Hi,

I’m looking to get back into cycling after about a ten year break. I used to cycle everywhere but travel, injury and moving to the suburbs basically stopped me.

The main rides I’ll be doing:

36km (22mi) between my place and my girlfriends - little bit of road, mostly bike path, a little bit of gravel.  

8km (5mi) to JiuJitsu class - road/pavement/path.

With at least one loaded pannier, possibly two.

I’m 110kg (~242lb) with a fairly solid build, the steel frames are appealing.

I may do a little touring, I haven’t done it before but Australia has some great off road tour options. It might just be a nice idea that I never get around to. I like camping and being alone which is what appeals about touring.

Being in Australia, I’m pretty limited on what bikes are actually available.

I was recommended the Kona Sutra LTD ($4k) (by a sales guy) but I feel that the wide tires aren’t a great choice for the commuting and it’s a bit more than I was planning to spend. I don’t mind spending more on getting the right bike for me but I’m also pretty frugal so would prefer to spend less if I can find the right bike for less.

I’ve also been considering the Marin Nicasio plus ($1.3K), Nicasio 2 ($2.2k), Surly Preamble ($2.9k), Salsa Cutthroat ($4.9k) or maybe a Bombtrack Hook ($3.6k).

Plus about $1000 for fenders, racks and a big fat lock to lock it up.

Thanks for any input.

  • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    16 days ago

    My “daily driver” bike is an early-'90s steel-frame rigid mountain bike (a Specialized HardRock, but it doesn’t really matter) that I got for free from a charity bike co-op, took apart, refinished because it was rusty, and put back together. All in, I’ve spent easily less than $500 on it over a decade and a half of ownership, including adding accessories like smooth street tires, rear rack, front basket, panniers, a good U-lock, lights, etc.

    I would happily recommend an identical bike for a use-case like yours.

    A “hybrid” bike (which is basically what a bike like mine is called these days anyway) would also work. Or a gravel bike. Or a touring road bike. Basically, just get any decent bike in decent condition made within the last several decades (only avoiding really low-end stuff like single-speeds, coaster brakes, ashtabula (one-piece) cranks, and “high-tensile” steel). Oh, and that’s the right size to fit you. That’s important.

    Otherwise, don’t overthink it; whatever random bike you get will be fine. Seriously.