Hello everyone! I am new here and new to cycling.. well, it has been almost 20 years since I have been on a bike but I want to start commuting via bike to work and back (not always back might bus back). It will be a 15 mile one-way trip four days a week.. potentially 120 miles a week. I'm exhausted just thinking about it but I am up for the challenge.

I have yet to make a selection on a bike but I am considering a hybrid/comfort/commuter. I am not willing to spend more than 500 on my first bike in case this is something I give up on shortly after starting (obviously I lack self confidence and a willingness to commit), BUT also the area in which I work I would be afraid of theft. Maybe down the road I would spend more on a bike but right now.. does anyone have any suggestions for something comfortable and durable enough for such a commute within the 300-500 dollar range? The commute would be 90% paved bike trail.. I would like to be able to haul a bit of cargo with me and fenders would be a plus. I understand I can probably add these on myself if the bike does not come with and that is fine. So far I have considered a Schwinn Discover (or comparable) hybrid on the more inexpensive side of the spectrum up to a Lombardo Siena 100M on the more expensive side. Any help for what is in between would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for all your help and suggestions!

Also, sorry if this is in the wrong forum.. I was unsure where exactly to post!

First off, welcome here!

You are going to gets all different replies on what your first bike should be, but I suggest going to the local bike shop and trying some out first.

Also you need to get a bike fit so your first commute is not miserable.

You found the right forum.

I would suggest that if you're going to be locking bike outside to spend a little less on the bike, preferably a used one that doesn't appear to be worth stealing. Invest in a good lock. It feels great to ride a fancy new bike, but imagine how you'd feel if you came back to it after work one day and it was gone.

If you ever have the option of storing it inside, then that's a different story.

I can't suggest a particular brand or model of bike, but make sure whatever bike you buy fits you well, because if you're just starting out 15 miles is a considerable distance and you'd conceivably be spending over an hour on it each way.

There are different option for storage. I have a rear rack and pannier bags, which is probably the most popular option. But you could always just make do with a backpack, or a messenger bag, if you don't like to have a warm back.

Check out the website for Torker bikes. There might be something there that interests you.

Well I just discovered the "commuters useful thread index" sticky and it looks like I will spend a couple of hours going through all the info there.. thanks for the replies so far.. I get the feeling make and model of bike is going to matter much less than how it fits me personally.. and durability may be all about preventative maintenance and upkeep.. but, is it feasible to get a 200 dollar schwinn and expect it to last if treated properly?

I can already tell this is going to take a huge amount of effort but I think it will pay off.

Thank you for the warm welcomes!

Commuting to work is great, but you should probably try riding on weekends first and work up to a 15 mile ride. Unless you live in a flat area and/or are already in good shape, 30 miles a day four days a week is going to be extremely difficult.
I started commuting about 3 years ago. I'd had bikes on and off since I was a teen, so I picked up a bike off Craigslist, did some short rides on weekends, and then started commuting the 10 miles to work 2 or 3 days a week. It took a while to work up to 4 days a week and longer mileage.

*Possibly* There is a guy on here who rides Huffys and I have a cheapo Schwinn that I ride in the winter. But! You must be willing and able to repair and tune... and even then it may not be 100% (I never could get the shifter on my cruiser to work right, hence my upgrading the rear wheel to something better this next winter.)

And, my guy rides a single speed Thruster. He's commuted his 20 mile round trip on it quite more than expected. (Car troubles, LOL) He's pretty fit to start off with and that was do-able but quite a workout for him. The Thruster AKA 'Wallmart fixie' is about as cheap a bike as you can get. But... I do keep it tuned up.

You'll probably enjoy your rides more with something nicer. To stay cheap but get more bike try Bikes Direct. I have the mixte of this bike, but I swapped out the 3 speed wheel for an 8 speed. Mine's purple. I love it.

Save Up to 60% Off Town Bikes | Classic, Stylish Three Speed City Bikes | Urban Bikes | Commuter Road Bikes | Windsor Oxford from bikesdirect.com

Yes. It may be more headache than a more expensive bike, and it may take some money from time to time. But I am sure that it's feasible to expect it to last given maintenance and care.

And not all that more horrible to ride.

I have no idea about your commute in terms of roadway and infrastructure. I did 15 miles each way and it was enough for me, thank you, 3 days a week and not 4. If you are younger, it may not be so much a challenge, but as a middle age guy, oof da!
If your roadway is pretty rough, consider a mountain bike with road tires. A lot more durable, pump the tires up to 50psi and you will move. a good lock of course, but also a rack and panniers. Find nice little coffee shops and cafes on the route for rest stops if needed. It is not a race. The difference, for me, running like a ***** ape or just chillin was maybe a couple minutes over 15 miles. Go for routes that please you, rather than sketchy routes that intimidate.
its about enjoying your ride, feeling safe and welcome.

It depends upon the Schwinn.

I started commuting in 2008, and I bought a new Kona Dew for $400--plus another $300 on other stuff. My commute was 2 miles each way over flat ground, and I had not been on a bike in about 15 years.

In 2012, I started riding with Capital Bicycling Club. Thought my first 12 mile Sunday Leisure Ride would kill me. A number of club rides, longer and longer rides over time, and I rode my first two Centuries last year--all on that same said Kona Dew commuter. This past Sunday, I was ride leader for the 12 miles around Summit Lake. I also rode out there and back for a 47 mile ride. Three years ago, if you told me I'd be doing this, I'd have said you're crazy.

