Hi all, am looking for advice on buying a commuter bike. I'll be commuting ~ 5 miles to work and am pretty new into biking (only have a $400 mountain bike at home). I want a bike that is really light, but has the capacity for racks, panniers and fenders. I'll mostly be on paved roads with traffic and will be biking a lot in the rain. Bikes i've been looking at: specialized tricross comp, trek FX 7.7, and cannondale quick SL1. Any advice? Opinions on drop bars vs straight handlebars?

Cheers.

Any of those are a fine choice for a commuter. I personally really like the Quick series, having sold them since they came out. I'm considering one myself, as a matter of fact.

As far as drops vs. straight bars, everyone has their own opinion, but mine is that on a 5 mile commute, its not going to make much difference. I ride a bit of a hybrid bar (mustache style) and like that it has a few more hand positions than a flat bar, but I never find myself wishing I had drops. For me, a comfortable upright(ish) ride is where it's at on a commute.

If your commute is around 5 miles each way, save your $ and get a pair of slick tires for you mountain bike, and outfit it with a front/rear rack and any other accessories you might want. Unless you had a 10+ mile commute each way or anything else longer, your mountain bike will be more than sufficient. By some good bikes clothes and accessories rather than an expensive bike for a short commute. There would not be more than probably a 1 minute difference between your mountain bike and any of the others you are looking at on your ride.

Im also into commuting 5 days a week, 10mi there and 10mi back. I have a Trek 7.2fx with the straight bar and 23c Armadillo tires. What is this "mustache style" hybrid bar you speak of?

Welcome To Bike Forums, NanaimoJ!

The bikes you have listed are all excellent choices. However, for your basic commuting needs, you don't really need a 105 gruppo. Therefore, I think that the Trek 7.7FX and the Quick SL1 are both superb, top notch, not your everyday, kinda hybrid commuters . Not that there's anything wrong with 'em, but if you'd like to have an efficient commuting machine for less cash, the opportunities abound. For example, I'd recommend the following commuting steeds, as well:

The Giant Rapid ~ $1250
www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/rapid/9015/48857/

The Raleigh Cadent Ft3 ~ $1050
www.raleighusa.com/bikes/performance-hybrid/cadent-ft3-12/

The Jamis Allegro Elite ~ $1050
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/allegro/12_allegroelite.html

* You can get more bang for your buck with a hybrid...


If you're commuting within a major urban setting, there's going to be much traffic. In order to have optimum visual perception, you're going to need the advantage of sitting in an upright position. Therefore, flat handlebars are key while commuting.

+1 ^ This is great adivice!

Besides, every commuter should have a spare bicycle anyway, just in case of an emergency. Your bike might get stolen...You could wake up and discover a flat...You're bike might have to go to the shop for repairs, etc..

Therefore, commuterize your mountain bike!

I wonder if seely means this: https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/hb3.htm

That's always my first thought whenever someone mentions a moustache bar for bicycle riding.

Though for a distance that short (5 miles one way), I personally prefer these for comfort and a "heads-up" position over flat bars: https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/hb2.htm

I would try this. I see plenty of people at work commuting on mountain bikes. A five mile commute is short enough that any bike should work. Putting a pair of thinner slicks on the mountain bike will probably give you a bike with a smooth ride.

+1. Also, "light" is highly over rated for a commuter.
In addition to swapping out the tires on your MTB, you can change handlebars or add some bar-ends for additional comfort at very little cost. As an added bonus, converted MTB commuters are less appealing to thieves.

A lightweight road bike with rack and fender eyelets and generous tyre clearance makes an excellent commuter bike. Commuters should always have a spare bike for when one is in the workshop.
The advantage over a std hybrid bike may be marginal over 5miles but they are more fun and double up as a weekend road bike for longer rides.
I prefer long drop caliper brakes to cyclo-cross style cantilevers, they are easier to setup and have as much, if not more braking power. If you need more tyre clearance and better all-weather performance, then the disc-equipped CX style is better.

What bike is it? Maybe you can just fix it up to be a commuter?
Try it with your current bike, then buy a nice one if you truly like bike commuting and transfer the parts.

I always advise people to look at cyclocross bikes for commuting. Most are at least reasonably light. Most have eyelets for racks and fenders and enough clearance for wider tires and fenders. They can be used on or off road, and some even make good touring bikes. I have two set up differently.

I agree that almost any bike can be a great commuter, especially cross bikes. I went the city bike route, and with a few modifications, I've been very pleased with the result. Sure, many are heavy (mine are), but the ride is great and my commute is short.

Thanks for the advice all. Will take it to heart. Seems like most suggest outfitting my old mountain bike (Trek 3900). I had my heart set on getting a nice shiny new bike, however.

IMHO

Ideally most commuters would rather have at least two bikes. One for the daily commute and one spare, just in case of an emergency. Of course, the bike used in case of an emergency can be anything from an old reliable MTB beater to a Trek Madone 6.9 SSL.

PS.

Therefore, you can still get that nice shiny new bike, with all of our blessings.

Then by all means go get one. As been said, having an extra bike is nice to have.

And if you get something you really want, more than likely you will use it more. You'll get more exercise, save money, save the environment.....
It's a win, win situation.