Commuter bike suggestions

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amber K on July 2, 2010 at 10:33am

The best thing to do is to go to a bike shop and try out some different style bikes until you find what you want. Then shop around 'till you find a price that is right for you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on July 2, 2010 at 10:51am

Jason,

For commuting, mechanical disc brakes would be the better choice for disc brakes, in my opinion. While hydraulic brakes have amazing stopping power, they really aren't needed for the city. I have a set of Avid BB7 Road disc brakes on my commuter bike (they're mechanical/cable), and they work excellently when aligned well. Even with hydraulic disc brakes, you're going to have to have them aligned properly and dialed in for maximum stopping power.

I'd go with cable again, and I'd go with cable if I were you. They're easier to maintain, will work very well for commuting, and the punch-you-in-the-chest stopping power of hydraulics isn't really needed in the city.(Well-aligned mechanical disc brakes still give you some of that feeling.) It's better to be aware of your surroundings (not that you aren't) than relying solely on being able to stop on a dime.

I'd also reconsider a suspension fork. They're pretty heavy, and you lose some power to the fork itself due to the fork blades being able to move.

Now if you plan on taking this bike on some wild singletrack on the weekends, it's a different story.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joel on July 2, 2010 at 11:14am

I agree with Amber K's suggestion to go ride a bunch of different styles of bikes. Also make sure you can attach a rack and fenders to the frame, if they aren't included. If I were looking for a new commuter, I would definitely want:

- semi-upright riding position
- full coverage fenders
- rear rack
- 32mm or wider puncture resistant tires

A few nice if I could afford them:
- a front rack/basket
- disk brakes
- internally geared rear hub

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mike w. on July 2, 2010 at 11:45am

A good rigid frame, An upright postition is good -upright or straight bars are good for commuting as it's easier to hold your head up to scan the surrounding situations; wider kevlar-belted puncture resistant tyres (i like the Pasela TG 700X32) Racks, full fenders, lights -BRIGHT lights, Front & rear. i'd also go with caliper brakes just because they're easier to maintain. Internal gearing is nice, but remember that when (not IF) you suffer a rear tyre puncture it's harder to pull the wheel. In the city you can usually get along with a one-speed rig just fine, but you may want gears for those windy days or when you feel either speedy or cashed out from work. Remember to always carry a spare tube & pump in your commuter kit -the streets are paved with beer-bottle shards.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason Figler on July 2, 2010 at 11:58am

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

Jason,
For commuting, mechanical disc brakes would be the better choice for disc brakes, in my opinion. While hydraulic brakes have amazing stopping power, they really aren't needed for the city. I have a set of Avid BB7 Road disc brakes on my commuter bike (they're mechanical/cable), and they work excellently when aligned well. Even with hydraulic disc brakes, you're going to have to have them aligned properly and dialed in for maximum stopping power. I'd go with cable again, and I'd go with cable if I were you. They're easier to maintain, will work very well for commuting, and the punch-you-in-the-chest stopping power of hydraulics isn't really needed in the city.(Well-aligned mechanical disc brakes still give you some of that feeling.) It's better to be aware of your surroundings (not that you aren't) than relying solely on being able to stop on a dime.
I'd also reconsider a suspension fork. They're pretty heavy, and you lose some power to the fork itself due to the fork blades being able to move.

Now if you plan on taking this bike on some wild singletrack on the weekends, it's a different story.

Thanks....

Good advice on the brakes and sorry, the OP is pretty vague.

Little more info...I've been riding for some 6+ years my old Schwinn Homegrown, outfitted with fenders, lights and such to make for a decent commuter bike. It's really been pretty great, little if any trouble considering the beating it's taken in the past two winters. Frame might be a little too small, but it's not really uncomfortable to ride.

My only complaints are that in rain/snow or really, just when the brakes are wet, they are totally unsafe until dry. Knowing this I can work around it but I'd really like some discs.

Also, I'm rolling on knobbies 26-2.0 tires which is good and bad. No flats in like a year, and due to rolling resistance and relatively low pressure it keeps me going a bit more slowly which=more safety.

Now, since this new bike would pretty much only be used to get around the city, and to and from work, it really should be a purpose-built commuter bike I'd think? But I also want it to be nimble enough to ride hard and fast when needed. The Homegrown has been great for being ridden hard.

