Hi there guys,
Its the winter time and i want to keep in good shape so i was thinking of commuting to work and school on a bike now. I haven't ridden one since i was 16, iam 21 now. I'm into a lot of motorcycles and do a lot of track days and plan on racing next year. So i though it would be a good idea to get my legs in better shape as well.



My commute is going to be 4-5 miles. 3 miles will be up/down a hill, not very steep but it may snow for a few days in December. I live in Portland, Oregon so it also rains a lot. I wanted to know what kinda of bike is best suited for my commuting. I really don't have much idea about the bike, but i don't want to spend a lot of money on it. Something basic is just fine. I'm 5'8 and weight about 165lbs.

So i had a list of questions, and i would really appreciate it if you guys could answer it.

1. What kind of a bike should i be looking for and the cost of it ? geared/non geared/flat bars/etc...

2. What kind of tires do u guys recommend ?

3. Is buying used a bad idea ?

4. What kind of gear should i be looking out for ? Its cold and rainy, very rainy....


Thanks in advance.

1. You have to decide that. I like commuting on a road bike with drop bars and gears. I use to commute fixed as well, but gears makes more sense if you have hills and it's raining. Fenders are a must in the rain, so ideally you want something with clearance for wider tires and fenders. Braze-ons for fenders and racks too, but you can surpass that with P-clamps.

2. I like 700 x 28 tires. It doesn't snow much here so Panaracer Paselas work fine for me. I like a fast commute.

3. Buying used is a great idea, but you have to know what to look for. You have to be able to spot and judge damage. Buying used can sometimes be a money trap.

4. waterproof and breathable.

Get this one.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2702377199.html

or

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2702174892.html

or

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/2702083635.html

The 1st one is out of my budget. The 2nd one looks interesting. Are the handle bars made in such a way to rest your arms ? Can a fender be installed on the 3rd one ?

1. Take test rides- a bunch of them. Gears or not is up to you.
2. Slicks for road, knobbies for dirt/snow/mud, spikes for ice.
3. Buying used is not a bad idea, provided that a) it fits and b) you have someone knowledgeable give it the once over before buying.
4. Expect to get wet no matter what your rain gear. Layer up with wool, avoid cotton, and use a nylon shell to block wind/water.

This.

I say go to your nearest REI in Portland and get fitted, after you've perused their website for bikes.

After being fitted and getting some idea as to what size bike you'll need, either decide on a bike purchase there, while at REI, or return home and order from bikesdirect.com.

www.bikesdirect.com

* You might also wanna check out a Schwinn dealership after observing their Signature Series bikes.

www.schwinnbikes.com

There is also another good website for bikes called Performance:

www.performancebike.com

Alternatively, you could always deal with Craigslist Sometimes CL can be smooth and sometimes it can be a hassle, too.

- Slim

PS.

If you're riding on paved roads only, get a road bike with skinny and smooth tires. Since you'll be dealing with rain, try to get disc brakes and fenders.

If you'll be riding on dirt trails and mountainous terrain, that includes roots, rocks, and crevices, get a mountain bike with the widest knobbie tires.

If you'll be riding a combination of paved road and wooded trails, then get a hybrid or a cyclocross bike with wider tires.

Narrow and smooth tires means fast. Wide and knobbie tires means slow.

For a hilly, rainy winter commute you need:
Sufficient tyre clearance. If you want winter studded tyres you need more room.
Threaded eyelets for bolt-on fenders (SKS chromolplastic)
Eyelets for a rear luggage rack.
Selection of gears inc low ones.
Optional but very nice to have are disc brakes. Mechanical ones are fine, you dont need fancy hydraulic.
Bad to have: any suspension system
A standard hybrid style bike will do the job well and is cheaper and easier to find than a touring or cyclo-cross style road bike. Hybrid size tyres are about 35mm-38mm and most models have room for wider studded tyres. You can always fit narrower one. For being on time rather than being the fastest, it it hard to beat Schwalbe Marathon Plus, the toughest , most resistant model.

Budget for rack, fenders, luggage, lock, lights, helmet. You can use any waterproofs you already have.

My commute is also 4-5 miles and hilly.You definitely need gears, otherwise you're likely to wreck your knees. You also need bright clothing and good bright lights to make sure you're seen. I've been knocked off my bike by someone who said 'sorry mate I didn't see you'. It's very painful.
Warm gloves. A thin sweater to go under your waterproof jacket for the colder days.
If you're riding on paved roads get a hybrid or road bike. A mountain bike is too slow and knobbly tires give less grip on asphalt.
Used is better if you're on a budget, but take advice so you don't end up with a lemon. If you take to commuting the chances are that within a few months you'll have a better idea of your needs/wants and want to get another bike. Good Luck and welcome!

Two important questions you need to ask yourself?
What's your budget and can you do bicycle repair and maintenance?

Buying new at the bike shop makes it so it doesn't matter so much if you can't do your own assembling and maintenance. If you can, you can buy with more confidence used or from an online retailer that will send you a bike that needs some assembly but you will save a lot of money.

