Commuting bike recommendations
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1
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Commuting bike recommendations
Hi all,
I'm looking for a commuter/city/urban bike for short commutes (<16 miles) within a city. Preferably with 7 speed gears and an upright riding posture. I've been looking at Linus roadster, brooklyn co. Bedford and Windsor Kensington 8. Any inputs on them would be much appreciated. If you do have other suggestions, do let me know.
Thanks!
I'm looking for a commuter/city/urban bike for short commutes (<16 miles) within a city. Preferably with 7 speed gears and an upright riding posture. I've been looking at Linus roadster, brooklyn co. Bedford and Windsor Kensington 8. Any inputs on them would be much appreciated. If you do have other suggestions, do let me know.
Thanks!
#2
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Those are all decent bikes. The important thing is to get started. You picked a hell of a week, though.
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,919
Likes: 1,260
Is that round-trip or one way? A short commute is <10 mi. r/t. Anything longer is a moderate commute and IMO would benefit from more than 7sp. I'm shopping for a commuter myself for a 30mi r/t 3x/wk. It will either be a factory OEM e-bike or an e-assist kit added to (short list): Raleigh Redux 1; Salsa Journeyman 650; Breezer Midtown 1.5. I've set up many a flat-bar hybrid bike with the usual commuting amenities (Planet Bike Rack/Fenders/Lights or Bontrager Rack/Fenders/Lights) and buying them myself is better than getting a factory specific commute bike for twice the price with ho-hum parts.
#4
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 213
Likes: 21
I bought a 8 speed Breezer downtown. Very simple basic bike. Not the fastest (I have to push to get 12 mph) or the lighttest. But I got it used for $75. Pretty good for a bike with fenders and a rack thrown in! I have a pretty hilly commute but the gear ratio is fine for that. Not missing a front cog at all.
#6
For best quality and ride comfort I would look at Workcycles and Azor. Also, none of the bicycles you've listed are 'Dutch Geometry'. All of them require you to lean forward which is inefficient and uncomfortable for anything below about 18 MPH.
More: City Bikes | LocalMile
The number of speeds has nothing to do with distance but terrain and cargo load. 40 mile rides on fairly flat terrain on 3-speed upright bicycles is not unusual outside of the U.S. I've done that myself and would not have benefited much from additional gears. OTOH, a 2 mile commute with a significant hill will benefit greatly from additional gears.
More: City Bikes | LocalMile
Is that round-trip or one way? A short commute is <10 mi. r/t. Anything longer is a moderate commute and IMO would benefit from more than 7sp. I'm shopping for a commuter myself for a 30mi r/t 3x/wk. It will either be a factory OEM e-bike or an e-assist kit added to (short list): Raleigh Redux 1; Salsa Journeyman 650; Breezer Midtown 1.5. I've set up many a flat-bar hybrid bike with the usual commuting amenities (Planet Bike Rack/Fenders/Lights or Bontrager Rack/Fenders/Lights) and buying them myself is better than getting a factory specific commute bike for twice the price with ho-hum parts.
Last edited by CrankyOne; 04-07-20 at 03:56 PM.
#7
Some more good info: A view from the cycle path: Anatomy of a reliable, everyday bicycle
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 285
From: Sacramento
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1 / Cervelo zht
I bought the Raleigh Redux 2 xmas 2019. That's a great bike for commute. Comes standard with 650bx47 tires, 9spd, and hydraulic disc brake. It made quick quick work of the gravel roads around here. I regularly ride 15 to 20 miles on it for fun. For around town, gravel roads, beat up city streets less than 18 mph it was awesome. For my fitness level maintaining speeds above 18mph on the bike was a lot of work.
https://www.raleighusa.com/redux2-r143
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,479
Likes: 4,884
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Is that round-trip or one way? A short commute is <10 mi. r/t. Anything longer is a moderate commute and IMO would benefit from more than 7sp. I'm shopping for a commuter myself for a 30mi r/t 3x/wk. It will either be a factory OEM e-bike or an e-assist kit added to (short list): Raleigh Redux 1; Salsa Journeyman 650; Breezer Midtown 1.5. I've set up many a flat-bar hybrid bike with the usual commuting amenities (Planet Bike Rack/Fenders/Lights or Bontrager Rack/Fenders/Lights) and buying them myself is better than getting a factory specific commute bike for twice the price with ho-hum parts.
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.




