Commuting - Bike type used for commuting

I'm just curious as to the types of bikes that forum readers use as their primary commuter.

Here are the choices:

1. Road bike: light frame; 3-6lbs, limited braze-ons, max tire capacity 32c or narrower. Includes flat bar roadies & fixed gear.
2. Touring/cross bike: medium-weight to heavy frame 5-9lbs, max tire capacity 37c or narrower, lots of braze ons. Flat bar/drops/trekking bar. Geared or fixed.
3. Hard-tail MTB: Includes hybrids i.e. Trek FX series, Kona Dew, "commuter" bikes based on MTB framesets
4. Dual suspension MTB
5. Other (explain)

OK, I know these categories aren't going to work for everyone, but bear with me. The bike market is getting so splintered and nitche oriented it's hard to classify bikes.

Some guidelines:

Hybrids = Hardtail MTBs. The frames are basically MTB frames, with some smaller tires and commuter-friendly parts.

Some cross bikes have limited braze-ons and a really light frame, and should probably be considered road bikes for this poll.

Some road bikes (i.e. many in the Jamis line) come with lots of braze ons, but have a light frame, so they are 'road bikes" for purposes of this poll.

And sorry I left off recumbants. That was an oversight. Maybe a mod can fix the poll?

I know bents are rare but I mean having to say Other.. How rude :p

I ride an xtracycled touring bike right now soon to be Giro 26 recumbent on alternating days to get different muscles exercised and a rest for my weary bones. If you consider Late February soon :(

What about a not-so-light entry level road bike with ample braze-ons? I picked other, however, because I commute on 3 different bikes given how I feel and what the weather is doing.

What about a not-so-light entry level road bike with ample braze-ons? I picked other, however, because I commute on 3 different bikes given how I feel and what the weather is doing.

It's hard to make categories. Just didn't want hybrids to wind up in the road bike category, because they are not road bikes (they're hybrids). It sounds to me like you should probably have voted for category 1. Even entry level road bikes have fairly light frames. My 1983 Nishiki Sport has a 6lb frame, for example, and it was an entry level bike even way back then.
Also, the poll was for your primary commuter; i.e. the one you ride the most.

European commuter bike. Not sure where that should go, other than "Other."

Paul

My time is split evenly between two different bikes

- fixed gear, 23c tires, no rack
- cross bike, 28c tires, disc brakes, no rack

I voted for the road category since neither bike currently has any load-carrying capacity. Long term, I can see myself owning two custom frames, one fixed, one geared, both with longer chainstays and rack mounts.

Well then right now it's a mountain bike because it's snowing and icing in Kansas. I have more commuting miles on my road bike than any other bike in my fold, but that's simply because at the beginning of summer, I moved close enough to ride the whole 29 mile round trip (as opposed to a 50+ mile RT before I moved), and therefore, I did a lot of summer full commutes on that bike, and plenty on my hybrid.

If you take the number of days I've commuted since I started, and not the miles, you'd see a lot more bike/bus commutes with my MTB than anything else.

I like my Beach Cruiser

One of the better defined polls I've seen here for a while...but still faced with the "outliers" and other very unique types of bicycle out there. :D

I started on a hardtail MTB. Cheap and I didn't know better...it seemed like the way to go for a rider who wasn't "hardcore" about it. After several months I learned on this forum the remedy to many of my struggles/dissatisfactions were to be found in the world of road bikes.

I bought a Fuji Absolute and modified it with drop bars, and later trekking bars (after I built a more custom commuter bike). I still own the Fuji, and it's a favorite. I would have bought the Touring but the LBS owner gave me a KILLER deal on the Absolute that made it worthwhile.

After reading this forum for quite a while, I set out to build my "perfect" commuter on a cyclo-cross type frame. That's the bike I now ride 90% of the time. Relaxed road geometry (saddle level with tops of handlebars), attachment points for all my commuter accessories, 32mm wide tires, drop bars and brifters, 32 spoke count wheels built with a fairly bomb-proof rim, disc brakes.

I couldn't ask for more in a commuter.

I voted other because I have a Rivendell Glorius mixte as my commuter. Couldn't ask for a more comfortable ride to work.

