punkzip

I am looking for a fairly inexpensive commuter bike.

I can get both the Novara Transfer and Schwinn World Avenue One on sale right now. The Transit would be about 75 bucks cheaper.

I see the advantage of the Transit as internal hub (may be disadvantage when changing flats) and lights. The disadvantage would be the 26 inch wheels. I plan to take this on some longer road rides occassionally and this would be more inefficient. Also, no chainguard.

I see the advantage of the Schwinn as 700cc wheels, chainguard, and lower price. Disadvantage is no lights. But lights would be easier to add than a chainguard.

Any thoughts?

thdave

Sounds pretty close--I'd try 'em both out and pick the one that fits and feels the best.

ShinyBiker

I don't think I've seen the novara transit. do you mean the Transfer?

BikEthan

Depends on how self sufficient you are. REI has a really good reputation for service. I'm assuming you'd be getting the Schwinn at Wally World or some such. Assembly will likely be sub-par and service will probably be non-existent beyond a return for replacement. Personally I'd probably go with the Novara. If you're seriously planning on doing longer rides you could also look into the Randonee or the Safari which are built for touring (of course once you get into that price range your options open up quite a bit).

punkzip

Sorry I meant the Novara Transfer.

I would be getting the Schwinn at Performance Bikes. I assume their service is comparable to REI?

supton

Performance bikes as in a bike shop, or the online place? Online place wouldn't have service...

I'd just try to learn how to service it myself. Much easier to fix problems as they occur, and to do maintance when it needs to be done, than it is to schedule a repair. Sure, I'd go back for the free 30 day tune-up; but after that I don't think I want to bother, unless it's a warrenty issue. I suspect that internal gear hubs will be less maintance than derailler, with only 1 adjustment versus two; and the chain should last longer; the other maintance points will be the same (brakes, BB).

I don't think there is a big difference between 26" and 700c, assuming you get similar tire width and tread patterns--and you're not trying to use a 23mm 26" tire (I don't think those exist).

punkzip

I have a local Performance bike shop. I may end up ordering online though and having it shipped there.

MillCreek

Don't dismiss the advantages (low maintenance, cleaner chainline, etc.) of an internal hub. The Novara is a very popular choice for commuting up here in the rainy part of the Pacific NW for that reason. This was a major reason why I bought a Dahon Mu XL, to get the Nexus 8 redline internal hub. It is a joy to ride.

BikEthan

I think you can have bikes ordered online shipped to the local shop with Performance. If that is the case you shouldn't have issues with service (although I haven't heard much about in store service at Performance but I'm guessing it's got to be pretty decent). That being said if it's at all possible for you to test ride these two bikes I would do that and see which one has a better feel to you. The proof is in the pudding. Mmm... pudding.

punkzip

Anyone have any thoughts about the Fusion vs. Transfer? The Fusion is more expensive of course, but I think it should be more efficient for longer rides due to the 700 cc wheels?

Torrilin

For the average cyclist, wheel size doesn't make much difference. Wheels are wheels are wheels. The main time where it matters is if you have very short or very long legs. At either extreme, the frame geometry can get wonky if you're set on having a specific wheel size that doesn't suit your body. I've got short enough legs that I have a slight preference for 26" wheels. Someone a *lot* taller than me might have problems with a 26" wheel bike since the frame would have so much extra length for flex. Most adults can do fine with either (including me).

For a racer, it can also matter. But I think most pro bike racers already know which size wheels they need . And a commute is not a race.

For a commuter bike, I prioritize things like durability, cargo capacity, and useful features. I'd dearly love a bike with a chain case and a generator hub, since both of those address annoyances with my current bike. Road salt does not do nice things to bike chains (I could care less about grease on my pants), and a light that never runs out of batteries is a huge plus for foggy and rainy weather. I could care less about wheel size, as long as it's not a wheel that's genuinely too big for me. And too big would be hard to find, since I've ridden 27" wheel bikes and found them very comfortable. I rather like riding in the rain, so fenders and internal gears appeal to me a lot.

A lot of the features that people fuss over don't make a huge practical difference. Often it's not even a measurable difference. So as long as the bike is comfortable for *you* and will do the job you need, it's fine. And the only way to tell is to get out there and ride a lot...

JeffS

I think you're overestimating the effect of wheel size. I might consider the Fusion for the upgraded parts, but wouldn't let wheel size sway my decision.

Chop61

I have the Transfer, I picked it up on sale in june, it was the previous year's model, didn't come with the generater hub/light. $350.

Super durable, quick clean shifts, fenders don't rattle. Best get-on-and-go-bike I've ever had.

punkzip

I did get to test ride both these bikes. They are quite different. The Transfer is a much more solid appearing bike, and probably a better value although it would be about 90 bucks more. However, the Transfer is substantially heavier bike and I don't know whether I would want to ride it longer distances (e.g. for weekend recreational rides). So I may end up getting the World Avenue based on it being lighter.

hosehead

I think it's easier to find better commuting tires in the 700c size. A lot of this depends on the width of the rims (Sheldon puts min. tire width at 1.45x internal rim width or thereabouts), but it seems like more 700c tires exist even at the wider 32mm+ widths that will tolerate high air pressure exist than in 26". For winter riding there are also plenty of cyclocross tires in the 700c size and even studded snow tires in 700c. I have 26" wheels on my commuter now and am eternally frustrated by tire selection. 700c wheels on my next commuter is a must.