Hi there.

I am currently in the market for a decent, reliable commuter bike. I've done some reading around here and a few different websites about what characteristics I need to pay attention to when considering a bike for commuting. As it stands, my commute to both work and university and in a very similar direction and in total would be about 6 kilometers each way. I am 6'0 165lbs with an athletic build. Ideally, i'd like a bike built (assembled?) in Canada. With that said, here are a few I am considering but I'd really like some recommendations.

Brodie Quantum - $649 https://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/quantum.php#

Trek SU 2.0 - $669 https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/2008/urban/

Louis Garneau Atlantis (mens) - https://www.louisgarneau.com/catalogs...=ENG&website=1

Things to consider
- I'm looking to spend $700 canadian (preferably less).
- I currently own a chinese mountain bike that absolutely sucks for commuting. I don't want an extraordinary bike, just something well built, reliable and fairly quick.
- I'd like something that supports fenders (or better yet includes them).
- Something fairly comfortable to ride but also fairly quick when I'm in a hurry.

thanks
Adrian

That Brodie looks WAY too upright for my personal taste, but to each his own. Have you considered Rocky Mountain? Their RC series is pretty good as far as Hybrids go, and it is a Canadian company. The RC-30 I think would run you roughly $800, so a bit more than you wanted to spend but it is all Canadian.

thanks for the reply. i downloaded the rocky mountain brochure and the rc-10 is in my price range ($599). I'll definitely check that out at a local bike shop. I'd like a bike where i'm not sitting completely upright so thanks for mentioning that.

I'd also look for an internal gear hub to keep maintenance low, and a chainguard to allow for riding in all kinds of clothing.

With that said, take a look at the Bianchi Milano.

that's something i've read a few times and i'll definitely take into consideration.

however, i am having a hell of time finding a dealers list for Bianchi and as such I'm wondering if they have a list of canadian dealers somewhere (i'm in saskatchewan). I'd want to be able to ride one around, try it out, etc.

I'd look at the Brodie Dynamo if that were my price range. Of course, that's my biased opinion, as I have a Brodie Ronin on order.....

I hear that comment about the internal geared hubs all the time. I live and commute around Seattle where it's wet a large portion of the year. The modern 8 speed nexus hubs might have the appropriate range for the climbing I do, but frankly I just clean my chain and rear cassette once a month. I'm even open to the idea, and have laced my own wheels

On the topic of maintenance, if you get a commuter that uses a MTB style drivetrain (most hybrids do), replacement parts are significantly less expensive and in some cases they are also more durable than road equivalents.

Of the above,I'd go for the Trek. It'll take fenders easily,has disc brakes for rain/snow,and should have clearance for wider tires so you can run the stock slicks in the summer and wider knobbies in the winter. If you want more hand positions than the flat bar,or to be able to tuck in and get aero,you can swap on a trekking bar for cheap and it will use your stock controls.

Point of clarity... I love Rockies too, but pretty much all their bikes are made in Taiwan these days. I *think* Devinci still does most of their welding in Quebec, if country of origin matters to anyone.

thanks for the replies everyone. it is much appreciated.

i should note that i only plan on biking about 5-6 months of the year or when there is no snow on the ground and it is somewhat warm out.

i am going to around to a few bike shops to determine what i am looking at for everything price wise when it is all said and done. now that i've read a bit here i have a better understanding of what to look for and what questions to ask - i will post back here once i've gone around to some local shops.

another bike i'd like opinions about:

Brodie Dynamo $699 https://brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/dynamo.php

If you've got a Kona dealer nearby, check out the Dew series. Pretty close to the Brodie design wise, with slightly different parts spec.

i have just recently bought a new bike...and i was torn between the SU 2.0 and the Soho S from Trek...i ended up going with the singlespeed just because ive always wanted one and i dont need a whole lot of diversity from my commuter bike but the SU is a beaut and it seems pretty solid so if you dig it give it a spin and let us know because both of those fell into my price range so i bought it haha. let us know how it goes.

A Kona Dew (Deluxe) can take a serious licking. I've gotten my $565 (2005 price) out of it several times over.

You will find some nice options on this page profiling 2008 commuter bikes. I put photos and descriptions on there, along with prices.

I picked up a Fuji Crosstown 2.0 for $375.00 performance bike on sale its been a good commuting bike. They sell them but don't list on website never have? don't know why but price was right for a commuting bike for me.
By the way this model comes with fenders I replaced the tires with a set of 700c 23 Vredestein Fortezza SE and swapped out the cassette with a 12-23 rolls nicely for my commutes.

As far at the Trek goes, instead of the SU 2.0, test ride the 7.3 FX. I love mine for commuting, it's fairly quick and the 700x32 tires soak up road vibration. It's built for a rack and fenders. I paid only $529 last October, then added some trekking bars ($25) and fenders ($25) and rack ($30.) The next thing I'll do is get a Brooks leather saddle for comfort.

I love it so far, but your results may vary.

hmmm... it's $699 canadian MSRP which is definitely in the upper echelon in terms of how much i'd want to spend on a bike, but it is only $30 more than the SU 2.0. perhaps i should try looking for last years model.

what is the big difference between the 2 bikes?

I have a Jamis Commuter 3.0. It is a great bike! It has an 8 speed internal hub, fenders, built in suspension seat post and fits the commuter role rather well. I also added a light, rack and a Perfomance Metro pannier bag. It was $535 U.S.

https://tinyurl.com/24qvjp

Good luck on your search! Isn't this fun?

here are my impressions from some bikes i tested today.

Gary Fisher Wingra: This bike feels pretty solid. Fairly light but also well built. Seems like a good choice. This is my 2nd favorite bike that I rode.
Gary Fisher Cronus: Looks awesome, but i wasn't digging the ride. The bike sales guy made it sound like a really good bike.
Trek 7.2 FX: Same as thr Wingra mostly, but felt a little heavier and i didn't like the look as much.
Trek 7.3 FX: Couldn't really differentiate between 7.2/7.3 on the small track i was on.
Trek SU 2.0: They didn't have one in stock, I'm going to try to get them to order one for me to try out.
Trek Soho S: By far my favorite of the bunch. Light, insanely simple, felt fairly fast and i really like how connected you feel to the bike.

As it stands i'm gonna go check out some other bikes at other shops but the soho s definitely gave me a great impression. Thing is, it's 120$ more than the Wingra which seemed pretty good as well. I want to try the SU 2.0 and some other bikes before i make a decision.

The Redline 925 seems like a solid choice for me but I need to call my redline dealer and check things out.

thoughts?

BikesDirect.com Tourist? I bought one a few months ago and its been great. My only complaint so far are the brakes and/or brake pads.

im in canada, and i'd like to buy locally.

edit: does anyone know if the Trek Soho S will take fenders? the bike sales guy didn't seem to think so.

That's my suggestion too. Kona makes a solid bike.

It has eyelets. The real determining factor will be how wide the caliper brakes are.

Does the SU 2.0 seem more or less just like a mountain bike in terms of geometry/wheel size, etc?

well i just got off the phone will my local redline dealer.

They don't have any 925's in stock but the good news is:
- They are going to bring in 2 when they are available to them in mid april, a 52cm and a 56cm.
- They retail for $555 canadian (!!!) which is $85 cheaper than the trek soho s and from reading on here it seems that the Redline is a better bang for your buck.
- The dealer that sells redline here has been in business forever, i've done business with them and i know they're great.
- this bike seems to have gotten really great reviews overall.