Here's a question....does anyone ride in the winter on 700 tires? Seems like during snow days this would be kinda dicey? I've yet to wreck in the winter (actually really had my first wipe out only a few feet from my office recently on a nice clear, dry morning) and would like to keep it that way. Maybe keeping the Schwinn around and ready for snowy days would be a good idea.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on July 2, 2010 at 12:44pm

I ride 700c tires year round, on a bike configured with drop bars, and have few problems during the winter months. When things start to ice up I switch to Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires (studded tires that come in sizes 700 x 35 or 700 x 40). The tires work really well on ice, and get through the snow pretty well also. During non-winter months I ride Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires (700 x 25) that have been bombproof, all on the same bike.

While I understand the sentiment of having a "winter bike," it just did not work for me in practice. I simply hated not riding my regular commuter, which is completely dialed in for me. I've created this bike to be my purpose built commuter, and when I ride a different bike for my commute I always end up wishing I had ridden my commuter. While I was initially concerned that I would have handling issues in the winter, given the 700c tires (and particularly given the drop bars), riding in snow has not proved that much of a challenge. Same with ice. The winter riding issues I encounter on my commuter I would also encounter on a "winter bike." Plus, I'd have to contend with the irritation of not having my commuter.

If you're going to have a purpose-built commuter, I'd seriously consider just riding it right on through the winter. Just getting some appropriate tires and practice your handling skills.

Jason Figler said:

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

Thanks....


Here's a question....does anyone ride in the winter on 700 tires? Seems like during snow days this would be kinda dicey? I've yet to wreck in the winter (actually really had my first wipe out only a few feet from my office recently on a nice clear, dry morning) and would like to keep it that way. Maybe keeping the Schwinn around and ready for snowy days would be a good idea.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on July 2, 2010 at 4:38pm

My tank has 700x32C Panaracer Urban Max on it, and my Schwinn has 700x25C Conti UltraGatorskins on it.

I've ridden both in snow. The choice of tire definitely has to do with not slipping, but bike handling skills matter more when it comes to not toppling over on snowy roads, in my experience.

Jason Figler said:

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

Jason,
For commuting, mechanical disc brakes would be the better choice for disc brakes, in my opinion. While hydraulic brakes have amazing stopping power, they really aren't needed for the city. I have a set of Avid BB7 Road disc brakes on my commuter bike (they're mechanical/cable), and they work excellently when aligned well. Even with hydraulic disc brakes, you're going to have to have them aligned properly and dialed in for maximum stopping power. I'd go with cable again, and I'd go with cable if I were you. They're easier to maintain, will work very well for commuting, and the punch-you-in-the-chest stopping power of hydraulics isn't really needed in the city.(Well-aligned mechanical disc brakes still give you some of that feeling.) It's better to be aware of your surroundings (not that you aren't) than relying solely on being able to stop on a dime.
I'd also reconsider a suspension fork. They're pretty heavy, and you lose some power to the fork itself due to the fork blades being able to move.

Now if you plan on taking this bike on some wild singletrack on the weekends, it's a different story.

Thanks....

Good advice on the brakes and sorry, the OP is pretty vague.

Little more info...I've been riding for some 6+ years my old Schwinn Homegrown, outfitted with fenders, lights and such to make for a decent commuter bike. It's really been pretty great, little if any trouble considering the beating it's taken in the past two winters. Frame might be a little too small, but it's not really uncomfortable to ride.

My only complaints are that in rain/snow or really, just when the brakes are wet, they are totally unsafe until dry. Knowing this I can work around it but I'd really like some discs.

Also, I'm rolling on knobbies 26-2.0 tires which is good and bad. No flats in like a year, and due to rolling resistance and relatively low pressure it keeps me going a bit more slowly which=more safety.

Now, since this new bike would pretty much only be used to get around the city, and to and from work, it really should be a purpose-built commuter bike I'd think? But I also want it to be nimble enough to ride hard and fast when needed. The Homegrown has been great for being ridden hard.

Here's a question....does anyone ride in the winter on 700 tires? Seems like during snow days this would be kinda dicey? I've yet to wreck in the winter (actually really had my first wipe out only a few feet from my office recently on a nice clear, dry morning) and would like to keep it that way. Maybe keeping the Schwinn around and ready for snowy days would be a good idea.

• ▶ Reply