All this time, I had a $200 Schwinn sitting in the garage. A 1986 Giant made Schwinn World that I paid probably right around $200 for it when I bought it new almost 30 years ago. Dropped about $470 on it a few months ago: cartridge bottom bracket, triple crank, chain, front and rear derailer, stem, wider bars, brake levers, bar wrap, brake and shifter cables. LBS did the work. I added fenders and new Panaracers.

This steel (not cromoly), lugged $200 Schwinn is now my commuter for a 5 mile commute, plus most all of my other riding. Blew 3 spokes on the rear wheel, and I think I rode for 3 or 4 days with blown spokes before I realized it. Stole the rear wheel off the wife's 1989 Schwinn World, and I'm riding it until I have to spring for new 700C rims, 35mm tires, a cassette, and some new brakes.

My favorite protip for Craigslist is to search for the word "thought", and turn up tons of ads from guys who say things like "I bought this super-expensive bike because I thought I would get into road biking, but I didn't, so now you can buy this bike for half what I paid, and it only has 100 miles on it, so basically it's brand-new"

So since you anticipate that you might be (become) that guy, you have the opportunity to instead take advantage of that guy. Look on Craigslist in your price range, or $100-200 below your price range (to allow for cost of tuning/accesories like lights, new tires, etc). If you see some bikes that look interesting, drop some links here in this thread, we love looking at bikes and telling people what we think!

And if you do decide in the end that you don't want to keep it up, you should be able to sell the bike on for essentially the same price you paid for it.

15 miles one day 4 days a week is probably too much for someone who is just starting back on the bike. It will very likely put you off bicycles all together. A a cheap bike will also not make it any easier. Even most cyclists who have been riding for decades will probably not be able to ride that kind of milage every day. Taking the bus back will definately make it easier and more realistic.

To avoid unnecessary discouragement, avoid riding into a strong headwind, especially if you're dealing with a distance like 15 miles. Headwinds are all work and no coast. Anything steadily over 15 mph will make you want to give up after the third or fourth mile.

This is good advice but I don't see how practical it is when riding between fixed points like home and work.

Why don't you try it once or twice a week on your current bike?

You'll get the feel for 15 miles on it. You can always go to a bike shop in a few weeks and test ride one of their bikes to get a feel for the reduced amount of effort they take to pedal.

Then you can make your choice regarding the bike

Sorry if I missed it, but where are you located? Some bike shops take trade-ins that they then tune up and sell as used bikes. I think that’s the best way to go on a budget. You can get a beautiful bike for $500 that way.

Pretty much the only thing you can do is check the forecast before leaving home.

Hmm. Not sure how you'd do this. If the wind don't get you going there it'll get you on the way back, unless you take the bus on the way home. Here in Toronto and surround municipalities buses do have bike rack on the front onto which you can put your bike.

Dealing with the wind sucks/blows, but one way you can mitigate its effects is using the drops on a road bike. It can make a huge difference.

In many areas, the wind generally changes directions from morning to evening. I'm "lucky" enough to usually have a headwind on the way to work and a headwind on the way home.

That really sucks!!

Here the wind doesn't change much during the day, but can vary day to day. Generally the prevailing winds are NW, which is in my face on the way home. I curse it every day!

I started biking my 15 mile each way commute around a month ago and still haven't quite worked up to doing it 4 or 5 days a week. I have been doing between 60-90 mi a week, or 4-6 times one way or the other. I started on my $40 schwinn collegiate 3 spd and it was fine, very comfortable, but a little slow and worthless on the hills or with any sort of headwind. I picked up a mid-90's Chinese schwinn mtb at a yard sale last fall with a bent front wheel for $8 and used a donor mtb my son outgrew to get it on the road and that's what I'm using now. I would do the trip in about 1 hr 15 on the collegiate and I do it right at about an hour on the mtb. More gears, lighter, larger frame so I'm a bit more spread out and "aero" than sitting bolt upright. You can def go cheap if you keep your eyes out for deals. No big problems on either bike of mine yet. See how they look at the end of summer I guess. I enjoy the ride a little more every time I do it, I hope you have a good experience as well.

*edit- I am not remotely an athlete, I am an overweight smoker in my mid-thirties who started riding casually last year and loved it. Also have some muscles missing from my left thigh from surgery a couple years ago. I tell you this because if I can do it, you probably also can.

You might get a nice bicycle in the 300-500 dollar range, but don't forget you'll need to spend money on a some decent pedals, a lock, lights, helmet, clothing and so on. It all adds up fast. For commuting you might want to carry some basic tools, inner tubes, a pump and so on. That all adds up quickly.

welcome to commuting and good luck figuring out something you love to ride.

It does add up, but (a) I wouldn't put pedals at the beginning of that list, and (b) I wouldn't put bike-specific clothing on the list at all; spandex is overpriced overkill, especially for a new rider; except depending where you live and how often you plan to commute, you might need to consider rain gear.

Helmet for sure, red rear blinkie next after that, front headlight can wait a few months until it starts to get dark early, lock if your employer won't let you bring your bike inside. And yes you want to be prepared to repair a flat on the road, so that means a seatbag with tire levers and a patch kit and/or spare tube; also a pump (probably frame-mount).