Commuting - Do you commute on an expensive bike?

Most of the bicycle commuters I know ride on lower value, older bikes.

The reasons range from theft deterance to simple economics. Of course, many of these riders also have their high performance treasure bikes waiting at home for good weather and weekend riding.

I use six bikes for commuting depending on weather:

1964 Girls Meteor Flight; for snow and icy, salt road winter days - value $35.00

1973 Huffy Escape 3-speed with a huge basket for hauling big loads - value $25.00

1973 Schwinn Varsity - reconditioned and beautiful making it's value three times normal street value for same model - value $40.00

1973 Peugeot PX-10LE "It's Zippy!" I ride this one when I want to impress people at work. Strictly a fair weather machine Value $250 (?)

How about you? What do you commute with? There are probably a lot of people who ride some really fine wheels to work as well as the masters of clunker husbandry.

Let's have it folks

I ride an early 90s Trek 700. I bought it for $50 at an MS 150 Bike Sale.

The stuff on the bike, bags, pedals, etc., cost me more than the bike did.

Jonathan

I have a fantastic light touring bike , beautifully built but maker unknown, painted garish green. It cost me £100 from my corner bike store, but has had a few upgrades. I feel happy leaving it anywhere, which makes it a very useful machine.
My fancy custom made Bob Jackson tourer is way to valuable to leave locked up outside the cinema at night.

I just started commuting 4 weeks ago and I converted my old road bike (1999 Raleigh R600).
I guess the bike is worth about $400-$500??
With the addition of a bike rack, panniers, raingear, MTB shoes, kryptonite lock, and miscellaneous items, it is probably up another $250-$300.


many of these riders also have their high performance treasure bikes waiting at home for good weather and weekend riding.

The bike that waits patiently at home is my new baby. A 3-1/2 month old Litespeed Tuscany. :D :thumbup: :dance:

But I have seen a couple of young commuters riding Litespeed mountain bikes using a backpack and not a bike rack/panniers.

They must have more money than me. :p

Just to clarify. I have converted the amount I originally paid for my bike into US dollars, which puts it in the $250-400 range. I actually only own one bike, so it does basically everything.

Chris

I started commuting on my hybrid, but since I got my road bike, that is all I use! I suppose I will start using the hybrid this winter when the weather and road conditions get worse, but for now, my road bike ROCKS!:D

As far as worth, you could buy both of my bikes for less than $500. But, to me, they are priceless! They carry me to work or to many wonderful adventures...how can you put a price on that??

Originally posted by RonH
But I have seen a couple of young commuters riding Litespeed mountain bikes using a backpack and not a bike rack/panniers.

They must have more money than me. :p
What do you think those backpacks are full of? :D

I've had two bikes, both Treks. They were on clearance, so they were definitely a bargain to me. My new one was a gift, so technically it didn't cost me anything, right? ;) Although, it's funny, how I kind of miss riding my old 820.

I scour the Recycler (want ads), every other week to see if there are any bike bargains my size. I haven't found any yet. It's nice to dream, though. :D

I think I'm just like Fubar--I must have bike on the brain, or somethin'. It's cool to find out different things about bikes. I've checked out 3 different books on bikes from the library, and even if they're old, they do have some really good ideas.

Back to the bike price--I agree with nebill. They're darnn priceless!

Mike,

I guess when I think of the price we pay for bikes (I shelled out about $600 initially for mine), I can't help but say, respectfully, to motorists:

ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!????

:D

my commuter is a one of a kind, completely custom hybrid bike. i pulled an old mariushi frame/fork out of the shed(to think, i was gonna throw it away!) and built up a cheap, but respectable bike from my spare/used parts bin.

specs: mariushi '82 frame/fork, matrix rims laced to a gray fisher hub on front and an alivio on rear. new KMC chain, hg30 cassete and lx chainring. tourney xt cranks, alivio derailluers. lx canti brakes with xt levers, and lower end gripshift shifters.

when i built it it cost me nothing cuz i had all the parts lying around, but to put a value to it....id say $100. since i built it i have spend about $80 on it.

i love this bike because it performs like a dream(esp with the new drivetrain), yet looks like crap to thieves. ive even decorated it with some duct tape for added clunker-ness. still use two locks with it....cant take a chance, right now its my only mode of transportation.

i do have another mountain bike, worth around $1500.....that one is strictly for recreational riding. the only time its ever out of the house, i am riding it.

I bought a recumbent bike last week and am now using it for my commute.I've retired the mtb and don't think i'll ever go back to an upright bike again.I've had wrist surgery in the past and an upright is just to hard on my wrist.

