Sabby

I was advised to go with a compact crank. I am middle-aged so that should help!

Sabby

That being said, I may have posted a couple of bikes that don't have compact cranks...I am still not sure what I am looking at.

Orangejuice

A compact double is geared lower than a normal double (easier to climb with) a triple is even better if you want/need really low gears for climbing. If you don't plan on riding up long steep hills, you may very well be comfortable on a standard double crank.

Here is a link for more information if you so desire:

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com...-implications/

Dead Roman

I used to fill 2 water bottles with jack and coke(half jack, half coke) and ride all over town in the wee hours of the morning.

Bah Humbug

"Sexy" is entirely between your ears. I love Orbeas and BMCs, typically. The Bianchis get credit for having a classic color and history. I think people here tend to go for curvier bikes, while the BMC is more industrial-looking. For me, having a not-too-sloping top tube is huge. Really though it's whatever you think it is, and however important it is to you.

Sabby

Atlanta is pretty hilly. Some of the hills on my commute are no joke. People are often surprised that it's so hilly. They think because it's the south it will be flat. That's what I thought when I moved here!

So a compact crank will be useful.

Sabby

Why do you like having a tube that doesn't slope too much?

I tend to think of the newer curvy bike style as looking like they're made of cardboard. I don't mean that in a demeaning way. But, like if you were designing a bike using the flap of a refrigerator box, a pen, and a kids scissors, and you drew and cut it out on the flap, the cardboard is hard to cut and makes you cut lines into curves. I have NO idea why I get this visual about curvy bikes, but there it is. Straighter lines are what's in my head when I think of bikes. Saying this, I don't really have a preference.

A couple years ago a guy crashed into the back of a SUV stopped at a red light and went through the back window. He got his throat cut. He ended up being fine. He damaged his voice box but he didn't cut a jugular or anything. It happened right in front my house and down the street a little. I was outside when it happened. It was totally his fault, but in a way where you really see it happening to you. He was cruising down the hill and looked behind him to check traffic. The light was green and the SUV was going. Apparently the guy in the SUV realized he needed to turn at the light and waffled until the light turned yellow and decided to stop at the light to figure out what was going on. And kind of stopped very hard and suddenly. And the cyclist was just coming out of looking at traffic behind him when BLAM!

I know all this detail because I babysat his bike for a week. I took it to my house and drove his wife's SUV over to the parking in front of my house and gave her my number. I got the story when I dropped off the bike.

He was riding a Specialized, but I don't know what model it was. He was apparently training for his first triathalon, but that doesn't mean he had a tri bike. I didn't know the difference then. I still don't really know, except there's a difference.

Anyway, it was very curvy and it was my first time up close to a bike like that. Afterall, the last time I had a road bike was that old Fuji 12-speed. I couldn't believe how light it was, could pick it up with fingers on one hand. Of course, I didn't ride it. But I carried it to and from my house and I took a long look at it. Lifted it a bunch of times, called my husband over and told him to lift it. We both marveled over it. My husband remembers his first MTB he got from his uncle back in the late 80s. It was a tank. We had our then 8 year old son lift it. We were agog with idiotic amazement.

Where am I going with this?

That was when I started thinking about getting a road bike, but realized I had to wait until we had more space (at the time our house was a duplex and we were living in one of the apartments, but now we've turned it into a single family home). Now that I have more space, I'm ready.

I'd be fine with a curvy bike or a square one. I'm kind of both, myself, so I can't be too prejudiced. So long as I like riding it.

Sabby

Ooo, I meant to ask - what would be good tires for commuting?

Also, what kind of pedals would be recommended for someone like me? Having never attached my feet to my bike before.

Sabby

So, I know I'm talking to myself by now but mostly I want to keep all updates on the same thread.

My brother thought the BMX was "sexy" but he recommended a steel or carbon frame. He thinks aluminum is too rigid. His Curtlos are steel, but apparently light steel.

He's my brother, and I love him, and I respect his superior bike knowledge compared to mine, but I am actively seeking lots of opinions. I know some of this is taste.

Right now I ride a heavy steel frame. I am not sure how I would remark an aluminum.

