Hello this my first post and undoubtedly I will commit some newbie offense and for that I apologize in advance.

I want to start commuting to work and have come up with a list of things that are important to me, but I can't seem to find the right bike. Hopefully you can point me in the right direction.

1. Steel frame (or other forgiving material)
2. More upright road bike style frame
3. Shimano Alfine 8 speed
4. 700c wheels
5. Disc brakes (front min.)
6. Light weight <25lbs
7. Fenders and chain protection
8. <$950
9. Must look man-tastic
10. Be available in the US

Thank you in advance. One bike that I found overseas was the Charge Mixer https://www.chargebikes.com/features/mixer/

Thanks you!

It isn't everything you are looking for, but check out the Jamis Commuter 4 (jamisbikes.com)

It's not everything you're looking for, but Scott Sportster P2 (highest in line w/ the budget you gave)https://https://scottusa.com/us_en/pro...1/sportster_p2

or Scott SUB 20.
https://scottusa.com/us_en/product/75/667/sub_20

both have disc brake mounts, and at least the SUB can take 700c.
$980 is an awesome budget, so you should be able to get a really good bike.

good set of criteria. i'd maybe add rack mounts to the list in case u wanna add a rack and panniers later on. why the need for a disc brake?

That bike doesn't exist.

The Brodie Ocho is basically the same bike as the Charge you listed, but it's still at least two items short of your list.
[edit] oops, missed that the brodie was aluminum as well.


Mongoose Sabrosa Ocho
Schwinn World Adventurer
Trek Soho 4
Swobo Dixon
Civia Hyland
etc.


Again, all compromises. Partly because steel is rare on a new bike, partly because Alfine is somewhat slow rolling out, partly because most of these bikes are classified as "urban", meaning they don't tend to have fenders and chain guards.

Most people wanting that bike would build their own - and probably spend considerably more than $950 in the process.

Out of curiosity, if you're not commuting now, how did you come up with this long wish list?

Your options will be very limited with that criteria. The Alfine/discs combo is probably most limiting. And I don't know what "man-tastic" looks means to you, but if it is similar to the bike you linked, you are going to be hard pressed to find a bike actually designed for commuting that looks like that. The chainstay length on that bike is really short and it doesn't even have braze ons for water bottle cages. That bike appears to have something akin to a bash ring, but most commuters think of a full chain guard to protect your pants when you say chain protection. And you might have a nightmare time fitting fenders on that bike. I agree that it looks cool and is probably fun to ride, just not practical for most commuters.

Anyway, something similar would be the Brodie Ocho. (edit: oops, Jeff just mentioned this above) https://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ocho.php. You get the Alfine/disc combo. It has an aluminum frame, but if you fit it with reasonable tires, say >28mm, you probably wouldn't notice it much. It retails for just a little more than your budget though.

I think the Jamis Commuter 4 mentioned above is a really nice bike for someone looking for a more upright commuter. The Novara Fusion is nice too. https://www.rei.com/product/744803 Both of these bikes have internally geared hubs and disc brakes (actually, hub brakes in the case of the Novara.

Yep, buy a Karate Monkey frame and build it up to your specs, but plan to spend twice your budget.

yeah, i guess criteria #3 and #5 don't seem critical for commuting and will make it difficult to find a bike with all these specs.

I want that bike as well, I fell in love with it I don't Alfine is out on many other bikes or sold separately yet.

I'm actually trying to get a hold of a Charge Spoon Saddle right now, I might have a concetion in the UK to ship one over for me, if they even are widely available.

I'm right in your situation as well, I'm a collage kid(just like I bet are), so I can understand the love for a bike like the Mixer because I want it my self.

To other people it might not seem like the best commuter bike, (it being a track frame with disc & an Alfine.)to young adults and those with packs, I think Charge is going in the right way. I have even had a friend emailing back and forth with Charge trying to figure out how to get one, but Charge does not have a Distributor her yet. They told him they are trying to get a distro by next season I think, so if you could wait then just get something cheap for now, & just wait for the Mixer.

If you don't wait I would say go with the Swobo Dixon(witch I also have a love for) witch would make a better commuter to others because the rack mounts. or that Brodie Ocho(witch I just fell in love with) or even look at the Cannondale Bad Boy line. They don't have Internal gear hubs but a nice looking bike anyway.


What ever you come up with I want to know right away.

You need either a larger budget or different specs. Even the Change Mixer is well over your budget at $1400.

Are you likely to find a steel bike with fenders and chain protection that is under 25 pounds?

First thank you for the excellent responses. I was shocked to wake up this morning to find so many posts. Also, I'm going to look through the specific bike recommendation one by one after I post this response to some of your questions.

Good idea on the rack mounts; however, that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Why disk brakes? Good question. I know that all the other brake options have been reliably stopping cyclists for years; however, nothing is better in the wet. This isn't a deal breaker either and I'd give it up to meet the other criterion.


I commuted about eight years ago on my mountain bike. I learned few things. Mountain bikes are slow, aluminum is harsh, and it would be really nice to be able to change gears while standing still for when some obstacle unexpectedly stops you in your tracks. I think motorcyclists refer to these obstacles as "cagers." Oh I also learned that commuting by bike is an awesome quality of life decision.



