Which commuter bike would you choose?
09-23-25 | 06:35 AM
#26
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Joined: Apr 2025
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Something steel or aluminum with locking down tube storage would be nice. I bolt combination lock tool tubes to all my bikes so I don't have my air pump and repair tools stolen and don't have to detach them every stop, but it is a big annoying lump:
Meanwhile I've tried carbon components before, but broken them, so don't want carbon. Anything on my bike has to survive a half hour ride to the bus then an hour of rattling on the back bike rack of the bus at 50mph every day, so delicate components that have to be carefully torqued down are out.
Meanwhile I've tried carbon components before, but broken them, so don't want carbon. Anything on my bike has to survive a half hour ride to the bus then an hour of rattling on the back bike rack of the bus at 50mph every day, so delicate components that have to be carefully torqued down are out.
09-23-25 | 11:53 AM
#30
09-25-25 | 07:51 AM
#31
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Something steel or aluminum with locking down tube storage would be nice. I bolt combination lock tool tubes to all my bikes so I don't have my air pump and repair tools stolen and don't have to detach them every stop, but it is a big annoying lump:
Meanwhile I've tried carbon components before, but broken them, so don't want carbon. Anything on my bike has to survive a half hour ride to the bus then an hour of rattling on the back bike rack of the bus at 50mph every day, so delicate components that have to be carefully torqued down are out.
Meanwhile I've tried carbon components before, but broken them, so don't want carbon. Anything on my bike has to survive a half hour ride to the bus then an hour of rattling on the back bike rack of the bus at 50mph every day, so delicate components that have to be carefully torqued down are out.
choddo, he said 50 mph bus ride, not 50 miles.
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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.
09-25-25 | 08:43 AM
#32
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Joined: Apr 2025
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It's an hour bus ride, so works out about the same. 😅
Top tube modification allows attaching a child seat like this for picking my kid up from preschool:
I already had to raise the seat once (with the plywood) and extend the legs lower with a Dremel and bolts, though, so I don't think it will last another 3 months of growth spurts. Going to upgrade to this one next, I suppose:
https://kidsrideshotgun.com/products...hild-bike-seat
Hideously expensive, but that front piece tilts down and becomes really long leg supports. My daughter loves riding in the middle way more than the back, so not many options.
Down tube modification is something called a flick stand. Unfortunately the grooved plastic washer with two positions it normally uses to let it flick up and down between holding the wheel steady or not wore out years ago, so I had to add a spring. It's super valuable for keeping the bike extra steady when loading up a kid in a child seat and her backpack, though. Wish someone would produce a new off the shelf version, though.
Top tube modification allows attaching a child seat like this for picking my kid up from preschool:
I already had to raise the seat once (with the plywood) and extend the legs lower with a Dremel and bolts, though, so I don't think it will last another 3 months of growth spurts. Going to upgrade to this one next, I suppose:
https://kidsrideshotgun.com/products...hild-bike-seat
Hideously expensive, but that front piece tilts down and becomes really long leg supports. My daughter loves riding in the middle way more than the back, so not many options.
Down tube modification is something called a flick stand. Unfortunately the grooved plastic washer with two positions it normally uses to let it flick up and down between holding the wheel steady or not wore out years ago, so I had to add a spring. It's super valuable for keeping the bike extra steady when loading up a kid in a child seat and her backpack, though. Wish someone would produce a new off the shelf version, though.
09-25-25 | 08:54 AM
#33
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I remember those seats looked really great for the kid and really difficult for the dad! Cowboy stop/start and nowhere for the knees to be during pedaling. We tried a front-mount one (Thule copy of the Yepp before they bought Yepp). It had similar problems and I think would be better on a Dutch with a tall short stem. Ultimately the rear-rack kind was the best for me and the first kid. The 2nd go was twins so they started and finished in a trailer. The Shotgun type showed up right around when we were done with preschool
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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."
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 09-25-25 at 08:59 AM.
09-25-25 | 09:00 AM
#35
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Joined: Oct 2017
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From: NJ
Bikes: 68 SS, 72 Fuji Finest, 72 PX-10, 77 Pana Pro 7000, 84 Pinnarello Treviso NR, 84 Trek 520, 88 Project KOM, 90 Trek 750, 91 Trek 930
I"m 72 now but anytime between 10 years ago and 50 it would have been an early '80s Japanese sport bike with fender eyes and clearances; probably made for 27" wheels/ I'd run 700c. Fix gear. Brakes. Fenders. (For both the wet and cleaner clothes all year around. Don't believe me? Do the same dry ride with and without fenders. Hand wash your clothes after each ride.) LowRIder rack and front pannierss. A frame mounted U-lock. Bike only gets cleaned in areas that need work.
