AliceCuriouse

Sorry for my impatience; I'm posting a question when I could perhaps find this information in bits and pieces elsewhere--I've spent 5 hours today online reading up on bikes and I'm excited about my decision to commute by bike!

My daily commute is 4.5 miles (on pavement) and I carry several pounds of school books and gym/work clothes with me.

As a 5'1" woman I should probably get a new bike, but I am not sure I can spend $600-$1000 right now for a new Breezer, or other commute-specific bike. We have small bike shops in my area (Pasadena, CA) but I am betting that they mostly have mountain bikes--I am not sure how easy it will be for me to buy a new commuter bike through a small shop?

I am also a bit scared to buy online because making all of the measurements seems confusing and difficult....should I try to get a hybrid bike through a shop and then try to put a rack/mirror on it?

Or do you know of a somewhat inexpensive brand of a commuter bike that I should try to purchase online?

Again, sorry for the newbie questions. And thank you very much in advance!

slvoid

Online purchases should best be left to the slightly seasoned. You should go to a real shop, have them size you, try out a whole bunch of different bikes, and see how you like them.

While you may think a cruiser type bike might be comfortable, you may find for your road conditions, a lighter hybrid bike might be just as comfortable but faster, or discover that you might even be comfortable on a road bike. The key is to try out a few rides first.

I just bought a scott P4, around $500. REI stores have similar bikes for 3-500. Just remember whatever you spend, factor in at least 100 for accessories.

Patriot

Yup, for a first bike, much less a commuter bike, I wouldn't buy one online. The type of build can vary widely, depending on your personal preferences. It can range from a Mountain Bike, to a hybrid, to a commuter specific setup, FB roadie, or even a road bike with a rack on the back. Just about anything can be used for commuting.

In your case, I would definitely go to not just your LBS, but several LBS's in your area, talk to lots of people, and try out many differant brands and types of bikes.

Eventually, you'll fall in love with something that feels/fits best for you, and serves your needs.

jyossarian

Make that $200 for accessories. Helmets, locks, lights, tools, tubes, etc. Good locks and helmets cost the most.

Different bike shops may cater to different customers, but most will carry commuters, flat bar roadies, etc. Even the lower cost mtbs like Specialized Hardrocks can make decent commuters when outfitted w/ slicks instead of knobbies. Go to different stores, ride lots of bikes and check out the SoCal regional forum for LBS recommendations. Good luck!

squirtdad

You might want to check out https://pasadenacyclery.com I just did a quick google and got a good list of shops in Pasadena. this site has some good info. I called just for the heck of it...and they sound professional.

You might even try renting a bike and try a couple of styles to see what works for you......

have fun

likeguymontag

I haven't been through Pasadena in a while, but I'm sure that at least a couple Pasadena shops have an excellent selection of road bikes. Those stores will probably have commuter bikes too. Don't fret; Pasadena is an awesome place to be a cyclist. If I were you, I'd visit a handful of your local bike shops and test-ride some commuter bikes. Don't feel compelled to buy anything, just get an idea of what's available, what you like, and how much it costs. Besides bike-specific shops, REI has their own line of bikes, which are pretty nice, and a decent selection of accessories.

Edit for specific advice: Velo Pasadena is a great shop, but if I remember right they have a focus on high-end road bikes. There's also apparently a branch of Incycle in Pasadena. I've been to the one in San Dimas, and they treated me right. Performance Bike is a massive national chain, and some people dislike them because of that, but they have a good selection and good prices. They're definitely worth checking out.

When I bought my first nice bike I went to I. Martin Imports in Beverly Hills. Ironically, I went there 'cause they had a great price on the bike I wanted. That place is a temple to cycling. They have a massive selection, and the staff was very, very helpful for a newbie cyclist. Apparently they're associated with Helen's Cycles, which is a respected local chain.

You have a lot of options for an excellent local bike shop, so feel lucky.