Andre-Rans Wave

Kudo's to all who commute. As a former commuter of many year's and thousand's of miles, I am glad to be out of traffic. I am not against it though that would be hypocritical. I applaud those of you who still do, and my prayers are with you all.
I do not however miss carrying the access weight of locks, and worrying that my rig may or may not be there, or taken apart, and left in pieces. Of course where I live now you would have to be clear out of your mind to attempt to steal one of them.
It is nice to be able to leave over $3000 in bikes outside in an unlocked addition (shop) and know they will be there. Of course you have to get by a female rotweiller who recently as of 3 months ago had puppies, and is very protective. I enjoy reading youse guy's commuting stories, and watching the progression. GOD Bless youse all!

I get around on a GT mountain bike ($529) but I would really love to try a road bike sometime. Alas, noone I know owns one and I don't have the money yet to buy one so.....MTB it is for now.

If anyone could suggest a good starter road bike for me to investigate, I'd love to drop into the LBS and check it out.

I have used very cheap bikes for years but recently as I was cycling much longer distances I invested in a nice new touring bike (about $750). True, with luck and some work one can find an equally satisfying bike in a yard sale ( found such beauty: a road Benetto bike I cherish unfortunately the frame is too small for me) but I figured that anyway, $750 is what I would pay for a car (payment + maintenance + insurance) in 2/3 months so I might as well. To a lesser extend, (here I admit giving in to ridiculous social pressure) I also feel sometimes heavily looked down for only riding a bike by some clients so I felt I needed a decent looking bike just to show that I wasn't too poor to drive I just chose to.

I commute on a '93 Bridgestone RB-T. Basically, it's like a super-low-end touring bike. Basic road-bike geometry, but equipped with a triple, and having cantilever brakes and sufficient clearances for fatter (e.g. 700x35) tires. The tubby tires are necessary since about 1/2 my commute is on gravel roads. The only upgrade is I replaced the drop handlebars with moustache bars.

My Road/Commute/Weekend general-purpose-do-it-all bike is a 1986 Specialized Sequoia, which I bought new in about 1988 for $400--half the normal asking price, as it was the last one the LBS had and they wanted to get rid of it.

So, no, the bike was not expensive to buy. However I also consider that if it were wrecked or stolen, in today's market I'd probably be shelling out 4 to 5 times what I paid to replace it with something of similar capability and quality. So I tend to treat it and care for it as if it cost much more than it did.

My office caters to bike commuters with bike lockers, showers & clothes lockers all available free-of-charge. If I didn't have the bike locker or some similarly secure location for the Sequoia I'd be looking hard for a cheap used bike for commuting.

A bicycling magazine recently had an article on the subject "5 best commuter bikes." Of course, when you look at the article, and see that there are $2000 bikes in this article, you know that the magazine is more concerned with flattering its advertisers than with helping its readers.

I own 3 bikes that I use in my commuting. The old 3-speed hub-gear Sears Free Spirit is one that causes a local bike shop to laugh whenever they see it, but no one is particularly interested in stealing it, making it a great commuter bike. (Once at the train station, when I was in a hurry, I failed to close the lock correctly on the bike, meaning that anyone could have just ridden the bike away. No one did.)

I also own a mountain bike that is good for commuting home after a Critical Mass event, where I may be taking roads that I am unfamilar with, and so the knobby tires are a partial defense against bad road surface conditions.

I also own a Trek that I use for local errands.

I no longer ride my nice "new" road bike to work. The roads are too rough. After help from members of this forum I converted my low to medium priced mountain bike to a commuter. The knobbies are now slicks, a rack and pack carry all that I need and the front suspension is much more comfortable and safer.:)

I started commuting in 1993 on a <$300 Raleigh hybrid, but switched over to an REI Novara Randonee $600 touring bike in 1997. the Randonee has continued to be the commute workhorse, along with the bad weather club ride bike. Occasionally, if the weather was terrific and there were enough clean clothes in my office, I would take the Trek 5000 through an undulating 30-mile route in the mountains, carrying a small fanny pack.

I like the Randonee because it is a good-value steel bike with a long wheelbase, forgiving on the rough roads. I run Avocet Cross 700x32Ks on it, which give good grip in the wet and are pretty good at sloughing off debris. But the Trek definitely feels like a rocket in comparison.

The other major commute bike is the Burley Rumba tandem my wife I use once or twice a week. Another good steel bike, it can carry all the gear we both need. We end up doing "tandem leapfrog" with other commuters: getting passed on the uphills, swooping ahead on the downhills, to be repeated as many times as there are hills.

Originally posted by ViciousCycle
A bicycling magazine recently had an article on the subject "5 best commuter bikes." Of course, when you look at the article, and see that there are $2000 bikes in this article, you know that the magazine is more concerned with flattering its advertisers than with helping its readers.

Isn't that the truth! Sometimes Bicycling Magazine tries too hard to write articles that fit their advertisers' agendas which puts the articles way out in left field.

In my opinion, Bicycling Magazine has abandoned practicality. functionality, and even the FUN of bicycling. If you are into bicycling, but aren't 100%into fashion statements, that 'zine isn't for you.