Ooompa Loompa

I'm guessing by BMX you meant BMC Has your brother ridden many aluminum frame road bikes? Modern day aluminum frame bikes paired with a carbon fork ride very well.

seymour1910

first question....Continental GP 4000S or Michelin pro 4 in 25mm....my opinion

second question, if you want to go clipless you have to choose whether or not you want road pedals. Why? Because road cleats are not meant to be walked on very much. If you want to be able to walk around you may have to get an SPD system. Shimano makes a pedal that clips in on one side and is flat on the other so you will be fine with any shoes you wear. Here is the pedal I'm talking about https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...00_-1___202363

and I don't own them but I see a lot of commuters with this shoe https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...66_-1___202526. the shoe has a receased cleat system so walking is no issue at all, you can do errands and be just fine.

seymour1910

correct, the current aluminum frames are great and like Ooompa said, they carbon fork makes a difference for some. Now if you do want to go Carbon it is a very nice ride but be ready to increase your budget a bit.

Sabby

Yep, sorry. I keep typing it as BMX or BMS. I don't look at the keyboard and sometimes I don't look at what I just typed...I'm trying to rush.


I know he's had some aluminum. He gave my husband an aluminum mountain bike he built out of a JensonUSA frame. What happened was we brought our old mountains bikes back home to ride around. He got on my husband's mid-80s mountain bike and liked it's tank-like construction so he started jumping it. I forget exactly what happened but he damaged something. And since he couldnt fix it right away he sent us home with a replacement. Later he asked if he could keep the old one because he likes it for certain types of riding.

But, he's a big fan of lightweight steel, so he's probably not going back to aluminum anytime soon.

Sabby

So, that pedal is one I found RIGHT BEFORE I SAW YOUR POST! I think it's the one I want. So, when I commute I can wear whatever shoes and not worry about all the stop and go. But when I want to rid I can get a cleat. Thanks for the link! I'll buy them from there. I like nashbar.

Sabby

My main concern is that I though carbon was weak. Atlanta has lots of potholes and big metal plates covering sinkholes. I don't generally jump curbs but sometimes out of knowhere you land in an invisible pothole. It's not so bad on my big mountain bike but what about a light carbon bike?

seymour1910

For that you wuld have more trouble with wheels than a carbon frame, hitting potholes hard can knock a wheel out of true. Carbon is strong. A well known youtube video called "bike party" shows just hw string. Go to youtube when you get a chance and check it out.

as for the pedals, you won't have to get cleats, they come with cleats. you will just have to get shoes that support the two bolt style SPD pedals.

Sabby

I thought there was a reply to this.

Anyway, when I think of cleats I think of the shoes I ran my 50K, a pair of INOV-8 Roclite's. But, I will need to remember the lingo for each sport.

I'll probably go with those touring pedals so I can not worry about clipping in for a while. Take my time to get used to that.

Also, for wheels, do you recommend a wheel or a tire for commuting? Nothing too fat or lugged but also something that won't slip on the slightest sign of wet asphalt/concrete.

tvJefe

Carbon bikes are great, but they tend to start in the low 2k range. The Pinarello line with their Onda fork and stays will give you one of the smoothest rides you can find anywhere.

tvJefe

For wheels, you want a hearty aluminum clincher. Something like the Shimano 501. But really, most anything that comes on your bike will be fine for your purposes.

For wheels? Some people like Gatorskins because they are thick and will help you avoid flats. I use Michelin Pro Endurance myself. A nice compromise between a rugged training tire and a smooth rolling race tire.

tvJefe

Bianchi has steel bikes too!

https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road/steel/vigorelli/

I also like Torelli steel frames.

fietsbob

[step one] : find a bike shop, (check the Phone Book) and walk In.

Bah Humbug

I wish I could give you a real answer, but I can't - I just think the seriously sloping ones look terrible. Don't really know why.

Sabby

Ah, its about looks. I thought maybe there was a performance difference. Honestly, Im not a big fan of the "girl bike " look. Growing up I had boy bikes because they were cooler, like the mag wheel I had when I was 8. I think it was a Schwinn. Electric blue frame and neon yellow Mag's.

Sabby

Oooh, I like that! If I could find a lightweight steel bike in my price range I.'d be very interested

Bah Humbug

Oh yes, no particular performance difference; just my aesthetic preference.

Do you mean you think the sloping top tubes are a "girl bike look"?