For 2.5 miles you could just as easily commute on a chopper or penny farthing :D I'd look for a second-hand mountain bike without suspension. Lots of people tend to buy these, ride them a few times, then leave them forgotten in the garage until they discover it and decide to sell it. The upright geometry and ability to mount fenders, lights and a luggage rack make them ideal entry-level commuters, usually needing just a tune up and a change to slick tyres for riding on the road. If you really decide you don't like cycling (not everyone does) then consider walking to work.

I started because of gas prices. I found out I liked it. After 2 years, I sold my truck so we're a 1 vehicle family. I don't drive my wife's van to work.

2.5 miles, absolutely any bike is sufficient. Just make sure it's safe (brakes work, chain won't slip off, chain ring won't grab your pants and cause you to fall).

Unless you are riding on dirt/gravel roads, rain does not add ANY wear/tear to the bike.

I agree with other posters, I have an 11 mile one way ride and I would ride my bike even if gas were free and cars were given away. I get cranky and my blood pressure goes up when I don't ride (seriously, I have to increase my BP meds)

For rain gear check out a local sporting goods store. I bought a Field & Stream rain jacket and pants for about a total of $60 at Dick's. For 2.5 miles you don't have to worry much about breathability. You can also check out Nashbar.com. They have some rain gear I might look into purchasing.

For your distance any bike will do. In time you might grow to enjoy it and then look for something that suits your needs better. Like another poster mentioned, don't over complicate things.

Besides rain gear look for a good lock and learn how to lock your bike properly. Sheldon Brown's site has some good information. After that think about visibility both passive and active.

Good luck and enjoy.

2.5 miles, I think I would rollerblade or skateboard to work :lol:

I would get something cheap - maybe used. If you find yourself wanting to ride more than just to work and back, then start thinking about a "nice" bike. Dont worry about rain. If you clean your chain once a month or so and oil it, you'll be fine.

not worth riding, walk it

+1 2.5 miles makes for a lovely brisk walk 2x per day - free exercise and no equipment required. I've had a similar walking commute, and I quite enjoyed it. You can't really get much exercise biking that, though it is faster.

If you do decide to ride instead, I second the idea of a single speed "cruiser" type bike. Big balloon tires, comfy seat and position. Hard to go wrong with something like that. These bikes are also about as mechanically simple as they get, and are stylish to boot.

If you find the need to get something more versatile later on, then you can have some money tucked away for it.

I stumbled across some great offerings from the folks at Bikesdirect, which may be worth considering.

Single speed, coaster brake, with or without fenders and rack: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/essex.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...sex_deluxe.htm

3-speed: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/oxford.htm
3-speed with rack and other goodies: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ord_deluxe.htm

For 2.5 miles why not this one?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ack_xi_300.jpg

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/city_bikes.htm

I definitely wouldn't feel too bad locking it up for long periods as long as you got a decent u-lock.

oop, canyoneagle beat me to it...shouldn't have stayed on "reply to thread page" for so long

Many bike shops have used for sale. You can sometimes get a higher quality bike that way for less money, and have someone help you fit it.

Also, many places have community bike organizations or co-ops that sell used bikes and have knowledgeable people to help choose size and fit.

For commuting, I recommend adding fenders, lights, spare tube, tire levers, mini-pump, patch kit, and a multitool. Of course, you aren't going that far, so you can always walk it if you get a flat tire or break down.

What are the road conditions? Regardless I would attach a mirror to it and keep an eye out for cars coming up your ass. However a mirror can also be a distraction, you gotta teach yourself to do quick glances, do NOT get sidetracked by trying to figure out what you're looking at in your mirror. It's a tool like any other tool, in the right hands very helpful, in the wrong hands can be very dangerous.

You've been driving 2.5 miles to work...?
You can walk 2.5 miles. You can ride any bike for 2.5 miles.

Introduction to bicycle commuting.
Types of commuter bikes.
Preparing for your first bike commute.