If you cut out the articles worth reading, you could fold them up and put them in your thin wallet.

I totally agree with the fact Bicycle Magazines' attempt to lure bicycling enthusiasts to purchase more expensive bikes than they need. I think I saw a similar article, and man, that was definitely NOT on my price range. I didn't think I could even afford a good quality bike, based on that article. It's a good thing that there are good LBSs out there, and sites like Bike Forums and mtbreview to let you know otherwise.

Originally posted by mike



If you cut out the articles worth reading, you could fold them up and put them in your thin wallet.
They're useful in that format for an emergency tire boot in case of a blowout. Keeps your dollar bills safe.

Originally posted by technogirl
I think I saw a similar article, and man, that was definitely NOT on my price range. I didn't think I could even afford a good quality bike, based on that article

No kidding. After reading Bicycling Magazine, you start to doubt that you can actually bike on your existing machine at all.

I remember biking to the library, reading an article in Bicycling Magazine, and wondering how the hell I was going to get home.

Originally posted by mike
I remember biking to the library, reading an article in Bicycling Magazine, and wondering how the hell I was going to get home.
Hahahah!!!

Originally posted by mike

I remember biking to the library, reading an article in Bicycling Magazine, and wondering how the hell I was going to get home.
I think that's one main reason I stopped reading it. It didn't seem to apply to me anymore, somebody who actually rode an ordinary bicycle.

That, plus the fact that after about two years they start saying the same things over again in only slightly different words. But you can't blame any specialist publication for that--there's only so much you can write about a specialty before it's recycle-time.

Originally posted by JonR

That, plus the fact that after about two years they start saying the same things over again in only slightly different words. But you can't blame any specialist publication for that--there's only so much you can write about a specialty before it's recycle-time.

The big secret is that many of the contributors to BikeForums.com would make excellent contributing writers to a bicycle related magazine. You could have years of fresh ideas and articles with just some of the threads that have been generated here.

I haven't read enough of those mags to form an opinion really. If not Bicycling mag, than which one would be more down to earth among the bunch

My basic commuter was $700, to which I've added about $400 in accessories & up-grades. Part of the willingness to spend that much was that I couldn't find too many bikes that fit my "fireplug" body. I did recently buy a cheap ($250) bike to be my winter ride. It has 26 inch wheels so it will be much easier to buy studded tires. But it doesn't fit as well, and I may need a new handle bar, hand numbness has come back for the first time since I bought my Flora.

My main bike is a 1998 Moongoose NX7-1 that I paid $650 for and have spent another $400 on upgrades. My "tank bike" is a 1994 Specialized Hardrock with dual rear baskets. That bike I bought for $300 and have spend an addition $100 on it. My third and last bike is my "junker". It is a 1973 Starjet Eurotour 3 speed. That bike I ride when I don't want to get anywhere too fast. I enjoy riding each bike, it just depends on the task at hand.

I commute on my Trek 5200 which is an embarrassingly expensive bike. I have a 20 year old Schwinn 12 speed and a hybrid but the only reason I commute is to get in the time on my bike. I ride country roads past beautiful farms and I truly enjoy the ride. If I were commuting for commuting sake and planned on riding in the winter (which I doubt I'd even consider) I'd use my hybrid but it would take A LOT longer and I wouldn't get up to my regular 42mph on the great down hills.

Yes. My commuter is custom built and, though not worth much to sell now, would cost in the region of £1500 (not dollars) to replace.

I only have the one bike so its Hobsons choice.

However - when I get a new bike in Spring 2002 the new one will be race/audax/sunny days only and my current bike will remain the commuter.

Stew

Bike theft is not that bad that I need to commute on a piece of junk. I newish touring bike for commuting and a very good chain.

I was out for a couple of weeks in July so I missed this post when it first came out. Don't know how I never stumbled onto it before now!

I started out commuting on my DAUGHTER's Free Spirit "mountain" bike. I didn't want to invest any money until I was sure I was going to stick with it. After a couple of weeks, I
knew I like it, but DEFINITELY needed a bigger bike. I decided on a Giant Cypress, but the shop was out of the frame size I needed, large, and probably wouldn't get any in for 2-3 weeks. I learned that my brother-in-law had a bike in storage which he let me borrow. After riding it just a couple of days I stopped by the LBS to pick up something and noticed a Cypress on the floor that looked like the right size. I asked and, sure enough, it was a large. Apparently, it was in with a bunch of unassembled mediums and had just gotten built up, and no one noticed it was a large. Anyway, I bought it and picked it up the next day. About $400 with rack and fenders. After a few months I started getting more familiar with bikes and riding and started swapping stuff out until I wound up with a really nice 105-equipped commuter/tourer. Total investment something over $1,000. I love this bike. It will always be my buddy and primary commuter. It is great riding bike that is unattractive to thieves because of its dorky fenders, rack and funny pedals.