Oh yeah, and one more thing. Don't let some salesperson push you into buying something until you've been to a couple of stores and have an idea for what you want. Make sure that you get a bike that fits you well. Fit is really important.

PaulH

You may find it useful to look for bikes that you would like online, but there is no substitute foe going to bike shope and test riding them. You are going to be riding the bike every day, so it has to be one you really enjoy riding.

Paul

punk1979

incycle is on colorado, near pcc i believe, they carry a large selection of bikes. https://incycle.com
i bought my trek 7200 and 7.3 fx at he san dimas store.
performance bike also has a store on arroyo parkway
https://www.performancebike.com/infor...m?Store_ID=100

Mr. Underbridge

There's definitely a whole lot of cyclists in Pasadena of all stripes. I wasn't as much into cycling when I lived there as I am now, but I'm pretty sure Velo on Colorado Blvd. is a pretty well reputed shop. Here's their women's bikes:

https://velopasadena.com/itemlist.cfm?pageId=112


Pretty solid selection with price points that start just above your typical Walmart bike.

ChipSeal

90% of enjoying your bike is fit related. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! Get at least two shops to "fit" you. If you are uncomfortable being physical touched, bring a girlfriend with you for this. He will likely have to touch your feet, legs and your shoulder. If a proper fit is not made, what you buy is likely a waste. Women are more likely then men to have ill-fitting bicycles. If the local shops can't do this, find one that can. There are a lot of good ones in that neck of the woods.

If the bike shop doesn't have the style you want, they can order them for you.

Describe how you intend to use the bicycle and in what conditions. Whatever you purchase, get fenders, either on it or have them put some on before you leave the shop. I used to think fenders were un-needed and dorky. I have them on my bike now.

At your price point, spend as much as you can. (Allowing for the extras that are necessary, as slvoid and iyossarian pointed out. Locks, lights and helmet.) Quality improves very quickly at that end of the spectrum, a few extra dollars could be a big difference.

When it comes to buying bicycles, there are three values: low cost, durability, and light weight. You can only have two of them at once! Whichever you choose, the trade-off is the third. Choose carefully. Make a good fit a priority, and seek real value over hype.

Good luck! Welcome to cycling and our forum! Do let us know how you get on, won't you?

Bikepacker67

OK... here's my 2 cents:

If I were to purchase a sub-$500 commuter, I couldn't do much better than the Kona Smoke (~$400)


Frame sizes go all the way down to 14", so you shouldn't have any problem getting the right size.
Ohhh and it seems that these guys are your local Kona dealer.

girljen

I got a K2 T-9 Crosswind from REI for about $400 and I absolutely love it. I've spent about $100 on accessories (rack, panniers, lights, bottle cage, water bottles); but if you commute already, you probably have either those things or something that can do the job until you get your bank account back up.

nashcommguy

+1 Looks like a real good choice as a commuter. When it comes to a frame pump get a Topeak Road or Mountain Morph w/guage. They're about 35.00+, but are the BEST pump for the serious commuter. Can be set for schraeder or presta valves. When able get a real good floor pump, also Topeak Joe Blow w/guage is good for the money. If you're going to be carrying alot of books you may want to get the Delta Universal Mega Rack. It's adjustable and around 35.00. It's pretty heavy duty and relatively inexpensive. You may want a seat bag w/tools including spare tube, patch kit, tire levers(coated steel are the best), multi tool(Park makes a good one...about 6-7 bucks), chain tool(again Park, but around 15.00...but worth it). Bags...there's tons of good ones out there. Lights...two good generic blinkies and a good HL...there's some real good LED's out now.

Hope you're not feeling ovewhelmed. Everyone is trying to be helpful...just sift through the glut of info w/an experienced cycling friend as he/she will help you separate the necessary from the overkill. You're going to be fine. The choice of deciding to become a 'cycle-commuter' is 80% of the battle. There's a wealth of info out there now w/BF and the like. Enjoy!

Bill Kapaun

Since she lives in Pasadena, why fenders? Just extra weight to pack around.
They'd make sense in Portland or Seattle, but Pasadena?

