Originally Posted by bikesdirect_com
So what do YOU like in commuter bikes [include light touring if you like]
FRAME – aluminum or high-grade steel [no Ti or CF at this level]
Traditional, compact, pedal-forward, folding, bent
FORK – Rigid; steel, aluminum, or carbon: Suspension
STEM – Quill or aheadset; if aheadset, fixed or adjustable
SEATPOST – standard or suspension
GEARS – single-speed [FW or Fixed]
3-speed internal [coaster or FW]
5-speed or 7-speed internal
Single Der 7S, 8S, 9S, 10S
Frt & RR Der 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27, 30
HUBS – ball&cone, precision
WHEELS – 20”, 24”, 26”, 700c, 29er
TIRES – slick, thread, wide, medium, narrow [pv or English]
BRAKES – V, canti, sidepull, Disc [hyd or mech]
SHIFTER – Road, Trigger, Bar-con, Stem, DT
BARS – drop, flat, special bend
My first preference is:
Frame: traditional steel
Fork: rigid steel
Stem: fixed threadless
Seatpost: fixed
wheels: 700c sealed cartridge bearings
tires: 35-45mm slick or semi-slick with puncture protection
brakes: disc or canti
gears: fixed
bars: drop or moustache
Also: include fenders, a rear rack mount is required, chain guards and integrated lights are not bad
I perfer my commuter to be simple and reliable but also to be efficient and agile. For a new bike I'd probably build myself a fixed gear CrossCheck.
Another posibility is a 700c bike with hub gears, disc or hub brakes (no coaster), chain guard and moustache bars. Keeps things simple and reliable but provides gears and allows coasting.
A converted MTB is not going to work for me. I see a purpose to crank forward and cruiser style commuters but my commute is long enough I perfer a lighter and faster bike.
Craig