Commuting - buying a bicycle.Help!

Hello, I want to get a bike for the road. However I know nothing about bicycles.I hope someone can give me some advice on the different types of bicycles or simply give me some tips on choosing a right one.

Mainly I just want to use it for commuting.


BTW I am thinking of getting rollarblades.If anyone can give me some tips on this too, I will be most grateful.

Thanks,Carrottan.
:)

I too am a newbie to bike commuting, because I won't pay $2.50 a gallon for gas. Gotta draw the line somewhere. My "advice" (which may not be very good) is to do what I did, and set a budget you can live with. If you can afford $50.00 for a bike, go to all the thrift stores in your area and try all the bikes they have until you find one that works for you. If you can afford $3000.00 for a bike then may I borrow some cash till payday? just kidding. Anyway I have noticed that you can spend a godawful lot of money on a bike and I really don't see why you should have to. Just don't buy a bike or rollerblades at a department store. They are sure to be crummy. Oh yeah, if there's a really rich area near you, check out their thrift stores first. Rich people toss out the nicest bikes.

Anyway I have noticed that you can spend a godawful lot of money on a bike and I really don't see why you should have to. Just don't buy a bike or rollerblades at a department store.

Buying a department store bike may appear cheaper at first, but in the long run it isn't. Department store bikes are notorious for breaking quickly, it's damn near impossible to find anywhere who will repair them at all cheaply (the dept store certainly won't). For all the problems you'll avoid by going to a reputable bike shop, it's worth spending a few extra dollars.

What is your budget for the bike? At least a ball park would be helpful... :D

Get a breezer! I just got one. Check out www.breezerbikes.com (http://www.breezerbikes.com)

and check out this post:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=53770

Hi,

I just got a recumbent for my workday commutes. I love it! I used to ride a Trek aluminum road bike. The Trek now stands gathering dust. I just hang a backpack over the seatback on the 'bent and go. Enough room for lunch and a change of clothes. After only a week of riding on the 'bent I'm just about as fast as I was on the road bike. The bike I got was a Rans Tailwind. It was worth every dime I spent on it. It is also the first bike that hans't had screws come loose in the first 50 miles! I've previously owned two Raleighs and the Trek, and all of them suffered from "loose screwitis" when they were new.

'bent Brian

Need to know: Budget, commuting distance, terrain (hills, road or trails), max load (a week's shopping or a spare shirt), storage/security issues (do you lock it outside in a high-crime area), your height.

As funny as it sounds the Breezer Uptown 8 as Alex mentioned is a bike that is specifically designed for commuting. It comes with fenders, dynamo lights front & rear, racks, chaincover, internal geared hub, suspension seat post and fork. The cheaper Villager and Citizen comes without the suspended fork and have 7 speeds on the Villager but only 3 on the Citizen. I think the highest price model is around $800. But the drawback to these is that it is only good at commuting; if you want to take long training rides on forget it, the gears are limited, and the bike is heavy.

I say just get a cheap mountain bike, put some slicks, lights, and a rack on it and call it done. It may not be as efficient as a nice roadbike, but it will get you from point a to b, and if you get the thing sized to you, will be very comfortable too.

Yes we definately need some more information about your commute, where you live, mileage, and the big one: PRICE RANGE!!! :D

Hello, I want to get a bike for the road. However I know nothing about bicycles.I hope someone can give me some advice on the different types of bicycles or simply give me some tips on choosing a right one.

Mainly I just want to use it for commuting.

Thanks,Carrottan.
:)

FWIW.....Look for a well kept used "road bike" with fenders.
A "road" bike will have skinny tire that will roll easier
than fat cruiser tires will and have the gears you might need

I say used for two reasons.......

1.) If this a first attempt at commuting you may find you
don't really like the experience so hold your cost down.

2.) A somewhat grubby dirty used bike that rides good is less
of an invitaion to a thief. If it gets stolen you not out
much.

A new set of tires, new seat & handle bars of your choice will often go a long way to improving the ride of a used bike so that you can ride cheap on your way to work.