BCRider

You're going to love it. It's a great way to get around. Especially somewhere, not like up here, where it's mostly sunny and dry and when it does rain it's a nice change of pace.... rather than a regular cross to bear like up here....

A hint for you. You're a fairly small person at 5' 1". While it's normal to recomend a better set up hybrid or road bike for commuting due to the larger tires I'm going to suggest that at your height it will be easier to get a bike that is more in scale with your overall size if you stick to a mountain bike with the 26 inch wheels. But that still leaves lots of room for selection. What you'll want is a more "cross country race" style bike with a longer more open cockpit than the typical free ride mountain bike that is set up shorter from the seat to the bars to make it more easy to loft the front over jumps and the like.

Otherwise by the time you get yourself into a typical road bike or hybrid with 700c wheels it'll look like the bike is ALL wheels. This isn't to say that you won't fit the bike. You would. But you may find that the smaller mountain cross country style once fitted with slim road tires ends up feeling a little more nimble and lighter to toss around.

This isn't just my own idea either. A rather well respected bike company called Rivendell sells their touring bikes in both wheel sizes for just this reason. The larger sizes get the 700c and the smaller get 26 inch. There's a number of tire options for urban riding with mountain bikes that make the bike ride and roll like a good road bike does.

So just keep your options open and check out as many bikes as you can to get a feel for them. And DO buy your first from an LBS (Local Bike Shop) since it's only because they are there that you can shop and compare. Being in California means there's lots of options for shops that have super prices too.

Used CAN be a good way to go but you sure do want to know what to look for or the repairs to make the bike right if you can't do your own work can easily result in your cheap used bike costing as much as a comparable new bike. So stick to new unless you can find a friend of a friend that knows their stuff. And there's a heap of stuff to check.

mike

Oh boy, so many good suggestions.

You don't have to spend a lot of money on a commuter. All bikes are wonderful.

If money is an issue and you want the best bike for the money, then figure out how much you have to spend. Call the local bike shops and ask if they sell used or trade-ins. You can often get a lot of bike for just a little money if you are willing to buy used.

Feel free to tell the shop owner about your budget. These guys are usually in-love with bicycling and they will do you right.

Do yourself a favor and don't get a mountain bike. There is no good reason for putting so much sweat energy into bicycle transportation.

Aquajag

Exactly what I was thinking. SoCal weather makes fenders an unnecessary option for about 3/4 of the year and you could probably get by without really needing them except a few days out of the year.

Try out some bikes and get one that you can enjoy the ride on. Really that's what counts.

Torrilin

Not all commuter equipped bikes are super expensive. Adding on things like a rack and fenders after the fact can really increase the cost, so make sure to do comparisons before you buy. A Breezer Uptown is about $1000, but the Citizen goes for much less and may do ok in Pasadena. I lived down in West LA and it definitely would have been fine there. Don't assume more speeds is better until you've *tried*. (yup, that means going to the shop... Most shop owners and staff are pretty nice to women, and if they aren't feel free to walk out.) The best bang for buck on commuter bikes to me is the Novara Transfer. Some women find it's built for a long torso, so it might not suit you... but it gives you a good benchmark for price.

Don't listen to the guys who say no fenders. You don't need 'em now, but if you skip them you'll regret it come next January when it's raining. (and you'll *really* regret it if it's an extra special rainy season like a few years back)

Don't get hung up on wheel size. I've been test riding bikes at all different sorts of wheel sizes (5'6" female here) and no matter what the size, bikes ride like bikes. A 20" bike had the most comfortable ride and was very easy to manage... and one 700C bike was giant feeling. The other felt almost perfect. The wheels don't make you fast or slow, you make you fast . And it's easier for the manufacturer to make a smaller wheeled bike fit smaller people.

Milquetoast

Given the OP's stature, perhaps a step-through frame might be more fun?