...ran out of time. I'll post back again in a bit. Thanks again!

Impossible. Dump one of those requirements.

Why do you want such a specific drive train? I don't recognize "alfine."

Brodie Ocho is as close as you're going to get. I love my brodie, but it's tricky finding a dealer. They're awesome bikes though.

Since you have a budget of "around" $950 then build "your" bike yourself. Start with
a good quality steel frame from a vintage bike then build from there.

Very often this is the only, and best route, to getting what you want and make it worth
the money & time. Don't settle for less, mate. Ever.

Buy a used Lemond Poprad or Bianchi Axis.

Never make that weight with a steel frame. My bare bones Carbolite 303 Peugeot with no swag is 27lb and it is considered light for a steel frame.

Closest I know to those spec's in the Trek Soho. 4.0 but it is over $1k before fenders.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...n/soho/soho40/


Nothing wrong with aluminum. I commuterized a Cannondale M400 Rigid mountain bike. My screwed up wrists just couldn't take drop bars for day to day riding. Set of 2 inch riser bars and I'm loving it except on windy days. Even with the bigger tires and a rack it weighs the same as the Peugeot.

I'm not so worried about going fast but I wanted the 1.95 tires to smooth out the cracks in the road. I also had a better choice of tires that are resistant to cuts or has enough tread thickness to take some cuts that would have got me flats on the Peugeot. Just was very careful in tire choice to find a tire with minimal rolling resistance but could still do some single track. Very happy with it other then I need a bigger chain ring for top end. I top out at 28mph. I like the lower two for hills or pulling weight when going to the store. I plan to get a little Kiddie trailer to make a utility cart out of for the once a month "we are out of everything" Grocery trip.

Why so set on disc? Again nothing wrong with them but they add to cost. Not a huge gain in performance except for mud.

Are you knew to biking or a Roadie looking to commute?

Bikes show up all the time for sale on www.Craigslist.com from people that think they are going park the car to bike everywhere and then realize they have to work and they get sweaty and they some times get dirty becaseu they are too cool for fenders etc.

If you are new to biking on a regular basis why not pick up a used bike at a really good price from somebody else's lack of dedications and let them take the big $ hit. Just cut your desires (I would drop steel frame and disc) some and there is plenty to choose from. Then if you find you have the commitment build the bike of your desires and sell the used bike.

Find out what size frame you need before shopping.

I'm kind of disappointed about that statement. First of all your talking about a frame thats at least 30 years old, thats is not considered anywhere near light for a steal frame. My Davidson is 21lb complete. So less striped down. and thats a 17 year old frame, Thinks only get better. A more track frame like the Charge is going to be lighter as well.

An idea would if you want steel with track geometry, this is what I might end up doing is just putting an internal gear hub on a Mecier Kilo TT. Its tight, steel, has rack mounts and fender mounts, might be to tight for a front fender, but people live, and would go great with a internal gear hub, no messing around with bad dropouts, would not be able to take disc breaks though, for the cost its hard to beat, 350 from bd, or 200for frame alone from bike island, get someone to build you a wheel with the Nexus or even the alfine, & you would still have money left over.

just ideas,

Steel is better.

My Jamis Coda Elite is 24lbs 4oz. That's steel frame,carbon fork,discs,3x9 drivetrain,and suspension seatpost. My Surly 1x1 is 28lbs 1oz,all steel,disc front,Nexus 7/roller rear. With steel,you're just not going to meet the weight requirement without high-end frame/bits.

My Otis with fenders and a 3sp is 25lbs 3oz. The 9sp Dixon should only weigh about a pound or two more. It's all alloy,but the ride quality is fine. If I put on the 2" Marathon Supremes on my Safari,I'd prolly call the ride plush. You'll bust your budget,but for what you're looking for,I think the Dixon would be your best bet. Either that or find a used SS MTB and build it up with a geared hub and the bits you want.

Holy thread back from the dead!


so about the weight of the Charge Mixer.... i read an online review that said the medium sized Mixer was 16 kg which comes out to about 35 lbs. that can't be right, can it?

https://howardstredwick.posterous.com...etailed-review

Zombie thread... and the OP seems like he was / is a shill.

Hmmmn... I forgot about this site and my thread. I'm no shill - just not as interested in chatting about bikes as the rest of you. Anyway, we might as well conclude this thread with an update about my purchase.

I ended up with a Redline 925 with the alfine hub custom installed. I like the bike but I wish I had the money (at the time) to pony up for a lighter platform. Here is a review of the 925 from the site that helped me make the decision: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/redline-925.html

Good call. I'd probably have said to go with a Masi Speciale Commuter and just toss on fenders and a gear hub. That would have gotten you to about $1000.

I just ordered the Charge Mixer online...the silver was on sale for $1,125.00 (black was $1,250.00). Plus, I found a 10% coupon that worked by searching coupon sites, which knocked off 112 dollars. Pretty close to the OP's stated budget, all in all. I'm not familiar with the company, it's bikeparts.com. Has anyone ever dealt with them?