goodcow

UPDATE: I have my bike now, see my update at post #17.

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Hi everyone,

So, I haven't been bike riding regularly since I was a teenager. I'm 22 now, and considering riding about 12 miles each way to and from work, from Manhattan to Queens.

Last night, I borrowed a friend's generic $150 or so Huffy mountain bike just to see if I could manage the commute, and did it this morning.

https://www.goodcowfilms.com/web/bike...ne10_step3.png (Google maps)

That route isn't exact, but basically correct. It took 87 minutes, including getting lost a few times and having to consult a paper map, and resting on two big inclines, namely trudging up the 59th St. Bridge. Other than that though, I felt completely fine, and not tired at all by the end of it, so I think I can manage this commute just fine. This brings me to a slew of questions concerning bike ownership:

1) My budget is probably up to $800 or so. I went to a bike shop and explained my situation a bit, and they recommended this bike based on my budget: https://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9821 - Thoughts on this bike? I've never been on a bike with smaller width tires like that, and I have to wonder if that'd be optimal for a commute through the rugged terrain of NYC streets. What suggestions do you folks have for a bike for me?

2) Recommendations for a high quality lock? What kind of helmet am I going to want? Are there certain safety certifications to look for? What do I look for in pants/shirts?

3) Are biking shoes really necessary? If I just wear my regular work shoes (casual ubran, I guess), but with a good pair of socks, like the Thorlo level 3 padded ones, wouldn't that be fine? It's not like my feet hurt or anything after riding today.

4) For NYers: The route was basically: down Northern to College Point, go south to Roosevelt, then west until it merges into Queens Blvd., then down Queens Blvd. and over the bridge. Is this a good route? Alternate routes?

5) Anything else that can be suggested or asked of me would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance!

Nycycle

I don't and never will live in NYC, but my hat is off to you, if each day another person parks that monster and straddles that fun thing, we are that much closer to a quiet, safer, healthier world. Thank You

BigMacFU

Buy a used bike that costs between 150-250 (steel road/touring bike). B's Bikes in Williamsburg usually has a good selection and they're not out to rip anybody off.

Spend the money on Kryptonite Faghedaboutit U-Lock and Chain Lock and register your bike with the NYPD and Krytponite so you can claim the 4500 dollar insurance if the bike is ever stolen.

Buy the cheapest helmet you can find on nashbar.com (free shipping through tomorrow).

I prefer powergrips so I can wear regular shoes or boots in the winter (though I wouldn't use them with dress shoes).

For shirts, get the dri-fit or underarmour type shirts that wick moisture away (don't want to use cotton). If you don't want to wear something skin tight, get the tennis or golf versions of these shirts, they're loose and have collars. Definitely get moisture wicking socks too. Cheap pair of bike gloves is good so your hand doesn't turn into hamburger meat after a fall.

No need for bikeshorts, spend the money on a nice brooks B17 or B62 saddle and wear whatever is comfortable and cool (I like my dickies shorts).

You'll probably want a rack for your bike too. Hopefully the one you buy comes with one. Nashbar Day Trekker Panniers are pretty convenient for hauling some clothes, books, lunch and flat repair stuff. Can hold the locks well too.

Finally, get yourself a good red blinkie for the rear (planetbike superflash) and a solid white/yellow blinkie for the front (any 5-15 dollar one will do). These lights are for being seen, not to see by. When winter comes, you'll need lights that actually illuminate the path.

That's all I can think of for now.

gsk3

Use two locks: a mini U-lock through the frame and rear wheel and a thick cable through the front wheel and frame. Supposedly thieves usually only carry the tools to break one or the other, plus it makes your bike much less attractive than the one locked up next to yours. Using a mini U instead of a regular one is more convenient, plus makes it harder to fit a crowbar in and get leverage. Pull absolutely everything off your bike, as people in big cities will grab lights/pumps even if they can't get the frame.

Ari

gwhalin

Definitely use 2 locks (I use a mini-u and a nyc chain, both kryptonite brand). Also, if it were me, I think I would go w/ a cheap single speed off of Craigslist. NYC is basically flat, and having a nice simple bike is a plus. As to your commute, I hear bad things about Queens Blvd, but I can't say as I bike much in Queens.

Leisesturm

My recommendation is that you avoid full size bikes and get a folder for commuting even though they do not handle as well or rather that they handle too well (twitchy). A Giant Halfway or Dahon Speed 8 or something in the $500 - $600 range will see you mounted on decent iron for the ride. Super heavy and expensive locks become redundant when you can fold your bike and stick it in a corner of your cubicle. A <$20 cable lock suffices for the occasional trips into a pharmacy or convenience store that won't allow you to bring your bike inside. I would leave an expensive, heavy 5lb chain at the worksite or bike lock station even if it means having two of them at each end of the commute. If you must get a 700C bike then so be it but avoid 26" mountain bikes, hybrids are ok, just ok, the problem is the tires. For a 12m commute you want the lightest frame (aluminum) and wheels that will fit in your budget. 28mm is probably as big a tire as you want to roll around on and should be fine if you keep your eyes open for road hazards. Agreed about the helmet. I got an $85 Giro helmet for $40 by buying a 2005 model in 2006, from Nashbar and yes, red rear blinkie and clear forward blinkie.

