wolf12

I'd like some suggestions for a good commuter bicycle for work, school and at most probably 10 miles a day. Money is an issue so I would like to keep cost to under $1,000.

Dutchy

A hardtail mountain bike with no front suspension and some slick tyres is ideal for commuting and shouldn't be very expensive either. Having said that, finding a bike without front suspension isn't that easy anymore.

CHEERS.

Mark

Tom808

Trek 3500 fits the bill. I added fenders, rack, and lights, and changed the tires. It's no lightweight, but a suprisingly good ride for a small amount of money. I have put less than $350.00 in it and find it an solid commuter bike.

ivan_yulaev

I got my dad a Giant Hybrid, cypress I believe. It's got no suspension (save for a shock in the seatpost), and was only $219. Sure, it's only 7 speeds in the back, but I really don't mind the shifters at all. They are grip-shift type shifters, but their shifting is very crisp and smooth, I really like the feel.

I think you can put fenders and a rack on this bike pretty easily, too.

koulmodee

Man, a student willing to pay up to $1000 for a commuter? Wow. The 'best' bike also depends on where you are riding it. Will you ride year round? Does it snow where you live? Do you live in a place like Boston where anything that's not bolted down will get stolen? I ride a single speed with cyclorcoss tires, fenders, riser bars and a rack. Hands down, it's the best snow bike, all-round commuter I've ever ridden. I had it built with a leftover road bike frame for $350.

Aeroplane

Thanks for making my day, that's the funniest post I've read in a while.

For 1,000, you can get a good bike of just about any sort (except for maybe a DH machine, but I only know a couple guys who commute on those ). Just about every major bike manufacturer makes a hybrid or street style road bike that is pretty well favored for commuting or regular, non-competitive cycling. Or you can do like koulmodee says, and build one up from used parts, and spend the extra $700 on beer and hookers.

If you want to keep it from getting stolen, get a good lock (and learn how to use it) and cover up the logos. Ride!

crazybikerchick

You don't say where school is, but many university campuses have high rates of bike thefts. And most students are riding around on junkers so an $800 or $1000 bike is *really* going to stand out there. Personally the only way I would ride an $800+ bike as a commuter is if I can take it inside where I work. I commute everywhere on a early 90s mountain bike with slicks (no suspension) that I bought used - and I love it. And nobody to my knowledge has ever tried to steal it. Whereas a cheaper (but shinier looking) mountain bike I had previously had the frame dented during an attempted steal, and then had the front wheel unbolted & stolen (although I later concluded that was probably addicts stealing the wheel to sell for scrap metal rather than somebody wanting a bike wheel)

Really for getting started ride anything - an old bike you can resurrect, something you find at a yard sale that's in good shape or can easily be made that way. Then once you have a sense of the bike and your commute and what doesn't work you can pick out a bike that meets your needs.

You'll need to decide your own preferences - do you prefer straight bars or drop bars? Being able to mount a rear rack is extremely handy for bungeeing items to it or putting panniers on the bike. For any weight the bike carries it much easier than your back. If you're going to be riding after dark be sure to budget for a decent set of lights.

JohnnyCool

I just bought a CF road bike which I use to commute on. Prior to that I used a Univega hybrid. I would look at the the other hybrid reccommended earlier as well as something like the Trek 7xxx line or other comprable. For reasons cited above, you probably shouldn't spend mroe that $500 on the bike itself. Save some $$ for good locks, other accessories and of course....more beer.

wolf12

Thanks to all that gave advice. I used $1,000 as a limit because someone told me that I should not spend much less than $800 on a bike that I want to last for a long time (20-30 years). According to your replies this is misinformation, which is good news.

For the questions some of you had, school and work are located in Chicago and I am planning on commuting by bike for most of the year.

Thanks.

Banzai

I bought a Fuji Absolute for my commute, on sale (end of year) for under $500. Best purchase I ever made. I ride it almost every day. Couldn't have asked for a better commuter. People have said similar things about the Specialized Sirrus...based on looking at them, I think my Fuji is the same bike, only less expensive because it doesn't have "Specialized" emblazoned on it. (Don't get me wrong, I love Specialized, but man, those guys are gonna price themselves out of contention some day.)

Dutchy

Life is too short to only buy a bike once every 20 or 30 years. A new bike every 5 years will make you much happier.

Actually for complete happiness a new bike every 2 years would be ideal.

CHEERS.

Mark

late

Hi,
look at entry level bikes like the Bianchi Volpe, Specialized Sequoia, or Fuji Touring.