Can anyone recommend a good commuting bike?
09-24-07, 08:49 AM
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Can anyone recommend a good commuting bike?
I need to buy a new bike this week, I currently have an old Peugeot road bike that I love but it’s almost 20 years old and not really worth repairing. I’ve tried a few hybrids out but have found that I don’t like the high position.
Road bikes on the other hand are great but most only have the drop-down handle bars as opposed to the upright ones which I much prefer. I’ve been looking at the Giant FCR 3 (£350) which seems like a good compromise. Has anyone got one of these bikes – are they any good, or perhaps you can recommend something else?
I’m commuting 90 miles a week and my budget is not huge, between £300 - £400. Help!
Road bikes on the other hand are great but most only have the drop-down handle bars as opposed to the upright ones which I much prefer. I’ve been looking at the Giant FCR 3 (£350) which seems like a good compromise. Has anyone got one of these bikes – are they any good, or perhaps you can recommend something else?
I’m commuting 90 miles a week and my budget is not huge, between £300 - £400. Help!
09-24-07, 08:55 AM
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I hate to be contrary, but if you love it, it's probably worth repairing the Peugeot. It can't really need £300 of repairs, can it? Anyway, to my ears the words "worth it" really only make sense if you're thinking about resale value.
09-24-07, 08:59 AM
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I'm a bit confused you hate the upright position of a hybrid and don't like the low drop bars on a road bike? In any case most of the time you should be on top of the brake hood on a road bike. I commute on an old 7 speed trek bonded aluminum road bike with 25c kevalar belted tires and dt shifters and I find it great for long distance commuting.
09-24-07, 11:41 AM
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I commute into Boston, also about 90 miles a week and ride a Trek 7100 Hybrid. It cost me around $330 at my LBS and has been a good choice for me. If I had to do it over again, I would have bought the 7200 (better rims, 24 speed vs. 21). I like the upright position, as it allows me to keep a better eye on the traffic around me. If you don't like the high position, maybe you can find a hybrid or road bike with flat handlebars.
It is not great when the wind picks up, but I just tell myself that I am going to get a better work out that day. Fitness is one of my big motivators for bicycle commuting. I guess it is all in how you look at it. Just my $0.02.
It is not great when the wind picks up, but I just tell myself that I am going to get a better work out that day. Fitness is one of my big motivators for bicycle commuting. I guess it is all in how you look at it. Just my $0.02.
09-24-07, 01:26 PM
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I love my 1982 peugeot for commuting. Even though I own some very nice new bikes, I prefer to commute on the old bike. I turned it into a single speed and LOVE it. It hangs pretty much as fast as my Dura Ace equipped road bike.
There are real benefits of riding a faster older bike such as it not being such a big deal if it crashes or gets stolen. It is also less of a theft magnet.
I personally did not like the look of my old brake levers and bars so I completely re-did the front end of the bike, going with a new stem, bars, and cane creek levers. I think it looks great now.
So....you might consider giving your old road bike another chance. What exactly is unsafe about it?
That said, if you don't love the bike, you won't commute on it and that is what really matters.
There are real benefits of riding a faster older bike such as it not being such a big deal if it crashes or gets stolen. It is also less of a theft magnet.
I personally did not like the look of my old brake levers and bars so I completely re-did the front end of the bike, going with a new stem, bars, and cane creek levers. I think it looks great now.
So....you might consider giving your old road bike another chance. What exactly is unsafe about it?
That said, if you don't love the bike, you won't commute on it and that is what really matters.
