Commuting - Bike recommendations?

I'm sure this has been posted a hundred times in the past by new guys just like myself. I browsed through the forums but couldn't find a decent thread to answer my question:

I'm moving 800 miles away to a 4-year college next year. I'm 18 and in good shape. Since I won't be leaving the dorms much, I figured I'd save myself the gas/insurance cost and just ride a bike. I'm looking for something that would fit my budget (I couldn't justify spending over $200) and my needs (Riding to and from class and around a small town. MIGHT include weekend trips to the nearest city, 16 miles roundtrip).

I have two questions: a) What bike do you recommend? How much does it cost? Where can I buy it? b) Being a new commuter cyclist, do you think I'll have any trouble navigating through a small college town where everyone drives 15mph over the speed limit?

When you consider how much you'll be saving by not ever having to buy gas, you might be able to justify spending a bit more than $200. That said, for around $300 there are some pretty decent hybrid/commuter bikes that will get the job done. I purchased the Bianchi Avenue for my six mile round trip work commute, and I love it.

I spent a bit more and had some things swapped out at the local bike shop, but the stock bike is decent.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/avenue.html


Some other bikes I looked at:

Trek 7100/7200 - http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/citybike/7100.jsp
Specialized Crossroads - http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6006&JServSessionIdroot=3ijgixalpf.j27002

I also checked out some bikes from Giant - http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/page.asp

Although I'm not sure which models I was looking at, they're a reputable company and anything you decide on should be good.

I'm moving 800 miles away to a 4-year college next year. I'm 18 and in good shape. Since I won't be leaving the dorms much, I figured I'd save myself the gas/insurance cost and just ride a bike. I'm looking for something that would fit my budget (I couldn't justify spending over $200) and my needs (Riding to and from class and around a small town. MIGHT include weekend trips to the nearest city, 16 miles roundtrip).


If you're going to do 16 miles on weekends, a used road bike would be the way to go. Don't think about buying new or locking the bike outside. If you have to lock the bike outside, the locks alone should cost about $150.00 dollars in total! (Kryptonite New York Chain PLEASE!) On second thought, don't even think about leaving a brand new bike ouside a college campus period. That's insane.

I'm going to throw this one out there but why not get a folding bike? Yeah, I know those wheels are small but you would be able to bring it inside your dorm as it wouldn't take up much room. The Dahon Boardwalk 6 will set you back about $279.00 but you can find better deals on Ebay. As an added plus, those small wheels will be a chick magnet! Seriously. Riding a folding bike with 20 inch wheels is a huge conversation piece so be prepared. You'll stick out of the crowd. Most guys wouldn't be caught dead riding a step through folder because it's considered a girls bike. But guess who's going to want rides? That's right. THE GIRLS!

I vote for the Boarwalk 6

http://www.dahon.com/boardwalkd6.htm

Take a looksie at the fixed-gear/single-speed sub-forum. I know some of those folks are college students getting around campus in style and on the cheap.

I vote for a used bike, in a brand that can't be bought at Wal-Mart/Target/other department store.

Get a bike that fits you in terms of length (seat to handlebars) and has handlebars (and preferably seat, too) that you find fairly comfy. Get a bike that doesn't have knobby tires because they're not so great on pavement. Get a bike that has enough gears to get you up whatever sort of hills you'll be using it for. (where I used to live, 10-speed was fine; where I am now I'd be hurting with fewer than the 18 I have.) Used bikes that fit these criteria could be mountain bikes, road bikes, or any of the "in-between" categories.

You might find what you want at a bike shop that sells used bikes, at a garage sale, bike co-op, or at a thrift store (Salvation army/goodwill/value village/etc)

Many of the bikes that will fit your needs will probably be $100 US or less, (or slightly more if you want lots of gears) and they might go as low as $20 in some places.

I suspect you'll need some practice in order to become comfortable bike-commuting. I learned by using sidewalks and switching to roads more and more as I became more experienced. If you do use the sidewalks, be sure to go slowly near pedestrians and give them enough space. If you have roads that have shoulders rather than sidewalks, then it's probably good to ride on the shoulder. Whether you have trouble commuting and how much practice it will take to become good at it depend on the town where you're commuting.

Also, I suggest you learn to maintain brakes and gears for your own bike when you start needing it. Just ask at the bicycle mechanics forum here when you need to.

I've been commuting on a Kona Smoke for the past 7 months and love it. Kona bills it as a commuter bike, something non-descript (flat black paint and fenders help) that you can ride around campus, to the bar and lock up and not worry about. It's not too expensive (around $325 -$350) either.

