Which type of bike do you like best for commuting?
12-06-16, 09:07 PM
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12-06-16, 09:10 PM
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A number of different bikes can work for commuting but if you want a bike that's good for commuting and long distance riding with a budget of $600, I'd look for a cross style bike. The drop bars are a big plus in long rides. The fat tires really help in commuting.
See post 4 above.
Something like this for $400, https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...liberty_cx.htm
You'll have to build it yourself but you'll have money left over for lock, helmet, lights, and a rack.
See post 4 above.
Something like this for $400, https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...liberty_cx.htm
You'll have to build it yourself but you'll have money left over for lock, helmet, lights, and a rack.
12-06-16, 09:54 PM
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A number of different bikes can work for commuting but if you want a bike that's good for commuting and long distance riding with a budget of $600, I'd look for a cross style bike. The drop bars are a big plus in long rides. The fat tires really help in commuting.
See post 4 above.
Something like this for $400, https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...liberty_cx.htm
You'll have to build it yourself but you'll have money left over for lock, helmet, lights, and a rack.
See post 4 above.
Something like this for $400, https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...liberty_cx.htm
You'll have to build it yourself but you'll have money left over for lock, helmet, lights, and a rack.
My wife has an All-City Macho Man, and I'm envious.
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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.
12-07-16, 12:22 AM
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For 5 miles pretty much anything will work. I used a super relaxed cruiser for a similar distance. I liked it, it did the job, but eventually moved to road bikes.
But buy the bike you'll want to ride every day. For as cheap as possible. Because after a year of riding every day, what you want out of a bike will probably be different than what you want right now.
I like racks because I don't like my backpack getting all sweaty while I'm riding. But rack vs backpack/messenger bag is a topic as dangerous as politics and religion.
With flat terrain, I would probably just buy a single speed/fixed for commuting and save my money for a nice touring bike to take on trips.
I would go for a gravel bike instead of cross. Or if cross, one with lots of tire clearance. A bit more versatility with the wider tires. But I wish I had bought a cross bike instead of a road bike, for sure.
But buy the bike you'll want to ride every day. For as cheap as possible. Because after a year of riding every day, what you want out of a bike will probably be different than what you want right now.
I like racks because I don't like my backpack getting all sweaty while I'm riding. But rack vs backpack/messenger bag is a topic as dangerous as politics and religion.
With flat terrain, I would probably just buy a single speed/fixed for commuting and save my money for a nice touring bike to take on trips.
I would go for a gravel bike instead of cross. Or if cross, one with lots of tire clearance. A bit more versatility with the wider tires. But I wish I had bought a cross bike instead of a road bike, for sure.
12-07-16, 01:55 AM
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I have my bike set up for my needs and my preferences and my commute, and it's the bike I want... well, mostly! It has some coincidences of deal-hunting and some things I'm trying. I don't think it's my perfect forever bike. It's a cross bike but that's the taste I've developed and I think I'd be just as happy with a sport touring style.
I think I'd still recommend a rigid hybrid to anyone who wants to start out and try commuting. They're just so much more approachable than a drop bar bike. I think they'll be even better with 1x11 gearing if the manufacturers could just get around to building them all that way instead of pretending that it's high tech and premium.
I think I'd still recommend a rigid hybrid to anyone who wants to start out and try commuting. They're just so much more approachable than a drop bar bike. I think they'll be even better with 1x11 gearing if the manufacturers could just get around to building them all that way instead of pretending that it's high tech and premium.
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12-07-16, 02:14 AM
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I have my bike set up for my needs and my preferences and my commute, and it's the bike I want... well, mostly! It has some coincidences of deal-hunting and some things I'm trying. I don't think it's my perfect forever bike. It's a cross bike but that's the taste I've developed and I think I'd be just as happy with a sport touring style.
I think I'd still recommend a rigid hybrid to anyone who wants to start out and try commuting. They're just so much more approachable than a drop bar bike. I think they'll be even better with 1x11 gearing if the manufacturers could just get around to building them all that way instead of pretending that it's high tech and premium.
I think I'd still recommend a rigid hybrid to anyone who wants to start out and try commuting. They're just so much more approachable than a drop bar bike. I think they'll be even better with 1x11 gearing if the manufacturers could just get around to building them all that way instead of pretending that it's high tech and premium.
