Brigadier

I have been commuting on a Marin Larkspur for the past year after just getting back into cycling. I am starting to outgrow it and was looking for some feedback on which style of bike people prefer for commuting. I've narrowed it down to either a touring or cyclocross bike because of the following

More hand positions than a flat bar (drops, hoods, etc)
Better gearing (even though it is a mostly flat commute, the faster I can go the longer the route I can take to get to work )
Provides a backup bike in case my Bianchi Brava is in the shop or out of commission
Suitable for three season riding (reserving the Larkspur for winter)

I know that I want a rack at a minimum and preferably fenders. Here are the three models that I've been looking at. My price range is pretty limited at $850 but because it is nearly impossible to find a used 58cm touring bike, it looks like new is the only way to go. I appreciate any suggestions people can offer - I'm not in any hurry to pick up a new bike but would like to have it before the end of fall.

Jamis Aurora
Bianchi Volpe
Fuji Touring

markhr

personally I'd go for a cyclocross bike with rack/fender eyelets and disc brake tabs. That way you still get a strong frame/forks with good clearance, better/quicker geometry and the ability to upgrade and replace as parts wear out.

check e-bay for CX frames with disc tabs from redline, cannondale, salsa, mountain cycle, voodoo. Surly and on-one may also be worth a look.

DogBoy

If you are using this to commute, I suggest the cross bike over the touring bike. Touring bikes have longer wheelbases and are designed to be predictible when loaded. They are not as agile as a cross bike, and sometimes in traffic agile is important. Cross bikes are often lighter than touring bikes too, and to me they feel much more responsive.

So of the bikes you've listed:
The volpe is a tank, so I'd suggest the Aurora. I don't know what the fuji touring is like, so I won't comment on it, but assuming its more like a touring bike, I still suggest the cross bike.

As to other bike options: You may be able to find a Nova for around 950 or so, and I recommend the Nova over the volpe any day of the week (for commuting), and it is a better component spec than the aurora. You could also find a Kona Jake (Note: AL Frame) or build up a Surly Cross-check for about the same ($950).

Since you aren't in a hurry, I suggest you save another 150 or so and move to the 1000 price range where you get better componentry and nicer (lighter) frames.

BTW, because the volpe is a tank it is also very durably and has a mtn range of gearing so it would do double duty as a touring bike if you are so inclined.

michaelnel

I just built up a Soma Double Cross this past weekend for my all-rounder bike (including commuting). It's a massive improvement over the Fuji hybrid I was riding. Lighter, much more responsive, much faster (my average speed on my commute went up by 50% in the past two days of riding the Soma!).

It has rack & fender eyelets, and I'll be adding both to it (probably not until the rainy season starts though). Right now my Carradice Barley bag gives me the carrying capacity I need for my commute.

I don't intend to do loaded touring on it. I think a cross bike is better and more versatile as an all-rounder unless you really intend to load the bike up with front and rear panniers and set off for multi-day tours. Since I don't, I went with the Double Cross and am happy with my decision.

bokes

Touring bikes are heavier and imo feel a little harsh when they're not loaded down.
So If you don't plan on carrying heavy loads, by all means i'd get the cyclocross.

hubs

If you are already willing to wait until Fall, I've noticed alot of great close-outs tend to appear in bike shops at year end!! Look around and go LATE in fall ... even December. You might get a steal on a 2005 when they need room for 2006s.

Good Luck!

svwagner

definitely go for the 'cross bike.

my SS commuter is a converted Kona JTS with fenders, rack, 35mm Schwalbe Marathons, wiiiide Profile 0-degree drop stoker bars (like TT bars but flat), and 'cross interrupter brake levers. Oh yeah, and the thing that makes the whole thing possible -- the ENO.

i'd only go the touring bike if you were planning to carry a lot of weight on a regular basis. my JTS often sports panniers, but if i load them to heavily, the rear end gets pretty squirrelly.

side note: if i had this purchase to do again, i'd have bought a surly cross-check. it would have been easier/cheaper to turn into a SS and i prefer steel.

MichaelW

Touring bikes come in several flavours, from racy light-tourers, through all-purpose club tourer, to full blown expedition bikes.
The poor rep of touring bikes is mostly due to the latter. A light or club tourer is quite agile enough for city riding.
Soma make the ES which is a nice example of a light tourer:
https://www.somafab.com/extrasmoothie.html

The classic CX race bike has no braze-ons so these useful tour-ready CX bikes are perhaps more tour than CX. The bottom bracket height is probably the most significant difference affecting the balance and feel. You will have to test ride to compare the difference.

lala

I too say touring bike: a lite audex style one. I have a fabulous 80's steel bike and it's a wonderful lite touring/commuter. Relaxed geometry and eyelets and lite weight too, relatively. Don't give up on the used bike! Because I ride 50cm-ish...it seems all the bike I se are 58cm-ish!

How far is your commute?

svwagner

true enough...but there are a whole flock of non-classic CX bikes on the market (in the US at least) that have the requisite braze-ons for fenders, rack, and bottle cages.

my kona has them all, for instance.

not that i'd ride it in an actual 'cross race, mind you, even without all the commuter stuff. but that's ok in this instance, since we're talking about a commuter bike, not a cross bike.

Brigadier

I just moved, so it is about 14 miles round trip. It used to be 13, but that just gives me a little extra time on the bike each day It is mostly on a bike path until downtown Madison and can take anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour depending on the weather and traffic.

slvoid

I say cross. I was split between the cannondale cross disc and the giant ocr touring when I realized that my lbs was willing to discount the ocr touring down to half the price of the cannondale.
The thing has a slightly longer wheel base and weighs like a good 5 lbs more.