I think iam pretty handy, dealing with motorcycles has given me some experience if not a lot. I was thinking of buying a used bike and start committing on that till i want to get something nicer or till the used bike becomes too much of a nuance.

I was looking at these bikes, can you guys let me know if any of them are suitable for me ? Gears is important, also height since iam 5'8 ill need a 54-56cm frame size.....

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2697837082.html


https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/2691182765.html


https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/2697109974.html


https://sellwoodcycle.com/consign/19-...cat-trail-175/


https://sellwoodcycle.com/consign/17-5-trek-9000-250/

If it were me, I'd go with either the GT from the first CL or the Marin from Sellwood. And after rereading the OP about height- Marin all the way. I'm 6' and my 22" framed Kona on 26" wheels is a little too big for my comfort. The GT claims to be 22" frame with 24" wheels? Odd...

No idea of the commute.. is multimodal needed/ what % urban/burbs/or rural?

Me? Rather fond of my Bike Friday Pocket Llama I got this year..
20" wheel good Schwalbe tires, disc brakes. IG hub.

by the design the low top tube makes my winter use, during deluges
of a Cycle Rain Cape, and the mount /dismount quite easy.

I can reccomend the disc option as worthwhile for winter
in the Region we both inhabit.

Shop visits and test rides are highly reccomended..

prices for used bikes in PDX are inflated a bit, because they are there.

its 1 mile urban followed by 3 miles of up/down hill, there are bike lanes and the roads are in very good condition. Its the road to one of the best hospitals (OHSU) in the pacific north west so it has to be well maintained.


So i've been looking online for some more bikes and found something cheaper but is it necessary worse ?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NEXT-Ampli...-Bike/14277827

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Genesis-26...cycle/14089739

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mongoose-X...ellow/17284192

https://www.walmart.com/ip/GMC-Denali...-Bike/16203487

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Genesis-Te...-Bike/17206775

or some of the other walmart alternatives ?

Have an appointment at the VA on 'pill hill' myself soon..
connected by the skyway bridge..
VAMC/ DAV van gets me to and fro. from the coast.

FWIW, 4 miles
You could probably do your commute on a folding bike
and bring it inside when you get there..

in town there, Clever Cycles has some nice practical bikes.
other shops have different types, perhaps you go for a racier type.

definitely test ride a bunch, it's an aquired taste for bike type choice.

So i had a list of questions, and i would really appreciate it if you guys could answer it.
1. What kind of a bike should i be looking for and the cost of it ? geared/non geared/flat bars/etc...
2. What kind of tires do u guys recommend ?
3. Is buying used a bad idea ?
4. What kind of gear should i be looking out for ? Its cold and rainy, very rainy....

The cheapest used bike that fits you. When you know what you do and don't like, change/upgrade. Look for a neutral type (just like bikes...motorcycles - you start with a classic naked, not a chopper, or a sportsbike, or an enduro - start with classic and when you learn basics you see what your heart desires).
For rain and cold the only good advice is experience - shorter trips trial and error. We are all different. Generaly, active uderwear, wool, wind/rainproof layers on top, but there are 1000 variations, try and see what suits you. Again, start cheap, borrow from other friends to see what fits and suits you, THEN buy.

Bicycle is great for legs and lungs, but for track days i recommend running and lots of crouches, pushups and back strengthening excercise. Athletics training programme for say an 800 meter runner is what I'd look into, perhaps a bit of swimming. More running and stomack/back excercise, less bicycle to really be the hellcat on the track!

Craigslist is a much better option than Walmart! Skip the Walmart idea, if you can stand it, financially speaking, that is...

- Slim

+1 ^ This ^

I'd go for either the GT or the Marin, too! However, the fit and comfort factor supercedes any other considerations.

- Slim

I agree with keeping your eyes open for a bike on Craigslist. Walmart sells ****. There are plenty of bikes on Craigslist that have few miles on them but plenty of time sitting in the garage. That GT looked pretty nice.

r2d2, purchasing a bicycle from walmart or any other discount department store for commuting only works if you know what your getting into and can do all of the work to it yourself.

1. What kind of a bike should i be looking for and the cost of it ? geared/non geared/flat bars/etc...
If it was up to me, I would buy what you can afford and personally I would get something with drop bars, gears and room for fenders.
2. What kind of tires do u guys recommend ?
I would recommend something 700c between 28 and 32 width- You don't need to spend a ton. I like Forte Gotham tires for commuting and all-around use.
3. Is buying used a bad idea ?
Buying used is a good idea as long as you know how to appraise the value of a bike and can fix anything you need to fix yourself. Bikes can often be had at a good discount if you buy used- and not a bad idea if you're just getting into biking.
4. What kind of gear should i be looking out for ? Its cold and rainy, very rainy....
I second the idea of using thrift stores. I don't know which are the good ones in Portland, but I know a good one on the west side. Buy Nylon shell pants and upper and then just wear whatever athletic wear you have underneath. Fenders on your bike are a must.