The other route you can take is buy a bike for $15 or $20 at a thrift store. Ride it into the ground, chain it up anywhere and walk away and never worry about it. Use the $200 you save to buy books or beer. :rolleyes:

Whatever style of bike you get, MTB, hybrid, touring or road, make sure you can fit a luggage rack (for your books and groceries), fenders (for riding on wet roads) and lights. Think about fitting the pedals with toe clips for a low-cost way of getting more efficient, and fit a slick, medium width kevlar banded tyre to minimise punctures. Make sure the gears are low enough for your steepest hill /heaviest load/strongest headwind. Most roadbikes have plenty of gears at the high end, but not enough at the low end.
Budget for a helmet, repair kit, some bike luggage and a lock.
My own choice of commuter is a well used touring bike. It goes well and looks bad (at least in the eyes of a bike thief).

Whatever style of bike you get, MTB, hybrid, touring or road, make sure you can fit a luggage rack (for your books and groceries), fenders (for riding on wet roads) and lights. Think about fitting the pedals with toe clips for a low-cost way of getting more efficient, and fit a slick, medium width kevlar banded tyre to minimise punctures. Make sure the gears are low enough for your steepest hill /heaviest load/strongest headwind. Most roadbikes have plenty of gears at the high end, but not enough at the low end.
Budget for a helmet, repair kit, some bike luggage and a lock.
My own choice of commuter is a well used touring bike. It goes well and looks bad (at least in the eyes of a bike thief).

Get the Bianchi Volpe: excellent commuter and tourer.

Corsaire

For college (I'm a college student and a bike mechanic) I would get either something like the Specialized Sirrus flatbar roadbike, Bianchi Volpe (steel is real), Specialized Langster (*cheap* and one gear!), or something of that nature. $200 doesn't get you much, and read on for my used rant.

If you can't justify spending over $200, you have no options. And I would definately purchase the bike from the shop there rather than where you are now. When it needs work if you take it to the shop there they will charge more and be less inclined to give you free service if you bought it at a shop hundreds of miles away. New bikes purchased from a shop come with free service for a year, and sometimes life.

Why not to buy used:
1) you dont know a whole lot about bikes/maintenance and tell-tale signs of wear and abuse to look for
2) no support or service from a shop
3) no warranty
4) can be a very frustrating and costly problem

Lets look at it this way... you pay $200 for a $450 bike, used. Ok, the bike doesn't shift right > tune up > $45 > $245... now its still skipping gears > chain is stretched > new chain > $25 > $270 > mechanics notice the cassette is worn because the previous owner didn't lube the chain properly > $40 to replace the cassette > $310, well you get the idea. And you still have no warranty or free service.

For carrying your stuff a large messenger bag is uber-sweet and nothing says college mod rocker like a baseball-t, a pair of jeans cutoff midway on the calf, vans sneakers and a large messenger bag. Long hair and black framed glasses complete the look. The messenger bag is really good for grocery shopping, IMHO, I can fit a weeks worth of groceries in mine, and the baggers love that I just throw everything in the bag myself.

You won't have any trouble riding around a college town... take your lane (its your right!) ride WITH traffic and be confident, and also ALWAYS anticipate the driver is going to pull out in front of you, back out as you pass, etc... it happens more than it doesn't sometimes.

I agree on the messenger bag. I can fit four 2-liters, a loaf of bread and 4-lbs of lunch meat, and still have room for the ever so required bag of beef jerky :)

Given I have moved to panniers now, but I am still keeping my messenger bag anyways. It's tough as nails, waterproof, and holds insane amo0unts of stuff....proly the best $80 I didn't have to spend (mine was a free promotional item..bonus!).

I agree on the messenger bag. I can fit four 2-liters, a loaf of bread and 4-lbs of lunch meat, and still have room for the ever so required bag of beef jerky :)


How does your shoulder like having 16 pounds worth of soda after more than a mile or two? I too much enjoy the 2-liters, which I get at walmart for a whopping 50 cents a piece, but have problems getting more than 3 home at a time. I put them in the milk crate I have sitting on my rack, but that really makes the bike handle poorly.

Andrew

I agree on the messenger bag. I can fit four 2-liters, a loaf of bread and 4-lbs of lunch meat, and still have room for the ever so required bag of beef jerky :)

Given I have moved to panniers now, but I am still keeping my messenger bag anyways. It's tough as nails, waterproof, and holds insane amo0unts of stuff....proly the best $80 I didn't have to spend (mine was a free promotional item..bonus!).
:rolleyes:
Who needs to be able to carry 4lbs of lunch meat?! If you'd said a six-pack of beer, or 2 bottles of wine, that would've been much better.
:D
Leconkie

For those of you hauling obscene amounts of groceries home, have you considered trailers?

I agree, definitely used. And junky looking.
Also see if your college has a cycling club.

I say used is the way to go, but if you want to go new thisGT Palomar (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=18099) isn't too bad. I picked one up and use it on the Ohio State campus. I picked up a cheap rack ziptied a milk crate to it to hold all of my stuff. Also a pair of 1.5" slicks. Works pretty well. As others have said, don't cheap out on the locks. I use a Kryptonite New York 3000 ULock and Kryptonite Locking skewers. So far no one has stolen anything and it regularly sits out until midnight. I used to ride a 2003 Hardrock to class, but the GT set up the way it is works nicer as a commuter.