To be fair, a 2.5 mile walk would chew up a lot of time. I would guess 40 minutes.

I have a 2 mile ride to work, and I've walked it a few times. I don't like it. I prefer riding. It's not the time so much as I get bored walking.

Go to a bike shop, get a wind blocking jacket with sleeves. Ride that on rainy days. Your legs will get a bit wet, and the jacket will start to soak through. But in 2.5 miles (maybe 15 minutes) you'll just be damp when you arrive at work.

That same jacket will work as a wind break layer in the winter, and you'll really appreciate it then.


If you're buying a bike, ask for something with mounts for fenders and a rack (fenders will do as much to keep you dry as rain gear will). You don't have to buy either right away, but I'd recommend fenders. Probably use a backpack for a while, assuming you have one. They're inexpensive (compared to bike specific stuff) and it will work. Eventually you might get yourself a nice bag and a rack.

You might also ask that the bike have enough clearance for wide knobby tires. You won't need them until winter, but if you do want to ride in the winter they're something you'll want.


Don't overthink it. Afterall, if you were really dedicated you could walk 2.5 miles to work :).

40 minutes is a fair assessment.
Depends on how you do it. I had a 2.5 mile walking commute for a while and would treat it as my daily exercise. I'd typically do it in about 30 minutes or so, which is a pretty brisk walking pace.

Unless there are intersections with other vehicles at them... There's a good reason the modern bicycle is called the "safety bicycle."

It takes me 20 minutes to walk to the train station by my house, and maybe 5 to bike it. To me, it's almost always worth riding. Also, carrying stuff is easier on a bike with racks; carrying more than a few pounds in a heavy backpack or a shoulder bag is no fun for more than a few minutes.

Oh yeah, totally agree with that. 10-20lbs on a bike is nothing, 10-20lbs on your back will tire you in a major way.

I'm not exactly in great shape and have been doing 3-5 mile rides almost every day with my trek classic cruiser. This is with a 12lb dachshund in front basket too.

I think you could do a 2.5 mile ride with just about anything and be ok.

Gotta disagree on that one. I'm 6' , 175lb and carry a 14-20lb backpack regularly on my 4-mile commute. Isn't really an issue... :innocent:

It really depends on the "hug" quality of your backpack. I use tactical / military spec backpacks that are designed to load 50lb of gear, the pack evenly distribute the weight, and they 'hug' to your back really, really comfortably :p
To be honest, I don't even FEEL the pack unless I go to grocery trips and load it to ~40lb.

I live only 2 miles from work, but because I'm on my feet for 8-10 hours there, I really don't plan on ever walking it. Getting there would be easy, coming home would definitely be rough.
I rode my Trek 7300 for years and always had to lock it outdoors and kept it outside even at my home, never considered the elements hurting it and the elements never did, so don't get to spooked about bad things happening to your ride because of the weather.
A local pawn shop had a Trek 7500 that was about 3 years newer than my 7300, it was barely used and only 60 bucks. I had just dropped 300 bucks on a closeout ride when I saw that and kicked myself for not looking at the pawn shop first. Anyway you can find great deals for used.
Good Luck with whatever you get and then let us know how it goes. You might want something with gears as once you start commuting to work you are going to want to check out more scenic routes to get home. The other day I rode 20 miles to get home, just out for a ride.

Do it! It's fun, even riding for a little bit. I ride about 5 miles daily. Some say that's walking distance but my bike helps alot with time.

Prepare yourself; get a decent bike; have good bike maintenance; stay dry... or else. http://www.failfunnies.com/12/pages/...ella-fail.html

And the strength and age of your back :D

When hiking I use the waist support so weight isn't as much of a problem as a lot of it rest on my hips. On a bike that doesn't work. No matter how good the backpack is the weight is entirely supported by your back. You just happen to be stronger :D

For 2.5 miles I would walk there on my hands. Be sure to wear rubber bands around your cuffs though, otherwise rain water will run down your pant legs.

Most Americans consider 2.5 miles to be driving distance. Just sayin'.