It's Time To Buy a New Bicycle...

[Pbartender]

So about a year ago, in an effort to save gasoline and improve my fitness, I decided to start riding my bicycle into work, every day that I possibly could. I'm rather proud of myself, having ridden in all but the very worst weather and logging in nearly 3000 miles over the last year.

I've now gotten to the point where it's a habit, and I'm unlikely to quit for any reason short of extreme infirmity. My wife suggested, as a reward for sticking with it, that I trade in my old beat-up bicycle, and save up the cash to buy a new one.

Far be it for me to argue with my wife.

Regardless, my current bicycle is an 8 year old Schwinn that I bought in college. It's a pretty straight forward mountain bike that's much more suited to the steep gravel paths that climb the sides of three hundred foot tall bluffs along the Mississippi river around my home town in Minnesota, than the mind-numbingly flat, straight and well paved bicycle paths and side streets of the suburban frontier of Chicago.

It's been a while since I've bought a new bicycle, and I've never bought one for this type of terrain, so I need a little advice...

I need suggestions for a commuter bicycle. My ride is about 5 miles one way (10 mile round trip, for those who don't have their calculators handy). It consists primarily of asphalt-paved bicycle trail, with a few residential streets. It is more or less a level ride, with a few short inclines (coming in and out of a very small river valley). I ride in most weather... I can tolerate temperatures as high as 90F or as low as 0F. I avoid precipitation, but will ride in very light snow or rain, if necessary. I refuse to ride with snow or ice on the roads/trails.

I know what qualities I want in my new bike... Primarily durablity, reliability and affordability... but I've been away from the market for too long to have a good idea as to what features or which manufacturers I should be looking for or avoiding.

Any other cyclists on the boards with advice?

 

[Angel Tarragon]

It's Time To Buy a New Bicycle...

You got that right, my last bike was stolen, even though I had double locked it at the public bike rack, on the last day of my last job. I had to walk 12 miles to get home......that is six miles more than I feel comfortable about walking. Anyway, I'll be getting a new bike (hopefully) witht the money my grandparents are sending me for my birthday neaxt months. What kind of bike can I get for $50?

 

[Pbartender]

What kind of bike can I get for $50?

Mine.

But I'll have to remove the cargo rack, headlights, water bottle, tire pump and tool kit before I give it to you for that price.

 

[IronWolf]

I need suggestions for a commuter bicycle. My ride is about 5 miles one way (10 mile round trip, for those who don't have their calculators handy). It consists primarily of asphalt-paved bicycle trail, with a few residential streets. It is more or less a level ride, with a few short inclines (coming in and out of a very small river valley). I ride in most weather... I can tolerate temperatures as high as 90F or as low as 0F. I avoid precipitation, but will ride in very light snow or rain, if necessary. I refuse to ride with snow or ice on the roads/trails.

I know what qualities I want in my new bike... Primarily durablity, reliability and affordability... but I've been away from the market for too long to have a good idea as to what features or which manufacturers I should be looking for or avoiding.

For commuting in the environments you mention (bike path, residential streets) and the reasonable distance you have to ride I would suggest a mid-range mountain bike (no shocks unless it can be locked out). *Then* slap on a pair of street tires for it that are made to take some high pressure in them. This works amazingly well and the tires make a huge difference over the knobbies on a mountain bike. In addition you get to keep a pretty rugged bike that can easily be fitted with a cargo rack and any other accessory that may make your ride a little easier.

If you really don't want another mountain bike you may want to look at a hybrid model. They'll still keep you in bit of an upright position but have a frame geometry that should be commuting friendly.

And you could always go with a straight up road bike. But if you deal with curbs and loose gravel you may want to avoid this style. They work great on the road but may not be what you want for commuting.

If it were me I would go with the mountain bike with street tires on it. I think it would work the best for the conditions you are willing to ride in and the places you are riding it.

I will avoid the brand name discussion as it has been awhile since I have been in the bicycle market.

 

[The Shaman]

I will echo IronWolf's advice - IMX a hardtail mountain bike with slicks instead of knobbies is a better commuter ride than a straight-up road bike.