As for riding through town, it all depends. Most colleges are pretty bike friendly. I can get around my whole campus area far quicker than I ever could with a car. I can get around decently in the city without too much of a problem. I am originally from Toledo, OH and I never see people riding there. I think I would have a lot harder time getting around there.

For those of you hauling obscene amounts of groceries home, have you considered trailers?

My milk crate works great and empty isn't noticable at all. Best of all it was free. I actually managed to carry $90 in groceries once before I got it though. A lot in my bookbag and the rest from my handlebars and bar ends. It sucked, but I did it.

I am very happy with my Trek 7100. I paid $334.00 USD for the bike, and a trek rear rack, and a trek batwing waterbottle cage all installed by the dealer. It isn't superfast, but it rolls nice and is a good commuter for me.
Mine has the red/silver paintjob and looks pretty nice. Also, I am a fairly big guy 6'1" 225 lbs and the 20" frame fits just right. Also I don't smush the shocks on the front forks or seatpost. My only complaint is that the handgrips feel small, but my hands are kinda big so I'm used to it.

Of course the weight bugged me a bit, the main strap of the bag was clamping down on my cchest something awful...but it was only a half mile, so it wasnt too bad.

It was after doing htat three or four times that I ddecided to start looking for some cheap panniers. Actually the ones I have now are nice and cheap...but the fabric is SO noisy...make all kinda of crinking noises when i open them and stuff...oh well, that will die down in time.

For college (I'm a college student and a bike mechanic) I would get either something like the Specialized Sirrus flatbar roadbike, Bianchi Volpe (steel is real), Specialized Langster (*cheap* and one gear!), or something of that nature. $200 doesn't get you much, and read on for my used rant.
.

That beautiful Bianchi Volpe would probably last anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 hours on a college campus before the kids find a way to defeat the lock. OH.. Did I mention that new bikes tend to get vandalized?? When my junk folding bike was new, the kids used to brake parts on the bike by trying to brake the lock or pull it away from the fence. Now that the bike is old and dirty, they leave it alone.

I was just had an email conversation with a guy who recently lost two new bikes on the streets of New York City and he used the Kryptonite New York Chain in both cases. New bikes on a college campus is bad news especially if you can't bring it inside the dorm. I would find out the rules on bikes in dorms. The good news is that most campuses will accept a folder inside the dorm.

Bottom line. If he can't bring the new cycle inside the dorm and has to leave it attached to the rack all night long, be prepared to buy new bike (Bianchi Volpe, Specialized Sirrus) every week.

Steve, do you know if it was the way it was locked that caused the bike to be stolen or was the new york chain physically compromised?

I agree it's probably better to buy when you get to college. When you get there, you will learn things that will help you make a good decision:


How safe is the campus?
Can you bring the bike into your room?
Is there other reliable transportation to the nearby city?
Are there any good bikeshops in the college town or nearby city?
How is the market for used bikes there?
In addition, the other students will be able to give you better answers than we can. If you need to buy before you get there, call the admissions department. They'll probably give you the name of current students who'd be willing to talk to you.

Quick release levers on the wheels , and sometimes the seatpost: Also called quick steal. The solutions are:
1) Remove all quick release parts and carry them/bolt them to your frame EVERY time you lock up the bike. You still have the risk of somebody stealing all or part of your skewer.
2) Replace the QR levers with bolts and carry a wrench.
For high-risk areas I prefer to use strategy 2.

ditto MichaelW on that last post.

I have been using wheels that are too old for quick-release. I just carry a wrench. Nobody wants to steal my old rusty bolt-on wheels. :)

if you haul gas (in a container!) in a messenger bag make sure you ask the company that made it about doing that first. chrome said it would probably melt my kremlin. for some things a rack with the milk crate is best. it helps make the bike cheaper looking too. i advise the rack and messenger bag method. and take a look at your local goodwill stores and such. look for a good raleigh.

Bottom line. If he can't bring the new cycle inside the dorm and has to leave it attached to the rack all night long, be prepared to buy new bike (Bianchi Volpe, Specialized Sirrus) every week.

I've used my 2004 Specialized Stumpjumper, Kona Cindercone, Paramount OS3, a borrowed Bianchi Volpe and a Redline Monocog Flite to putz around school... most of them have been left out locked up for a few days at a time at one point or another.

Its been my experience bike thieves are FAR more likely to steal the Mongoose or NEXT sitting next to your Cake because perhaps they recognize the brand, its shinier, or its far less identifiable. Whatever the reason in looking at our schools police reports I have yet to see a bike worth over $200 get stolen on campus.

But if you are leaving the bike outside at night get something cheap and ugly as a precaution.