New commuting bike options er... n+1
 

I'm considering getting a new bike that I'll use primarily as a commuter. I'm curious which bikes I should consider. My commute is very short ~ 2 miles each way 4 total (still to far to walk), I carry a backpack that holds my lunch, computer, some paper work, likely a change of clothes a few times per week. I keep most my clothes at work and rotate every few days.

My commuting rig will also be my barhopper, wet weather road machine (rain, no snow here). I live near down town Atlanta, so looking for a bike that is quick responding, easy to start/ stop at light, let's me get upto speed quickly to work into traffic. It also need to look good next to my road bike. I want larger tires to smooth out rough road when sipping around town.

I have garage parking at work and home.

budget <1400,

So far my list of options to evaluate are:
Surly Cross Check I love the color and would look great with black fenders
Sala Vaya (3) hate the 3 ring front and the red/brown colors
Soma double Cross this bike maybe too cool for me. Seriously, never built a bike before. Not afraid to do it but curious how much will cost
Fanthom uno Wow orange and single speed and $399. Can you put fenders on this bad boy? Will it hold up for a year? will not function as a road bike in the wet.

Fanthom Outlaw Looks like a nice budget deal for a complete bike.

I'd appreciate some comments on any bike above and which other bikes I should look into. I'm looking for unique was to fullfill my needs and am in the RFI stage of the exercise I dont plan to purchase anything until I become educated on what best meets my needs.


Disclaimer ~ I'm prone to impulse decisions, so dont be offended if I ignore you suggestions and show up buying a Nikon 7000 camera body or a new lens instead.

many thanks,
v4e

Um, regarding the Fantom Uno, you're wanting to know if you can get fenders on it? Did you somehow miss that image from Bicycle Times that shows one with fenders on it that is front and center on the product page on BD's site?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...es_uno_800.jpg

Personally, I'd either go with the Fantom to save a bit of money or go semi-custom with the Soma.

$1400 is quite a budget for a 2 mile commute and barhopping duties. I'd use my '89 RockHopper for that.

I thought a barhopper bike was supposed to let you enjoy a pint without worrying about your bike outside. What criteria does you Giant MTB (or something similar with slicks and maybe a narrow cassette) not cover?

I miss not having a decent inexpensive flat-bar fast hybrid-style bike around for just the scenarios you posted. They can play in traffic very well too, except for maybe not having tall enough gearing at times.

yes, but this is would also be my wet weather road bike.

I understand what your getting at. Otimpize my base case and just fix up the oldies. I'd actually consider replacing both with a single newer bike, as neither are a great fit for me and take up.

The Uno just sounds like a great deal.


I totally missed this. It looks very nice. Can any body help me estimate a build kit for Soma. It would be a simple build 1x9 gearing bar-end shifting fenders. I have a bars and stem(-100)

If it'll be your wet weather road bike as well as your commuter get one with disc brakes. I have a Motobecane Fantom Cross Ti with Parabox "R" hydraulic brakes and I love it. If the quality of the Outlaw is as good as the Cross Ti then I don't think you can go wrong with it. It's a lot of bike for the money as all BD bikes usually are.

2 miles really isn't too far to walk. It seems silly to me that everybody asking about a new bike always says "it has to look good" at some point.

I say the uno. You'll notice the speed/efficiency difference on a single speed, and the uno is a tough bike for the money. If you already have a road bike why not just figure out accommodations to park it wherever you commute to?

I'm also in Atlanta and it's a jerk to ride in this city sometimes...Trying to get down Marietta street the other day was an exercise in patience and bravery.

In any case, I would avoid the high end bikes unless you can park them indoors, a nice bike is just going to get stolen around here. Have you looked at that 20" soma? It looks great, can take some thick rubber, and accelerates quickly because of the small wheels. You do loose out a little in cruising speed, but around the city it'd be fine. Looks here is a matter of opinion of course.

Here is what I'd do. Get the Cross-Check frame. Remove all decals. Build it up as a single speed (or and IGH) with fenders and some comfy bars that you like. Throw a rack on the back or the front. Ride it everywhere.

Oh wait, that IS what I did about 7 years ago.... still riding it daily and still loving it dearly. And it looks spectacular next to my fancy road bike, my fancy mountain bike, and my fancy fat bike.

Check out the All-City bikes. A friend of mine has the Space Horse model that he uses for commuting. Nice looking frame with all of the extras you need for a good commuter -- mounts for fenders and racks, clearance for larger tires. I also like the Vaya, but hear that they are hard to find.

http://allcitycycles.com/

I poked around that ^ allcity site and have to admit the Space Horse has the makings of one fine commuting rig :thumb:

2 is better than one if you have to get there , and 1 of your 2 bikes is messed up.

Id get the ones your favorite bike shop sells ,because they are your backup ..

Can you get any of them there ? , does not have to be in stock
Ours, out here, can get QBP's bikes on order , but won't sit there on Spec.

What I said above about the Cross-Check also applies to the All City Space Horse except for the decal removal. They are fine and very versatile bikes designed by some friends of mine here in the twin cities. Another QBP brand you can order in your LBS.

My Surly dealer is also the all City Dealer. Oddly, he did not bring this up, he only mentioned the Salsa Vaya and the Cross Check. The Soma Dealer is about 6 miles away. I live in the middle of hipster central, so I have access to all the cool stuff, just dont know which is actlual good stuff vs good looking stuff.

parking the bike: I park inside at my apt and in the garage at work(tall tower on Peachtree). It would be outside for pub duty and random errands obviously.(I'll add this to OP)

Being as how you live in a bigger city, check out REI for their Novara bikes. I have a Buzz that I've used for a few years now that has a solid frame, isn't overly heavy, has plenty of mount points and is really easy to upgrade. So far, I've switched to some bigger grips from Brooks and trigger shifters and new cables. All of those I did for the first time without any problems.

you are going to be hard pressed to build a bike with decent components for under $1400. I'm squeaking in just under that figure with tearing down an old bike and serious ebay/craigslist shopping.

My gf purchased a Space Horse last fall and has been using it to commute about 100 miles a week throughout the winter. She loves it and the bike is quite nice looking and well set up. The only weak point are the brakes.

If it's going to be your wet weather roadie to, go with the Soma and do the disc model. Or the All-City Mr. Pink looks very cool.

i went uber cheap. This morning i picked up a used Motobecane Fanton Cross uno on C-list. It fit came with a lock and has an intigrated custom altoid Box LED front rear flasher, with various flash modes. I could not pass it up for $250. We'll see how it does for commuting duty for the next few months.

I replaced the brakes today. So I'll be save on the road. I have a few other upgrades and defered maintanance items that need addressing but I'll take my time. I'll get some cool photos of the light boxes. not sure I've ever seen anything like this.

I appreciate all the suggestions and am sure all suggestions are actually a better bike than this one, but as mentioned by a few i could not justify the extra money when my commuting regiment is yet be proven. If it works out I have no problem paying top $$$$ for better bike.

v4e

It actually sounds like a really good bike for your uses.

well done sir, 1400 would have been a lot for a "commuter" & "bar hopper"

Yes, but $1400 gives you bragging rights! ;)

Yes please! Sounds really cool

So this is what I ended up with
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305297http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305298http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305299http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305301http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305302http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=305303

I just need to clear this old mountain bike and I may get a sweet hipster commuter after all.

That's a nice looking bike! I like the red bar tape. Great score!