If I had my druthers...
 

Hi all. I've read these threads before and I can feel you judging me already, but I hope a few of you experts will be able to indulge me.

I'm going to describe my ideal bike and I hope some of you could direct me to whatever is closest.

I started looking around for a new bike more than a month ago, only to find that there are more models and makers than I can count, and it seems none of them offer exactly what I want.

I'm 5'6'' and 170 lbs (yeah, I'm working on that last bit!). I'd be riding a 6-mile round trip to work a few days a week through the coastal New Jersey suburbs on sometimes hilly terrain (do not think San Francisco) and sometimes rough roads emptying into somewhat fast traffic, as well as some light riding for fun. All pavement. No dirt. I've got no interest in mountain biking.

My ideal bike would:

* have a 3,5,7,8 or 9-speed internal hub (This is actually my only solid requirement)
* have disc or drum brakes
* have mountain bike-esque riding position (Not fond of the dutch or granny-style seating positions. I'm 43, not 83.)
* come with fenders
* come with a chain guard
* have dynamo lights
* come with rear rack
* come in any color of the rainbow, so long as it's black
* be priced no more than $750

Mind you, this is ideal.

Bikes I've looked at (only online, however, since NONE of the dealers around here carry a single one of the bikes I like) are as follows:

Kona bike - nice, black, inexpensive, mostly commuter friendly, but i wonder about only 3 speeds and it has a combination of front pull and rear coaster brakes. I think that's scary.

Torker Graduate: Nice, mostly commuter friendly. Good IGH and drum brakes. But a little more granny seating than I'd like, I think.

Kona Dr. Good: Very smooth looking, maybe a bit too sporty, not at all commuter equipped and just on the cusp of going over the edge with pricey-ness.

Kona Dr. Fine: Sooooo fine! Way out of my price range and not equipped with commuter duds. But wow, is that pretty.

Scott SUB 10: Again, wow, is that pretty, even if it's not black. I love the geometry. Its only twice what I'd like to pay, but it has freakin' everything and its beautiful.

Breezer Finesse: Uber dudded out with commuter fare, decent geometry, sit and go bike. Way out of my price range again, tho.

So there you have it. If anyone can offer the slightest hint on what direction I should go, I'd really appreciate it. I've been to six bike shops in my area and have found only a Bianchi to ride. I can't remember what model it was, but it was okay. Ugly as hell, though. None of the shops around here (jersey shore) carry much beyond cruisers, or very high end road bikes. There doesn't seem to be much in between. They'll all order something for me, but I'd be buying a bike, it seems, sight unseen.

Thanks in advance,

Keith.

Interesting. You answered your own request with a very thorough list of options with descriptions? Also, I'm wondering why you would start your very first post with this statement? "Hi all. I've read these threads before and I can feel you judging me already..."

There's good people here that want to help... especially when your requests become more involved with maintenance, etc. Purchasing a new bike is the fun part.

I actually meant that as a joke. It didn't come across that way, apparently. Sorry.

Well, I'll provide another option for you that will give you more bike models to choose from, but also condition you to be not concerned about the potential (or at least minority) voice of judgment on any forum. Here the buzzword is, Bikes Direct. A few will always chime in that don't like them on principle alone, but honestly, their excellent service can be confirmed by the many happy customers that have had first hand dealings with them - including me.

Keith,

I've never ridden one myself, but the Swobo Dixon bikes get pretty good reviews. They only meet about 1/2 of your criteria, but it may be a place to start. The list pricing is $999, but a quick google search turned up new ones as low as $850, so there might be lower prices out there, or on older models. Has: 9 speed internal hub, disc brakes, chain guard, mountain bikesque positioning, taillight. The color is a steel grey, so it's not black, but it is nice looking (obviously that's subjective). does not have: fenders, rack or front lighting.

No worries. I just didn't get it cause I didn't see anything in your request for that kind of joke. You're on a very solid and common path for a purpose-filled bike.

In your list you have a few dream bikes that really excite you. Are you a regular with checking Craigslist? Sitemash is even better: http://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.cgi and will provide listings from all round the country for Craigslist. You could get that dream bike for a song used.

Also, be a little flexible for commuter accessories. It's not big a deal to add fenders, racks, etc. if a bike doesn't come with exactly everything on it you want. The only accessory that would be a hassle to install is a chainguard really. But that's what straps are for personally.

That sitemash is awesome! I've never heard of it. I'm playing with it now. Thanks!

2010 Raleigh Detour Deluxe (click on pic for link):

http://bikehugger.com/images/blog/detour_deluxe.jpg

* has an 8-speed Alfine hub
* has disc brakes
* has mountain bike-esque riding position
* comes with fenders
* comes with a chain guard (albeit kind of a lame one)
* has dynamo lights
* comes with rear rack
* comes in black
* listed for $799 at REI, but since Raleigh is already advertising their 2011 models, you may be able to find it at a discount somewhere.

One caveat: only the 2010 model is equipped as described above. The 2009 model is derailleur-equipped, and the 2011 "downgrades" to roller brakes but "upgrades" to Reynolds 520 cromo frame. The 2011 also has an integrated pannier rack (it's very similar to the one used on the Breezer Finesse that you spec'd). IMHO it limits your options as compared to other racks.

This bike made my short list before I purchased my Norco Ceres and I came very close to ordering it.

If your only problem with the Torker Graduate is the riding position, that shouldn't be hard to fix. Just flipping the bars upside-down and maybe getting a longer stem (this thread for examples) should give you a more sporty position. If that doesn't work for you, swapping the bars for straight bars is pretty trivial.

@irclean: Thanks, man. That bike is really nice and i didn't know about it previously. I'm in the process of finding out if there's one around I can test.
@ IanHelgesen: You have a point there. Since posting, I've seen pics of Graduates with different bars and it seems to change the whole look and, more importantly, the riding position.

If anyone has had experience with a Graduate, I'd love to hear from you.

Also, just to confuse things a little more, someone suggested a Jamis Commuter 3 to me, which meets a good many of my criteria. Picking a bike is REALLY confusing! :) Don't get me wrong, it is fun, but who knew there were so many combinations of this and that mixed with the other to wade through in finding the right one?

I plan on buying a bike for myself for my birthday in mid-September, so I have a couple of weeks before final decision, but anyone who has had experience with any of these bicycles pro or con, your advice is invaluable.

Thanks again!

Cannondale badboy has a IGH I swore (option anyhow).

I have some e-mails in to a few of the more obscure frame manufactures, I'll let you know what comes of it since we have a few different people looking for very similar style bikes.

@Santaria: Awesome, thank you.

Also, just to complicate things even more, I saw a Raleigh Misceo. Love the frame! Love the geometry, hate the gearing. I'm wondering if it would cost me around my asking price - $750 - to swap out the current transmission for a shimano nexus system. If that could be done, and then add the fenders and rack and commuter goodies, that would just be perfect, in mine eyes.

The hunt continues! :)