-0-disc-2019

[gbnz]

I’ve been asked to help a friend try and choose a new bike and now I’m asking you folks for some suggestions. She’ll be using it every day for a short commute to work but also possibly some light short touring weekends/week, sportive's and day rides. She doesn’t want to spend more than a £1K, it needs to be okay on tracks and tow paths, Disc Brakes would be good and no too heavy. Need to be able to fit a rear rack minimum, possibly front rack too. She’s signed up for a 67 mile sportive in April (which she’ll manage without a problem, she’s super sporty) and is only aiming at doing it at a fun speed and she likes the idea of a Hybrid rather than a traditional road bike. So, has anybody got any suggestions? All help appreciated. Thank you in advance.

As mentioned above, I'd recommend a flat bar road bike. Decathalon 520's mentioned above, personally I'd go for a Giant Rapid or something similar, purely based on personal preference. Ideal for;

- short commutes
- great for sportives / rides
- rear racks fit ok, both the Decathalon & Giant have attachment points for pannier racks
- I've never had a problem on old railway track paths tow paths et al, based on 32-35mm tyres (Nb. Larger tyres could be fitted, up to about 38mm)

[TRM]

Recently got a Pinnacle dolomite 2 for my girlfriend who has very much enjoyed it. It was between that and the Arkose, but they didn't the Arkose in the right size and we needed it ASAP for a tour.
It seems to be a pretty well thought out bike with plenty of tyre clearance, eyelets for mudguards and rear rack and decent components for the money, especially as they are on offer. She is very happy with it and uses it for a short commute and hopefully some more touring. Also available on cycle to work.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dolomite-2-2018-womens-road-bike-EV306257

Its definitely a road oriented bike but with no modification it stood up well to a small tour carrying around 12-15kg on the back. you can also get higher and lower spec of the same bike.

The Arkose appeared to be much the same, just slightly more "adventure" oriented (knobbly tyers, even bigger clearances)

Thanks

[simonhill]

Posted in error. Comment deleted.

[nigzy]

how about the CUBE travel from Evans cycles, comes in just under £800, has mudguards and racks fitted