Modern steel road bike under $2K for fast commuting?
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Even a compact double on a typical road bike doesn't go as low but goes much higher.
Last edited by tjspiel; 07-20-15 at 06:32 PM.
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42/11 works out to about 101" by my math. It'll limit some people, but one should be able to go pretty fast with it.
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Yes, my comment was not about the OP. For me, I would prefer to have a double or a triple. I have a triple now and like the range. I do like the simplicity of the Weekender Drop though. Sometimes that is nice, depending on your needs.
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At $2k, I'd be considering the BikesDirect LeChampion Ti. No rack bosses, but for Ti, I'd figure out some workaround...
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At $2k, I'd be considering the BikesDirect LeChampion Ti. No rack bosses, but for Ti, I'd figure out some workaround...
They're generally lousy with loads.
In a commuter bike you want stability and the trade-off is some loss of speed when carrying a load and also when riding on uneven terrain.
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OP said they are looking for a faster bike than their cx Masi (load carrying ability, stability), specifically a road bike...
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The Gunnar Sport would make a great fast commuter and could probably be built for about $2K, and much less if moving parts from another frame or building from used/discount parts. Soma Smoothie or ES could be built for about $500 less.
I've commuted on many different bikes over the years, and the biggest factors affecting speed were the tires and the amount of loads/gear I was carrying (not including external factors such as wind, rain, traffic, red lights, etc.). My fastest regular commuter was probably my Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, but it barely had room for fenders with 25 mm tires. My De Bernardi was even faster when I briefly had it rigged up as a single speed, but that was brutal on my knees and did not last very long. Currently, my fastest commuter is a Waterford RST-22 sport touring bike with no fenders and 25 mm tires. My other commuters have larger tires, fenders and rear racks so they are heavier with more rolling resistance.
I've commuted on many different bikes over the years, and the biggest factors affecting speed were the tires and the amount of loads/gear I was carrying (not including external factors such as wind, rain, traffic, red lights, etc.). My fastest regular commuter was probably my Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, but it barely had room for fenders with 25 mm tires. My De Bernardi was even faster when I briefly had it rigged up as a single speed, but that was brutal on my knees and did not last very long. Currently, my fastest commuter is a Waterford RST-22 sport touring bike with no fenders and 25 mm tires. My other commuters have larger tires, fenders and rear racks so they are heavier with more rolling resistance.
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My Allez is a pure road bike, but definitely a low end one. I had a rack on it for a summer. It worked fine but I definitely prefer the more spritely handling with it unloaded.
Outside of winter, my main criteria for a commuter bike is that it works and that it's fun to ride. Actually pretty much the same criteria I have for a bike whether or not I'm commuting.
I'm quite happy to wear a backpack for commuting and don't particularly care if the bike is stable with 60 lbs of gear on it. I do have a bike I can use offroad or would make a decent tourer if I were inclined.