Bike , escooter, bus

olb81

Hi currently get 4 buses a day to work costing £5 per day. Pretty good value but takes an hour each way.
Thinking about a bike instead which would take 30 mins approx each way

Any recommendations for a bike, ? Would like smoother tyres and mudguards. Don't want a mountain style one

Would prefer an escooter as used one in Greece and was great but not legal here.

Mark_d

4 buses a day is a lot.  I'm sure there's waiting around involved and buses tend to get less reliable when the weather gets cold and wet.

Is it an option to move to somewhere with better transport links...not overnight but maybe in a few months?

Do you have other transport options such as train?  What about getting a car?

olb81

Having a break from cars, find it stressful and lonely driving by myself plus all the costs involved. 

Nasqueron

Mark_d said:

4 buses a day is a lot.  I'm sure there's waiting around involved and buses tend to get less reliable when the weather gets cold and wet.

Is it an option to move to somewhere with better transport links...not overnight but maybe in a few months?

Do you have other transport options such as train?  What about getting a car?

Why so desperate to put down OP from cycling given they asked for advice on getting a bike?

Nasqueron

olb81 said:

Hi currently get 4 buses a day to work costing £5 per day. Pretty good value but takes an hour each way.
Thinking about a bike instead which would take 30 mins approx each way

Any recommendations for a bike, ? Would like smoother tyres and mudguards. Don't want a mountain style one

Would prefer an escooter as used one in Greece and was great but not legal here.

Depending on your proficiency with bikes, 30 minutes is easily doable, I did it for 6 1/2 years every day, it helps if you have a shower as you can go faster while in wet winter, you have to be mindful of leaving early to avoid getting sweaty in wet weather gear. An e-bike might not be a bad idea in some circumstances.

Recommendations will depend on budget and what you want from the bike, any decent bike shop could give you a bike with a pannier and mudguards. Does your firm do the cycle to work scheme by any chance?

olb81

Yes they do, I just don't tend to get too involved with work schemes.  

Herzlos

What's the route like in terms of hills? 

If it's not too steep I'd have a look at a road bike, you can get decent modern ones pretty cheap. I've seen a few Triban 500's for £150-200 locally recently that would be great for that sort of thing. Light, fast, but with high-ish road gearing.

If it's got steep bits then I'd be looking at a gravel/adventure bike with drop bars for a bit more than a road bike. 
Or a hybrid bike, mountain bike styled but with smoother tires and no suspension. That'll give you better gearing.

There's almost certainly a bike co-op charity near you, so the best advice is to go there and see what feels best for you within budget. 

You can fit mudguards to almost any bike, same for a pannier.

If your budget can stretch to it, an e-bike will make the trip easier but the cost will launch up significantly and a 30 minute cycle should be doable for most people without getting to work a sweaty mess. 


Also I'd spend the money on a decent helmet and D lock, so the bikes still there when you're coming home from work.  

Nasqueron

olb81 said:

Yes they do, I just don't tend to get too involved with work schemes.  

C2W offers a decent tax saving provided you can stay in the job for a year, be worth looking into

MyRealNameToo

olb81 said:

Hi currently get 4 buses a day to work costing £5 per day. Pretty good value but takes an hour each way.
Thinking about a bike instead which would take 30 mins approx each way

Any recommendations for a bike, ? Would like smoother tyres and mudguards. Don't want a mountain style one

Would prefer an escooter as used one in Greece and was great but not legal here.

There's no bus pass or equivalent that you can buy to reduce the cost or are you only going in a couple of days a week?

Scooters depend in part on your local council. You can't legally own one but some have hire schemes. Lime are available around our area and are 17p/min or electric bikes are a little more expensive. If you use it more than 8 times a month buy a subscription to avoid the £1 base fee. 

olb81

Not really any hills mainly flat. Happy to buy used if looked after. Don't want suspension. Prefer wheels smoother. 

olb81

Not really any hills mainly flat. Happy to buy used if looked after. Don't want suspension. Prefer wheels smoother.