Changing needs: Commuter for 1-3 mile trips
 

I've been out of the bike commuting game for 3 years now and I'm not happy about it. For two years I did a 11mi round trip year-round in Boston, and slowly acquired the clothing and traffic skills to make that manageable. Three years ago I moved to Philadelphia and am fortunate to live in walking distance of work (1.0-1.5 miles depending on the day). So my two commuter bikes (a road and an MTB, neither very commuter-friendly...no fenders, no chain guard, etc.) in Boston have slowly degraded from sitting outside without much TLC and I've sold them off on Craigslist to start afresh.

I'd like to have a single bike that makes it as effortless as possible to hop on, bike a mile, and hop off. I won't ride it in anything too icy (probably going to list my studded MTB tires soon if anyone's looking :-) ).

From past experience I know I want:
- Fenders
- Rear rack
- Chain guard, completely enclosed if possible
- Fairly inexpensive so I don't have to worry
- Non-QR skewers
- Road tires

And I know I don't want/need:
- Folder
- Lots of gears (6-7 would be fine, with 3 ok if it's the sweet spot and 1 ok if I have to). I have a bit of an irrational desire for internal hubs at the moment....
- Fixed gear (single speed would be ok)

So I guess my question is about strategy. Budget is something like $400. Should I aim to buy a Craigslist fixie/SS with braze-ons for the rack/fenders and then upgrade the drivechain later? How do I even tell if it's fender-compatible (I know my way around a bike toolbox, but I've never installed fenders)? Should I go instead for an old 3-speed and upgrade components as there's time (downside: my comfort zone is entirely around stuff built after 95 or so...I like allen wrenches!)? Or something new designed for commuters (most of which seem to have mediocre 24-speed drivetrains rather than nice 3-speed enclosed trains)?

Oh, the angst.

Thanks guys.

Kona Africabike 3 is a bit more than your budget, but I think that it would be rather low on the theft magnet scale. The Torker Graduate also comes to mind...

Just remembered that KHS might have something for you as well- http://khsbicycles.com/06_cidi_3_m_11.htm.

Hey there Gsk3!

These are all steel-framed bikes:

If you add another $200 to your budget, it could be oh so much better, but I've managed to scavenge a couple of models for you.

You could get the Schwinn Urban 3-speed Coffee bike, if you like:

www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/urban/2012-coffee-3-speed-14287/

at $450, this appears to be a real bargain!

You could on the other hand, get the Willy 7 speed, if you like:

www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/urban/2012-willy-7-speed-14665

at $440, this appears to be a real genuine bargain, as well!

- Slim :)

PS.

The most apt model not too far outside of your budget is the Giant Via1 for $600:

www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/via/9017/48861/

No specific advice, but for a short, easy commute (mine is 4 miles each way) I've found that you don't need something super light and you can save money in that regard. In fact, I'm purposefully loading stuff to give me more of a work out. I've also use an upright hybrid. At first I didn't like that it had more wind resistance and was slower than a more aerodynamic bike, but now I want my short commute to last longer, and have no need for speed. Also the more upright position really helps out my bum neck and gives me a good view of traffic.

Thanks for some great options. The Torker Graduate has the edge at the moment due to its SA 5 speed hub. It's amazing to see all these options out there, as they were much less prevalent even 5 years ago when last I was checking things out.

One concern about the Graduate: do drum brakes really work? My impression of them is perhaps stuck in the past but I have horrid memories of not being able to stop from the few times I've used them....

The AfricaBike and Via also look awesome. The Coffee I'd seen in person and it just didn't grab me for some reason. The 7-speed...well, I really can't get past the external gears, even if the chainguard looks ok.

EasyPeasy - As far as geometry goes, I rather prefer a road geometry. My neck's ok and my back stinks, so I find being less upright to be more comfortable....

If you like road orientated geometry and you like the S-A 5spd hub, then there is another option for you, if you don't mind buying before trying- The WT5 from BD. Or something from their City Bike collection for a more retro look.

