View Poll Results: What would your "only bike" be?
BMX
0
0%
Voters: 81. You may not vote on this poll
What would your "only bike" be?
03-16-12, 12:02 PM
#1
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Thread Starter
What would your "only bike" be?
Inspired by this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-of-your-bikes...
I was noticing that a lot of the bikes pictured there have drop bars, a rack, and also often have fenders. Looking around the streets here, you'd think that hybrid variants would have had a stronger showing. So, this got me wondering what, statistically, would be the most popular commuter bike here on BF.
Pick one, and pick what you'd like to have, not necessarily what you actually use now or have on hand.
Road race bike
Cyclocross/drop bar tourer
Road hybrid (lightweight, skinny tires, fully rigid)
City hybrid (heavier, higher bars, fatter tires, front shock optional)
Hardtail MTB
Full suspension/downhill MTB
BMX
Folder (with either flat bars or drops)
Recumbent
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-of-your-bikes...
I was noticing that a lot of the bikes pictured there have drop bars, a rack, and also often have fenders. Looking around the streets here, you'd think that hybrid variants would have had a stronger showing. So, this got me wondering what, statistically, would be the most popular commuter bike here on BF.
Pick one, and pick what you'd like to have, not necessarily what you actually use now or have on hand.
Road race bike
Cyclocross/drop bar tourer
Road hybrid (lightweight, skinny tires, fully rigid)
City hybrid (heavier, higher bars, fatter tires, front shock optional)
Hardtail MTB
Full suspension/downhill MTB
BMX
Folder (with either flat bars or drops)
Recumbent
03-16-12, 12:22 PM
#2
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,064
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,397 Times
in
2,327 Posts
randonneuse, but I like to have a road bike and a cheap bike to commute on, so I'm not sure why I would limit myself to one
03-16-12, 12:26 PM
#3
ROM 6:23
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Coastal Maine
Posts: 1,713
Bikes: Specialized Tricross Comp, Lemond Tourmalet, Bridgestone MB-5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I voted hardtail MTB only because I've been thinking that a 26" wheeled bike would be most versatile. I'm 5'6" and though I love my Tricross, finding putting fenders on anything 700c is PITA. Clearances, toe overlap, you name it. If I could get a nice custom 26" (or 650c) Rivendell then maybe I could get down to ONE bike.
03-16-12, 12:28 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18882 Post(s)
Liked 10,643 Times
in
6,053 Posts
Road racing bike. They're generally the most fun, with the possible exception of riding a mountain bike in the mountains.
There's a video of a BF member who rode a carbon Roubaix (?) from Seattle to San Francisco, covering 1,100 miles in 10 days of riding. It's especially inspiring to somebody, like yours truly, who lives on one end of that journey and has lived on the other. So, a road racing bike can be a touring bike ... as long as you have a chase vehicle.
There's a video of a BF member who rode a carbon Roubaix (?) from Seattle to San Francisco, covering 1,100 miles in 10 days of riding. It's especially inspiring to somebody, like yours truly, who lives on one end of that journey and has lived on the other. So, a road racing bike can be a touring bike ... as long as you have a chase vehicle.
03-16-12, 12:38 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,101 Times
in
1,415 Posts
I'd pick something like a Cross-Check/DoubleCross/Cassaroll. You could slap racks and fenders on for the commute or overnighter, mount skinny tires for hammer rides, even go SSFG if you like.
on edit: Does Bianchi still make the Volpe?
on edit: Does Bianchi still make the Volpe?
Last edited by caloso; 03-16-12 at 12:44 PM.
