30306RN

Yesterday, I made the error of committing an impulse purchase of a cannondale bad boy ultra 2007 (BBU) (https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/cusa/urban/badboy/model-7BS.html). I fully realized how impulsive I'd been after discovering an archived thread here (see end of post) while looking for advice about how to mount fenders and/or racks around the disc brake setup.

In short, the thread mentions the Jamis Coda Elite and the Kona Dr Dew as commuters far more suitable (at least by $ value) for commuting than the BBU. I intend to return the BBU tomorrow and start fresh research on finding a higher-value commuter, starting with the JCE and KDD.

What other new-purchase commuter bikes would you recommend, in addition to the JCE and KDD? (Single greatest requirement: disc brakes. Also, front suspension not needed.) In advance, thanks for your input.

Bad Boy Ultra vs Dr Dew (archived thread):
https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-109545.html

(Whence the impulsiveness? 1) elation and exhaustion due to completing nursing school and starting a new job; 2) my commuter was recently stolen. There: guilt assuaged.)

PhattTyre

One of the Trek FX bikes (7.3 and 7.5 have disc options starting around $620), or the Soho. They're quick, comfortable, pretty easy to mount racks and fenders to (might take a special rack or fender strut), and pretty durable.

Donkey Hodie

Impulse purchases are usually (in my experience) bad moves. However occasionally something good can come from an impulse purchase. Like my last impulse purchase, I bought a complete Surly 1 x 1 on ebay practically brand new with pretty much unused parts for the price of a new frame and fork!

I have no regrets with the 1 x 1 impulse buy that I made.
I totally understand buyer's remorse (especially when it comes to impulse purchases), but that last impulse purchase I made was just awesome.

The Coda Elite looks SWEET!!!!

gulfcoast

Take a look at the Jamis Coda series bikes. Excellent quality steel construction (smooth, Comfortable rides). Very versatile and Fast with plenty of room for fenders and different tire sizes. Best quality bikes for the money.

dynaryder

Codas and Dews are nice,but what was wrong with the BBU? I just picked up an '07(still have an '05) because they updated the gearing(now 48/36/26) and added a braze-on to the fork to allow proper mounting of a front fender.

Also note,the BBU will take 26" wheels with fat tires which would help with winter commuting.

KeatonR

I'm a fan of the BB line, although I don't own one. I just think they look really cool in black. If I could justify another bike, I'd get one of the rigid ones for simplicity. In the pic on the C'dale website it looks like this one has rack mounts.

As for suitibility for commuting, it all depends on the distance. I'd use the BB comfortably for anything under 10 miles each way, but might want drop bars for anything longer than that. The nice thing about a mtn bike setup for commuting is you have the option of putting slicks on for speed or fatties for more diverse terrain.

bsyptak

The BBU and Coda Elite are vastly different bikes in my opinion. The BBU is a tank while the Coda is more about speed and finesse--a road bike with flat bars, disc brakes and larger tires. I wouldn't say it is fragile, but I wouldn't be curb hopping on it every day either.

Me, I'd go with the Coda. It won't get stolen either as dirtbag thieves wouldn't want a Coda. I suppose they might steal the brakes though.

huhenio

I married on an impulse

unkchunk

Not to worry. Check with the shop that you got her. Even if they don't have a 30 day no questions asked return policy, alot of places will allow you to exchange for a higher priced model.

huhenio

I returned the item after 5 years ...

ECDkeys

It took me seven.

Good riddance.

phays

I demo'd the BBU (which I think is a sweet bike, though rather pricey). I did a whole analysis and ended up with a Novara Big Buzz. Or actually, waiting for shipping on a Novara Big Buzz.. See https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/294996-my-bike-buying-experience.html for the details.

EasyGee

I got my Gary Fisher Utopia last week and so far I'm pleased with it. You get alot of bike for your money after my opinion. I commute from Queens New York to Manhattan and the roads here are crap so I'm glad I got the suspension.
https://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bik...rt&bike=Utopia

old and new

+ 1... OP Do visit that sight,it is a series ,the Coda , a few models. Read the reviews by mags. form that site too.

30306RN

Wasn't anything wrong with the BBU, per se -- just a mismatch between its best features and what I'm accustomed to commuting on. Mostly, it was the headshok feature. I didn't feel that I was going to use the suspension very much at all, even with having to resort to riding the ATL sidewalks every once in awhile. That being said, cannondale's BBdisc is still a consideration for me.

30306RN

Thank you very much for your suggestions, everyone. I consider the the Jamis Coda Elite to be exquisitely beautiful, and I like its features. Me want. Uh, I mean, after careful deliberation and comparison (amongst the Kona Dr Dew, Dew Deluxe, and Gary Fisher Mendota), I've pretty much decided to purchase this bike.

What most pleases me about my choice (in order of importance to me):
- steel frame
- carbon fork
- disc brakes
- 52/42/30 crankset
- Jamis reputation
- adjustable stem
- seatpost suspension

By the way, I returned the cannondale bbu without any problem from where I purchased it (REI, Atlanta, Perimeter).