I ride road bikes. Sometimes my geared race bike, sometimes my fixed gear conversion. But I'm planning to build up a FG/SS crossbike with fenders and racks as a dedicated commuter. A lot like Banzai describes.

circa 80s Centurion LeMans is my primary commuter. I voted #1, but it's not /that/ light, as it's steel, but it definitely falls into the "road bike" category.

I have a Xmart MTB (front suspended, hardtail) that I use for particularly off-days, or when hauling a trailer (currently off the road with a rear wheel problem).

Hands down prefer the roadie, I prefer working less to go faster.

Just switched from a hardtail to a LHT this week. Been a long time coming.

For winter, I commute on a cheap ($130, used) 1980s Stumpjumper with 1.50" slicks. My commute runs 3 to 25 miles, usually about 15 (depends on how much of it I take on the bus) and it's hilly, very urban, and often soaking wet. Sure, it's slower than my road bike, but it's geared nicely for the hills, takes loads of abuse, and I'm not paranoid about leaving it outside for a moment when I stop somewhere for a cup of coffee. If I get a flat somewhere in bad conditions, who cares? I can just ride it slowly to a sheltered spot or a bus stop without concerns of trashing a rim. Then, when the road bike gets taken out, it seems even more of a treat than it really is.

I finally took all the bearings apart on the Rockhopper to clean and repack them, and the grease was still clean! They really built these old monsters.

I use a variety of bikes. My main commuter is a cross bike that I also choose to ride over all my other bikes and when the weather is foul, I choose a old MTB that I converted to more road worthiness (drop bars, 1.4 slicks, racks, etc.).

Nice hardtail MTB! slicks & gear, 25-26lbs all told.

I used to use my roadbike, now I use a fixie, Specialized Langster. Roads are good, weather is good. No reason to use anything else.

Hybrids = Hardtail MTBs. The frames are basically MTB frames, with some smaller tires and commuter-friendly parts.


It's hard to make categories. Just didn't want hybrids to wind up in the road bike category, because they are not road bikes (they're hybrids).

Seems like your have your own meta-narrative perspectives informing your decisions mathew...(gotta stop studying for pomo philosophy...)

But really, not all hybrids are created equal. My trek is much more road bike than MTB, but it is definitely a hybrid. Add on to that the trekking bars, rack and pannier and my bike looks more like a tourer...which is what I voted.

btw- not trying to pick a fight, I know it's practically impossible to classify bikes...just thought I should point out a couple of things...PEACE

Trek Liquid 25. Dualie. :D Off-road commuting assault vehicle. If you saw some of the different ways I ride home, you'd understand. :) I have three sets of tires for it, including studded Hakkas.

I voted road bike. I tried using a MTB hard tail before but it just wasn't comfortable for an 22 mile R/T commute. I only ride on the road and the weather doesn't get as bad over here. Road bikes are the most logical option for me.

I've been commuting on a '73 Fuji mixte, I wasn't sure what category it would go in so I said Other. It's heavy but for some reason I like it a lot. But I just bought a road bike so maybe my tastes are about to change...

There needs to be some sort of 'multiple' catagory. I commuted on 6 different bikes this year. My main all weather bike is a flat bar touring with fenders and heavy duty racks. I also have a 1980's steel 12 speed converted to flat bar. On nice sunny days I take one of 2 vintage road bikes. In winter it is a ridgid mountain bike with studded tires and industial fenders. Last week I added number 6 when I mounted studded tires on the 700 wheels of a flat bar hybrid to see how they compare to the 26" studded tires. I'm lucky to have a large garage and a 10 mile round trip commute, so I can make the trip on almost any bike.

At various times of the year, all of the above.

Lightweight road bike commuter here. I don't carry much with me so having a rack is not necessary nor are fenders since it rarely rains here in SoCal and I need a multi geared bike because it is so hilly here.

A road bike is the perfect commuter for me.

My main commuter is a fixed gear 'cross bike set up with a rack and front fender. I have 2 wheel sets for it, one with slicks and one with studs. I'll switch off now and then with my Raleigh Team Cross.