03-16-12, 12:41 PM
#6
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,577
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3856 Post(s)
Liked 2,526 Times
in
1,555 Posts
03-16-12, 12:54 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,665
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 103 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 2,565 Times
in
1,405 Posts
I don't understand class road Racing bike, but I selected it meaning Road Bike.
for me road bike is drop bars and efficient. Lots of variation of course, but even though my bike was marketed as for triatholons (not a tri bike) when I bought it in 89 it could be an entry race. but to me it is a road bike.
why a road bike.... most flexible....even if you have a full on race you can so some sort of carrying (underseat bag, seat post rack, messenger bag) and anything less than full on race gives you even more flexiblity.
here is my only bike if I had to choose one. '89 miyata 1400 upgraded to ultegra 9 triple. right now it is set up for riding hard on weekends, but I have had it set up with fenders and a rack ...bit of tight fit and requires creativity with no eyelets
for me road bike is drop bars and efficient. Lots of variation of course, but even though my bike was marketed as for triatholons (not a tri bike) when I bought it in 89 it could be an entry race. but to me it is a road bike.
why a road bike.... most flexible....even if you have a full on race you can so some sort of carrying (underseat bag, seat post rack, messenger bag) and anything less than full on race gives you even more flexiblity.
here is my only bike if I had to choose one. '89 miyata 1400 upgraded to ultegra 9 triple. right now it is set up for riding hard on weekends, but I have had it set up with fenders and a rack ...bit of tight fit and requires creativity with no eyelets
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
03-16-12, 12:57 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,173
Bikes: Fuji
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd get a cross bike, but only if it has rack mounts. Otherwise, just give me a traditional road with rack mounts.
The Fuji Cross 3.0 would do nicely, but not sure though...I'd get a Giant Defy 2 or Jamis Xenith Enduro.
The Fuji Cross 3.0 would do nicely, but not sure though...I'd get a Giant Defy 2 or Jamis Xenith Enduro.
03-16-12, 01:02 PM
#9
born again cyclist
if i could only have 1 bike for commuting, i'd have a cross bike. they're the utmost in combing decent speed with maximum versatility.
as it is i don't have a cross bike. i have a race bike for fair weather commuting, and an IGH/disc brake hybrid that can take wider tires/studs as my foul weather/winter commuter.
as it is i don't have a cross bike. i have a race bike for fair weather commuting, and an IGH/disc brake hybrid that can take wider tires/studs as my foul weather/winter commuter.
03-16-12, 01:03 PM
#10
I love custom cruisers
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 310
Bikes: Versato Riviera 21spd cruiser, 2005 Schwinn Typhoon cruiser 700c wheels, Ocean Pacific cruiser 6spd suicide front brake, 1993 Giant Acapulco SS conversion project
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i use my home brew beach cruiser that has 700c wheels and hybrid tires. maybe you needed a choice for other on the poll
03-16-12, 01:06 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,101 Times
in
1,415 Posts
I took "road race bike" to mean tight clearances, short wheel bases, and lack of mounting bosses for fenders and racks. Like this:
Biggest tire I can fit is a 25mm, and even that's tight. Break a spoke and you're walking.
Biggest tire I can fit is a 25mm, and even that's tight. Break a spoke and you're walking.
03-16-12, 01:20 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18882 Post(s)
Liked 10,643 Times
in
6,053 Posts
03-16-12, 01:41 PM
#14
Rider of the Storm
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 94
Bikes: 1974 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1986 Trek 850
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
a cyclocross bike..with mustache bars ... and I would probably have to build it from the frame up to be what I want it to be
03-16-12, 01:51 PM
#15
Dharma Dog
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 2,073
Bikes: Rodriguez Shiftless street fixie with S&S couplers, Kuwahara tandem, Trek carbon, Dolan track
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
There's no fixie on the list. The simpler, the better.
Luis
Luis
03-16-12, 02:03 PM
#16
Banned
Been using my Bike Friday Pocket Llama, to the exclusion of the others, all winter.
But 1 icy interval..
Disc brakes, F dyno-hub, and R IG hub .. It's like a Step thru frame ..
But 1 icy interval..
Disc brakes, F dyno-hub, and R IG hub .. It's like a Step thru frame ..