IMO, 1x setups are more hype than function.
12-07-16, 10:57 AM
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OK. I disagree, but I think we've all been through this before so I won't belabor it. If you are going to stick with that I prefer 8 because they have freehubs and the 7's are freewheels (typically).
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12-07-16, 11:18 AM
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My recommendation is to partner up with a friend/acquaintance you trust who is an avid cyclist and ask her/him to peruse Craigslist and FB sales groups for/with you. And, if possible, ask that person to tag along when you go look at a bike. I'm a pastor and have done this with 10-12 persons/families in my congregation (one family has picked up five bikes with my help in the past few years). You can describe what you're looking for and you friend can look for things that match. You would be amazed what you can pick up for $600 working with someone who knows bikes.
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12-07-16, 12:13 PM
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Touring, sport touring and cyclocross bikes all make great commuters and can be used for touring as well. I've got all three types as well as a road racing model, and I have commuted on all of them. I enjoy riding my sport touring bike the best, probably because it is the nicest frame and build (Waterford RST-22 with Dura Ace group). However, I commute most frequently on my Bob Jackson World Tour because it is a workhorse with fenders, rear rack, dynamo light system and wider tires.
12-07-16, 01:35 PM
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Which type of bike do you like best for commuting?
In response to the title of this thread, as a year-round commuter of a minimal 14 miles one way, I recently posted about my bikes:
With respect to the OP’s query:
I am very impressed with Diverge Elite as an an all purpose bike for road, possibly gravel, and even touring. The Elite model, fully equipped, was about $1500, but I think there are cheaper versions of the Diverge models.
Nonetheless, while the S-Works carbon fiber was MSRP $8,000 (got it for half off) if I were to pro-rate the value of the Diverge Elite for quality of ride plus utility compared to the $4K S-Works, I would estimate its value at $2500-3000. You may be significantly less satisfied in the long run with a bike for $ 600…Just sayin’.
In response to the title of this thread, as a year-round commuter of a minimal 14 miles one way, I recently posted about my bikes:
…After 40 years of cycle commuting on a year-round minimal one-way 14 mile route, I have this year finally assembled IMO, the perfect bicycle fleet:
So I recently bought a Specialized Diverge Elite aluminum bike as a wet weather beater, and it rides nearly as nicely as the S-Works. The ride and shifting of the Diverge is as smooth as the S-Works, but the feel is more ”solid,” with 30 C tires. I think this is a great all-purpose bike…
Furthermore,
So now, the Cannondale is reserved completely for only miserable, sloppy studded-tire riding, maybe about 3 to 4 weeks during the winter and my riding needs are completely met. I liken my three bikes to a Lamborghini, a Lexus, and a Humvee.
- One nearly year-round dry,clean-road bike (carbon fiber road bike,except for deep winter with lingering salt)
- One year-round wet,dirty-road bike (aluminum road bike, just recently acquired
- One winter bike for anything (steel mountain bike with Marathon Winter studded tires always on, for the least possibility of ice…)
So I recently bought a Specialized Diverge Elite aluminum bike as a wet weather beater, and it rides nearly as nicely as the S-Works. The ride and shifting of the Diverge is as smooth as the S-Works, but the feel is more ”solid,” with 30 C tires. I think this is a great all-purpose bike…
Furthermore,
The only [studded] tire I know of in 30c that might be better is the Schwalbe WINTER HS 396. It's a cheaper cousin of the Schwalbe Marathon Winter with only 2 rows of studs instead of 4, but comes in30c:
]https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/winter...
]https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/winter...
... I want a bike that I primarily use to commute and (maybe) on occasion go on biking trips for a few days. For example,a bike trip from Miami to Key West type of deal (~160 miles). What do you ride? What do you prefer? My budget is anything up to about $600. I'm super excited to get a bike! Thank you for the input 
Nonetheless, while the S-Works carbon fiber was MSRP $8,000 (got it for half off) if I were to pro-rate the value of the Diverge Elite for quality of ride plus utility compared to the $4K S-Works, I would estimate its value at $2500-3000. You may be significantly less satisfied in the long run with a bike for $ 600…Just sayin’.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-07-16 at 02:05 PM.