I usually see the phrase "hard-tail" referring only to bikes with front suspension and no rear suspension. That leaves out the MTB I use as well as a bunch of hybrid bikes and "commuter" or "cruiser" or "city" bikes.
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EDIT: I thought it would be assumed that my bike was also not a dual-sus mountain bike.

It's a rigid mountain bike, which is a fairly popular type of bike for commuting. No-suspension hybrids are also a common type of hybrid bike.

I don't consider hybrids to be "all terrain bikes" much more than road bikes-- depending on the tires, a road bike or a hybrid (or a mountain bike) might be good/poor/average on smooth pavement, good/poor/average on gravel roads or paths, etc. My definition of mountain bike is mostly about whether or not it was made with parts suitable for trails that are substantially more "off-road" in character than a gravel road. That rarely includes hybrid bikes.

My KHS "turbo" is a single speed with bullhorns, fenders and a rear rack. It is fairly light (18-20 lbs?), and geared 42-20.

Hybrid.

Seems like your have your own meta-narrative perspectives informing your decisions mathew...(gotta stop studying for pomo philosophy...)

But really, not all hybrids are created equal. My trek is much more road bike than MTB, but it is definitely a hybrid. Add on to that the trekking bars, rack and pannier and my bike looks more like a tourer...which is what I voted.

btw- not trying to pick a fight, I know it's practically impossible to classify bikes...just thought I should point out a couple of things...PEACE

Touche' :)
I agree that the Trex FX series is hard to classify. They are sporty bikes, I really like them. But the somewhat upright posture, semi-large tires, and flat bars have me thinking MTB all the way. But yeah, you have a point.

I usually see the phrase "hard-tail" referring only to bikes with front suspension and no rear suspension. That leaves out the MTB I use as well as a bunch of hybrid bikes and "commuter" or "cruiser" or "city" bikes.

If you have front and rear suspension on an all-terrain bike, check the dual suspension MTB box. If you have a suspension seatpost, that doesn't count, because it's a seatpost, not a bike, and you have a hardtail.

Cruiser bikes aren't a category in the poll... check other if you use one of those.

Too many categories = data that's hard to intrepret... sorry for the compromise.

Is there a bike with only rear suspension?

Touche' :)
I agree that the Trex FX series is hard to classify. They are sporty bikes, I really like them. But the somewhat upright posture, semi-large tires, and flat bars have me thinking MTB all the way. But yeah, you have a point.

All a matter of perspective! :beer:

700c Tourer, unless I'm feeling like some after work dirt, then it's a hardtail 29er mtb.

Heavy duty touring bike with capacity to take 700 x 43 tires. Check out www.bgcycles.com

I commute on nearly all of my bikes depending on my mood and the weather, but I voted hardtail MTB because that's the one I built up with the sole intention of commuting. Plus it's the one I rely on when the weather is nasty.

Heavy duty touring bike with capacity to take 700 x 43 tires. Check out www.bgcycles.com

Bruce Gordon...
stop, you're making me drool. That was the bike I really wanted when I bought my LHT. A Bruce Gordon is in my future someday, when I get a better job.

Other: RANS Tailwind compact long wheelbase 'bent

Unlike most rider, my primary bike is my only bike. Maybe they're cheaper by the dozen?

Other: Folder (Bike Friday New World Tourist)

Is there a bike with only rear suspension?
Some of the first suspension MTBs had only rear suspension.
http://www.firstflightbikes.com/_borders/Shocker.JPG

I chose other because I wasn't sure exactly which bike category my towner would be in, and I mostly walk to classes (college student).

My towner bike is my Novara Randonee. It's an older frame style and mine is a smaller frame that takes 26" wheels. It looks like a rigid mtn bike with downtube brazeons. I have it set up with flat bars, 8sp thumb shifters, semi-knobby tires fenders, front and rear racks. It will be my commuter when I get a real job someday.

Folder. My Dahon Mu P8 was selected to fit under my desk inside the office. It has fenders and a rear rack, among other options.
http://www.striegels.com/alan/photo/Bike/MuP8.jpg

I answered hardtailed MTB but that doesn't account for the mods I did like putting on slicks, fenders, lights and a rack to streetify it.

http://www.pointhappy.com/gcf/BikeParked.jpg

I also occasionally commute on my Bacchetta Giro 20 and infrequently on my American Eagle/Nishiki, both would be considered "Other".

