HollywoodBaby

Hi guys, i have been thinking for some time and have made my decision.

I want to purchase a bike for getting to work and back.
I have some questions as the last bike i owned was back when i was 16 and im now 22.

Im a reasonably fit male , and have decided to give up running and take up cycling (as i have more important things to do now of an evening).

I will have to cycle approximately 3 miles to work leaving at 7:30 am in the morning, and back again leaving at 5:30pm.

The route is all average roads or cycle paths etc. I dont think i need a racing bike, or a full-on mountain bike.

So what kind of bike would i be looking at ? thanks.

Adamjc86

Bikes are generally suited to the person - not the other way around .

I would look for these qualities in a bike, for myself.

700Cx28 Tyres
Drop/Aero Handlebars
Gears
Cyclocross Top Brakes

Generally for commuting a road/touring bike is great, and IMHO much more suited to commuting than a mountain bike frame. I've done both (on a non-suspension'd mountain bike, and my current road bike commuter) and the only thing I like more on the mountain bike are the brakes on the top of the handlebars (which you can do with drop bars with Cyclocross-style brakes).

I've been commuting for 2 years now, and in total have covered ~4000 miles overall (which is nothing compared to most of the guys on here!). The skinny road bike tyres made the biggest different to me, that and the 54-teeth big-ring.

Juha

Cheers and welcome to the Forums.

Are you planning on riding regardless of weather? Is it dark at 7:30 / 5:30pm where you live? Do you have a lot of stuff you need to haul with you to/from work?

For 3 miles one way, any bike that fits you will do. Answers to questions such as above will help you narrow down your search.

--J

HollywoodBaby

Hi and Thanks,

Yes i will be riding regardless of weather.
For about 2-3 Months of the year its dark at those times.
Only my lunch i will be taking to work.

Juha

OK, I'd add full fenders to the list to help keep the road grime off you and your bike on rainy days.

You have very little to carry (lunch and essential tools/spares) and a shortish distance, so carrying it all in a backpak would be simple and might work for you. Another option might be a large saddle bag. I have rear rack and panniers, but I also buy groceries and such during my commutes, so I appreciate the extra space and not having to haul everything on my back. You can get racks and panniers later if you feel like it.

For dark rides, you need visibility gear (reflective vest, reflectors, ANYTHING that helps others see you), a frontlight and a rear light. Add more lights to front and rear for backup and/or depending on traffic, weather and ambient lighting.

--J

HollywoodBaby

Yea thanks that was roughly what i was expecting/thinking. i will have a look at some road / touring bikes

HollywoodBaby

Are there any stock bikes that come with the features Adamjc86 suggested?
What sort of price range should i be looking at? obviously i dont need anything too excessive, but i want it too last a few years. Thanks.

savethekudzu

HollywoodBaby:
Check out this thread...
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/386833-500-commuter-bike-thread.html
Several (but not all) of the bikes listed there come with fenders, a rack, and lights (or some combination of the three).

Adamjc86

+1, Sorry that should have gone on my list. Fenders are a MUST, I am using black SKS raceblades, as my bike doesn't fit for real ones . They're good enough, but don't provide 100% coverage.

Edit: Hollywoodbaby, pretty much any road bike will have the features I listed - minus the Cyclocross brakes, those are simply something I prefer (and they're quite easy to add if you know how to tune brakes). Go to your local bike shop and try out a few bikes to see what you would prefer riding.

Like I said, that's what I would look for, but it might not be your style. One of my friends uses a Hybrid bicycle (more relaxed geometry, wider tyres for cushioning). Check out a few different styles and pick one .

MichaelW

When it comes to low milleage commutes, your top speed makes very little diffference to the time you spend commuting. It is usually better to opt for a lower maintenance and more reliable style of machine even at the expense of some margin of efficiency.
Hub gear bikes make excellent bikes for 3-mile rides. The amount of time you will spend cleaning and maintaining youre transmission during dark winter nights will be mininmal.
Breezer make a nice selection of useful city bikes with 3,7 and 8 speed systems.. Some of these are in the style of English 3 speeds but lighter and with better brakes.
The dynamo lighting systems are always available and you dont need to manage batteries. It wont hurt to add some additional LED style lamps.

AndrewP

Drop bars are more comfortable than straight bars, because you ride with your hands in a natural position, with palms facing inwards. Height and reach need to be adjusted to make them comfortable rather than aero.

Abneycat

An important question is, what sort of price range works for you? Personally, I think that its worth purchasing from a bike shop, around here that typically means a $400 starting range. That number often climbs higher after the related purchases like a lock, helmet, lights/fenders/bags and what have you.

And aside from your commute, would you want to use the bicycle for recreation at any time?

tjspiel

+1

That's an important question. Your commute isn't so long or challenging that you need a specific type of bike for it. If you could envision someday doing something else with the bike, that might steer you in a different direction.

For the most part, if it's a flat 3 miles each way, I'd just get something that appeals to both you and your wallet. The only thing that I'd want to make sure of is that you could put fenders on the bike. Most bikes can take them in some fashion, but you should be aware of any limitations in that regard.

toddvc

Check out my 2008 Commuting Bikes page, just about any bike there would suit your needs. You will also find some buying tips there, in fact, you will find a lot of tips on the site that might interest you.

I have commuted 3 miles each way for the past 6+ years. I have ridden everything from ancient 10-speeds to an early-80s mountain bike. You can get it done lots of different ways. I would get something with fenders and a rack, with a lighting system a bonus but not crucial (you can buy battery-powered lights).

Also, something I didn't do for several years but wish I would have done earlier, is buy a bag that hangs on the bike. It saves a lot of hassle.

markhr

Versatile bikes with great brakes, my personal favorites. Disc brakes for great braking, wide clearances for accessories and larger tyres, drop bars giving multiple hand positions and bikes built to take a beating. Basically, either cyclocross or touring bikes with disc brakes and here's a selection of bikes I'd happily use (don't forget to test ride before you buy):

trek portland - https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...land/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/c...del-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - https://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - https://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - https://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - https://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - https://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - https://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - https://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior...ilia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - https://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyc...cross_disc.php

devinci caribou2 - https://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - https://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - https://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - https://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - https://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - https://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/200...pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - https://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - https://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

BarracksSi

Ah, that's an interesting take...

I often "commute" on my CAAD8 -- and by "commute", I mean that I only go a mile and a quarter each way. I then sometimes stop at home, drop off my stuff and change clothes, and go see how fast I can go.

I have three bikes now, an older Schwinn MTB, a Bad Boy, and that CAAD8, purchased in that order. I'm probably putting quadruple the miles on the CAAD8 as I am on the BB, and the MTB is mostly getting dusty.