Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Is there anything else out there better for me? Please help.

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Is there anything else out there better for me? Please help.

Old 05-14-08, 01:46 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 2,076
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Is there anything else out there better for me? Please help.

I want a bike to commute on. But I also want to be able to do club rides on the weekend. I'd like the ability to put panniers on it. I also really want drop bars. I also like the idea of not wanting to upgrade later. I'm willing to spend up to $1000.

So far the stuff I've been looking at is BikesDirect stuff. I've heard alot of bad about them though so I'm not sure I want to go that route.

This is the stuff I've considered.
Motobecane Cross or Cross Pro
Merceir Corvus AL
Windsor Knight
Trek 1.2

I'm really looking for someone to say ______ this what you need.
therhodeo is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 04:20 AM
  #2  
Arrogant Safety Nanny
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 554

Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.2 FX, 2008 Trek Madone 5.2

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Have you considered the Jamis Satellite ($785 MSRP) or Jamis Quest (a bit out of the price range at $1400 MSRP but it's alot of bike)?

Last edited by JeffB502; 05-14-08 at 04:23 AM. Reason: Corrected Link
JeffB502 is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 04:26 AM
  #3  
Can you donate today?
 
jdcii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northeastern, Ohio
Posts: 79

Bikes: Not enough

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by therhodeo
I want a bike to commute on. But I also want to be able to do club rides on the weekend. I'd like the ability to put panniers on it. I also really want drop bars. I also like the idea of not wanting to upgrade later. I'm willing to spend up to $1000.

So far the stuff I've been looking at is BikesDirect stuff. I've heard alot of bad about them though so I'm not sure I want to go that route.

This is the stuff I've considered.
Motobecane Cross or Cross Pro
Merceir Corvus AL
Windsor Knight
Trek 1.2

I'm really looking for someone to say ______ this what you need.
Good luck with that. Not one person on here is going to say this is what you need. I'd look into the Jamis line. The aurora is a nice bike. Other than that, what are you looking for? steel?
jdcii is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 04:41 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Indyv8a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Reisterstown Maryland
Posts: 431

Bikes: Trek 800, Giant OCR C3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 1 Post
Windsor Tourist, $699
Indyv8a is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 05:34 AM
  #5  
Violin guitar mandolin
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Friendsville, TN, USA
Posts: 1,171

Bikes: Wilier Thor, Fuji Professional, LeMond Wayzata

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'd probably be looking at the REI Novara Randonee on sale. Looks like a good reasonably priced old fashioned road bike suitable for most roles with a bit of tweeking here and there as personal taste dictates. Dual role is always going to be a compromise.

BD bikes seem rather a good buy if you can disassemble and reassemble to a blueprinted condition. Their associated dealer closeouts on eBay can be a very good deal. But only if you (not your mechanic) are willing to assure that everything is right. Wait, I have to do that on every bike no matter where it is from, so maybe there's no difference.
mandovoodoo is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 05:51 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
m_yates's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 636
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mandovoodoo
...BD bikes seem rather a good buy if you can disassemble and reassemble to a blueprinted condition. Their associated dealer closeouts on eBay can be a very good deal. But only if you (not your mechanic) are willing to assure that everything is right...
I agree with that. If you are considering bikesdirect, make sure you factor in the cost of paying a professional to assemble and tune it up. Otherwise, figure in the cost of buying tools and learning yourself. (If you are already a good bike mechanic, then forget about it bikesdirect is a good deal).

I own a Windsor Tourist (it is $599 by the way, not $699). It has eyelets and braze ons for attaching front and rear panniers and full fenders. It makes a great commuter. However, I spent a good bit on tools and accessories to go with it. I made some expensive mistakes learning how to overhaul my bike myself. It would have been faster and cheaper to pay a bike mechanic to do it, but I'm a fairly independent cyclist now and have learned to tune up my other family members bikes as well.
m_yates is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 06:11 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by therhodeo
I'm really looking for someone to say ______ this what you need.
A Jamis Aurora or a Novara Randonee is what you need.

Both bikes satisfy your existing criteria and once you add fenders (a necessity for commuting) you can ride either bike for thousands of miles without worrying about upgrading.

The Trek 520 is another option but it's just out of your range. If there is a Breezer dealer near you then look at the Greenway or Liberty (bullhorns instead of drops).

I have a Jamis Quest but I don't recommend it for commuting more than a few miles because of the difficulty in mounting fenders and a rack.