Fix gear for simplicity, reliability and the great sense of awareness in traffic. (Assuming you already have fix gear skills.) Now, living in hills could rule that out. Also, fix gear gives better exercise/mile or for a given speed than geared. And is a real plus in slippery conditions. LowRiders and panniers allow carrying real weight while climbing out of the saddle (remember, fix gear). Weight in back twists the entire frame when yo sway the bike to climb the hard stuff and is hard on your arms.
Old, beat up looking bikes stay yours far longer in cites with bike theft. One of the "rules" is see to it there is a better looking bike in the rack than yours. (Hence the no-cleaning except where necessary.)
A well set up steel beater with horizontal dropouts and the appendages I suggested will serve you very well on the commute and can be a fun ride. I would seek out stems to get the fit right on. Jump on for my ride into the city and they first block or two would be the reminder that this isn't my high end road bike. It weighs a lot more. But by about the first 1/2 mile, I'm into the ride on a bike that fits perfectly and suits this ride just as nicely. All's right!
Edit: I had such a fix gear commuter. I called it one bike but everything got replaced at least 4 times, including frames. Frames, years and rough mileages: Parts just came off the last frame and bolted to the next.
Peugeot UO-8 Set up fix gear 1976. Died in a crash 1982. I think about 17k miles fixed. Replaced by:
Sport Schwinn, Japanese built. Stolen 1986 with 8k miles but the Camy fix gear wheel wasn't on it and continued on the:
Sekine. Broke 1990 with about 8k miles. Replaced by:
Miyata 610. Crashed 2010 with 27k miles. Replaced by"
'83 Trek 4-something. Still going with 22k.
Fix gear for simplicity, reliability and the great sense of awareness in traffic. (Assuming you already have fix gear skills.) Now, living in hills could rule that out. Also, fix gear gives better exercise/mile or for a given speed than geared. And is a real plus in slippery conditions. LowRiders and panniers allow carrying real weight while climbing out of the saddle (remember, fix gear). Weight in back twists the entire frame when yo sway the bike to climb the hard stuff and is hard on your arms.
Old, beat up looking bikes stay yours far longer in cites with bike theft. One of the "rules" is see to it there is a better looking bike in the rack than yours. (Hence the no-cleaning except where necessary.)
A well set up steel beater with horizontal dropouts and the appendages I suggested will serve you very well on the commute and can be a fun ride. I would seek out stems to get the fit right on. Jump on for my ride into the city and they first block or two would be the reminder that this isn't my high end road bike. It weighs a lot more. But by about the first 1/2 mile, I'm into the ride on a bike that fits perfectly and suits this ride just as nicely. All's right!
Edit: I had such a fix gear commuter. I called it one bike but everything got replaced at least 4 times, including frames. Frames, years and rough mileages: Parts just came off the last frame and bolted to the next.
Peugeot UO-8 Set up fix gear 1976. Died in a crash 1982. I think about 17k miles fixed. Replaced by:
Sport Schwinn, Japanese built. Stolen 1986 with 8k miles but the Camy fix gear wheel wasn't on it and continued on the:
Sekine. Broke 1990 with about 8k miles. Replaced by:
Miyata 610. Crashed 2010 with 27k miles. Replaced by"
'83 Trek 4-something. Still going with 22k.
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Last new bike 1991
09-26-25 | 09:22 PM
#36
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
A person can commute on any bike; it doesn't take a special bike to do that. I'm 73 and I commuted for years on road bikes with for about 10 years I was riding on 19c tubular tires, then later got into 23c clinchers, and rode on those for most of the years I ran my business, the last 10 years I worked I transitioned to 25c tires. All I had was road bikes, I did later in the late 80s got a mountain bike but never rode it to work.
I knew a guy who commuted for years on one of those industrial cargo trikes! He did that because he would go to the grocery store after work and pick up a bag or two of groceries to take home and put the bags in the rear of the bike that had a cargo area made of metal.
Anyway, any type of bike can be used to commute on, it doesn't need to be special, it doesn't need to be scientifically figured out, just pick a bike and ride it.
I knew a guy who commuted for years on one of those industrial cargo trikes! He did that because he would go to the grocery store after work and pick up a bag or two of groceries to take home and put the bags in the rear of the bike that had a cargo area made of metal.
Anyway, any type of bike can be used to commute on, it doesn't need to be special, it doesn't need to be scientifically figured out, just pick a bike and ride it.
09-26-25 | 10:19 PM
#37
Broken neck Ken
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
My latest commuter is a fixie, with fenders, dyno lighting, tubeless, front disc. Perfect. Fixed is an acquired taste.
