new2bik

https://reviews.costco.ca/2070-en_ca/...ws/reviews.htm

I want an upright position & would maybe bike about 20 mins 5 days a week from spring to fall ---from home to the train station. this bike has some good reviews.. appreciate any thoughts.. .

new2bik

oh and I forgot to mention, I'd like to add a basket in the front to carry my lunch.. is that possible with this bike??

prathmann

Not familiar with that bike, but it looks like it would be fine for your purpose. You might have a bike shop check over the wheels to make sure the spokes are properly tensioned to avoid problems later. You can find many handlebar bags that would work ok, but since the bike already has a rear rack it would be also be easy to add a trunk bag that fits on top or small panniers from the sides. Just about any bag will work if you're just carrying lunch, but bags on the rear rack could give you more capacity for other things when desired.

jeffpoulin

Is that 20 minutes round trip or one way? At an easy pace, 20 minutes is around 3 miles. If your route is mostly flat, you can do that on pretty much any kind of bike. As for the basket, if it's supported entirely from your handlebars, it should work. However, you won't be able to put much weight in it, due to the lack of support. Baskets with metal rods that attach to your fork probably won't work, since those bikes have suspension forks (i.e. they move up and down). Good luck with your purchase.

CB HI

Does it even fit you?

For a short ride, almost any bike will be OK. Your biggest problem is keeping it from getting stolen at the station.

Scheherezade 

You don't see six speeds too much any more.

no1mad 

It's doable, but you'll probably be better off (and happier) using a Wald folding basket on the rear. Fold the basket when parked, and unfold it for your ride.

a1penguin

Costco has an excellent return policy, so if you discover it's not up to the task, you can return it. My only concern about buying bikes from Xmart stores is that the people assembling them are often the employee who knows how to use an adjustable wrench. If the bike makes funny noises, you might stop by your local bike shop who can make minor adjustments. They can probably also help you find a suitable basket. I love seeing the wide variety of bikes that people use for commuting!

SuncoastChad

It'll work just fine. I ride a Schwinn "Jaguar" with an add on seat post rack/rack trunk, and a handle-bar basket. You'll be getting a real rack with pannier wires and fenders. Just channel your inner Pee Wee Herman and you'll have a great time commuting to the station!!

sm1960

Looks comfortable. You can attach zip tie milk crate to rack on back for a basket. Works great, I did it for years. Give everything a good tightening before you start riding.

canyoneagle

Looks like a good value and a comfortable bike. I personally shy away from Xmart bikes, though. assembly is almost always dodgy, and the quality bar for manufacturing is pretty low (China vs. Taiwan for most LBS brands).

Since Slim recommended some BD (bikesdirect) models, here's another BD option that I think is better suited for your needs: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/city_bikes.htm

Otherwise, you could spend a week or two and procure a classic Raleigh Sports or DL (or similar) from CL or Ebay

Kojak

Listen to the penguin.

I like Costco a lot for many things, but bikes should be assembled by someone who knows what they're doing and I don't know this for sure but it's unlikely that Costco hires bike mechanics for this purpose. Many bike shops have a variety of economy models that are well suited for light duty and short commutes. You may spend a few extra dollars, but a good bike shop will sell you the right bike the first time around, and it will fit you and be assembled by someone who knows their way around a bike.

And, that Costco bike is nearly 50lbs.!!! Yikes.

Ray R

Does Costco provide service for bikes bought there? Buy from your local bike shop. Most will offer complimentary service on bikes they sell. You will be keeping money in the local economy and you will be confident the bike will have been assembled properly. Support your LBS!

dynodonn 

If the trip is 20 minutes round trip at a somewhat leisurely pace, and this bike is in stock at a Costco store, this bike would be fine. Even if the bike has to be ordered on line, at least Costco has a very good return policy if the bike arrives with some damage. As for maintenance or partially assembly, if the OP has little or no bike repair skills, a good LBS can do the work for a fee, just keeping in mind that the fees over time could equal or exceed a similar LBS bike purchase price.

ItsJustMe

It'll be fine. I have been riding a $300 upright hybrid bike for 8 years and 27,000 miles now.

I've had to replace stuff along the way, but it's served me well and I still don't really want a new bike, though I look at them occasionally.

I bought mine at a bike store. I suggest going to one and see what they have, they can probably come close to the Costco price and you'll get good advice and a proper fit and assembly from them, and they'll give you a free tuneup later in the season.

Not every bike store is good, but most are. Look around.

Kojak

+1 on this advice. Well said, and spot on.