H

jyossarian

A skinny tire bike is fine and will be faster. Lots of us NYers commute on skinny tire bikes. Pedals, go w Powegrips or clips and straps if you want to use you work shoes. Locks, use a U-lock and a chain, not cable lock. If the guy can clip the U-lock, the cable won't slow him down. I use Kryptonite locks, but Abus and Granit also make good locks. Helmet-wise, something w/ lots of vents since summer's coming up. Also, check the New Commuter tips sticky for tips on carrying clothes, tools and how to washup at work.

rhm

I agree. I rode a Strida around NYC until last month or so, and now ride a Downtube Mini. I wouldn't recommend the former for 16 miles one way, but the Mini is fine for that. I ride mine over Queensborough bridge, no problem. The great thing about a folding bike is that if for some reason you don't want to ride home, you can take it on the subway. And of course you can probably take it into your workplace and not worry about locking it outside... in which case you're saving the weight and expense of locks, which is a big plus.

I was going to object to this, but I guess it's true, I don't ride the Mini with no hands. Other than that, it rides really nicely.

whatsmyname

By the way, there are free bike route maps available from bike shops and (most) subway stations. I notice you're going down a lot of big roads - imho, you'd be better off going down those routes or at least smaller parallel streets until you find your optimal route. F Queens Blvd for a start! There's a dedicated cycle lane on 34th Ave that goes parallel to Northern Blvd, for instance.

Looking at my map now,

tlu625

I've lived in Queens for 5 years now (in Jackson Heights and Woodside) and as a bicycle commuter (into Manhattan) and a driver, I can definitively say that is is not a good idea to ride down Queens Blvd, Roosevelt Blvd or Northern Blvd if you can help it. Queens Blvd and Northern Blvd are probably the two busiest roads that run through Queens, and drivers routinely speed down them (they don't call Queens Blvd "the Boulevard of Death" for nothing - though, it's usually pedestrians that are trying to cross against the light that get killed), and Roosevelt is usually pretty busy with buses and car service sedans always pulling over or stopping in the single lane. Plus the 7 train over-head doesn't exactly make riding down Roosevelt very enjoyable. I can't think of 3 streets in Queens I enjoy riding down less. Well, actually, the section of Queens Blvd you ride down is the same section I ride down, and it's not TOO bad.

I second whatsmyname's suggestion of getting a bike route map (you can download it from transalt.org, though it's a huge PDF file... better to get a paper copy) and I also agree with riding down the 34th Ave bike lane. I ride and run down 34th Ave regularly, and traffic is not too bad.

Actually, here's one possible route you could try. It may look like a lot of twists and turns, but from the Q-boro bridge to Shea stadium it takes you through mostly residential areas that are quieter. Past Shea Stadium, I just relied on the bike route map, because I've never actually ridden over there.

https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1092972

But seriously, the more you can avoid busy streets in Queens, the better, as long as it doesn't take you too far away from the most direct route. Anyway, commuting by bike isn't necessarily about the most direct route; if you were really concerned about getting there quickly, you'd probably be better off taking the subway.

As far as equipment goes: red led light (rear), white led light (front), helmet, spare tube, patch kit, pump, tire levers are essential. I've caught at least 3-4 flats in the Long Island City area (very industrial area, broken glass and metal bits all around) and once in the middle of the Queensboro Bridge, and while there are a few bike shops around, there are long stretches on your route with no bike shop within convenient walking distance. Also, you should probably bring a metrocard... if worse comes to worse, you're always going to be somewhat near a subway station.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about the area, and happy commuting.

Hoshnasi

Great ideas from eveyone above. Following them will yeild satisfactory results

Whats the status on storage. Where will you keep your bike? If I were you I would hop onto Craigslist and check out some single speed or fixed gear bikes. They are cheap in most cases and often as light or lighter then even the example you gave that the bike shop recomended. You do loose the gears, but if don't use them than nothing lost, but something that can break.

lesterdog

Seconded. And to make your life easier, get them same-keyed. Call onguard customer service and they'll ship you a same keyed boxer chain lock and mini u. Added advantage: you get TEN keys to lose!

chephy

Thinner high-pressure tires are fine; preferable, in fact. They help you go faster. However, I won't be locking up a brand new $800-dollar bike in NYC every day. I'd either find a way to bring the bike inside in a secure location, or would go with a used bike off craigslist (a 10-speed in good shape or an older all-rigid mtb). It would be less attractive to thieves, and if it does get lifted, you are not out of too much money. If you're going to be carrying stuff, you'll probably want to attach a rack to your bike (although many people get by fine with a backpack or a messenger bag - just be aware that your back will be much sweatier if you wear stuff on it).

Kryptonite brand, New York or Evolution series. Use a U-lock to lock a frame and a rear wheel, and a cable to secure anything else that's quick-release (front wheel, saddle). Anything you can take with you (lights etc.) - do.

