Commuting - Looking for a sub 25lb urban pavement, curb dropping, commuting bike.

Need some advice. I’m looking to buy a new/used bike that can handle my current commute. My commute is kinda varied. It’s hilly when I start then I cut across some dept store parking lots, crappy city streets to get to the subway. I’m currently riding a very heavy MTB that I put some smooth tires on. The MTB has a suspension front fork, which is great for the curb dropping I do, but going up hills is hard b/c of the weight. I’m considering a Motobecane Fly Pro ($1199) from Bikes direct and a Mongoose Crossway ($449) from Performance bike. I saw the Crossway at the store, and it felt pretty light but they didn’t have the weight for it. Both bikes have front suspensions. The Fly Pro is 22lbs according to the site. Also, aside from fixing flat tires I’m not very handy with a wrench so I’m wary of buying used. the fly pro is kinda out of my price range, but maybe someone can recommend something similar? Thanks in advance.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_pro_x.htm


http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&langId=-1&catalogId=10551&productId=1060864&cm_mmc=$(referrer)$-_--_-MONGOOSE-_-30-0992&mr:trackingCode=0D15BC46-A681-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

Maybe something like this...
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1061041_-1_1500502_20000_1500505 (cant find weight but has aluminum frame)
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1078215_-1_1500502_20000_1500505 (29 lbs)

Those bikes are functionally at opposite ends of the spectrum. The crossway is a hybrid with decent parts and nothing special. The motobecane is an XC mountain bike with high end parts. This is reflected in the price differential. With the motobecane, you are getting a very good deal on the bike/parts, but the caveat is that you have to do all of the assembly and maintenance yourself, or pay a shop to do it. No offense, but you sound like someone who is new to cycling. Frankly, the motobecane is likely overkill and I do not know if you have the knowledge to assemble it correctly. The mongoose could be ok, but would be dissappointing on a long commute (maybe more than 8 miles).

How long is your commute?

Can't go wrong with a old unsuspended MTB and slick tires. They are cheap and easily found. And the basic platform can be taken in lots of different design directions.

Decent frame, decent tires, maybe single chainring up front, and you can bring it in under 25 pounds easily.

jim

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. esp. the links by teamonrun. Can you verify that they're under 25lb? I'd probably get a medium or perhaps even a small. I really like the "give" that the front suspension gives you when dropping curbs. And, an upright bike is the way to go esp. with all those cars around.

My commute is not that long: 4.5 miles (1 way).

As long as the bikes shifts smoothly, I don't really care about component quality. I have ridden cheap walmart bikes and those components won't work.

sorry I totally spaced the 25lbs thing. I will get the weights and edit my post

Coolio, based on your commute description you would probably be better off with a Hybrid or a Mtn bike with a lockout for the front suspension... :thumb:

Take a look at these options:

Shimano XT 27Spd Front Suspension Bike 2010 Motobecane 700HT $499.95
New LockOut Rockshox Fork, DiscBrakes, Truvativ Cranks, Advanced Al Frame

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT_2010.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/7ht_600.jpg

Shimano Deore 21Spd Comfort Bike 2010 Motobecane Jubilee Deluxe DLX $349.95
Advanced Lockout+Adjustable Suspension Fork, Comfy Suspension Seatpost, Adjustable Stem

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/jub_dlx_x.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/blk_dlx_600.jpg

Cannondale Bad Boy series. Some sweet rides there. Purpose built, urban assualt commuters in evil flat black.

http://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/10/cusa/badboy.html

I know nothing about lockout forks. How easy/quick is it to lock them out? Is it something you can easily do while riding? If not, I don't think it would really work for the OP.

Yes most designs are quick and easy to use. On the Cannonale Headshock the lever is at the very top of the fork steerer a quick flick to turn on or off. I love mine. I give fork lockouts my highest recomendation.

I know nothing about lockout forks. How easy/quick is it to lock them out? Is it something you can easily do while riding? If not, I don't think it would really work for the OP.

Can't go wrong with a old unsuspended MTB and slick tires. They are cheap and easily found. And the basic platform can be taken in lots of different design directions.

Decent frame, decent tires, maybe single chainring up front, and you can bring it in under 25 pounds easily.

jim

+1
IMHO - a great suggestion. Try this with Schwalbe Big Apple tires.

He is on slicks the shocks are just extra weight, maintenance and expense with very little return.

My old M400 made commuter. Around 25lb (it is a xl frame most weights listed for bikes is Medium or large) before fenders, rack assorted other junk making it a good comuter. This is actually my foul weather/ cold weather (brifters bit of a pain in ski gloves).
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=76840&d=1216686595

I'll admit I am gonna be a little trollish here. Why the fixation on a suspended front fork? Would not a decent pair of gloves and grips (either or both) with gel, commbined with improved technique have the same result without the weight penalty or maintenance issues?

I don't know about anyone else here, but if I'm "curb jumping", I am either doing it really slow or going fast enough where my rear wheel touches down first. I cringe at the thought of coming down front wheel first all the time, less control.

