Justtom says:


Hey there Justtom!

That's a nice bike!

You should feel fortunate. Some of us only wish we could commute, but lack the ability to make just a simple purchase.

- Slim

Commuting under $3000 ??. That's very easy, just go to Hellmart and buy one.

I bought my used last spring for $100, I over paid a bit but it had lugs...I'm a sucker for lugs. The bike is decent shape probably a 6 out of 10, but all my other bikes are 8 out 10 and up so the Nishiki got regulated to beater status. But it rides good and works good, it will need a new biopace chain ring next year so I have to look for a new one on E-bay for a decent price. The person who owned it before me put a lot of miles on it but kept it maintained well enough, but it has it's normal minor scratches on it.

Bought my Trex 7.3 Fx this July for just under $700 with the rack and other accessories I would say I am at just about $1100 or so including clothing and shoes.

Too expensive, all of you!

My Sanuk's cost me $30 on clearance. They're approved by weight-weenies and have limited slip differentials; when I'm feeling especially "slow" and need to speed up the race....


I switch to

I'm in the low end camp too. I paid $125 for my bike about 6 years ago, and spent way more than that on upgrading some parts, adding lights, luggage etc and clothes.

my commuter is 2010 specialized secteur, and I am at just about 3000 into it. including everything for the last year, profile designs aero bars
racks, panniers, top bag, gps(that also gets transfered over to the tarmac so really shouldnt count),tubes tires chains cygo lite, rear blinky, spd pedals, shoes clothes

Did you get that Eros used? I bought one new back in 1996 0r '97, and I spent about $800 dollars for it, not counting add-ons and upgrades. I probably have a little over $1K in it now. It used to come with Campy Mirage components, which I upgraded to Chorus after an accident (but that was actually covered by the insurance, so my spend is still only a little more than the original $800-ish.) BTW - I agree about the ride.

My most used commuter in the last six months is a Rivendell Simple One, about 1500 using some parts out of the bin. Number two is a 1986 stumpjumper. Real cheap and is a very ridable bike.

The ideal commuting bike is a light touring bike, and an ideal light touring bike can be had for much less than $3,000. $1,000 would do it. For that you could get a respectable 18-20 lbs cro-mo steel frame with quality components and add fenders, a rack and a Brooks saddle. A commuter bike can be fast, but it's not a racer. It needs to be all-weather with flat-resistant tires, a comfortable saddle, and room to carry a few things.

a commuter bike can be any bicycle in the universe that one uses to commute on. it does not necessarily NEED to be any of the things you describe.

i commute on a fast race bike with backpack when weather allows because it's super wicked fun to ride!

i also have a foul-weather bike that makes some speed compromises for improved safety/reliability. i ride that bike when the weather is bad.

Man, you touring guys have a whole different mindset. There's no way I could tolerate an 18-20 pound frame on my bike no matter how durable it is.

I bought a Raleigh Sojourn that I use most of the time. Not just for commuting, but for everything. It replaced my truck. I spent 1300 including taxes, and the thing takes a beating. It's been loaded on the work truck, dropped once, and I ride it everywhere. Love the thing. I also have a 90 something Gary Fisher Mamba I paid 150 for that I use when I feel like getting stupid...lol.

I don't think about bicycle weight too much, because the main thing that needs to lose weight on my bike is ME!! lol

I live in an area that you would think would be filled with cheap good used bikes. See, I live in a retirement area of Florida, and I thought the seniors would be selling off old bikes like crazy. It's not the case. Add to that my short stature, and there are no used bikes locally that fit me.

I did find my favorite bike on Craigslist. It was Oklahoma City Craigslist. I did a Google search for "Bridgestone XO-2" and found it. I believe I paid $400 plus shipping. I've put a few bucks into it but I'm under $800 total, I think.



It's not difficult to get a decent commuter bike for not a lot of cash. Heck, even buying brand new I'm sure I'd be happy on a $300 bike. I owned a cheap Ibex for years, rode the heck out of it, and had no problems.

Dear Boatrider:

I bought my bike at a yard sale for $ 20.00, and bought planet bike fenders off someone which did not fit their bike for $ 10.00 and a second hand rear rack for $15.00. For lighting I bought a blinking rear light off craigslist for $ 5.00 and my front light at a bike shop in Romania for $ 8.00 (it does not use batteries, a crank supplies the power). The lock is a kryptonite knock off that was $ 20.00 (the same price as the bike!). So I am in at $78.00. If my bike got stolen I would be sad, but I do have a $ 5.00 yard sale bike in the wings if that should happen. John

Go to walmart and pick up there brand. Its as miserable and cheap as you can get, since thats what you are asking for. Its called Mt. Fury and Road Fury. Have fun sweating buckets

I got about $1200 into my everyday commuter including the orginal bike from C/L. New powdercoat, full Ultegra drivetrain, wheels etc. I could have reused rack, cages, etc. off my old one and come in cheaper, but I figured "new" bike and hey, I deserved it.

Felt pretty bad for a minute or two having spent that much money on a bike, but I got over it when I started riding it.

I agree 100%. For 30 years I commuted on my racing bikes. And for foul weather I took the car.

Here's one ready to go.

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/2648132104.html