brooklynbiker87

hello everyone. i am new to the site and looking to buy a new bike for commuting only...
these are the two bikes that i have in mind

and
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lttour.htm
...
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cafe_latte.htm

Again this will be my first purchase, so can someone please point me in the right direction...
thank you...

brooklynbiker87

bump..... anyone can please help

degnaw

1. 3 hours between bumps is a bit much
2. Where are you riding, for what distance, what road conditions and where are you able to lock (store) it at work and home?

uke

I'd recommend this: https://www.target.com/Forge-Street-F.../dp/B000LWDHJS



Or this: https://www.target.com/Forge-1000-Roa.../dp/B000LWFG9C



I have ~540 miles on the second bike.

goldfishin

kona jake the snake! oh man, i want one so bad. but i'm guessing you're not ready for sticker shock.

brooklynbiker87

thanks a lot, but im 6'2 and i would love to get the same bike that you have, if it was a little bigger.. like an XL. if anyone has anymore suggestions please let me know.....Thanks a lot brother
sorry for being so impatient... i would be doing most of my riding on NYC streets, to my friends house, prospect park bike routes and commuting about 20 miles a week the most for a workout(not to work or school).... i really just want to ride to get back in shape, because my knees are a little bad, so running wouldn't be an option at the moment... i really do not know where i would lock my bike; i will have to figure that out when i begin to ride

nashcommguy

Get the Motobecane cafe latte and swap the stock tires for Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x32mm. You'll need the extra cushion and flat protection for those the NYC streets and those bikes aren't high on the list of 'stealable rigs'. Delta Universal mega rack(30.00) and a trunk bag or Jandd saddlebags(71.00 @ amazon.com), Planetbike Superflash rear blinkies(2) and a L&M Solo(120.00 13W Halogen) or a Niteider Trailrat(100.00 10W halogen) and a Cateye Opticube 1 LED for daytime running set on blink mode. Oh yeah, a Topeak Road morph w/guage frame pump(35.00 @ bikeisland.com w/no shipping). Get a good kyrpto lock and park your bike near high dollar rigs if possible...they'll steal them first.

You'll be in for about 800.00 total w/everything mentioned. Good luck.

mr_antares

If you're commuting, add some fenders. PlanetBike freddies work great.

City_Smasher

You might want to check out a few other brands.....Raleigh, Specialized, Giant, GT, Trek.

These companies all make bikes costing about the same as the Dawes model you posted. Just some advice to give you more options.

Get a good lock! Most thieves will steal the bike with the easiest lock to defeat.

brooklynbiker87

thanks.... for the info......what about a bike that will give me a workout while i commute...

Commando303

I think any bike will give you a work-out. Racers/road bikes, I believe, just make it easier to go fast by lightening the weight of the bicycle and positioning the rider so he or she offers less wind-resistance.

Luddite

Yer gonna have to do what I did...go to some bike shops, ask questions, try some bikes out to see what works best for you.

Do NOT buy a department store bike. Get your bike from a proper bike shop.

Are you looking for a hybrid style bike? Will you want to have a rack on the back/panniers etc?

degnaw

cough ($30)

I'd suggest at least a Krypto Evolution, possibly a NY if you're going to be keeping the bike outside for several hours at a time. (never leave your bike outside overnight, no matter what lock you have)

Another thing, the first bike comes with Schraeder valve tubes. I'm not exactly sure where one would get replacements. For either bike, I suggest replacing the tires as per what nashcommguy said.

If you're buying an online bike in a similar price range as department store bikes, there's really no difference. Just be sure you know your sizing, and it's just a matter of doing your own assembly/maintenance.