I'm not a huge fan of suspended front forks, so I'm gonna recommend the Kona Worldbike.

http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=worldbike

http://www.konaworld.com/images/bikes/med/worldbike.jpg

^^Worldbike?!? That's a Smoke with IGH. And that ain't a bad thing. I've got me a Smoke with 26"ers, :love: it.

^^Worldbike?!? That's a Smoke with IGH. And that ain't a bad thing. I've got me a Smoke with 26"ers, :love: it.

There is actually a little more thats different between the smoke and worldbike than just the drive train

Yeah, I took a look at the geo specs of the Worldbike vs the Smoke. I jumped the gun, but my Smoke is the 2006 model.

Hmm, I wonder if my wife would notice the difference between my current bike and either of these two new ones?:innocent: She doesn't believe in the n+1 bike theory :cry:

Thanks for the suggestions. I find that the front fork doesn't slow me down at all. If i brake really hard with the front brake, it does go down (compress) but that's all good. The lockout feature would probably be an "extra" that I can probably do without.

My problem with padded gloves is that they don't do as good a job of absorbing the bumps as a suspended fork and 2) I usually misplace them or leave them in my "other" jacket pocket.

I snooped around the bikes direct site and those 2 bikes above are right around 30lbs for the medium models. Thanks, anyway.

Having problems getting the frame weight for some of the above bikes.

I'm just going to add my two cents.

Are you sure you really want front suspension for an urban, curb hopping commuter? Front suspension may not really perform well when you are standing to pedal, which you will be if you are maneuveing and hopping curbs and such. Plus I've always thought that in a way suspension tends to make handling inconsistent. Then there's the fact that eventually it will need worked on. I personnaly commute on a rigid MTB becasue I like to goof around, and if I bought a new bike the first thing to go would be the suspension fork.

Also I'd catuion against getting to hung up on the weight issue. I used to think that weight mattered, but now I think that a few pounds doesn't really make that much difference. It's an easy way to try to judge a bike, but it doesn't alway relate to the quality, performance, or enjoyability of a bike.

weight matters. a lot. just sayin'.

I'd get a cyclocross bike or something without a suspension fork. You REALLY don't need a suspension fork to commute. I've taken a rigid mountain bike down stuff that you probably don't think you could do without full suspension. like...staircases, 2 foot drops, rock gardens, etc.

seems like your concerns are weight and durability, so heres just another option to mtb commuting - which i detest.

i bought a really nice example of a early 90s cannondale on CL and had a indestructable set of wheels built. i wear a small bag and dont do rain commuting so mounts[rack/fender] were not required. 60km daily and i average 35kmh. i jump up and down curbs ruthlessly. my bike is a 60cm and weighs 23lbs with ATAC pedals, full under-saddle bag[tools, tubes, inflator], spare tyre strapped under the bag and full water bottle.

cyclocross bikes would be a good option as well.

. Can you verify that they're under 25lb? .

25lbs is unrealistic if you're looking at Mountain bikes at a cheap price point. That's getting into high end to cut to that weight. If you're buying for weight alone, you're barking up the wrong tree. If you need to cut 5lbs go on a diet :-)

My cyclocross with 28 mm tires and carbon fork weighs 24 lb including fenders and rear rack. It tales potholes at speed but I am careful when taking curbs. If you want to save weight heep away from sus fork and discs.

I like to have front suspension on my commuter. I rode rigid for a few years. You can't always react to potholes, in particular at night. I have a painful shoulder from some other incident and the front suspension does make a difference for me.

A.

As they say - "cheap, light, strong - pick two".

In the city commute better CroMoly road frames from 80s or more modern cyclocross will do. For curb habit I would concentrate on strong wheels. For good measure take a look at Specialized Cirrus - brand new at entry level it can be had around $700.

I like to have front suspension on my commuter. I rode rigid for a few years. You can't always react to potholes, in particular at night. I have a painful shoulder from some other incident and the front suspension does make a difference for me.

A.

I was just about to post this about night riding and front suspension. I concur.

I'm going to take my luggage scale to the bike shop and weigh the bikes to see how close they come to 25lbs if at all. Thanks for all the replies and keep em coming. I'm particularly interested in bike models.

Coolio, where do you live? You may want to to look for urban-oriented bike shop that builds custom bikes, not roadie shop, they won't have anything inexpensive. They can build an urban 1/9 pothole pounder that may fit your needs. Also, what I dislike about inexpensive brand name bikes is that they have crappy wheels and you want strong wheels. A bike shop like that can make some really tough wheels for urban riding.

There is on like that in NYC:

http://www.nycbikes.com/

Adam

This thread is ridiculous.

commute this...
could you, would you...

Just out for a ride around 11pm, moon's up.
10 degrees F.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l146/bmwstbill/bicycle%20pics/litespeed004.jpg

bill

That's sounds like a pricey option. I think I'm gonna go to the bike shop with my scale and find something w/a suspended fork that comes close to 25lbs. then, I'll have them remove 2 of the 3 rings, and look for a deal on light wheels on fleabay and other sundry assorted parts.