ShinyBiker

Have you thought about going the mass market LBS route? i.e. Performance Bike or other national bike retailers. They have a variety of sizes in their bikes and always have sales as well as periodic 10% off coupons. I guarantee you can get a good bike for under $400 maybe even under $300.

shreekanth

1+. Even when weather is fine, where I commute, I have seen sprinklers that have spilled over into the bike lane have left enough water to create a mess for me on my first day of commute. That evening, I got fenders which even though dorky, now make my commute more enjoyable. Fenders can cost $25-50 depending on whether they are on sale or not.

Cheers,
--sk

Feathers

there is nothing dorky about fenders at all. they make 100% complete sense on a commuter bicycle and will serve to keep one clean as well as dry.
all it takes is mud or some spilled transmission fluid, oil, or gasoline in the street to make for messy clothes. fenders are wonderful to have on commuter bikes.

nashcommguy

They can be removed. Then she has them when she needs them. I lived in SoCal for a long time and apart from popular perception there IS a rainy season...just not as much as, say Seattle or Portland. Or Nashville for that matter.

shreekanth

glad you are asking questions here. I wish I'd known about this forum before I got my bike. As many have already told you, get the bike that makes you feel comfortable so you want to get on it every day. Reserve an additional 200 bucks for helmet, lights (head & tail), mirror(s), fenders, pump, patch kit, spare tire/tube, rack, bag(s), mini toolkit, toeclips on pedals.

My commute of 1+ months is now about 5 miles each way as I take a slightly longer route. Here are my lessons learned:
1) Get a triple crank: I have ascents and descents whichever route I take to commute - I had to upgrade to a triple crank - I wish I'd known this before I bought my bike. The triple crank helps in keeping a constant cadence so my legs don't tire out.
2) Get mirror(s), at least on the left: Especially if you are going to make left turns at a traffic light and there are likely to be those big trucks/SUV's. I still haven't learnt the art of looking back efficiently (I tend to wobble a bit). I didn't like the helmet mounted ones. The mirrors mounted on the handlebar are a big help as I always know that there is something bigger coming up on my left.

Good luck! Choosing a bike is sorta fun too.
Cheers,
-- sk

cyccommute 

First, get off-line and out into the real world Now that you've got some background, go talk face-to-face with a person on what you need.

Five miles or less is a pretty easy commute. You don't need anything that special but you, personally, will have some issues with getting the proper bicycle.

You are small. I've been married to a small person for ages and, from personal experience, can tell you that getting the proper bike can be very frustrating. There's good news and bad news in being so tiny. The good news is that there's not much market for small people's bikes (other than kid bikes but don't go that way) so you are more likely to find little bikes from last year on sale. Unfortunately, there's no market for small bikes so finding one... even at full price...can be difficult. You have lot's of shops in your area. I did a google and came up with several. A small shop may be what you, specifically, need. They may be more service oriented than a larger shop. If the shop isn't friendly when you walk in and ask questions..even dumb ones...walk out and find another shop.

Some fit issues you need to be aware of:

1. Standover height. You need to have enough room to straddle the bike. Many mountain bikes with suspension forks are going to be too tall for you. Unless you plan on mountain biking, I'd suggest staying away from them.

2. Reach. Getting the proper reach without feeling stretched out is going to be hard. You'll probably need a short stem. Spend some time getting the fit right. It's not hard to change stems but it can add up if you go through 10 stems to find the right one. I've been there. Have a whole box of stems

3. Weight. You are small. You probably don't weigh as much as a guy 6' tall. Nor do you have the muscle mass. Making a 30 lb bike go is like me making a 60 lb bike go. I wouldn't do it. You shouldn't have to. Try to get the lightest bike you can afford. Go a little outside your budget if you have to so that you can get something that is comfortable to ride.

DO NOT BUY ON-LINE!!!!!!! Not at your size or your experience level. You'll spend far more in freight charges than you'd spend paying full price at a brick and mortar store. You have special issues. Pay a little premium to get those addressed.


Again don't buy on-line. Go to a bunch of shops, ride all kinds of bikes, spend some time and get the help you need.