AtlPirate

Hey all,
I am tired of riding my Mtn bike to work and school, because i am tired of being limited with speed, i want to go faster. and the supension sucks a@@ on the road, love it on the trails just not helping me get to work. I was recently at my local Preformance store, and saw a road bike I really really like for $699, however im am wondering if this is ok to ride to school and work? because whatever i buy i want to be able to ride(and keep up with) some friends on the weekends. Can a road bike hadel hoping over and off curbs? will i just mess it up doing city riding? keep in mind i am riding in the heart of ATL. thanks so much.

rpc180

I'm in the same situation. I wanted to start riding in club rides and long distances; but all I had was my heavy steel non-suspension mountain bike. While the majority of road bikes will be fine commuters, some aren't designed to be. My Giant TCR2 doesn't have mounting points for rear racks or panniers - its built to run. Once I got the giant I tried to use it to commute, but I got scared locking up my nice new bike outside my office. So I converted my mountain bike into a commuter - slick tires instead of knobs, a rear rack, panniers, clippless peddles. Its well over 40lbs loaded with stuff for work, no speed demon. But with a 30 mile commute each day, when I get on my giant on the weekends I FLY. In short, keep the mountain bike commuter; it'll handle the potholes and the load fine, and it'll train you to drop everyone and buy a starter road bike - don't go with Giant at Performance (they stopped their contract so service will be difficult). Check out the under $750 road bike thread in the Road Cycling forum, there are some great suggestions there if you can find an LBS that carries the brands.

AtlPirate

The road bike i was lloking at was not giant it was Preformances brand whatever the hell that was i forgot but here are the specs.105 componentry, carbon fork, easton AL frame, Travatrv crank set

rideabike

You might want to look at a cyclocross bike. That will handle the curbs and a lot of off road rides pretty well.

About riding to school and work though - I guess it depends on whether you can take it inside. I wouldn't want to lock up a new bike outside at a school.

AtlPirate

im not worried about lockingg it anywhere at school and work i have indoor storage...i just dont want to get a road bike then have it fall apart cause i hop a few curbs with it.

CBBaron

A touring or cyclocross bike would make a better commuter but a road bike can be used. If you live in an area with rain make sure you have clearance and mounts for fenders. If you use a backpack or messenger bag you can get by without a rack. I've commuted on just about every type of bike you could imagine. They all work. You just need to decide what works best for you. A road bike will be faster but a little less flexible. For myself I have settled on a fixed gear bike. It makes for a light quick bike but is simplier for less maintence and better reliability.
Craig

rpc180

Lots of people like the cyclocross bikes for multipurpose commuter and weekend warriors cause they have the gearing of road bikes with the tire clearances for wider knobbier tires. My thinking was that if I already have a bike I can dedicate to commuting and seriously helps in training, then I might as well get a decent starter road bike and not go "halfway"?

In terms of bike choices, seriously check out "The Under $750 Roadbike Thread" at https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/69273-under-700-roadbike-thread.html. Post #122 on page 5 is a great summary of components and bikes reviewed so far.

BTW - road bikes will be able to handle fairly bad surfaces (think cobblestone) and an occasional bike hop onto a curb. It won't take a straight on run into a curb at speed - but not many bikes can do that The frames will hold, its the wheel rims that will take most of the brusing, but they're by no means fragile. Even low end component sets like the Shimano Sora will probably outlast the use of the bike as a commuter.

Guest

You could always swap out the wheelsets for something a bit stronger too.

Koffee

MichaelW

Figure out what tyre clearance you need for commuting. You only need fat snow tyres if it snows. For cold, wet winters, a 32mm is sufficiently wide. You can then look for a road bike which gives that clearance.
Light touring style bikes make good all-rounders. They are fast and agile on the road but can take a light load. A well built std road wheel will be strong enough for commuting. Go to 36 spokes if you are worried.
Cyclo cross are good for the extra tyre clearance but I find that long drop caliper brakes are more responsive than cantelevers.
I dont see the point in building up a heavyweight commuter. For normal sized people you should be able to build up a fully rigged commuter bike under 30lbs without using exotic lightweight components, just sensible choices.

NoRacer

I just bought a Giant TCR C2 at Performance on the 6th of this month, but before I did, I asked about the contract termination w/Giant. My LBS assured me that service through them would not be affected.

I use mine for commuting--10 miles one way. No problem, because I don't find using a backpack a problem as long as the backpack has waist and chest cinches.

My K2 is in the shop for a new drive train, but it'll probably wind up becoming my GF's bike.

huhenio

I got a hybrid and a fixed gear conversion. So far, both proven to have their advantages and disadvantages.

Variety is the salt of life.

RonH

AtlPirate,
My commuter (see my sig) is a cyclocross. Looks and handles much like a road bike but handles the potholes and crappy roads like a mountain bike.

Go to Intown Bicycles (that's where I got my commuter) and talk to Mike Goodman (the owner) about the kind of bike you'd like. He's a year round bike commuter and weekend roadie. He commutes on a touring bike.

CBBaron

Speaking of road bike commuters I was just on Bianchi's website. They seem to have a couple of new bikes that look to make great commuters. The Castro Valley is a light tourer with dynamo hub, fenders and Vittoria Randonneur tires for ~$800. And more my style the San Jose is a single speed with canti brakes and fender/rack mounts. Both are based on the Volpe cyclocross/touring frame. I might have to call up the local Bianchi dealer to see if they have a San Jose I can try out.
Craig

rpc180

Yup, serivce won't be affected, they'll still do work on the bikes, but I asked about getting some spare Giant proprietary parts - like a whole new frame - and they said that would be difficult and would probably have to go with someone who still had a contract