Bike , escooter, bus

QrizB

I used to do a seven mile commute on a second-hand hybrid. It took about 20 minutes each way (once I got over the first few days of oh-my-I'm-gonna-die) and was partly on gravel tracks (hence the hybrid).

I only stopped when my workplace moved and turned it into a 15-mile commute!

bouicca21

It’s not just hills to think about but what sort of road/path surfaces.  Personally I like a bit of tread for a good grip especially if the route is likely to have patches of gravel, or autumn leaves decaying into slippery mush.

it’s a good idea to join a cycling organisation as they usually bundle some kind of insurance.  And if OP is new to cycling or just getting back into it, worth enquiring about bikeability courses from the local council.

Getting to know the local independent bike shop is invaluable.

Herzlos

olb81 said:

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

I'd definitely be looking for a modern-ish road bike then. Most have 28mm tyres which can you increase to 32mm for a bit of extra comfort, and disc brakes. 

This is the one I mentioned before: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-triban-rc-500-disc-brake-black/_/R-p-308097?mc=8554410&c=grey

But the RC 120 is also good. 

Another one to look out for is the Carrera Velos/Vanquish/Virtuosa: https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-vanquish-mens-road-bike-2020---red---s-m-l-frames-348526.html?plpPlacement=4
All will do fine for what you want to do. 

olb81

Thanks for the links 

Nasqueron

MyRealNameToo said:

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. 

Not technically true - they are legal to own, just not use on public roads/bike lanes except where approved like with the hire ones. Same with the dodgy ebikes, they're sold as offroad use

Nasqueron

I commuted 6 miles each way for years on a CX (drop bars, slightly higher bottom bracket placement) - I used the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, they're pretty smooth and heavy but are pretty much bombproof, incredibly rare to get flats, I think I had maybe 1-2 in 6 1/2 years and used 2 sets of tyres. I was able to go up to 35c. In real winter I had a set of snow tyres with metal studs in for days when it was 0-2C or below, it's not going to make you invincible on sheet black ice but they offer great grip especially when the council didn't bother gritting the bike lanes.

You can get flat bar commuters too, even a single speed could be considered if you're a good rider and the route doesn't have any real hills - that would save weight and maintenance too

olb81

I see some single speed on decathlon elops?? 
The 500 looks good but don't want to pay 700 it's just too much to worry about being stolen.

olb81

Where would you buy an electric scooter

QrizB

olb81 said:

Where would you buy an electric scooter

Online, mostly, as they're not legal on public roads and so none of the reputable stores sell them.

Unless of course you mean a road-legal electric moped? Those need registration, tax, helmets and CBT.