03-16-12, 02:18 PM
#17
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Thread Starter
03-16-12, 02:18 PM
#18
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Thread Starter
03-16-12, 02:24 PM
#19
Banned
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 5,804
Bikes: Raleigh Grand Prix, Giant Innova, Nishiki Sebring, Trek 7.5FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A chromoly steel road or performance hybrid would be my choice. Something like a Jamis Coda Elite would be nice! 
03-16-12, 02:41 PM
#20
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like I said in the other thread: not possible. I can't imagine a bike that would serve all my purposes. I'd need at least a roadworthy, rigid and tough commuter; a nicer bike for weekend rides and touring; and a full suspension mountain bike.
Last edited by AdamDZ; 03-16-12 at 04:02 PM. Reason: Fixed a typo: can't
03-16-12, 02:46 PM
#21
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Thread Starter
Those are the three bikes I have, too, but imagine which purposes -- or activities -- you'd be willing to forego if you were stuck with just one bike. Would you take that commuter for weekend rides and touring, or would you use the FS MTB for touring and commuting as well, or would you give up playing in the dirt now and then, etc?
03-16-12, 03:08 PM
#22
Senior Member
If I had to do this (and wasn't on an especially tight budget) I'd build up a Ritchey Breakaway Cross (in Ti if the budget were really extravagent) frame with drop bars, STI, and a triple crank and mountain rear derailleur. I could fly on it, road ride on it with road wheels, ride singletrack and cross race on it with cross tires, and it'd be decent as a tourer and commuter. Or just a cheaper cross bike with a triple would do everything but fly easily and be a lot cheaper, or a cross bike with a double for everything but fly and tour (well).
I already do the bulk of my riding with a cross bike anyways, and pretty much only ride the touring bike with large loads or when it's raining (no fenders presently mounted on the cross bike, but I could).
I already do the bulk of my riding with a cross bike anyways, and pretty much only ride the touring bike with large loads or when it's raining (no fenders presently mounted on the cross bike, but I could).
03-16-12, 03:13 PM
#23
On a Mission from God
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Posts: 2,010
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
LOL, I only have one bike at the moment, so poll was easy.
03-16-12, 03:56 PM
#24
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
8 Posts
If that's the result you seek, just ask in the Hybrids forum instead of here. You'll hear all about the evils of drop bar bikes.
Here in commuting--well despite the diversity represented here--in general we see to be more along the lines of bike nuts than the type of riders who are attracted to hybrids. Bike nuts these days seem pretty much attracted to road or mountain bikes, not the middle ground represented by hybrids.
In survey terms, there's a built-in selection bias.
Here in commuting--well despite the diversity represented here--in general we see to be more along the lines of bike nuts than the type of riders who are attracted to hybrids. Bike nuts these days seem pretty much attracted to road or mountain bikes, not the middle ground represented by hybrids.
In survey terms, there's a built-in selection bias.
03-16-12, 04:03 PM
#25
Bike addict, dreamer
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Queens, New York
Posts: 5,165
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Those are the three bikes I have, too, but imagine which purposes -- or activities -- you'd be willing to forego if you were stuck with just one bike. Would you take that commuter for weekend rides and touring, or would you use the FS MTB for touring and commuting as well, or would you give up playing in the dirt now and then, etc?
If that's the result you seek, just ask in the Hybrids forum instead of here. You'll hear all about the evils of drop bar bikes.
Here in commuting--well despite the diversity represented here--in general we see to be more along the lines of bike nuts than the type of riders who are attracted to hybrids. Bike nuts these days seem pretty much attracted to road or mountain bikes, not the middle ground represented by hybrids.
In survey terms, there's a built-in selection bias.
Here in commuting--well despite the diversity represented here--in general we see to be more along the lines of bike nuts than the type of riders who are attracted to hybrids. Bike nuts these days seem pretty much attracted to road or mountain bikes, not the middle ground represented by hybrids.
In survey terms, there's a built-in selection bias.
I'd rather ride a 'bent than a hybrid
Last edited by AdamDZ; 03-16-12 at 04:08 PM.
