Recommendations for a commuter ($1000-1500)

[oddysee]

Hi folks,

I'm looking to move from a 17 kg MTB to something about half the weight. I ride about 25 km daily and typically ride with a fully loaded pannier. My commute routes can be hilly at some parts (the MTB gearing is nice) and there's a bit of gravel to content with for about 2 kms. Most of it is on bike paths, with about 3-4 km of road.

I'm looking to get a new road bike, preferably with a bike fit. Am I right in thinking that the pannier restriction would actually rule out all carbon bikes and most others under 9 kg? I'd love to get some suggestions on a relatively lightweight drop bar commuter. And some opinions on the need for disc brakes?

[JPB]

I have just bought a Giant Revolt. Drop bars with extra brake handles so you can be sitting up like a flat bar and have brake levers under your fingers. Not too heavy, mounts for guards, you would need to check if they were suitable for panniers. Marketef as a CX bike so room for bigger tires and i think the gearing is a bit lower than a full on road bike which will help on the hills.

[koshari]

carbon frames being designed and supplied to predominately give you a weight advantage from Ally/steel etc generally wont have pannier mounts.

a work around would be a seat post step mounted light pannier, but hauling all that extra gear sort of negates the need for a sub 10kg steed. it will also put more load on the rear wheel which if a lighter weight racing version may go beyond its designed load.

this thread puts a pretty good case forward for front panniers, http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/quest ... m-vs-tubus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
again the consesnsus is pretty much for panniers go the commuter route.

this thread again visits the same dilemma viewtopic.php?f=12&t=32266" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i think something like an ally cross city for round $1k
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bik ... ifications" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
that has supplied pannier mounts would be the closest compromise you may get, you will be looking at round the 12kg mark i suspect, which would be a nice 5 kg saving. if you wanted drops it would likely be another $400 for the LBS to fit drops and brifters but on this bike you would likely have to downgrade to mech discs as its supplied with hydro kit..

as far as discs versus v brakes, all the modern kit seems to be moving to discs with the biggest advantages IMO you can live with a woof in the wheel and still have good braking, and there is no rim wear.

EDIT: is your MTBs weight 17kg with or without the panniers and bags added? 17kg for an MTB these days is actually pretty heavy, for example my father-in-law had a BLO suspension bike from a big box store which was about 17kg standard weight where i aquired a 2nd hand ally 26" hardtail for him which weighed in at 13.5kg which he rides now,

[outnabike]

a currant thread might help.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=86760" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[koshari]

nice link outna, coincidently the Cross city is recommended there as well,

just for comparisons i have a couple of real world weights to make comparisons to , others with carbon examples may add to my contributions,

my new project 26" giant atx rigid cromo (minus seat and chain ) weighs in at 12.09kg, this also has pannier provision lugs. https://goo.gl/photos/CBEpz8Ngh1BtpJyh7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
my cromo repco elite roadee 12.61kg https://goo.gl/photos/Za7VYTPaCDassT8S7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
my 6061 tyax sport with front suspension is 15.49kg https://goo.gl/photos/UeBXRYXQKqbKmGMM9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and my trusty CRX with drops and 35s on it (again with pannier mounting lugs) is 13.29kg https://goo.gl/photos/Rjqy6zjWZ9PW8Df89" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[oddysee]

Thanks everyone.

I weighed my MTB at 17kg with the rack, mudguards, lights, saddle bag and an empty bottle. So sans pannier. The pannier itself would probably be another 5-7 kg depending on whether it's a Monday/Friday (when I carry work clothes) or another day of the week.

Front panniers are an interesting proposition. I will investigate that further.

As much as the flat bar setup appeals, I'm looking to move to drop bars to help relieve some of the sore arms and hands that I've suffered from.

[oddysee]

Just wanted to mention that I found a 4 month old Cell Brunswick for a very nice price. Bought and commuted too. Very satisfied with it.

[carcharias]

Wicked bike and some Sram components too.
Are they (Cell) importing another batch of Brunswicks? They sold like hot-cakes....See them in North Fitzroy all the time.

C.

[koshari]

Love the choice odysee. May we ask what you got it for???

Little envious here.

[oddysee]

When I last spoke to Cell, the sales guy mentioned that there is no stock in the pipeline until the early to mid 2016. He didn't sound hopeful.

@koshari - I paid $700 for a near pristine bike with Shimano PD-M540 pedals and a basic bottle cage thrown in.

[koshari]

absolute bargain,
you have to love the crowd that buy good gear and tire of it quickly.

is the actual real weight consistent with the specs quoting 9.6kg?