Affordable Commuter Bike
 

Hello all. I ride my bike to school (3 miles each way) with some hills. I also go to the market and around town (usually -10 miles because everything is close). I currently have a craigslisted Nishiki and I get flats almost every other week. The roads aren't the greatest where I ride. I was wanting to get a decent bike for around $500 or so.

When I was in San Francisco, so many people had single speed bikes, and the hills are WAY more intense there, but I do struggle on my lowest gear going up the hills near me, although I'm getting better lol. But some of those bikes are sweet, and SUPER light!

I was wondering what kind of bike you guys would recommend that would be fast, limit the amount of flat tires (i NEVER got flats with my old BMX bike), and reliable. I already have a rack and panniers that wont work on a disc brake bike, so that is out lol. Thanks!

Might want to look into any of the quality hybrid bikes from Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc... that use wide 700c wheels.

My bike is a Giant TranSend. Retails for $480 (list price). Handles beautifully. ~400-450 miles at this point without a single flat.

you could look for wider tires that your wheels will still accomodate, and tougher ones.

i was thinking that but the bike shop guy said i can only go up 1 size. i am all confused at the whole road bike tire sizing.

mine says 32-630 (27x1 1/4).

Schwalbe Marathon Supreme. 'Nuff said.

The continental gatorskin and schwalbe marathon tires are available in your size:

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?id=1893

http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?id=1324

Both types of tires offer puncture resistance. I use Marathons of the same width, but in 700c diameter. I've put around 700 miles on them so far without a flat.

We got this for my wife because it was a great deal, especially if you snag it like we did when they were running a coupon for an additional 15% off bikes. It comes with everything you need to get started commuting or running errands. You'll just need to swap out the tires with some Schwalbe Marathons.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...TOKEN=10830716

I ride a Jamis Coda about 3 miles each way to work. I paid $433 on sale last November. In this price range, you can find bikes by Trek, Giant, and Specialized, among others. I am very pleased with the Jamis, and have to go over some pretty good-sized hills even though my commute is short.

On your current bike:
1. Get new rim tape put on your rims, this can make a huge difference in the number of flats.
2. Get a good set of puncture resistant tires.
3. Make sure you aren't over- or under-inflating your tires.

You may also want to consider overhauling your current bike. Pu on new gears and such and make sure you keep those gears well maintained. $500 can get you a decent bike, but in that price range you are on the the low-end of high-quality bikes which is most reflected in the quality of the components that come on the bike.

+1 on the Jamis Coda from earlier. Also, check out the Kona Smoke, KHS Urban Xpress and Urban X, Marin Muirwoods. All of 'em steel, all of 'em under $500.

Getting flats probably has nothing to do with the Nishiki itself. If you go to either the Bicycle Mechanic or the Road Cycling forums here you'll find many threads on frequent flats. If you're getting flats every week there may be something wrong on the rim, the tire itself, the tire pressure, or some road condition that you aren't successfully maneuvering around.

So the flats are probably not the best reason to change bikes. I'd try to figure out why the flats are occurring first (flats are rare for me, and I ride a recent Raleigh Supercourse, an old steel frame Peugeot, and a 1969 Raleigh Twenty... very different bikes on very varied urban and rural terrain).

The difficulty on hills is a separate problem, and I wouldn't necessarily look to the weight of the bike (and I definitely wouldn't go to fixed gear if hills are a problem for you).

The "getting a lot better" probably gives you a bit of a hint there. The more you ride the hills, the easier it will get. But there are also some good techniques for training on hills, and attacking hills (whether you're commuting or road cycling). I'd go to a public library, check out a few books on road cycling techniques, and find one that works for you. I gear down on gentle hills and try to keep a spin going. On
steep hills I hit the bottom of the hill moving as fast as I can in the highest gear I can manage, stand, and pump with as little side to side motion as I can manage, and keep my momentum going until gravity is my friend again. I position my hands on the bar about two inches from the stem when I start building up speed on the hill, then shift my hands to the brake lever hoods.

One thing to bear in mind is that I'm a mediocre sprinter, but a great hill climber :)

I guess the bottom line is to not throw money at bicycles until you know why you're making the change.

No need to replace the bike. First evaluate why you are getting so many flats. I would really suggest getting a highly rated set of puncture resistant tires (like the marathon supremes) and get a LBS do slap them on for you with new tubes and tape. Also go as large as you can on the rim/bike which will give you a bit more cushion in your ride. All in all it will probably cost you $100-30 depending on where you get the tires.

Getting a new bike is not going to prevent flats. Lastly try your best to avoid any problem areas in the road.

Nishikis are well made bicycles and if it's in good condition you would be hard pressed to find a better steel frame that was as well suited for commuting. This is why they are the choice of many a bike messenger here because they are light enough and tough enough to withstand some pretty rigorous riding.

If flats are an issue go with the good advice that has already been offered... a pair of Marathons or Gatorskins is far less than a new bike and the gearing can be modified by replacing the freewheel / cassette with something that has a wider range.

Yes, my commuter is a 26 year old Bianchi with 27 x 1 1/4 tires. I have gone thousands of miles on Continental Gatorskins without a flat (knock on wood). I love my bike. That size tire is similar to a modern 700 x 32 (millimeter) tire, which is a beefy road tire.