It's hard to make categories. Just didn't want hybrids to wind up in the road bike category, because they are not road bikes (they're hybrids). It sounds to me like you should probably have voted for category 1. Even entry level road bikes have fairly light frames. My 1983 Nishiki Sport has a 6lb frame, for example, and it was an entry level bike even way back then.
Also, the poll was for your primary commuter; i.e. the one you ride the most.

Hey Matt...how's the Sport working out for you? I'd really like to see a pic of what you did with it.

Just switched #2 commuter. Got ahold of a specialized crossroads. 48/38/28 - 30x12 7 sp rr cas. 700x38mm wheels/tires. Will swap out drive train on my current #2 which is a 94 Fuji Discovery HT. The SP-CR will give me a little more speed and it will accomodate easily the 700x35mm 110 psi airless I've been saving for a ss project. It's a BIG bike...feels like I'm driving a big ol' 66 Pontiac Bonneville. Very smooth and solid. It's got a blackburn rack w/C'dale front bags on the rear and a Sunlite trunk, too. My #1 Commuter is a rebuilt 85 Cannondale SR300 53 cm rb w/upgraded components. Single 48t Rocket Ring w/a sugino Track 103mm bb and cranks w/s sunrace 28x12 8 sp rr cas and bar end shifting. 700x20mm 105 psi airless w/Jandd saddlebags/sks Race Blades/NR Trailrats and UTL w/vegas light and blinkies.

The factory's going to ramp back up in early Feb(I'm currently laid-off) so I'm using this time to get my commuter rigs w/raingear, etc together. Getting the Showers Pass Touring Jacket(Yellin' Yellow...I work 2nd shift) w/hood and Gore Pants w/gaiters. Have Neoprene booties from Performance and Gordini Summit II Gloves. Will ''waterproof' my bags w/scotchguard and plastic grocery bags. My Commute is 40 mi RT and I figure the 700s will give me a slight edge timewise over the 26" HTwheels. Also, going to get a couple of those powerflares from http://www.powerflare.com. They look phenomenal. My commute is 95% rural roads w/moderate hills w/one @ 18%.

Sorry, to go on about my rigs, but it's been a real learning experience posting here and seeing what tricks and innovations people come up w/and the spirit of sharing. I've borrowed alot of ideas and have modified a few to fit my particular circumstance. Just wish I had the PC savvy to post some pics of my #1 w/t string of lights I bought at Target last year. They look very cool in a darkened room. My wife took pics and promises to download and post in a day or so.

Mountain bike but not just hard tail; no shocks in front either.

I just use an 80s fixed conversion road bike. Makes sense to have a road frame instead of a track frame for fixed gear commuting me thinks.

I had to vote other.:(

My primary commuter is a RANS Rocket recumbent fitted with mudguards, rear rack, seat bag and dynohub/drum brake.

My secondary commuter is a Healing Cruiser (Raleigh 20 copy) converted to a fixie, geared 52x15, and fitted mudguards and a dynohub.

The other bikes I've used for commuting are: a standard three-speed Healing Cruiser with period dynamo; a Humber Sports fitted with mudguards and a four-speed dynohub; a Burco (Dutch) bike with 700c wheels and five speeds again fitted with mudguards and a dynamo.

BTW does anyone notice a common theme with my commuting bikes?:D

Touring bike. Seems to work perfectly for me.

I voted other (Trek 7.2 FX). Hardtail MTB by definition has front suspension, so it's definitely not that. If you wanted to classify the Trek FX series as an MTB (or give people with mountain bikes with no suspension an option other than "other") there should have been a "rigid MTB" category.

Personally I think the closest of the above choices to the FX series other than "other" is "touring/cross bike."

And sorry I left off recumbants. That was an oversight. Maybe a mod can fix the poll?Fixed. I also moved the three bent votes I counted so far from Other to Recumbent.

Myself, I voted for Other. Basically it's a hybrid with some commuting /touring mods, so calling it a "hard tail MTB" as you suggest just sounds so wrong :).

--J