Commuting - need help getting started commuting...

I'm going to start commuting to and from school, 12 miles from here (mostly either residential areas or open country areas... not much traffic at all, except a few blocks)

I have a Trek 4300 that my brother got a few years back... and I have no idea if it fits me right... found the measurements 16.5" and 42" on the bike, but I don't know what they mean... I'm sure someone does though. I'm 5'11", 170 lbs (and I'm sure that once I start commuting I'll drop a few pounds... I'm currently the third least active person on the planet...).


I stopped by a bike shop, and the owner claimed that I'd notice a huge difference in a newer mountain bike... and recommended that I buy one of his $200-$300 bikes for my purposes. I rode one of his bikes and could tell a definate difference, but it could just be that my brother's old bike needs a tune up. Also, he said that his bike shop gave lifetime free maintenance for any bikes bought from them, which seems like a sweet deal, even though I probably won't be living her for more than 2 years. But... I'm not one to trust anyone trying to sell me something...


so I came here for an opinion... I really have 3 options... and money is a huge factor, I'm a broke college student, will probably be taking out a loan for whatever I buy (though I will be able to pay back at least $150 a month, I still hate owing money)

options are...
the mountain bike I currently have...
a mountain bike from the shop...
or... my dad's friend has a bianchi road bike that he spent $1500 on in the 80's and never rode, and would sell cheap... but I'm really not wanting a road bike (well, I don't think I do, anyway)


what do you guys recommend?

The Bianchi road bike would be more nimble and help you save a few seconds, but you will need a rack to carry your books and fenders to make it rainworthy. And since you don't seem too keen on a bike with drop bars, I would forget it. As for the "new mountain bike for $300", I can't see why it would be "so good", unless the one you have is really is very bad shape or really is the wrong size for you.

I would rather spend that amount of money (actually probably $100-150) to do a serious tune up: grease bearings, lubricate cables..., change the tires for some slicks (less noise and more speed), add rack and fenders, and buy a good be-seen headlight (Planet Bike 1 W LED spot or the newest Cateye EL-500) and taillight (Vistalite Super Nebula). And if your brother doesn't have the same physique as you, you might need to adjust saddle and handlebars.

The key word on the free maintenance is 'limited'. I would get a detailed list of what is included in the free maintenance. Most likely it includes only the simplest things like adjusting the brake and derailler cables, tightening a few bolts, and maybe lubing the chain. Real maintenance like repacking bearings, truing wheels, etc. will not be covered. Parts are also unlikely to be covered past the warrantee period.

Unless your brother's bike has some major problem or it cannot be adjusted to fit your measurements, I would ride it. All bikes requires maintenance from time to time. Most of it is really pretty simple. Learn to do it yourself and be free.

digs,

I'd have to agree with Michel. One mountain bike vs. another doesn't have much room for differences, at least not $300 worth at this level.

Start with racks & fenders & when the tires wear out get smoother ones. By then you will have a better feel for what you want in other areas.

Personnally, I'd at least try the road bike for a couple of days incase that I might be surprised & like it the best.

digs,

I'd have to agree with Michel. One mountain bike vs. another doesn't have much room for differences, at least not $300 worth at this level.

Start with racks & fenders & when the tires wear out get smoother ones. By then you will have a better feel for what you want in other areas.

Personnally, I'd at least try the road bike for a couple of days incase that I might be surprised & like it the best.

I agree with this. Use the gift bike. Then put your $150 a month aside to save for the bike you really want. Take the time to look around and to learn. In a year, you'll have $1800 (minus any maintenance on your current bike).

or... my dad's friend has a bianchi road bike that he spent $1500 on in the 80's and never rode, and would sell cheap... but I'm really not wanting a road bike (well, I don't think I do, anyway)


what do you guys recommend?

The Bianchi, if it fits you. If nothing else, it would get you by for awhile. Take it in for a tune up, and it should be good to go. If you find you hate it after riding it for awhile, you could put it up on e-bay and have more money towards a MTB.

Use the bike you have, it's paid for. Keeping it going will teach you important mechanical skills and self reliance. When you have more money and can get any bike you want you'll enjoy the new bike that much more!

How does the MTB feel for fit, mainly in the length department? Can you raise the saddle high enough: with your heels on the pedals, you should just be able to straighten your legs (but never ride on the heels, always the ball of your foot).
Does that Trek model have any suspension?
The single biggest improvement that you can make to your MTB is to fit high-pressure slick road tyres of about 1.5" width, with some form of puncture protection (kevlar band) built-in. This will give you a few more mph for the same effort. You also need some fenders (full length , as narrow as possible) a luggage rack, reflectors and front and reap lights. Toe clips added to your pedals will also make a big difference. Clipless pedal systems need special shoes and can add $100+ to your budget; you can ride without them.
Road bikes, esp high-end ones often have very limitted clearance for narrow tyres, and lack threaded fittings for a rack. Nice for playing but not commuting.

