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Old 07-13-15 | 04:56 AM
  #2  
vatdim
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Sofia, Bulgaria, EU

Bikes: Drag Grizzly, Raleigh Pioneer Venture GT

Hi there! Good to see one more cyclist on the road!

I like to think of the commuter bicycle as both a vehicle and an investment. Being a vehicle means that it must offer a comfortable, yet efficient trip, from point A to point B. Being an investment means that I could justify spending a little bit more today in order to get a quality product that is well able to serve me for years and even decades, and in this way, save me a lot of money that I'd otherwise spend on petrol, public transportation, etc., along the way.

The bikes you have listed are both singlespeed/fixies. For a relatively flat commute, this is a great arrangement. But if you do face some hills, I'd rather take a bike with multiple gears. Even on the flats, on some days I might be a little more tired and ride one gear slower than usual, and in so doing, replenish my energy. Will a single gear be good for you?

Both bikes offer straight handlebars. These are very good for shorter trips, but if your commute is a longer one, you may want to use a bike with drop handlebars in order to have more hand positions, as well as be able to reduce your air resistance. Their price, however, is a limiting factor.

When commuting, I find fenders and a luggage rack make an important difference in terms of comfort, especially when riding every day. Since the bikes you linked to don't come with either part installed, it may be worth checking with the seller if the frames do have eyelets for them. If they do, you will still have to factor in the cost of these components and their assembly, since they are not included. Of course, you may also decide you don't need them.

When looking at the bike as an investment, you might want to consider a little bit more expensive bicycles that come from more renowned brands and that may also offer you warranty. For example, this is one small suggestion that you may want to also consider.

Finally, you may be able to find a very good quality bike that satisfies all or most of your requirements in the used market. A look around ebay is often worth it.
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