Bike Comparison

[AuburnCC]

Hello, I’m looking to change my commuting bike which is currently a fold up and a little slow to something I can both commute in and also take on the odd charity cycle or weekend spin. I am not a serious road cyclist but will do the odd race, it will mostly be used for commuting. I’m deciding between two secondhand bikes at the moment a Trek Lexa C (2015) and Merida Ride 300. Both are similar price, I’m 5’1, the trek is 47cm and the Merida is 50cm. Does anyone have experience of either and could recommend? Many thanks

[Victor]

I'd suggest that whilst it can be done, a road bike is not ideal for commuting. Wouldn't you want to fit mudguards and possibly a rack so that you can carry what you might need for work? The mudguards are important to protect both you and the bike from crud picked up by the wheels. Also, you might want wider tyres than most road bikes can take, to improve comfort on potholed roads.

Features such as hub gears can reduce (but not eliminate) maintenance requirements on a commuter. Any bike used for regular commuting is going to have a hard and possibly short life, so it might be better to buy new on a cycle to work scheme?

Those bikes you asked about might be suitable for charity or weekend rides more than the primary commuting role.

[PT1029]

+1 about fatter tyres/rack/mudguards for commuting (also for a weekend ride, possibly).
Based on what I repair at work, if you want to trash a nice bike, commute on it through the winter.!
From a quick look - see on line, they both look good bikes - though with used bikes, condition is everything.
The Trek has lower gears (smaller "compact" chainset). Full mudguards are doubtful due to lack of clearance at the brakes. Some get round this with mudguards with a gap at the brake, so the brake calipers get salty/wet crud from the tyres. I have lost count of the number of people turning up at work with siezed/almost siezed brake calipers due to winter corrosion (usually full mud guards would avoid this).
So, both bikes are probably good for weekend use (I guess only one of the 2 would fit you though). If you have smooth tarmac and dry weather, fine for commuting too.

[Slow Loris]

No experience of those bikes, but I’m 5’2 and have a similar bike to the Trek 47cm, although mine has full mudguards and rack mounts. I also have a folder and I commute on both all year round, with the road bike used for weekend rides and touring.

Would you have room for both bikes? The folder is a useful back up if your main commuter needs fixing, and can be stored easily.

Can you test ride them? The smaller Trek is likely a better fit for you. Personally, I have always had difficulty finding small framed bikes, particularly second hand. If one of these is comfortable for you on test, is a good price, and you can tell it’s in good condition (bring a knowledgeable friend along if you’re unsure) then it could be a good option for commuting. There are ways of fitting mudguards and racks to bikes without mounts, although it will be a compromise. Wider tyres can be more comfortable, and give you more options for off road routes. However, my bike with 25mm tyres has been fine for a number of years now on a mixture of road and hard packed off road.

As a shortie, I would prioritise getting the right size bike as you’ll enjoy riding it more. There is always time to upgrade in the future. Good luck

[531colin]

…….

As a shortie, I would prioritise getting the right size bike as you’ll enjoy riding it more. …….

^^^^^^^THIS! People of “average male height” are completely unaware of the difficulties faced by riders around five feet tall.

[pjclinch]

If you're doing "the odd race" is it fair to assume that you're not that worried about your chances of winning? If that's the case I'd be inclined to get a good commute bike and take a bit longer over your race rather than save a little time in "the odd race" and have a less comfortable/convenient commute every time you go to work.

Things would depend on the nature of your commute too, of course: if you want to use it as a training ride, don't spend much time in traffic, change at work and never take anything bar yourself on the bike then a road bike is excellent as a commute vehicle, but carrying bags, riding in your work clothes, being able to easily look around in stop-start traffic and not getting covered in dirty water if it's been raining, not so much...

Pete.

[a.twiddler]

^^^^^^^^^THIS indeed! Even as a 5'5" male it's easy to forget how limited the choice is for the shorter rider until new bike time (or even new/old bike time) comes around and the faff involved in finding something to feel at home on.
You really have to try before you buy. Much is made of the universality of cycling but it's not a reality unless you happen to be in the size range of an average sized male. You really shouldn't be made to feel that you're an oddity if you're a shorter female rider who wants something even vaguely sporting or comfortable for longer distance. I'm sure many potential cyclists are put off by this.It takes a certain amount of perseverance to overcome the obstacles. You can't just walk into the average bike shop and say,"I'll have one of those, please". If a small size is available it's often a special order even to try. Not everyone is in a position to have something made to measure.

[531colin]

Even made to measure doesn’t provide miracles. A five foot rider wanting mudguards, sensible width tyres, a comfortable reach to drop handlebars without their toe hitting the mudguard really needs a smaller wheel than the ubiquitous 700c .
Just now on the “technical” board is a thread from a female who can’t easily operate the brakes on her new bike; a bit of a worry!
“Raise the bars or hoods on a Genesis….”

[Slow Loris]

Bike sizing issues for shorter riders isn't gender specific, so I wonder if this thread should be in the Technical section for wider reach?

Speaking of reach, I have always struggled with drop bars and braking, so am resigned to using flats with bar ends.

Back to the OP:

Do tell us your budget and what your commute is like. Is this full time in all weathers? All road or some off road? If you bide your time, you may find a more appropriate bike second hand for the reasons given in other posts. However, I would be looking for a top tube below 50cm, and these are uncommon, unfortunately.

There are more options if you buy new, particularly if you can use the cycle to work scheme. Brands like Giant and Trek have some off the shelf ranges with small frames, cranks and brake levers. Surly and Salsa do particularly lovely bikes which can be customised with smaller wheels (650B). If you're already invested in riding regularly and can afford it, I would recommend this over second hand.

As said by a.twiddler, always try before you buy, and be prepared to travel!

[Bmblbzzz]

Virtually all commuting is on roads, so it's inappropriate to say a road bike isn't suitable. Even the raciest can usually take clip-on mudguards and luggage in some form (saddlebag - either transverse or bikepacking type, bar bag or of course backpack) and if you "will do the odd race" you're obviously already sportily inclined.

As for the two bikes mentioned, fit is key, as already mentioned.