I'm a backpack fan. I do have a messenger bag and paniers. I use the backpack more than either of the other two. No reason for it. I just do. They are all fine.

I used to carry a backpack on my ride to and from campus but recently started using those collapsable baskets that hang on the sides of a rack (with bungee cords to tie things down). It's less sweaty and a far more comfortable to ride this way, once you get over the nerdy cargo-bike feeling. A messenger bag wouldn't work because I have to carry at least a laptop and several large books and all the weight one one strap was very uncomfortable, and probably bad for your back/shoulder.

As far as locking goes, just remember that it doesn't need to be theft-proof, it just needs to be harder to steal than any comparable or nicer bikes nearby.

Also, if you are going to buy a bike through mail-order or online, pick out what you want, then go to your LBS to find out what they will charge to assemble it and mention what you are getting and where from. They may try to cut you a deal on something they stock that will be the same as or cheaper than the mail order + local assembly. If nothing else they might be able to tell you if they have experienced problems in the past with bikes from wherever you are planning to order.

Thanks again guys, I was looking at the hill this afternoon and it has a pretty wide bike lane...well im not sure if it's a bike lane but it's a white solid line and then about 5 feet of asphalt then sandy shoulder. It's on both the up side and the down side. I will post pictures tomorrow afternoon. Also, does anyone have an opinion on the Kona Dew? Soemone recommended it in a previous post. It's about 399, so not too expensive and I can buy a good road bike later.

Could be a bike lane, could be a shoulder - doesn't really matter as long as the pavement is good. Ride it! At least on the way up. On the way down - it depends on the steepness of the hill and your own speed. Sometimes the only safe thing is to take the whole lane going down or to really hold the brakes on descent.

Kona is a very good company. Kona Dew looks like the right sort of bike if you're not looking to spend that much. I think you won't be disappointed.

Yeah, I just called the bike shop near riverside that carries Kona, and the owner said that no bike shop carries dew's anymore or something. But they do have the Smoke which comes with fenders...so i'm probably going to go in next week and try a few of those out. He also recommended the KHS Urban X which he also has in a similar price range.

Edit: I also calculated my mileage for commuting to school, and it's 5 miles exactly, so 10 miles round trip.

What route is that? I was looking at the campus in google maps and there are some big hills around there!

Well, here's the link https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=335855
If you look at the very beginning of my route, I take the detour through the residential area as the main road (Alessandro) is kind of congested and kind of scary. Right after I get out of the residential area(Turning right onto cactus avenue which isn't the name of the road...it's canyon crest) that's the hill I was going to take pictures of tomorrow, it's a pretty long hill...

1. Try the Kryptonite U-Locks, get a newer one that DOESNT have a cylindrical key, and you can get bike coverage **** where if youre bike is stolen while using their lock, they replace the bike like up to a couple thousand bucks

2. it has to do with your rim size too and frame and fork size as to what size tire you can use, but for road bike, 700c is what you usually use, most are 700x25 and when it comes to potholes and such, look for a slighly wider tire if you can, not too wide of course, and get a durable tire such as armadillos or the gator skin **** by continental

3. i honestly didnt feel much of a difference with disk brakes when i test rode a bike with them, just get some good brakes and just try to have a knowledge of an average distance it takes you to stop, and when its wet just keep that in mind and double the distance and brake sooner just like if you were driving

4. if there is a sidewalk use it if you feel safer, if not, stay as far to the side as you safely can, and slowly work on increasing the speed you feel safe at... you may want to also look into seeing if there are streets parallel to it that have less traffic and try using them

5. depending on your standover height, i would suggest a 56-58cm frame

6.i use a backpack, its a must to have another shirt with you though, even when its cold your back gets sweaty... you could also try a basket either on the front or rear, or try paniers, you may not like the look but if you have to carry 20 to 30 pounds, and dont want a stiff back its a good choice...

7. I preffer drop bars... I used to use flat, and when i switched it didn't feel right at first, but the more I used them the more I liked it... With alot of drop bars you can hold on just like with flat bars, AND you can still change hand positions... I usually keep my hands similar to how you would on flat bars on mine while riding straight and a little slower, and when i have to ride faster, brake, or go uphil put my hands on the lower parts and lean forward a little...

One note on brakes then, since you have a big hill. IF you find a bike with discs in your price range with nice components etc, they might be worth getting. The reason is that they can take a lot more heat and they'll probably last longer than rim brakes (I mean the pads won't wear out as quickly) if you use them extensively while going down a big hill.

Plenty of people use rim brakes on large hills of course. However I'd say no matter which brakes you get, try not to drag the brakes the whole way down the hill. That builds up a lot of heat and can lead to brake fade. You're better off to brake until you're going slower than you want, let off and coast until you're going faster than you want, then apply the brakes again. That way they can cool off between applications.

Another thing you can do if you want to drag the brakes is to alternate which brake you're dragging. Front first, then rear, then front, etc. That way while one is being used, the other is cooling off.

Hey guys, I was looking at the gmap for a while and found an alternate route. I can skip the hill by going through a residential area next to the hill.It adds on another mile both ways but it seems like it would work. As you can see(If you turn on elevation) most of my commute is downhill going there. Also, if you look at the route, I have to turn left on one stop light, and in the middle of one street with oncoming traffic. I'm fine with turning right but turning left makes me nervous. How would I go about turning left at a stop light? Just signalling with my arm, and getting into the actual car lane in the center(And taking up space in front of a car)? Or next to a car? and turning with them?

The easiest way to turn left is to either get to the left hand sidewalk before the turn, then make the left turn ahead of traffic from the pedestrian crossing area, or cross the street in the right most lane, then wait for the light to change in the new direction.

If you have a red light and are in the right lane... go to the center left of the right lane as you slow to the light (so cars in that lane don't pass you, then cut accross left in front of the other lanes waiting at the red light. Wait for light change at the other crosswalk. Always yield to peds and go slow enough not to scare 'em.