Avoid buying from BD unless you're comfortable with a wrench and already own tools and a workstand. The initial price savings could be erased by additional purchases and shop service needed to get your BD bike running properly.

Most local shops will offer at leat one free tune-up with the pruchase of a bike. That's a $50-$75 value in many cases.

Good luck with your search.
cbass is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 07:41 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
envane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 828
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
the club riders won't let you ride with fenders and rack. freds, not allowed.
envane is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 08:22 AM
  #9  
Cheese
 
toThinkistoBe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Starkville, MS
Posts: 940

Bikes: Trek 520 & an old huffy mtb

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Some ideas I would look into if I were in your shoes:

Surly Long Haul Trucker Complete Bike $1000

Surly LHT frameset $400 + whatever you want (or whatever your LBS recommends for your budget)

2007 Trek 520 $800

2005 Trek X500 $1000 BIN -- don't really know anything specific about this model.


Those are what you need.
toThinkistoBe is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 08:33 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by envane
the club riders won't let you ride with fenders and rack. freds, not allowed.
eh?

Find a new club.
DataJunkie is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 08:43 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Pig_Chaser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 1,143

Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
How about a Giant OCR (either 1,2,or 3... same frame, different components). It's a road bike but has all the braze-ons for mounting a rack and pannier which would then be easily removed for weekend club rides (4 screws to remove). I dunno about mounting fenders on one because i've never done it (not a necessity for my commute). If you get the 1 or 2 you probably won't need to upgrade anything.
Pig_Chaser is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 11:32 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
tjspiel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Even if you don't end up buying from one, I'd go to a couple of bike shops and tell them what you want. Try a few bikes and then I think it'll be easier to decide.

If going fast on club rides is really important to you it may steer you in a different direction than if your primary concern is being able to haul a lot of stuff.

I think the Giant OCR series is worth looking at and they shouldn't be hard to find at a bike shop. I'm pretty sure that they have eyelets for racks. The only thing to watch out for would be heel strike with panniers if the wheelbase is really short. I don't know if that's a problem on the OCRs or not.

As far as fenders go, you'll often be told in this group that they are a must and most road modern road bikes won't take them. Both are false. I'd say that fenders fall more into the "highly recommended" category than the "required" category. In this town, commuter bikes sporting full fenders are definitely in the minority. Many bikes you'll see in these parts have those clamp on rear fenders, which are OK for keeping the stripe off your back if nothing else and they'll fit on anything.

For that matter, pretty much any bike can take SKS race blades. Many hard to fit bikes can use "reach arounds" if you want full fenders and are willing to do some tinkering.
tjspiel is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 12:09 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Andy_K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,787

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 522 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3228 Post(s)
Liked 3,854 Times in 1,436 Posts
I'd suggest you look at the Kona Jake. It's got Tiagra components and sells for $850.

When you're evaluating bikes there are three big things to consider (apart from bike style and frame type): (1) fit, (2) feel, (3) components. The third one is the only one you can really evaluate over the Internet. The other two you need to be on the bike to determine.
Andy_K is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 02:26 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 435

Bikes: Giant OCR1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The 2007s, at least, will take full fenders. There isn't a lot of clearance, but enough.

I installed Planet Bike Hardcore Roads on my OCR1 a couple of months ago and Planet Bike Cascadias (basically the same as the Hardcore Roads but silver and with longer, and better, mudflaps) on my GF's OCR3 a couple of days ago.

Originally Posted by Pig_Chaser
How about a Giant OCR (either 1,2,or 3... same frame, different components). It's a road bike but has all the braze-ons for mounting a rack and pannier which would then be easily removed for weekend club rides (4 screws to remove). I dunno about mounting fenders on one because i've never done it (not a necessity for my commute). If you get the 1 or 2 you probably won't need to upgrade anything.
vaticdart is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 02:28 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 2,076
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The club ride thing is important to me. My commute is only 6-7 miles round trip and all I have is school books to carry. I was actually wanting the panniers for summer camping trips.
therhodeo is offline  
Old 05-14-08, 02:40 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
kokomo61's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Herndon, VA
Posts: 914

Bikes: Giant OCR C2, Kona Jake the Snake, Scattante 650-R

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 7 Posts
Even though your commute is only 6-7 miles RT, and you have a preference for your club rides, the 'panniers' for summer camping trips' makes it harder for one bike to fit both roles. The Randonee/520 are ideal for commuting/camping, but would be heavy for club rides. The cross bikes would do well for commuting/club rides (with the right tires), but their short wheelbase and high bottom bracket kind of kill them for loaded touring.

