Well a good get to work bike is one that has good but has reasonably priced components, this will mean that the bike will work well and survive every day use. Importantly the cost of replacement parts will not cost an arm and a leg when its time for service.

Shimano parts have a good back up and the mid range components are tried and tested over a long time, so the more Shimano a bike has on it the better it will be for commuting.

Look at the hubs on the wheels, the brakes, gear changers and gear and brake levers.

A good get to work bike should have tyres that are suitable for the road and cycle paths, so great big chunky tyres that slow you down and are quite prone to punctures should be avoided.

Should I go for disc brakes?

A lot of people will tell you that disc brakes are the best thing.

Consider this though.

A bike that costs £400.00 with good Shimano V brakes will be better than a bike with cheap disc brake for the same money.

So if you want brakes as good on a £400.00 bike you can expect to pay £500 plus for the same quality bike with a good branded disc brake.

Servicing Disc brakes is more complex and will cost more. There are over 50 different types and shapes of disc pad and it growing all the time.

Changing a set of V brake pads is the work of a few minutes and can be tackled by most people who wish to do so.

Can I use this type of bike for off road use.

In my experience most bikes do not go OFF ROAD much.

I do not consider the cycle paths that abound in Gateshead and the North east as off road.

More like Traffic free.

I cycle on these paths a lot and use what I consider to be a great get to work bike.

I sometimes cycle on even more rugged paths in Kielder and Thrunton Woods, and the bike performs well for 99% of the time.

The other 1% I may have to get off and push up a steep muddy hill, but this happens so few times that I am happy to live with that.

Will I need Mudguards?

If it rains or has been raining then going through puddles or along wet roads you will get splashed from your wheels.

You will get a wet backside.

Mudguards not only help keep you dry and clean but also protect your bike, as the water is powered by the wheels onto the chain and area’s of your bike that should be protected.