Looking for an all-weather commuter
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking for an all-weather commuter
I'm considering getting a new commuter cycle. Here is my current wish list:
The Specialized Singlecross is exactly what I want, but unfortunately, it's no longer manufactured. Here are some bikes I am considering:
I'm also considering building a bike up from Craigslist purchases, but since I've never done that before, I have a feeling I would end up way over my head and lack the time or energy to complete such a project.
I know there is a lengthy thread about Motobecane Uno. There are a lot of people who seem to be quite satisfied with it, especially considering the price, but I am concerned about the durability and quality of the bike, especially with stock components. The Nature Boy is especially tempting due to its popularity in the CX forums, but I am curious how well it holds up to commuting and mounting fenders / racks. And finally, the Felt looks like the most fun to ride, but I also am skeptical of its value as a commuter.
Input from those who have experience commuting (or any kind of riding, really) with any of these bikes would be especially appreciated. Thanks
- Single-speed, fixed-gear, or internal hub for easy cleaning/maintenance
- Fender / rack mounts
- Clearance for wide, knobby all-weather tires + fender
- CX geometry - fun to ride
- Durable and reliable
The Specialized Singlecross is exactly what I want, but unfortunately, it's no longer manufactured. Here are some bikes I am considering:
- Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno
- Scattante Americano
- Raleigh Furley
- All-City Nature Boy
- Masi SS/CX
- Felt Breed
I'm also considering building a bike up from Craigslist purchases, but since I've never done that before, I have a feeling I would end up way over my head and lack the time or energy to complete such a project.
I know there is a lengthy thread about Motobecane Uno. There are a lot of people who seem to be quite satisfied with it, especially considering the price, but I am concerned about the durability and quality of the bike, especially with stock components. The Nature Boy is especially tempting due to its popularity in the CX forums, but I am curious how well it holds up to commuting and mounting fenders / racks. And finally, the Felt looks like the most fun to ride, but I also am skeptical of its value as a commuter.
Input from those who have experience commuting (or any kind of riding, really) with any of these bikes would be especially appreciated. Thanks
Last edited by Poohblah; 02-13-14 at 10:19 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
Probably need to specify what "all weather" includes. If it's a lot of snow and ice, a CX bike might be OK but a lot of them don't have clearance for much more than a 32mm tire with fenders. You're rather limited for studded tire choices in that size.
I see CX bikes out there this time of year but they often stay home when the roads are at their worst.
I see CX bikes out there this time of year but they often stay home when the roads are at their worst.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Probably need to specify what "all weather" includes. If it's a lot of snow and ice, a CX bike might be OK but a lot of them don't have clearance for much more than a 32mm tire with fenders. You're rather limited for studded tire choices in that size.
I see CX bikes out there this time of year but they often stay home when the roads are at their worst.
I see CX bikes out there this time of year but they often stay home when the roads are at their worst.
I live in Colorado. Most of the year, the weather is dry, but snow in winter and spring and afternoon thunderstorms in late summer are common. Typically, ice and snow does not stay on the streets or MUPs for more than a few days at a time. If there is close to a foot of snow, I'm going to work from home anyway. The bike paths are good around here and plowed regularly, so I can stay off the street for the most part, though I imagine that may change in the future if/when I move or change jobs.
I kind of figured clearance would be an issue with most of these frames... maybe I'm bad at reading spec charts, but I had trouble figuring out clearances for most of these bikes.
#4
Senior Member
Looked at the Specialized Crux ? What is your idea of wide? 35 mm? Drop bars ? I love my crosscheck, but you would have to start with a frame.
#5
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,474 Times
in
1,437 Posts
Single speed in Colorado? Are you in a flat area? Does Colorado have flat areas?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Posts: 332
Bikes: '09 Gary Fisher "Kaitai, '09 Raleigh Team", '91 Trek 8700, '97 Cannondale SR500, '12 Raleigh Twin Six
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been really happy with both of my Raleighs so I'm kind of partial to the Furley. I've talked to several Furley owners and they say the bike is just bomber. Kind of heavy, but durable and reliable. If you really want an all-weather bike, check out the Spot Brand bikes. It's a Colorado company that is leading the way in belt drive development. The way they have them spec'd on their website is on the pricey side, but you could downgrade several components to make the price a little more reasonable.
https://spotbrand.com/
https://spotbrand.com/
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Breathegood, I didn't learn about Spot Brand until after I made my post. I've been checking them out - there's even an Ajax on sale on my local Craigslist.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Castle Rock, CO
Posts: 332
Bikes: '09 Gary Fisher "Kaitai, '09 Raleigh Team", '91 Trek 8700, '97 Cannondale SR500, '12 Raleigh Twin Six
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...H-CX?highlight=
#9
always rides with luggage
I have a Fantom Cross Uno and I love it all to pieces. There is a thread over in the cyclocross forum about them.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
Colorado has valleys. If you never go in the hills, a single speed will be fine for town or country rides. But if you want to ride single track, go touring or long distance commuting than you'll want a bike with alpine gearing to handle the hills.
An all-rounder commuter bike will able to do all of the latter with ease.
An all-rounder commuter bike will able to do all of the latter with ease.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Chicago Western 'burbs
Posts: 1,065
Bikes: 1993 NOS Mt Shasta Tempest, Motobecane Fantom Cross CX, Dahon Speed D7, Dahon Vector P8, Bullitt Superfly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My apologies, I forgot to mention this.
I live in Colorado. Most of the year, the weather is dry, but snow in winter and spring and afternoon thunderstorms in late summer are common. Typically, ice and snow does not stay on the streets or MUPs for more than a few days at a time. If there is close to a foot of snow, I'm going to work from home anyway. The bike paths are good around here and plowed regularly, so I can stay off the street for the most part, though I imagine that may change in the future if/when I move or change jobs.
I kind of figured clearance would be an issue with most of these frames... maybe I'm bad at reading spec charts, but I had trouble figuring out clearances for most of these bikes.
I live in Colorado. Most of the year, the weather is dry, but snow in winter and spring and afternoon thunderstorms in late summer are common. Typically, ice and snow does not stay on the streets or MUPs for more than a few days at a time. If there is close to a foot of snow, I'm going to work from home anyway. The bike paths are good around here and plowed regularly, so I can stay off the street for the most part, though I imagine that may change in the future if/when I move or change jobs.
I kind of figured clearance would be an issue with most of these frames... maybe I'm bad at reading spec charts, but I had trouble figuring out clearances for most of these bikes.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I fit the criteria!
But I am not a bike.
But I am not a bike.
#13
contiuniously variable
You all know what i'm going to recommend so i'l just say that.
- Andy
- Andy
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
Without fenders. If you want outfit it with fenders, you are limited to 35c tires. But tha still lets you outfit larger tires than on a typical road bike which can't take fenders and is not up to the task of day to day commuting that you would get in a dedicated commuting bike.