Bike choices
 

Hi guys,

You've all heard it a million times and I apologize. I'm looking for a bike that I can commute with but still be happy going on bike paths from time to time. I'm looking to commute 5 miles each way daily. I've done a bit of research and went to my bike shop and the two they recommend are:

The Giant FCR-3:
http://centurycycles.com/itemdetails...ogId=1&id=2078

The Raleigh Route 1:
http://centurycycles.com/itemdetails...ogId=1&id=1870

Are these good bikes for the price range to do what I'm looking to do? I guess they are road bikes, but can still do a little unpaved bike "pathing." Is there anything better or cheaper that I could get by with?

Thanks a lot,

-Mike

I have the Raleigh Route 24 (the next step up from the Route 1) and love it. It has a smooth and easy ride and can get me up to speed in no time. I commute 8 miles each way on the road. I often take it on the local crushed limestone path and it handles well. However, terrain much rougher than that would at least require different tires. I've found it to be a very functional commuter/all-around bicycle. I don't really know much about other bikes in the price range - sorry - but I can say that I believe I've gotten value out of my Raleigh.

I took a quick look. I think those two would be classed as flat-bar road bikes.
They have road bike geometry but with flat bars and wider tires. Both should be fine on hard dirt road. Not going to be able to go places a full on mtn. bike might go. Both have typical road triple gears. The Giant has a little lower gearing. That might be better if you are out of shape and have some decent hills to climb. At the other end, I doubt you will ever use the 52-11 high gear.

Fit is important. Are you comfortable? 5 miles isn't terribly far, but you may want to ride longer too. I find flat mtn. bike bars very uncomfortable. However that is what is in style.

For commuting you want a bike that can handle taking whatever you need back and forth to work. I'd pick a bike that will fit a rack and fenders.

Better. There are many bikes that are "better". How much do you want to spend?

Cheaper? In new bike, I wouldn't want to go cheaper than what you are looking at. Used opens up all sorts of possibilities.

not to add to the mess but i have a kona smoke and love it. sometimes its a little heavy when my legs are tired. but it is solid.

I think I was in a similar situation such as you. I ended up buying a schwiin super sport comfort 2006 model a couple of months ago. I paid $299 at performance (closeout sale). It has road bike tires and a flat bar like a mountain bike. I installed bar ends to move my hands around when I go on long rides. The components aren't top of the line, but I'll upgrade them when the time comes. I will use this as a commuter and for quick runs to the grocery store.

You can still find it at the schwinn site.

Performance was able to get a model that was my size from another branch. They didn't charge me shipping either.

Another model you can look at is the fuji absolute (lowest model 1.0?) Similar to the schwinn.

Also, took a quick look at the bikes. My only concern would be the tires, 700c x 28? That is a narrow tire. I have 32s on my bike and am always a little more concerned, cautious when on anything other than pavement. Just my $0.02.

Thank you everyone for you're responses.

I'm looking to spend around $500.00 or less.

I was doing some looking around and saw a lot of people recommend Surly Cross Checks. Is there any way I could build one cheaply? Sure it wouldn't have top end components. Most of the ones I see are around $1,000. Couldn't you build one cheaper or are you better off to buy a built bike for that price?

I'm considering the GIANT FCR-3 at this point. Anyone have experience with that?

Thanks a lot,

-Mike

Mike,

Is Century your LBS? If so, which one? I've been doing business with Century for a long time, mostly in Peninsula, and they are really great folks. Test ride both bikes and determine which one fits you best. Frankly a custom built or even complete Cross Check is going to be out of your price range.

Cross Check frame set is about $400. Unless you can get all the parts for free you are not even close to budget. I've been watching them sell on eBay and even the used ones go for mid threes.

kona is $400

Yeah, Kona Smoke or Kona Dew (Dew is 100 bucks more) will give you a lot of bike for your buck, particularly where the frame is concerned. They are also going to handle well for their price range off road, but this may not be a concern for you. I think the dew comes with knobby tires, which you'll probably want to change for road riding.

Have you considered the Trek FX series? Looks pretty similar to the 2 in your original post. I got my 7.2 at my LBS on sale for $389.99. I love it, and I've put 430 miles on it since I bought it in late March. It has 700x35 tires, so slightly wider than the ones you were looking at. It's only the 2nd bike I've had as an adult...the first was a crappy dual suspension $90 xmart special that I only used a few times before giving up on it. I think any of these bikes will be great

Here's a link to Trek's description of the 7.2FX.
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1323010&f=26

Thanks for the replies all. Yes, the LBS is Century. The Medina one. I went out and test rode both and prefer the Giant. It is a lot smoother and just feels better all around. I'll take a look into the bikes you all suggested as well.

Thank you,

-Mike

I see you came over to the commuter forums, Mike. Welcome.

Either bike will work for what you want to do. Either one will do relatively mild trails (rail trails and dirt roads) but both will suffer if you try to go on trails that have roots or rocks. They just don't have the clearance needed.

Another item to consider is that both have 52/11 top gears. That's really tall. I live in a state with lots of long steep downhills and I've given up my 52/11 for something more reasonable. Living where you do, I don't know that you'd get much use out of that high a gear. See if you can either swap the chainrings for a 48/38/26 or see if they would change the cassette to something like a 12-30 or a 13-30. The cassette is more likely because at this price point, I doubt that the chainrings are changeable. You're knees will appreciate it and you'll get more use out of your gearing.

I vote for the Smoke as well. I use mine as my primary commuter and it's solid. It rides pretty smooth and plows through most bumps in the road that I'd be scared to ride a road bike over.

Don't know if your LBS carries the line, but what about a Jamis Commuter?