Top bikes for University
Fast, comfortable and seriously low key, this bike is great for people looking for a bike that'll also carry them a bit further past the campus when the urge takes. This is easily the best bike here for longer distances.
It'll take mudguards and a pannier rack easily too, so no need to carry a backpack around with you.
Good looking in a don't look at me but notice I'm stylish sort of a way.
Apart from the fact it looks about as cool as it's possible for a hybrid to look, the Giant Seek has got a bunch of features that are very student friendly.
The frame draws its style and riding position from the mountain bike world, meaning it's got the same nippy manoeuvrability while the stainless steel top tube scratch guard will stop your bike getting damaged when you lock it against a lampost. Usefully for riding in all conditions, those disc brakes are much stronger and less weather dependant than your standard v-brakes. Reflective styling means it's suitable for late night riding too.
If you fail to see the point of having one gear, upward sweep handlebars and a Tange cro-mo steel frame, look away now.
For the rest of us this semi-ubiquitous singlespeed/fixie from Charge ticks all our boxes. With it's clean backward looking lines and leather finishing touches, this is about as good looking and downright British as they come.
You're not going to win any races to class (especially if any hills are involved), but who's racing? It is a really forgiving ride, very comfortable and cheap to maintain.
Going slow and steady is nothing to sniff at. You're still going faster than those saps in the traffic jam, and with the Dawes Duchess you're looking about a 1000 times more elegant to boot.
This bike might look like a throwback with it's classic design, rattan basket and faux leather finishing touches, but it's components and Shimano gearing are bang up to date.
Tips for cycling at University
- Mountain bikes are extremely hardy and can take the hard knock life of being a students bicycle. Having said that they're more desirable to thieves (very general rule of thumb) and less practical on tarmac and around town. Best to pick a hybrid.
- Buy as good a bike lock as you can afford.
- Bike safety lights are 100% essential (and neccessary by law), when cycling after dark.
- Check to see where you'll be able to store your bike (at Uni and at home). All well and good having the coolest bike on the planet, but a month of living outside will dramatically lessen the lifespan of any bike.
- Wearing a helmet is a great idea. It'll muss your hair though. Mussy hair or protected head... Could be the most difficult choice you'll make all term.
- If not hi-viz, try and wear bright colours. Make yourself as easy as possible to see by drivers.
- How to carry your stuff? Well a rucksack will be fine (might get a sweaty back though), as will a messenger/courier bag. Best of all would be a basket or pannier bag to let the bike do the heavy lifting.
- It'll rain so some sort of jacket (the more breathable the better) is a must.
- If you're bike can take them, fit mudguards. Cheapest and easiest way to keep your clothes clean.
