Commuting - Which commuter bike?

Hi,

I am looking for advise and recommendations on a new commuter bike. Currently I’m using my old mountain bike with full road tyres and it goes fine but I’d like something faster. I know about mountain bikes but road bikes are a whole new world to me. Also I get neck pain with drop bars so I was interested in a flat bar road bike.

My budget is reasonably flexible around $2000 (Australian / US). I can get a deal on Trek / Avanti / DBR stuff and possibly Specialised. I really like the look of the Avanti Blade and the Specialised Sirrus

Thanks

Bunch of new drop bar bikes have a more upright position.
One example is the Trek Pilot, thought that wouldn't be my first choice for a commuter. The Specialized Seqouia is another example.
Other drop bar bikes that have a reasonable riding position include touring bikes and cyclocross. I think touring bikes are a natural choice for a commuter. They have a reasonable riding position, and are designed to take a lot of use, and abuse. A lot of sporty road bikes won't survive a daily routine of carrying a load and pounding
down city streets. The problem is, a touring bike won't be much (if any) faster than the ride you have now.

I have the Specialized Sirrus. I like it so far (had it about a month). I have added fenders and soon will add bar ends and a rack. It goes fairly fast from what I was used to on my crapola mountain bike. I have never riden a road bike with drop bars so I figured the Sirrus was a good choice since im used to flar bar. Now I am wanting bar ends since my hands sometimes get tired being in 1 position.

The suspension seat post doesnt seem to do anything for me since im so light but I dont mind, not like im off roading.

i really like my specialized sequoia. Rides really nice. But, it has dual-pivot brakes instead of cantilevers so fitting fenders is proving to be difficult. Also, I have 700x32c tires on it, and they're what's making the fenders tough to fit, I should have kept the stock 700x25's.

Also, you won't be able to put a front rack/panniers on it, but that's the only gripes I have. The fender one can be overcome...and I guess I could buy a new fork if I ever want to go on a long tour.....

I reccommend this bike.

Thanks for the replies. I'll take my time since the old mountain bike is fine for now and I'll hopefully be able to take a couple of test rides.

Thanks

Souper-douper,
believe me, I know why you changed tires. I use the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffys. They are 27c and ride sweet at 90 pounds.
They will leave enough room for fenders, and yes, they are durable.

I really like the Jamis Coda, but I don't know if they are available in Australia. I use my bike exclusively for commuting 12 miles each way on multi-use paths and through the city. If I were to decide to go on longer group rides, I would want drop bars. Actually, I would want a fine Italian racing bike (but not for commuting).

Take a Trek 520 for a ride. It is kinda long so it is stable with a ton of gear, but you lean over further. It's not like a racing road bike where the position is really agressive. I was in the same position as you and went with the 520. A nice feature (I'm sure you could put this on any bike) is that the clipless pedals have a plastic insert on one side so you can ride with regular shoes.

The 520 is a nice bike with a nice ride and you can't break it. It is a bit heavy, but that's the price you pay for a steel (smooth riding) frame which won't break on you.

Good luck.

You won't go wrong if you follow velogirl and get a Jamis Coda! And for your second bike, follow her advice again and get a Dahon Matrix!

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_codasport.html

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

:roflmao: :roflmao:

I'd get the specialized crossroads xc pro if you're going through some rough pavement. It's got a front suspension with lockout for climbing, fits 700c wheels, and has disc brakes.
If it's smooth pavement in the city, the specialized sirrus disc is pretty good, 700c with disc and flat bars. But some people have a hard time fitting large tires and fenders in.
If it's all road, well, pretty much any road bike would do.