Recommend commuter bike?

[alexhunter123711]

I am looking for a new commuter bike (flat bar) budget is around 600, for riding on road/ pathways around a 10km commute. I have had a look so far at Trek 7.1/ 7.2, Avanti giro f1 and Focus crater lake 5.0 bikes, they are all around the $550 mark, any advice on these brands, models or which would be best? The focus is a lesser known brand here, would that make services/ getting parts more difficult and expensive, the focus also has a suspension fork while the others don't? Any other recommendations?

[tk38]

I wouldn't say that focus is the lesser known brand when it's taking mountain top tour de France victories.
In terms of bikes I have no real opinion. A touching point is that focus probably has the most street cred out of the three brands.

[bychosis]

would that make services/ getting parts more difficult and expensive, the focus also has a suspension fork while the others don't?

Rare brand shouldn't make any difference to servicing/parts as most parts are generic in nature and interchangeable. Possibly the only brand specific part would be the replaceable dérailleur hanger.

Suspension fork will provide a little extra comfort for a weight penalty. Not really worth it for a commuter bike as the weight tends to outweigh the benefits

[alexhunter123711]

Thanks, also I just realised the Australian version of the focus crater lake actually doesn't have suspension fork, so leaning towards that one now.

[KGB]

Singlespeed flat bar road bike. Simple, cheap and quick. Put 25 or 28mm tyres on if you want more comfort.