AFAIK all bicycle helmets meet certain regulations. The $200 Giro wonder isn't going to protect you any better than a $15 cheapy from Walmart. You pay the extra bucks for better fit, greater comfort, lighter weight and superior ventilation. So the main consideration when buying a helmet is how well it fits you and whether you like the look of it. Ventilation is important too: better helmets actually keep your head cooler than it would've been with no helmet on.

Polyester stuff is good. Wool is good. Cotton is not good, especially in shirts (less crucial in pants, since legs don't tend to sweat as much). Lots of people think bike shorts are a must for any distance over 10 miles, while lots get by just fine without them. Your preference.

The main reason to wear bike shoes is because if you use a special cleat and pedal system you can actually clip into the pedals for additional efficiency. If you don't want that kind of pedal, any pair of reasonably stiff-soled shoes will be just fine.

Industrial

Maybe you've seen this, maybe not. These guys have skinny tires and big balls. The main thing you really have to worry about with skinnier tires is keeping them inflated near their max psi. Riding through the city I personally wouldn't use anything thinner than 28s(most regular road bike tires are 23s, mountain bike tires are closer to 45-50s for reference).

Saintly Loser

Hey there, goodcow. Fellow Queens commuter here, although my ride is quite a bit shorter than yours (I live in Astoria, and commute to the Chrysler Building, at 42nd and Lexington).

Coupla things: It's great that you've got $800 to spend on a commuter, but if you've got to lock your bike up outside your office, like I do, I'd recommend spending less than that. I ride a Fuji Crosstown. Relatively inexpensive hybrid-style frame. Came with fenders, a sprung seatpost and a suspension fork (although it's available without the suspension fork, which is, IMHO, a complete waste of money, at least for commuting). The only drawback to the inexpensive bike is that the low-end components are starting to show some signs of wear, but the cost of replacement is low compared to the replacement cost of a more expensive theft-magnet bike.

Fenders are obligatory for a commuter, in my opinion, especially if you, like me, commute in your work clothes. Even if you don't ride in the rain, you don't want to spash up that nasty slime that leaks off garbage trucks and all the other effluvia of New York City. You'll need a rack, too. Those who recommend various panniers are right on track, but I get by with folding baskets from Wald. They work great, they're cheap, and they don't attract the attention of the less honest among us. If you ride after dark, blinkies are a necessity. You probably don't need a real headlight, since the streets of NYC are usually well-lit enough to see where you're going at any time of night.

As to locks, I get by with an Onguard mini-U lock. For the wheels and seatpost, I bought locking skewers. They're available from Pinhead Components or Pitlock, and they save you from having to carry around extra locks for the wheels.

As to walking the bike up the incline on the Queensboro Bridge, you could always get a bike with a triple crank. In any case, I'd bet money that after a week or two of commuting, at most, you'll be pedaling up the bridge and wondering why you ever needed to walk.

Enjoy the ride! I love commuting by bike. It wakes me up in the morning, it makes me feel great, physically and mentally, and it really is the best, quickest and most enjoyable way to get around New York.

Saintly Loser

Oh, one more thing -- biking shoes are not a necessity for commuting. In my opinion, they're just one more thing you'll have to carry around. You can commute just fine on plain old platform pedals. Someone mentioned Power Grips, which are great if you're looking for maximum efficiency. There are also available plastic half-clips which are pretty good for at least keeping your feet positioned properly on the pedals, even if they don't allow for much upward force on the pedal.

Keep it simple. That's what works for me. Get a bike you can ride in your everyday clothes and shoes. THere's no need to spend a ton of money. The standards of performance for road biking are not the same standards that should be applied to commuting.

goodcow

Hey everyone, I didn't realize people were still responding to this several weeks later.

Here's my biking update.

I bought the Raleigh Passage 5.5 for $480:
https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=7&itemid=334

I also bought the Kryptonite NYFU lock, though I've yet to use it, as luckily I'm able to store my bike inside the office, and I keep it inside my apartment as well.

I'm really enjoying the Raleigh, I got it Wednesday night, and I've put 100+ miles on it so far.

My route this morning at least, was over the 59th St. Bridge, down Queens Blvd. until Roosevelt started, and then Roosevelt until it merged into Northern. I have the free bike map now, and I'm going to look into alternative routes, including the one tlu625 posted, but I don't really "mind" the current route. Commuting to work by bus/subway is a 90 minute ordeal, this morning I did it in 74. I actually kind of like going down Roosevelt because of the tressel shade from the 7. I do miss not being able to read the NY Times though on the way. Tonight I think I'm going to go home using the 34th Ave. route.

Drivers on Queens Blvd./Roosevelt/Northern actually seem to be considerate of my biking and not aggressive, even the livery cabs. Then again, I'm obeying traffic signals and not blowing through at tremendous speed. In fact, my biggest gripe are the idiots who jaywalk and pop out of nowhere. I had to hard brake yesterday going down Roosevelt because some guy popped out of nowhere and was jaywalking, and then I got a dirty look from him, as if it were my fault.

So yeah, I'm really enjoying the bike, and the bridge seems to be getting easier each time I do it.

whatsmyname

rock on, goodcow! we'll probably cross paths over the 59th street bridge...