Next best was a full rigid MTB, 3x8, lots of mounting points, so rugged, a real workhorse. With 35mm slicks, fairly quick. These days I'd go 1x. I rode that for a decade.
I used a cx bike for a while. Fender mounting was challenging, but it was a blast to ride. Light, super nimble. Fun is good.
Previously had a Priority Eight, belt drive, dyno lighting, fenders, eight speed internal hub. I was always tweaking the shifter. Shredded one belt, broke one rear sprocket. Kind of liked it but in retrospect it was a very fiddly bike.
I commuted on a vintage Schwinn Super Sport drop bar road bike bitd. Nothing wrong with that.
Next best was a full rigid MTB, 3x8, lots of mounting points, so rugged, a real workhorse. With 35mm slicks, fairly quick. These days I'd go 1x. I rode that for a decade.
I used a cx bike for a while. Fender mounting was challenging, but it was a blast to ride. Light, super nimble. Fun is good.
Previously had a Priority Eight, belt drive, dyno lighting, fenders, eight speed internal hub. I was always tweaking the shifter. Shredded one belt, broke one rear sprocket. Kind of liked it but in retrospect it was a very fiddly bike.
I commuted on a vintage Schwinn Super Sport drop bar road bike bitd. Nothing wrong with that.
09-27-25 | 11:14 AM
#38
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I agree it doesn't need to be scientifically designed before you buy or build a bike for commuting. But eventually, science enters the picture when you decide you need to carry cargo, have a bell, or whatever you need.
downtube42, I'm disappointed to hear about the fiddliness of the Priority. All of those features are to prevent fiddliness. Did they use low quality materials?
downtube42, I'm disappointed to hear about the fiddliness of the Priority. All of those features are to prevent fiddliness. Did they use low quality materials?
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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.
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.
09-27-25 | 05:55 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,974
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I agree it doesn't need to be scientifically designed before you buy or build a bike for commuting. But eventually, science enters the picture when you decide you need to carry cargo, have a bell, or whatever you need.
downtube42, I'm disappointed to hear about the fiddliness of the Priority. All of those features are to prevent fiddliness. Did they use low quality materials?
downtube42, I'm disappointed to hear about the fiddliness of the Priority. All of those features are to prevent fiddliness. Did they use low quality materials?
Cargo could be a different story depending on how much cargo you need to carry. Most commuters do not need to carry much, a handlebar bag can carry what most commuters would ever need, and those will fit on any bike. Just as strap on top tube bags can fit on any bike, you might have to measure your top tube length to get a correct size, but otherwise that's it. Obviously if you need to carry a lot of stuff, then panniers are in order and that will limit a person as to what bike they need. I for years just put whatever I needed to take to work in a backpack and wore that, the stuff I needed wasn't heavy, so it was no strain on my back; so I could ride my racing bike into work without attaching handlebar bags, or frame bag, just put it on my back and go. My lights fastened onto the bar, and the taillight onto the seat tube or seat post depending on the bike and if the saddle bag got in the way of it. I also had another taillight on my helmet and ran two headlights on the bars which was dependent upon the season, in daylight savings time I didn't take any front lights and just one rear light on the helmet.
There is no need to make this complicated, because it's not.
09-28-25 | 06:55 PM
#41
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
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Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
A bell has no emotion so that is why I prefer it. I find having to yell at someone is aggressive but the only way to be heard sometimes if not using a bell and some of my free hubs are louder but usually not enough to cut through sometimes. Slowing down is good though,
09-28-25 | 09:32 PM
#42
Broken neck Ken
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,520
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
I agree it doesn't need to be scientifically designed before you buy or build a bike for commuting. But eventually, science enters the picture when you decide you need to carry cargo, have a bell, or whatever you need.
downtube42, I'm disappointed to hear about the fiddliness of the Priority. All of those features are to prevent fiddliness. Did they use low quality materials?
downtube42, I'm disappointed to hear about the fiddliness of the Priority. All of those features are to prevent fiddliness. Did they use low quality materials?
the fiddliness was with the shifting which was always not quite right, and belt tension. On more than one occasion, the internal hub fell into "neutral". Not fun in traffic. Although theoretically belt tension is separate from rear wheel removal, every time i reinstalled the rear wheel, tension was off. Between those two, I was always adjusting something. Contrast that with my current fixed gear commuter, which takes a few drops of chain oil monthly.
09-29-25 | 04:52 AM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: UK
A bell has no emotion so that is why I prefer it. I find having to yell at someone is aggressive but the only way to be heard sometimes if not using a bell and some of my free hubs are louder but usually not enough to cut through sometimes. Slowing down is good though,
And in the shared use path context, I think they sound insistent and assumptive. They also tell the pedestrain nothing about where you intend to go so they just panic.