My 'utility' bike is a hardtail mtb with 3-in. suspension fork, slicks, flats (that is, pedals without toe clips or SPD-type attachment points, so I can wear regular tennies), a plush seat for my too-ample rear, and panniers - soon it will also have a Burly trailer attached for my baby daughter. I've commuted on this bike, a mix of bus and cycling, and it's ideal for my needs - it's a more forgiving ride than my road bike, the linear-pull brakes have a lot more stopping power (which is nice in traffic), and if I decide to cut across the park or ride over a curb or down a utility corridor I'm not worried about three or four punctures or pinch-flats along the way.

 

[Alan Shutko]

I like the hybrids a lot, personally. Since I got my first hybrid, the hybrid range has split into a "comfort" range and one that's more road-bike but with an upright posture.

When I was commuting for work, here's what I found most useful:

• A good gearing range if you're stop and go anywhere with traffic. It's helpful to be able to go really low to get started fast then flick into higher gears to get up to speed quickly, so cars behind you at lights don't get antsy.
• Along with this, shift controls should be very easy to use. I like the trigger shifters.
• On the terrible roads I was on, some kind of suspension was helpful. I didn't have a full suspension mountain bike, just front-fork and seat post, but it helped even out the ride.
• Upright posture is important... easier for cars to see you, and easier for you to see cars.
• Finally, check bike laws in your jurisdiction to see what safety devices you're required to have (lights, reflectors, horns, etc.)

 

[radferth]

Moutain bike with street tires or hybrid are both good choices. I'd look at both and take whichever you are more comfortable with. Avoid suspension unless you frequently thought "I wish I had suspension" when riding your old bike. I'd further suggest getting a name-brand bike from a bike shop, as toy and department store bikes are often substandard. Also, a bike shop with have someone who can give you better advice on this that random ENworld cyclists. As for brands, Jamis is always reviewed and being an amazing value for the bike you get, but I can never find a store that carries them. Giant and Specialized and Trek are easy to find and have good reputations.

 

[Old One]

I like the hybrids a lot, personally. Since I got my first hybrid, the hybrid range has split into a "comfort" range and one that's more road-bike but with an upright posture.

When I was commuting for work, here's what I found most useful:

• A good gearing range if you're stop and go anywhere with traffic. It's helpful to be able to go really low to get started fast then flick into higher gears to get up to speed quickly, so cars behind you at lights don't get antsy.
• Along with this, shift controls should be very easy to use. I like the trigger shifters.
• On the terrible roads I was on, some kind of suspension was helpful. I didn't have a full suspension mountain bike, just front-fork and seat post, but it helped even out the ride.
• Upright posture is important... easier for cars to see you, and easier for you to see cars.
• Finally, check bike laws in your jurisdiction to see what safety devices you're required to have (lights, reflectors, horns, etc.)

Completely agree. A hybrid or "urban" bike is the way to go for comfort and flexibilty. I have a Raleigh C200 that I really like...upright position, front-fork and seat post shooks, easy trigger gearing...very smooth on paved and non-rocky unpaved trails. If you are doing all-paved riding, I would swap the stock tires out for more street-oriented tires:

Raleigh C200

Also, consider visiting a local REI (there are two in the Chicago area - Oakbrook Terrace and Niles). They have a pretty good selection and generally knowledgable staff on "urban outfitting". Check out the 26" and 700c comfort/urban bike entries:

REI Bikes

Good luck!

~ Old One

 

[Mark]

...logging in nearly 3000 miles over the last year.

How long would that take if you made use of the particle accelerator? :\


Or would that only be possible with a linear one?


I guess in the circular one you could hold a spinning class...

 

[EricNoah]

I have a hybrid, too; I bike mostly paved paths and streets but have to go over the very occasional rough bit. Seems to be holding up fine. I put in about 6 hours of biking per week during the summer. I was kind of amazed at how much lighter this bike was than my previous bike (a 100 dollar hunk of mountain bike junk from Farm & Fleet).