Apparently there are two problems with drum brakes. First they're rare, so any repair will be more expensive. As time continues on they will become even more rare and expensive in terms of both parts and labor. Finally, the drums are heavier than most other braking mechanisms.

- Slim :)

Rare here in the U.S. for sure, but not so much globally.

Drum brakes are heavier and require a bit more effort when removing a wheel to change a flat. But if one lives in relatively flat area and has no interest/aptitude/time to learn how to constantly adjust rim brakes, then they make sense.

I generally prefer standard things that I can tinker with to relatively rare things that are harder to tinker with. So it sounds like the drum brakes may be a deal-killer.

That WT5 is...wow. Now if only it weren't such a budgetary stretch. I have the rear rack so that's ok, but adding the fenders and chainguard makes it even more of a stretch ($480 + ~$35 fenders + ~$20 chainguard).

And speaking of chainguards, are there any fully-enclosed aftermarket options? Looked up the SKS and Civia Bryant, both of which look cool but lack protection for the bottom chain. I'm at a point in my life where showing up with black smudge marks on my pants is starting to be not cool....

Can't say thanks enough. These are awesome options which I had no clue existed.

Alright, this has got to suffice!

Just go to the following sites:

1) www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/sedona.st/9025/48885/

The Giant Sedona - $350


2) www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/cypress.st/9019/48871/

The Giant Cypress - $350

Now you have a rack already. All you need to do now is to purchase fenders from Giant or REI, at your leisure.

- Slim :)

link corrected

I'd check this out.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/2617066105.html

I'd check out these brands:

Linus http://www.linusbike.com/models/

Public Bikes http://publicbikes.com/Bikes

I'd also think more about why you don't want a folding bike like the Xootr Swift. They are super convenient and you can just bring it with you after your short rides rather than locking it up. For short rides, it's way faster and more practical than anything else (for me).

It's a mile. Buy an old Raleigh 3-speed (or basically anything cheap on craigslist that fits) and be done with it.

I see absolutely no reason to spend 3-5 times as much for a low-budget new bike.

Low budget meaning poor componentry? Or- What?

- Slim :)

PS.

Nothing against your logic, just wanted to know what you meant...

Hey Roja!

That was nice!

- Slim :)

Slim - Both the Giant ST bikes have lots of external gears, no chain guard, no fenders, and a "cruiser" geometry. Blech! :-)

Jettore - Thanks for the CL link. E-mailed and we'll see how it goes.

JeffS - I know it's only a mile, but I'm picky :-)

ROJA - Folders sound fun, but it's way more bike than I need, I already have a great lock (and the city's pretty good about racks everywhere), and my office has no room for even a folder whereas the racks are nice and safe.

Linus and Public both look nice, but out of my budget and maybe the geometry's a little too relaxed.

So far the WT5 on the high end or the CL Schwinn are the leading candidates.

Stopped by Trophy bikes a few days ago. They are awesome. Confirmed my dislike of cruiser geometry (too bad, because otherwise the Breezer would be fine).

One of the other shops had a frankenbike made out of a Surly Troll with Breezer drivetrain mated to it. Didn't have a chainguard and was out of my price range, but 8 speed Nexus would've been awesome.

Brought up another question, though. Suppose I stretch my budget and buy a Kilo WT5 (still the leading contender). How, then, do I get a fully enclosed drivetrain on it? Seems like no one sells the necessary plastic, and the add-on kits that I've Googled don't look to be protective enough of my clothes....

700-800 miles so far on the torker graduate, I've locked up the wheels when I've had to making sudden stops. The hubs are heavy, but they work every time the same way regardless of rain or snow. I would agree though that eventually you will need them serviced and should have confidence in a LBS. I am fortunate enough to have one that understands SA hubs. Flat tire changes involve a bit more but should still only take less than 5 minutes on the rear, you can leave the shift cable connected if you do it right.

3rd gear works out well on the flats at about 15 mph, second is great for hills and wind, fourth is nice for long downhills, and I have never used 1st or 5th other than to try them out. YMMV.

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2265
These bikes have blemishes on them but if you do not mind those things you can get a great bike at a great price.

For that short of a commute I would be all over riding it singlespeed.