I'f I were in that position, I'd get two bikes - get a cross-bike with road tires (I have a Jake the Snake set up that way) and an MTX seat-post rack/trunk that should be able to hold your books (as long as the total weight is under 20 lbs total. It'll also act as a rear splash guard it you don't want to go the full-fender route. For short touring trips, it would also work. For the other bike, I'd save up for a lightly used 520/Randonee/Fuji Touring. Eventually you'll find one at a good price.

If you plan to do serious loaded touring, the Randonee/520 are the way to go, and it would also work for a commuting bike, too. It won't be as light as 'club rider' bikes, but from what I've seen, it's the engine,not the bike that determines the speed. My Kona weighs close to 30 lbs in full commuting setup, and I pass a lot more riders than pass me......
__________________
2020 Giant Defy 2
Fuji Cross Pro
Scattante 650-R trainer bike
'06 Kona Jake the Snake




Last edited by kokomo61; 05-14-08 at 02:48 PM.
kokomo61 is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 01:39 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 2,076
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The more I look the more I want a Jamis Quest. Beautiful bikes. I think thats a bit out of my reach though.
therhodeo is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 04:04 AM
  #18  
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
the surly crosscheck is 900 at bikesdirect and has great feedback here.

but dont listen to me, i dont really know what im talking about
kevinjw is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 05:53 AM
  #19  
Retro-nerd
 
georgiaboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Morningside - Atlanta
Posts: 1,638

Bikes: 1991 Serotta Colorado II, 1986 Vitus 979, 1971 Juene Classic, 2008 Surly Crosscheck, 1956 Riva Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 30 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times in 39 Posts
Originally Posted by therhodeo
I want a bike to commute on. But I also want to be able to do club rides on the weekend. I'd like the ability to put panniers on it. I also really want drop bars. I also like the idea of not wanting to upgrade later. I'm willing to spend up to $1000.

So far the stuff I've been looking at is BikesDirect stuff. I've heard alot of bad about them though so I'm not sure I want to go that route.

This is the stuff I've considered.
Motobecane Cross or Cross Pro
Merceir Corvus AL
Windsor Knight
Trek 1.2

I'm really looking for someone to say ______ this what you need.
Not wanting to upgrade is not part of cyclists vocabulary.

Sometimes upgrading can mean buying an older bicycle once you dial in on what's best for you. The many suggestions on this page are good ones. Stay in your price range and don't be afraid to pull the trigger on what you think is right for you. Cycling is an on-going education for everyone. But your real education starts when climbing on the saddle!

Good luck!
__________________
Would you like a dream with that?
georgiaboy is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 06:36 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
CliftonGK1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by envane
the club riders won't let you ride with fenders and rack. freds, not allowed.
Maybe your club won't. Up here in the soggy PNW it's considered rude to show up for a club ride and spray down everyone behind you because you don't have fenders and flaps on your bike.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 11:38 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Are there any mid-market sport/light touring bikes with long-reach calipers. At the high end you have IF Club Racer, Gunnars Sport, Soma ES, Surley pacer etc.
If you must be a one-bike guy then it is a good style to use.
The Giant SCR may have some features but the rack eyelets are a little too close to the brakes. I dont think they ever tried fitting a rack.
MichaelW is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 02:31 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 2,076
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Well part of my confusion is that I'm a guitar player. With guitars you don't always get what you pay for. For example $3000 Gibson's. Cycling seems to be a bit more in tune with the spend more get more idea.
therhodeo is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 03:05 PM
  #23  
kipuka explorer
 
bkrownd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hilo Town, East Hawai'i
Posts: 3,297

Bikes: 1994 Trek 820, 2004 Fuji Absolute, 2005 Jamis Nova, 1977 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by therhodeo
Cycling seems to be a bit more in tune with the spend more get more idea.
Absolutely NOT! Most cycling stuff is vastly overpriced and fashion oriented. The cheap basic bulletproof stuff is where the quality is.
__________________
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
bkrownd is offline  
Old 05-15-08, 09:37 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tulsa OK
Posts: 2,076
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bkrownd
Absolutely NOT! Most cycling stuff is vastly overpriced and fashion oriented. The cheap basic bulletproof stuff is where the quality is.
Oh.
therhodeo is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.