bike recommendations

[mike]

idle wondering about new bikes while on a dull conference call.. what would you be looking at?

• 4 flat miles each way commute, on road and cyclepaths.  As fast as possible, please.
• will be chained up outside office in a busy pedestrian area with a relatively high bike-stealing index [central cambridge]
• used for coaching rowing from a gravel towpath with lots of filthy puddles, this is pretty slow riding and much more comfortable when sitting upright (so drop bars not ideal)
• needs low gears and panniers (ideally 4) for doing the shopping on the way home and an occasional hilly tour.

Currently using a flat barred singlespeed with 32mm tyres and mudguards, it's not great for coaching because the gear is a bit big, but a smaller gear is boring on the 4 miles home.  It's needing a new headset, drive train and rear wheel so am pondering if i should repair or replace...

[Wowbagger]

I'd say Long-Haul Trucker is the reasonably obvious, reasonably-priced workhorse.

Of course, you could do it properly and get a really nice Thorn with a Rohloff...

[Paul H]

If you are otherwise happy with your SS stick a hub gear in it. That'll cover the rear wheel and drivetrain so it just needs a headset, or probably just new bearings.
Or, old skool steelie MTB, road tyres and maybe up the gearing with a different cass or c/set, guards and rack.  They're so unfashionable they're pretty much given away and as such the resale value makes them less likely to be nicked.
Or, if you want to spend a lot more money - I've been very happy with the Sonder Santiago I've been riding for a few months, I bought mine as a frameset (In a sale) though they offer flat bar builds
https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/sonder-santiago-apex1-flat-bar

[mike]

cheers both.  Long haul truckers and the sonder bike are lovely but probably more $$$ than I can justify when new.   Doing up an old mtb is a great idea, if I can find one with rack and guard mounts... I'll have a prod round ebay and see what's out there.

[Bolt]

Would this be of interest?  http://2010.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=drfine  I have one that I may consider selling. In excellent condition, fitted with full guards, rack, new 11 speed alfine hub, 58cm frame. PM me if interested.

[mike]

PM sent!

[mike]

solved! 

Not Bolt's Kona but his on-one inbred with an 8 speed alfine, flat bars, rack & dynamo hub.  Thanks Bolt, I went coaching on it this evening and it's bloody lovely!

[Bolt]

Not Bolt's Kona but his on-one inbred with an 8 speed alfine, flat bars, rack & dynamo hub.  Thanks Bolt, I went coaching on it this evening and it's bloody lovely!

Thanks Mike, so glad you like it   So that makes it n-3 this week creating some much needed room in my sheds, although a impulsive ebay n+1 last night has offset this slightly   so I still need to re-home a couple more bikes.  If there are any other 6'+ riders who are looking for a good secondhand bike then do feel free to PM me.