Bike recommendation with reasonable running costs

[danielsbrewer]

I have started to toy with the idea of investing in a new bike for my 6 mile commute to work (6 miles each way). So here is what I am after:

1) ~£300-£500
2) Cheap to maintain i.e. components that are sturdy and do not wear out quickly
3) Cope with my commute which is about half road, a quarter alley way and a quarter bridal way (mud and gravel mix, just redone by the council, not too bumpy). Pretty hilly. 6 miles each way
4) Be able to fit a rack and panniers
5) Cope with the occasional use of a child seat and toddler
6) I am a pretty hefty chap at 15 stone

Even though I would like a bike that has long lasting components, components that reasonably prices and is fast, I doubt that such a bike exists. I am more concerned with sturdy components that last than a super fast bike, but I wouldn't want to take into the extreme of a Dutch bike/tank. I currently ride a specialized hybrid 2007, but it really seems to be on the way out. Would also like to be able to do weekend rides along cycle paths.

Any ideas? Here is a few bikes that look like they might do the job:
1) Kona Jake 2010 - £529.99 (Seems like an absolute bargain, but is it over the top?)
2) Specialized Sirrus 2009 £270
3) Sirrus Sport 2009 or 2010, £360 or £400 (Not sure on the differences to Sirrus)
4) Dawes spotif comp 2010 £490
5) Kona Smoke £200

So basically there are three categories, a cyclocross bike, flatbar hybrids with racing type frames and a touring bike. Has anyone got any opinions about these possibilities? I am really having trouble seeing the wood from the trees and I am really not sure what you get extra for your money.

I have never used non-flatbar bikes before but am willing to give them ago, the question is are they suitable if you have got a child on the back?

Many thanks

[CJ]

So what's wrong with the only-three-years-old Specialized? A bike is not like a TV etc. With a few new parts it can be good as new. And it seems unlikely to me that anything you'll buy for that budget will be fundamentally better in any way. So why not simply get it some new parts?

[danielsbrewer]

Well the reason I am considering getting rid of it is that I had an accident with it a couple of years ago and the frame is meant to be "slightly bent" at the back, but not worth the repair. Since then I have had quite a few problems with it, and I am never confident that it is back to full working order, despite getting it looked at pretty regularly. The last thing to occur was another buckled wheel and that made me think about whether I should start fresh (that said I had been buying cheap non-hand built wheels so it is not surprising). Maybe you are right and I should stick with it and just buy a better hand built wheel.

[hondated]

Daniel personally I like to fettle with bikes and I am at the moment transferring some parts over to a brand new Specialised Cross Roads frame and forks which I brought on Ebay for £43.I must admit that I thought that it had a Head Set fitted but it did not so I have to fit one which I am not looking forward to doing, but my point is if you do have any mechanical ability why not do what I am doing as you would then probably be able to save money or get a better frame for the money you are saving.
If you live near Croydon and you need a hand to do it then thats not a problem either.

[hubgearfreak]

the frame is meant to be "slightly bent" at the back

is it an aluminium frame with carbon bits in it?

what height are you, where are you?

[danielsbrewer]

It's an Aluminium frame, but I wouldn't think it had carbon bits in it, but not sure. Here is the model:
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22066&menuItemId=0&gold_ses=

I'm in Epsom and around 6 foot.

[al_yrpal]

Carrera Subway 2

SRAM really tough and dirt tolerant MTB Gearing
26" MTB wheels with discs
Easy to fit some mudguards and a MTB disk type rack

My choice of tyre would be Schwalbe Landcruisers which have low rolling friction and would cope with the bridleway. £10 a tyre.

Should total up at about £400 with all the bits, but Halfords often discount them heavily. These arent like the awful Appolos, the frames are rumoured to be made in the same place as Specialised, and the rest of the parts are quality bits. Compared with the bikes you mentioned you will be getting a lot more for less.

Order it online to get the best price and assemble and tweak it with the assistance of the excellent YouTube videos.

Al

[hubgearfreak]

if it's a bent alluminium frame, then the advice about it being not worth the repair bill sounds about right to me.

shame you're so far from me, you could try a few and see what you like.

al's advice seems sound enough to me, if you're after a cheapish workhorse & nothing more

[CJ]

Your use of the words 'meant to be' before 'slightly bent' and the fact you've been riding it okay since does not sound like a real problem. Is there any actual visible evidence that the bike is out of track for example? Or is it just a bent gear hanger for which the shop can't be bothered to source a replacement (in the secret hope that you'll buy a new bike from them instead)? And 'slightly bent' aluminium rear triangles can be straightened - if necessary - and it shouldn't cost a lot if only slight. You might take it to Francis Thurmer, he can fix most things worth fixing.

It is certainly worth investing in a handbuilt rear wheel, but only if it's properly designed for long and hard use, with differential spoking to compensate for the dish. This means using thicker 'single-butted' spokes on the tighter right-hand side and thinner 'double-butted' on the slacker left. Any new factory-made bike you buy will also come with machine-built wheels that stupidly use the same spokes in both sides of the back wheel, which consequently begin to fail about the same time as this one did.

[danielsbrewer]

I heave heard recommended the wheels at Spa cycles. Still not sure what to do, the reason I am thinking about this in an urgent manner is that January is the cheapest time to buy a new bike and I would like to get back onto my bike for my commute as soon as possible. Thanks