Decisions, decisions!
 

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for a new commuter bike to ride to work. I'm frustrated with gas prices, and I would also like to keep young and healthy!

Unfortunately, like most of us, I have a budget. I'm looking to spend no more than $600.00 on the bike before accessories. I have a few bikes in mind, but I'm hearing mixed reviews from people at work.

The first bike I'm considering is a Schwinn World Avenue One commuter bike. It has a rack, has a more upright seating position, splash guards and everything that would make my ride comfortable. It is also lightweight and quick (so it says). However, my co-worker says he had a Schwinn and it had problems with changing gears. Thoughts?

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3040


The second bike I'm considering is the Scattante R-330. I would have to add a rack and maybe fenders, but it appears to also be a nice bike, but affordable as well.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3040


I don't know any good brands since I am new to this! Any suggestions? I pretty much want a bike that will shift and not have problems changing gear, stylish for a young guy, and have a more upright seating position. An added plus would be if it includes a rack and fenders, but I can make exceptions... suggestions?

That would be a fixie. No, you do not want.

Anyway, how long is your commute?

The Schwinn looks decent, and it has all the accessories you need, and you can put them on the next bike you get if you grow out of it. The rear derailer is a mid-level SRAM, and should work fine if adjusted properly. Its not very stylish though.

If you want an upright riding position, do not get the Scattante. Look at the picture - the seat is 5" above the bars!

Have you test-ridden any of them? You should go to some local bike shops to test ride bikes, just to see how they fit and feel.

If there's an REI in your area, try them as they, too, have dedicated commuter bikes and a 100% satisfaction guarantee; if you don't like it, just return it. That would be the quickest and easiest way to go about it.

I would ignore the coworker's claim about his Schwinn having shifting problems as any bike, from $500 to $5000 bikes, can have shifting problems if they aren't tuned.

I have not test ridden any of these yet. I'm going rafting this weekend and plan to test some out after the trip. However, I wanted some insight behind the bikes first since I will probably leave with one when I hit the store!

Basically I'm using the tax rebate to buy the bike, and I'm putting in some extra money to buy the gear. Afterall, this money was supposed to help us with the cost of gas, so I figured this would be the perfect way!

My commute is not bad at all...just the weather since I'm in Ohio. It is 5 miles one-way, and for a quarter mile I'll be on a street with traffic traveling about 35, then sidewalks for 2 miles, a bike path for 2 miles, then about 3/4 a mile on another road with traffic traveling about 45. It will be tricky riding on the roads, but I have experience with a motorcycle and feel comfortable on a bike on the street...as long as I'm off to the side!

Look the Giant TranSend, Specialized Globe City, and KHS Urban X. All come with fenders/rear racks.

Do you plan on riding in winter?

Since you're uncertain what you want, I always advise going used for your first commuter bike. For one, you could get a great bike used for $600. Second, when you're first starting you don't have as good an idea of what you want, and getting a used bike would give you the ability to resell it without much loss and get another.

As for new bikes, I've heard good things about the Kona Smoke. $350, comes with fenders, add your own rack. It would be a great bike for you to beat the hell out of while you get the hang of commuting.

Great suggestions! I really like the Specialized Globe City!

Between the Scattante and the Schwinn, the Schwinn is much better for commuting since it comes with the rack and fenders and is still cheaper. The Scattante seat post rack won't carry much stuff, and as pointed out, it has an aggressive riding position that you may not be comfortable with for commuting.

"Stylish" is a very vague term. Some young people ride fancy carbon racing bikes (not practical for commuting) . Others salvage old steel frames to convert to fixed gear (bit of a learning curve to ride them). Some buy a beautiful bike and paint it as ugly as possible to disguise its quality to deter thieves. Other ride a junker they got in a yard sale for $15, because after all, the whole point of their biking is to save money!

The Globe City will be a little slower than the Schwinn because it has 26" wheels (like a mountain bike) and comes with fatter tires. If you also want to ride off road a bit on not to gnarly trails, or if you think there will be huge potholes or a need to go over curbs on your commute, the more rugged wheels on the Globe City might be preferable, but if you expect to ride on fairly decent roads and want to be a bit faster, the Schwinn has the faster wheels.

Mind you, you could swap the tires on the Globe City for thinner, slicker ones, and erase most of what I just said.


EDIT< never mind. I see that there are a few different versions of the Globe City and some come with the 700c wheels.>