09-29-25 | 08:37 PM
#44
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
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Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
I always think of these on shared use paths. There isn’t really another context where they make sense for me. If someone steps out into the road I’m reaching for the brakes / calling out / taking avoiding action, not thinking about a bell.
And in the shared use path context, I think they sound insistent and assumptive. They also tell the pedestrain nothing about where you intend to go so they just panic.
And in the shared use path context, I think they sound insistent and assumptive. They also tell the pedestrain nothing about where you intend to go so they just panic.
A bell has no emotion and it requires some brain usage on behalf of the listener. If I am saying something to them it is "Coming up behind you" which again requires brain usage which is important when sharing a path. If they don't have to think they will just again here direction and go in that direction and that is not good for anyone.
09-30-25 | 06:12 AM
#45
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From: UK
Oh yeah I don’t tell people where I’m going, agree that it can often confuse. I just slow right down and say hello and let them look and decide.
You keep saying a bell has no emotion as if it’s an objective fact. - I disagree and it’s a very subjective thing. Depending on specific design, they tend to sound shrill and insistent to me. Not so bad used at distance.
You keep saying a bell has no emotion as if it’s an objective fact. - I disagree and it’s a very subjective thing. Depending on specific design, they tend to sound shrill and insistent to me. Not so bad used at distance.
Last edited by choddo; 09-30-25 at 06:29 AM.
09-30-25 | 01:44 PM
#46
Clark W. Griswold
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Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Oh yeah I don’t tell people where I’m going, agree that it can often confuse. I just slow right down and say hello and let them look and decide.
You keep saying a bell has no emotion as if it’s an objective fact. - I disagree and it’s a very subjective thing. Depending on specific design, they tend to sound shrill and insistent to me. Not so bad used at distance.
You keep saying a bell has no emotion as if it’s an objective fact. - I disagree and it’s a very subjective thing. Depending on specific design, they tend to sound shrill and insistent to me. Not so bad used at distance.
Yes I do say it as fact, it is an inanimate object and emotions are left to animals such as humans. The bell can certainly have different sounds and people can interpret those sounds how they desire using their own emotions but the actual object itself has nothing. I have loads of bells and they don't feel sad or happy or anxiety or whatever other emotions one can feel they just sit there in their metal glory (mostly Spurcycle or Crane). Now the human using the bell could be emoting but the bell itself is just making noise as that is pretty much all it does.
09-30-25 | 03:04 PM
#47
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
When I'm passing by pedestrians close, I predict the worst and expect it to happen. So if they dart to the side, I'm ready to stop and avoid a collision. By default, between a bike and a pedestrian, the bike rider is at fault. If I use my voice, I say hello very slowly, and I prolong the second syllable: helloooooooo. As we move through space, they may not hear more than one or two syllables.
And I agree with choddo that ringing a bell from a distance can be a good way, but you have to plan well.
And I agree with choddo that ringing a bell from a distance can be a good way, but you have to plan well.
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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.
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.
09-30-25 | 03:59 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: UK
Good good, a lot of people do the on your left thing and it ends poorly.
Yes I do say it as fact, it is an inanimate object and emotions are left to animals such as humans. The bell can certainly have different sounds and people can interpret those sounds how they desire using their own emotions but the actual object itself has nothing. I have loads of bells and they don't feel sad or happy or anxiety or whatever other emotions one can feel they just sit there in their metal glory (mostly Spurcycle or Crane). Now the human using the bell could be emoting but the bell itself is just making noise as that is pretty much all it does.
Yes I do say it as fact, it is an inanimate object and emotions are left to animals such as humans. The bell can certainly have different sounds and people can interpret those sounds how they desire using their own emotions but the actual object itself has nothing. I have loads of bells and they don't feel sad or happy or anxiety or whatever other emotions one can feel they just sit there in their metal glory (mostly Spurcycle or Crane). Now the human using the bell could be emoting but the bell itself is just making noise as that is pretty much all it does.
09-30-25 | 05:33 PM
#49
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,445
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
In the case of needing people to move out of the way or alerting I am there it is a more urgent matter, a bell makes that easy.
10-01-25 | 12:50 AM
#50
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From: UK
Say what you mean and mean what you say. Like I said some people could interpret anything as anything. I have seen people who get bent out of shape about saying hello or smiling, so saying a bell is bad is just as silly.
In the case of needing people to move out of the way or alerting I am there it is a more urgent matter, a bell makes that easy.
In the case of needing people to move out of the way or alerting I am there it is a more urgent matter, a bell makes that easy.
well, I’ll personally never have one taking up space on a bike and I’ve not had a problem yet. I do find them entertaining en masse in big events though, especially in tunnels.