I have since acquired the old but new Bianchi Brava which is my sweet weekend ride as well as an old Schwinn Voyageur which needs to be overhauled. It have a funny feeling that one of these days I will probably be turning a garage sale 10-speed into a single speed, maybe even a fixed gear as I complete the "cycle" from 1 speed to 10, 21, 18/27, and come back to one, from simple to sophisticated back to ultimately simple, the essence of what a bicycle is. Right now I am enjoying the learning process of working on my own bike and exploring all the latest goodies. But I am, at heart, a simple person.
Regards,
Raymond

I have a 2000 Specialized Rock Hopper that I bought new this year for $499.So far I have put a Blackburn rack on it and plan on a SKS Shockboard front fender soon.I also plan on getting a BoB trailer so I can load up on groceries and do some hauling.

i commute on a late 80's/early 90's Centurion that i found by the dumpster at my apt complex. just needed a new chain. I 've put about $45 into it to get it running again. good as new.

Originally posted by urban_assault
i commute on a late 80's/early 90's Centurion that i found by the dumpster at my apt complex. just needed a new chain. I 've put about $45 into it to get it running again. good as new.

Excellent! That is recycling at it's best.

Originally posted by mike
Excelent! That is recycling at it's best.
Cycling, re-cycling, what's the difference??

:D

I have two recumbents to choose from when commuting to work, a distance of approximately 80km round trip, usually goes to 100km as I take my time going home. Needless to say I don't do this all that often only 6 times this riding season.

(1)A 1994 Haluzak Horizon what with recent renovations has cost me approx. $2400 Canadian.
(2)My other bike is a 2000 Challenge Distance at a cost of approximately $1900 Canadian.

I also use both bikes for touring as well.

There is one woman in my area that I've heard is riding on a Greenspeed trike priced at $10,000 (eek!)

I currently switch between a 24" bmx cruiser and a Y2K Schwinn Homegrown. I am lucky that my employer allows me to keep my bikes in the office building. As for commuting to other places, I perfer to ride with others. Safety in numbers, is a good motto here in Houston. I see a lot of older bike, my prob is there is a boom of people looking for old bikes like that to restore. The only $25 bikes I could find are 16inchers at garage sales. I sure would like to pimp out an old 26inch Kruser like those Dyno Kustoms. Change my name to the RATFINK Kommuter.

I commute on a Bianchi Milano ($600). It is a really good commuter with a very comfortable riding position. It looks like a retro cruiser with swept back bars. It lalso ooks like a singlespeed, but it actually has 7 gears integrated into the rear hub (Shimano Nexus system). This a very low maintenance system that never needs adjustment. I leave my high dollar ride (LiteSpeed MTB $5K+) at home. I would never lock my Litespeed to a pole outside work or the grocery store.

I commute on anything from an old beat up Schwinn Spitfire Cruiser or Speedster to a hand made Italian Masi with Campy 50th Gruppo. It just depends on the day, the mood, the weather, the distance, the roads and WHERE I can keep the bike.
Ride More Work Less
Pat

Originally posted by pat5319
Ride More Work Less
Pat

You have it figured out, don't you?

Chris L,

If I could only do as I say!!!

Ride more than you can say
Pat

This is a very interesting question considering the changes in the discussion since 2001. I own several cheap bikes I commute with.

well i am a grocer and on a grocer's pay you can't afford a fancy bike. in fact using a bike is all you can afford. me and my fellow grocer's have bikes that range from the big box retail store specials for 90 bucks to what i have a redline 520 hybrid commuter for 300 but the lbs said it cost 442 new. personally i don't see any need to spend big bucks for a bike. the people at my store get by just fine on 90 dollar bikes. it also gives peace of mind knowing that if the bike is stolen you are out only 90 bucks.

My sig.

It is my one and only bike.
(£800 after various upgrades, current conversion is $1.65=£1).

Well, I guess I'm a departure here since most seem to be commuting on low-buck rides. That said, I get to park mine at my desk. If I had to park outside or at a subway station I'd be riding a solid beater.

It's a BSO... Huffy something. But has served we well for the last 11 years. It was around $250-300 in 99.

I have a Specialized Rockhopper that I currently commute on. It was sitting on the side of the road next to a dumpster, so it was free. Both trigger shifters were jammed but after liberal applications of WD40 for a few evenings they worked themselves loose, and I have a great functioning bike.

Just added a rack to it, a cyclocomputer, and am planning on getting bar ends in the near future. Well under $50 invested so far, and I'm very happy with it.

My road bike, which I occasionally ride to work, was $100 on Craigslist with $60 worth of upgrades. Mostly replacing worn out tires, adding lights, and aero bars for longer treks on the weekends.

phil