Beginners road bike for NYC commuting
09-07-16, 08:52 PM
#26
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I could be wrong, but US cities are not typically as dense as European cities, so I'm guessing commutes in the US may average a little longer, so a faster bike with a more laid out geometry than the "Dutch bikes" may be more practical. I agree that the IGH can be a practical solution, but for me 3 speeds is not enough. I can afford an IGH 8 speed for my 20 mile round-trip commute and will probably upgrade to 11 speeds before long, but not everyone can. There is a reason why cycles like the Surly transportation bikes are popular in the US: sturdy, relatively light and fast, lots of cargo options, and they have drop bars too....
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09-08-16, 10:26 AM
#27
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I could be wrong, but US cities are not typically as dense as European cities, so I'm guessing commutes in the US may average a little longer, so a faster bike with a more laid out geometry than the "Dutch bikes" may be more practical. I agree that the IGH can be a practical solution, but for me 3 speeds is not enough. I can afford an IGH 8 speed for my 20 mile round-trip commute and will probably upgrade to 11 speeds before long, but not everyone can. There is a reason why cycles like the Surly transportation bikes are popular in the US: sturdy, relatively light and fast, lots of cargo options, and they have drop bars too....
You'd likely not do this on a beach cruiser or Dutch wanna-be's like Electra nor most 'English' style bikes but such distances are very easy on true Dutch bikes even those made elsewhere like Velorbis or Everton.
09-08-16, 01:21 PM
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I ride "upright" a lot while riding with drop handlebars. Just make certain that you have additional "in-line" brake levers attached to your drops.
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09-08-16, 02:52 PM
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Here is a bike I've been commuting and shopping and hauling on for a while. I've taken some recreational rides on it, too. It's basically an all-purpose bike and weighs about 30 pounds with all the accessories. I'm considering selling it. I could sell it as is or with some options removed.
You can add these options to most any road bike to make it suitable for commuting and transport.
- bell
- fenders
- dynamo front hub
- rear rack
- headlight bolted to fork
- tail light bolted to rear rack
- 3x7 (21 speed) drivetrain with "brifters," i.e. gear shifters in the brake levers
You can add these options to most any road bike to make it suitable for commuting and transport.
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09-12-16, 04:53 AM
#30
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On the raciest of race bikes your eyes are positioned to see the road directly in front of you really well, so you don't necessarily get the benefit of seeing the driver's face/body position/ car behavior as well until you sit up and look around.
And this goes back to the handling thing, not everyone is good at managing a super racy bike. Turning tends to be "easy" which might also be "twitchy" if you are a newer cyclist. It usually takes more concentration to keep it straight, and you might lose a bit looking behind you! Especially if you are new to that riding style.
I noted in my post that an aggressive road bike isn't a great fit, but less aggressive setups would be fine, focusing on the saddle height / handlebar height being about even.
I think "drop bar bikes" all look the same to many people, so it helps to know some additional visual cues.
And this goes back to the handling thing, not everyone is good at managing a super racy bike. Turning tends to be "easy" which might also be "twitchy" if you are a newer cyclist. It usually takes more concentration to keep it straight, and you might lose a bit looking behind you! Especially if you are new to that riding style.
I noted in my post that an aggressive road bike isn't a great fit, but less aggressive setups would be fine, focusing on the saddle height / handlebar height being about even.
I think "drop bar bikes" all look the same to many people, so it helps to know some additional visual cues.
09-12-16, 04:54 AM
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Here is a bike I've been commuting and shopping and hauling on for a while. I've taken some recreational rides on it, too. It's basically an all-purpose bike and weighs about 30 pounds with all the accessories. I'm considering selling it. I could sell it as is or with some options removed.
You can add these options to most any road bike to make it suitable for commuting and transport.
- bell
- fenders
- dynamo front hub
- rear rack
- headlight bolted to fork
- tail light bolted to rear rack
- 3x7 (21 speed) drivetrain with "brifters," i.e. gear shifters in the brake levers
You can add these options to most any road bike to make it suitable for commuting and transport.
09-12-16, 04:55 AM
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09-12-16, 05:19 AM
#33
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09-12-16, 05:30 AM
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09-12-16, 09:56 AM
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Here is a bike I've been commuting and shopping and hauling on for a while. I've taken some recreational rides on it, too. It's basically an all-purpose bike and weighs about 30 pounds with all the accessories. I'm considering selling it. I could sell it as is or with some options removed.
You can add these options to most any road bike to make it suitable for commuting and transport.
- bell
- fenders
- dynamo front hub
- rear rack
- headlight bolted to fork
- tail light bolted to rear rack
- 3x7 (21 speed) drivetrain with "brifters," i.e. gear shifters in the brake levers
You can add these options to most any road bike to make it suitable for commuting and transport.
Sizing is tricky! Top tube length matters most. I am also 5'4" 50cm bikes are a bit too small for me! It is definitely cramped. I find 52cm is likely the best, but harder to find. I am riding a 54cm bike with upright bars now.
09-12-16, 10:11 AM
#36
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Maybe. If you want them, that's fine, but I've never had them, and I do just fine. Moving my hands to the brakes is quick and easy enough, even in an emergency. It's similar to how I drive a car. I move my right foot from the accelerator to the brake. Sometimes on the bike, I just use my left hand, since it is connected to my main brake, the front brake.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-12-16, 10:49 AM
#37
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I have an adventure road/gravel bike I use as my n=1, including commuting. I can handle myself very well in traffic, but there is a learning curve to drop bars (more so for me, as I am blind of my left eye). So far I've ridden my 15kms commute on a dutch bike, a hardtail MTB (with city tires) and my new road bike. My favorite is the road bike.
I'd also recommend cross top/interrupter brakes (they're cheap to add if the bike doesn't come with them). My bike has a 'relaxed geometry' (as opposed to 'racing') so it's easier to look ahead.
If you want drop bars, get drop bars
I'd also recommend cross top/interrupter brakes (they're cheap to add if the bike doesn't come with them). My bike has a 'relaxed geometry' (as opposed to 'racing') so it's easier to look ahead.
If you want drop bars, get drop bars
