What kind of commuter should I get?

[Z]

I commute about 50 minutes each way to work (half of it urban) and now that it's about winter time, I figure it's time to get a REAL commuter bike! I'm getting tired of worrying about my $2500 road bike getting trashed!

So help me out here, what should I get? ???

- I want it to be cheap enough so I can lock it outside and not worry about it (like <$600?)
- I want it light and comfy enough so I enjoy riding it every day
- I want it rugged enough for a city commute
- The less work the better (fixing up or finding a decent used bike would be a pain)

A local shop is selling track bikes for $550 with one of those flip/flop hubs. Sounds like a good deal... haven't been able to ride it yet, though (what self-repecting store closes at 5PM on a weekday?) Don't know anything about them - what should I be looking out for?

Thoughts? Ideas??

[radair]

Seven singlespeed. Spray paint it flat black. :-\

[SloMoJo]

Most guys on here have a beater Mt bike.
Take it off their hands for a $100 or so, and you're ready to go.

We all also have a road bike out in the shed that gets no use too. Also for sale. :)

[AA]

Z

A 50 min commute isnt short, sounds like you need a cyclocross bike to me.

*fast
*lightweight
*canti brakes for quick stops in bad conditions
*slightly tougher wheels than a road bike
*bikes are generally set up with a more upright position
*you can always change the drop bars to flat bars for more curb hopping ability

check out the road bike section on MTBR classifieds

AA

[CouchingTiger]

I tend to agree w/ AA. A cross bike may be a good option.

A slightly oversized MTB would work well too (one that is a size bigger then you normally ride). That makes it more like a road bike. With an MTB, you can run bigger/wider slicks which afford more road hazard protection. These days they are making some sweet pavement tread MTB tires for urban type junk as well as dirt jumping.

-Couch

I know someone with a cross bike with an internal gear hub on the back. Says it is totally awesome when the snow and ice are building up in the winter. The gears don't freeze up. You can get a beatup mtb, road or cross bike and do up the rear wheel and have a maint free ride. Just a thought.

[C.P.]

Take a look at VanDessel Bikes.
http://vandesselsports.com/contentbike.html
I used to commute year round from Newton to Boston, about 30 min commute. I had an old cannondale Mtn Bike that I converted to a singlespeed. I put slicks(100psi) on it with tube protectors to minimize flatting, and zefal plastic fenders - keeps the grime off of your clothes. It was simple and LIGHTWEIGHT. I could switch to studded knobby tires when the going got rough in the winter.
The only thing I would have changed is that it had 26In wheels, That's why the suggested link, those bikes all have 700c wheels, you'll like them for commuting better.

[Big Game]

Because you're commute is pretty long, I'd say go with a hybrid w/ 700 cc wheels. They are still pretty fast. And you'd probably appreciate the enhanced comfort. Kona makes some real kool ones for around $500. Yet I'd still worry about someone snaking it. But I think that anything you'd really want to ride would be attractive to a theif.

The plus about a 'cross bike is that it is pretty beefy and still very fast. And then if you decided, you could race 'cross with it. The downside is comfort. You're still kind of laid-out. A low-end Jake the Snake goes for around $800 (? -- correct me if I'm wrong gungy)

[MMcG]

Do you want gears or do you want to go Single Speed?

DeVinci makes a line called performance hybrids that look pretty sweet......a road like frame but more of a MT bike stem and bar up front. http://www.devinci.com

Check out Marin's ALP line of bikes as well. http://www.marinbikes.com

******
BG - how did your trip to the Green Mountain State go?

[Big Game]

I prefer to clean my Camelbak bladder with bleach. It rinses out easier and it better at killing any funky algae than soap.

[MMcG]

BG - how did your trip to the Green Mountain State go?


Soory guys, I'm getting close to the point where I can't divulge any more info. That's a good thing for me. I will tell you this: It was very nice. I may just have to go up this Friday again.

Hopefully, I will be able to tell you guys more at some point. But I don't want to do anything to mess up my chances with this one.

* * *

I prefer to clean my Camelbak bladder with bleach. It rinses out easier and it better at killing any funky algae than soap.


May the luck of the Irish be with ya Big Game!

Which brand of bleach do you prefer to clean your Camelbak bladder? Clorox or will generic grocery store brand bleach do just as well? ;)

[Z]

Thanks for the input, everyone... I'm still looking and mulling it over. (It'll probably take me until summer to figure this one out, knowing the way I approach these things!)

A friend of mine has the VanDessel single speed, and it's pretty cool. But do I really want a singlespeed or multi gears? I like the simplicity of the singlespeed, but as a friend of mine Dave once said, "Whatcha want a singlespeed for, so you're always in the wrong gear???" :) I know that the first day I hit a headwind I'll be hating life.



Also, I can attest to the durability of the shimano nexus internally geared rear hub. My hub has been trouble free for the past two years of year round commuting, and I'm not even the original owner.


So, Tom... I like the idea on the nexus internal hub. But isn't it really heavy? I haven't beeen able to find a price on one (in case I decide to convert my mtb) Thoughts?


Damn, I want something that doesn't exist, I think. And I want it without having to go out and bother shopping for it!

On second thought, what's the most COOL bike? That's probably what really matters!

[C.P.]

I have a Nexus hub. 7 Speed model. Cool concept, except, it is HEAVY, and planetary gears are somewhat inefficient - (I can notice the difference for what it's worth), as compared to cassette/derailer. I've since removed it from the "commuter".
Yes, it's weather proof, relatively durable and cool to be able to change gears while stopped at an intersection. If you want to have a popular European feature, you can get a matching nexus dynamo front hub(generator hub) and connect it to a lighting system - no batteries to worry about, again that "drag" is a noticeable thing. Changing a flat on the Nexus rear hub other hand can be a major task, especially if you're running late on your commute. Shimano didn't really consider making a quick release model, and if you've got a nexus hub with a roller brake built in, the hub has two cables connected, it can be frustrating to re-install the wheel with all that has to be aligned say the least.
Go singlespeed. simple, lightweight, cool, and most of all, affordable.

[MMcG]

Damn, I want something that doesn't exist, I think. And I want it without having to go out and bother shopping for it!

On second thought, what's the most COOL bike? That's probably what really matters!



Z,

Have you thought about building a bike up? Upon one of my many visits to Scott's in Willimantic, CT I noticed several older Trek road/commuter frames hanging from the rafters sporting horizontal dropouts. The guy in the shop commented that they can be converted into really nice cyclocross geared or single speed rigs for relatively litttle money. It would allow you to keep things simple and probably relatively inexpensive. Just a thought.

Your comment that you are looking for a bike that doesn't exist made me think that what you might really want to do is create that "missing bike" that you seek!

Although today you'd probably get to work faster on a pair of Cross Country Skis!

Quote from my youngest boy a few minutes ago "Dad, Is it Christmas!?"