SuperGregNo1

I'm sure it will be fine. I put a ton of miles on a cheap Costco MTB last year. I was given the bike by a friend, but was told the cost was a little over $100. When he first gave it to me, I got to practice the art of wheel truing, and boy did that take a lot of work. But, in the end the wheels look great and I learned a new skill. The derailleurs needed a bit of adjustment, and again I learned something new on something that wouldn't cost much if I messed it up.

For all the talk about how your bike is going to break in 6 months if you're not running 105 or better, cheap stuff is actually not too bad. My biggest gripes with the bike were that it just didn't fit me that well (I'm 6' 5"), I didn't like the handlebars, and I really wanted a road bike not a MTB.

new2bik

wow! thanks everyone for all your handy tips from experience.. I'm about 5'8" & wondering if this bike would fit.. I guess a Costsco run is in order.. nad to my local bike store as well. appreciate any tips for bike stores in & around mississauga in ontario, canada.. thanks!

new2bik

Jeff Poulin, 20 minutes is to & fro..
CB HI I don't know if it'll fit. I'm an approx 5'8"woman
Slim rider & others who asked about 6-speed - I really don;t care about a range of speeds, I just want single speed
canyoneagle.. is this the raleigh sport you're thinking of.. https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/raleigh-...-bike/10076783#
Kojak, sorry I;m being such a newbie. what's the ideal weight for a commuter bike, should it be < 50 lbs or more??
I don't know much about bikes, so going to the bike store may not be very helpful, as I don't know what to look for....thanks so much..

MadMan2k

An 18" frame might not be so comfortable, depending on your inseam. I'm 5'11 but I have a 30 or 31" inseam and I fit my 17" frame mountain bike pretty well.

Before pulling the trigger on this, I would recommend checking around for a bike shop that sells used/restored bikes, and also spend some time on Craigslist to see what you can find for the same price. Market research is always a good idea.

SlimRider

IMHO cheap bikes with multiple gears and a cheap suspension fork, just spells future troubles to me...

Listen, your commute is not long. If you don't have any hills, or much of an incline to traverse, then just get a low maintenance single speed with a rigid fork. You're not going to have to deal with any major fork issues causing you to dole out extra cash, nor are you going to have any gear problems, because you're not going to have any shifters or derailleurs to worry about.

As far as I'm concerned the rack and the fenders are just bait on that bike. If your commute is primarily on flat urban terrain, just keep it simple and get a single speed with a chromoly frame. That combination promises many years of uninterrupted economical, reliable, and efficient cycling service.

Just take a look at this Nashbar deal here. This single speed chromoly steel bicycle will provide many years of service. It's called, The Hounder ~ $200:

www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_202339

This bike will arrive 95% assembled already. All you'll have to do will be to place the finishing touches upon the assembly. You won't have any problems, because you can watch the assembly video below, as many times as neccessary:

www.bikesdirect.com/instructionhelp.htm


- Slim

Kojak

50 lbs. is exceptionally heavy, even for a comfort/commuter. A decent quality bike that is on the lower end of the price scale should be around 30lbs. +/- 5lbs.

It is my opinion that something this heavy will likely be cumbersome and unweildly (and not much fun to ride). If your initial experience is negative, you're less likely to really embrace this change.

I'll re-iterate, (I see you've asked the question here) go find a good bike shop and talk with someone who will take the time to walk you through some options. You will really be much happier if you buy something with a bit of knowledge than if you go buy something on merely price alone. The other thing I'd suggest is by all means, go to Costco and actually pick up the bike. A 50lb bike is a beast.

new2bik

thanks a ton everyone
I surfed around a bit, looks like the single speed typically comes with coaster brakes, I'm not sure how good I would be to remember to coast to brake.. since not that much experience on the road.. any other ideas appreciated..

hiyer1

20 mins? just run it =D

But yeah that bike will do for your purposes...If your ride is hilly get a lighter bike though, the one in the pic looks really heavy.

If it was me, I'd go to an actual bike shop that sells affordable bikes, have someone there fit me, and get a bike that I could use for more than just a 20 minute ride.

unless of course you never plan on riding it otherwise, in which case this one will do fine.

ottawa_adam

I wouldn't recommend ordering a bike to Canada from a US company. You will be adding $25 for shipping, plus about $60-80 in customs and brokerage fees. That's almost an extra $100. Not to mention the assembly cost for bringing it to a bike shop. A brand new rider, with perhaps little mechanical skills couldn't be expected to properly assemble a bike.

My recommendation is to visit a bike shop or to find a good used one in your area.