Coolio, where do you live? You may want to to look for urban-oriented bike shop that builds custom bikes, not roadie shop, they won't have anything inexpensive. They can build an urban 1/9 pothole pounder that may fit your needs. Also, what I dislike about inexpensive brand name bikes is that they have crappy wheels and you want strong wheels. A bike shop like that can make some really tough wheels for urban riding.

There is on like that in NYC:

http://www.nycbikes.com/

Adam

Thanks

My cyclocross with 28 mm tires and carbon fork weighs 24 lb including fenders and rear rack. It tales potholes at speed but I am careful when taking curbs. If you want to save weight heep away from sus fork and discs.

Exactly. My Cross bike just cracks 21lbs.

Weight isn't a big deal for a commuter. What's killing you is probably the rolling resistance of a heavy mtn tire (even if it is slick) and upright geometry that's not ideal for going fast.

One of the sporty hybrids will probably meet your needs quite well. Something like a Trek FX7.3 or FX7.5.

Breezer.

http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/05/27/road-test-breezer-finesse/

Just curious, what's the average weight of a non-fixie Surly Cross Check commuter?

Just curious, what's the average weight of a non-fixie Surly Cross Check commuter?

Add racks and lights and you'll prob be between 25 and 30 somewhere. For commuting I really don't see where it makes a difference.
You don't want a lot of expensive crap on it for the obvious reason. You want rugged for another obvious reason.

My main commuter is a Marin Point Reyes, I paid $950. Runs close to 25 lbs, basically it's a streeted-out MTB with a carbon front fork, and disc brakes (which I really love). Not as fast as a road bike, but I need to jump curbs on occasion and it's up to it. The CF fork isn't as cushy as a suspension, but it definitely gives a smoother ride than my old rigid Stumpy MTB commuter.

Weight isn't a big deal for a commuter. What's killing you is probably the rolling resistance of a heavy mtn tire (even if it is slick) and upright geometry that's not ideal for going fast.

One of the sporty hybrids will probably meet your needs quite well. Something like a Trek FX7.3 or FX7.5.

I agree. Not sure what the fixation on weight is. For a commuter (heck, for just about anyone who isn't a roadie racer or cyclocrosser) weight just isn't a big factor. Stop worrying about weight and find a bike that first of all fits well, and second of all has the right components and doo-dads for your ride. I'm sure there are plenty of good bikes in the 25-35 lb range that would suit you just fine and are probably cheaper and more plentiful than something under 25lbs, and that extra 5-10lbs will make almost ZERO difference over an average commute of say 10-20 miles each way.

Cannondale Bad Boy (2010)--change the Kojak tires--they are brutal, harsh and unforgiving!
I love my Bad Boy but the ride quality sucks with these tires. I had a "heavy head buzzy" sensation--similar to too much time on a flight. The LBS owners convinced me to keep the tires until they "waste away" because Kojak's are good tires. I am suffering through it but would LOVE to determine what to replace them with when the time comes. I like the sleekness, the quickness, the lightness of the Bad Boy. I love it actually. The tires again are a real turn off as is the unwanted attention. I am thinking of transitioning to a Dutch style bicycle for commuting. I want one with the chain cover or whatever it is called. I live upstairs so weight is a huge factor for me. HUGE!

Best of luck in your quest.

you don't need shocks to drop curbs.

I ride a Rocky Mountain RC series bike (the steel model that they don't make anymore), and its great. fast and tough.

Let see what we got. Hmmm..........lighter = $$$ = more chances of being stolen = less chances of it becoming a your main commuter bike. Been there. Initally I wanted a light MTB bike with suspesion and disc. After sticker shock and seeing CL just how many high $$$ bike get stolen from around my area, I've pretty much gave up on that idea.

Get whatever you feel comfortable with and don't worry about the weight unless you have to carry the darn thing on your shoulder for three floors of stair in your commute. 30 lbs, so what, just ride it in your 5mi/way commute. When you get used to it, you will notice you lost 5lbs and even those crappy road and curb seem to have smooth out.

My commuter weighs 30 lbs, and I"d be willing to take it on the hilliest, roughest commute you could find me. With the capability to run 38's with fenders, there isn't a lot that's stopping it, yet it's fast enough to hang with the club riders if I toss on the 28's.

OOPS!!!! Big mistake....
Here's my real city commuter...studs and all.
I never ride my good bike in the salt.
Who would?
Snow, that's way different.
bill

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l146/bmwstbill/bicycle%20pics/RaleighandstuddedtiresontheTrek008.jpg


This thread is ridiculous.

commute this...
could you, would you...

Just out for a ride around 11pm, moon's up.
10 degrees F.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l146/bmwstbill/bicycle%20pics/litespeed004.jpg

bill

Let see what we got. Hmmm..........lighter = $$$ = more chances of being stolen....

I commute on my Specialized Tarmac but thank goodness it sleeps in my office when I get to work; it's never out of sight.

thank goodness it sleeps in my office when I get to work; it's never out of sight.

Amen.. Mine's leaned against my desk as I type this :)