The first thing I'd do is talk to another bike shop for a second opinion, or to some friend you might have at school who knows bikes and can look over the one you have and advice you. The folks on this forum can only guess what the state of your bike really is, and I have been gouged pretty badly by a bike shop, when I had some labor done. Your current bike, if it fits, will probably work, but if it doesn't work well or is unreliable maybe very difficult at 24 miles/day, especially if you cannot do some of the work yourself. Second, I'd look over the Bianchi, if you will be commuting on road, it is really little easier on a road bike, older steel bike might even have a rack already, or it is very easily added and are pretty easy to work on. Let someone who you can trust look over that one, because that too might require bit of work, and if you cannot do it yourself, you maybe get best of financially getting a working and serviceable bike with any warranty work, but I'd really shop around first.

ok... I'm going to take the bike in to a bike shop tomorrow... and have them completely tune it up

I like the idea of doing it myself... but I'm totally mechanically inept... and want to get it working asap (work starts tomorrow)... so I'll just pay for it this time, then maintain it as I go

I'm just going to start out on the mountain bike... if I decide that I can leave my books at school, and won't need them at home (and since I will be on campus Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-9:00 pm, it's a definate possibility)... then I'll get more info on the road bike

well, I'll probably look into the bike anyway



and man, that kind of bums me out about the guy trying to dupe me like that... he hadn't seen the mountain bike... it's in like-new condition... he just claimed that there was a huge difference in 4 years worth of technology on bikes... I definately won't be going back there



thansk for the help, everyone

Digs,

Hey the 4300 Trek is a nice bike! For a daily commuter the info your getting is right on target. Spend some money getting it lubed and ready to roll. Ask the shop to show you how to maintain the bike between shop visits and ask for their help checking for chain stretch. I worked of a shop and believe me we all know what it is like to be strapped for cash. It is amazing what showing up with a six pack at closing time to pick up your bike that was just tuned can do to open some doors for you.

Fenders will help a lot you don’t say what part of the country your from. But they keep a lot of grit off the chain and you even in dry climates.

Hey 12 miles is nothing once you get in shape. Putting slicks (new tires) on would be nice but I have over 4000 miles of street riding to work and errands on my knobbed mtn tires yours will do you fine and improve your health and that will over come more than changing the times.

Get a rear red flashing light for your backpack or rack. If you ride on streets with street lights an LED light might work for you. I sprung for the NiteRider Storm Big bucks but in a totally dark road it was my best option. If you ride for three to five months. You won’t believe how much stronger and better you feel. Use this forum for your questions and enjoy life.

Cheers

I like the idea of doing it myself... but I'm totally mechanically inept... and want to get it working asap (work starts tomorrow)... so I'll just pay for it this time, then maintain it as I go


One way to learn and to save money (at least long term), is to buy parts and tools, but not labor, from the LBS. When something goes wrong, go to the LBS and ask what you need to fix it. They should be happy to give advice in return for buying parts and tools there. (If they're not happy to help, find another LBS.)

In the mean time, you should get a metric hex-wrench set, crescent wrenches or ratchets for every nut, and a screwdriver for derailleur adjustments. Those will let you do simple adjustments before they become major problems. For those, I recommend a good hardware store. But some prefer to use a multi-tool you can get from the LBS. You should also get a good bike repair manual. Check out a few from the library before buying. Also, take a look at the manual that's in the mechanics sections of these forums.

Hi Digs,

Welcome, my advice is to begin with what you have, your bike is great and should
have a huge amount of live left in it (mine is from 1978 and I still put 150 km in it each week). There is a huge amount of tune up work that you can learn to do yourself. For the begining you just need 3 or 4 allen keys a couple of standard wrenches, oil, one or two screw drivers and thats is. I think that you better to try to identify what to fix on your bike before going at your LBS, it will be cheaper... In two words just do it and you will see. BTW the bianchi should be a nice bike.....

Good Luck.

Philippe.

Philippe.

I suggest that the Trek is too small for you, and you won't be comfortable on it and liable to sustain injuries, especially on a 24-mile round-trip commute. You've already shown its not right by saying you could notice a difference riding a shop bike that the salesperson probably judged to be a closer fit. I am 5' 11" and have an 18" compact frame MTB that is slightly too small for me. I could not ride the 16.5" bikes I owned as hire bikes.

There' s no information on the Bianchi sizing, but if it's a larger frame, it may be a better proposition, but what is cheap for an 80s bike that its owner doesn't want? $100, $200? I gave away the idea of using an MTB as a commuter/ touring/ utility bike a long time ago, and now much prefer road bikes. Faster, more nimble in handling, better riding posture, better braking. You may need to fit slightly fatter tyres to it to improve comfort.

If money really is a big deal and the Bianchi doesn't shape up size-wise, see if there is a bike recycling group in the city/neighbourhood; post a notice at school to see what people might want to sell; scan the classifieds in the local rag... be creative.