Hola amigos!
I'm looking to get into commuting and i'm wondering what your thoughts on a good bike [style] are - road bike? commuter bike?, etc. I'm a smaller person (5'1"; 106 lbs) and there will be hills, do i need a lighter bike?

Hi. Yes.

I am about your size. I commute every day and have hills. You don't need a 17lb road bike (unless you want one just because). I have 20ish lb touring bikes for my commuter bikes. They have mountain bike gearing for the hills. A hybrid bike might work out well for you. It's not always easy to find extra small size bikes, but they are out there.

Have you looked at any bikes in particular yet?

My herd of bikes is mostly odd-ball brands so I am not up to speed on what the latest available bikes are at bike shops, but other folks here might be able to offer suggestions.

i've only looked at bikes on craigslist. For whatever reason, i like the look of vintage roadbikes. I'm not concerned about a brand, i'm just not sure what style of bike is best and i don't care to spend too much money for it. i appreciate anything you have to say : )

If you are fond of road bikes, I'd think something that is not quite a racing machine might suit. Something with 28 to 32C tires, rack eyelets and a more relaxed geometry than an all-out racer. This is sometimes called a "sport touring" bike.

I've commuted a handful of times, but I've use an 80's mountain bike that has been hybridized with road tires and drop bars. Makes a bombproof city bike and reasonably nimble. Fun to ride.

If you're riding hills, a wider gear range will probably be preferable. This makes buying road bikes more challenging, since they usually don't have the same range as mountain or touring bikes. On some bikes this is an easy modification of just swapping the cassette (the stack of gears at the back), while on others the derailleur also needs to be changed, which is a bigger process.

If you're buying new - and you may have to, since bikes in your size are hard to come by - I'd agree that a sport tourer is probably the ideal style given your requirements and noted preferences, but this is a fairly niche bike, so not the easiest thing to find on the used market. A mountain bike or hybrid (MTB frame with road wheels) would also fit your technical requirements though not necessarily the desired aesthetic.

The fact that you yourself are quite light will probably help with the hills. Lighter bikes will be easier at the beginning, but your legs will adapt to whatever model you settle on.

I don't know much about vintage road bikes but I don't think they show up in extra small sizes much. They probably didn't even make them that small.

An older steel frame, rigid fork mountain bike might be found in a 13" frame size. I saw one here locally on CL for $15. It needed to be built up though. Many older bikes usually need some rehab to bring them up to good riding condition.

If you are just learning about bikes it's probably best to visit a bike shop where they can help you out. What is your budget? Are you mechanically inclined and willing to learn to work on your own bikes?

I don't know St Louis at all, but maybe there is a bike co-op or bike kitchen where they can help you build up an older bike that would suit your needs.

All you need is a bike. It's not as big a deal as your thinking it is.

I've been told I could just switch the tires on my MTB from "nobbies" to "slicks". Should I just do that?

Good point.

If you like to look of a vintage road bike, then buy one! Post a few Craigs List ads of ones that interest you, and we can guide you as to what is good and what is junk.

Yea but this is bikeforums where we like to over think and discuss everything bike.

What's your budget?

Since I was thinking used, I didn't want to spend more than $120. Crazy?
im not opposed to fixing/creating my own bike (it actually sounds fun) but I have absolutely no idea where to begin or anything.

I'm looking but as others have mentioned it hard to find a bike that will fit me. When I do, I will definitely request your opinions : )

Well...this? 18" frame, 27" wheels.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/3785051200.html

Uh, no.
While very cheap, there are much nicer bikes out there for not much more money.

This is a woman's bike and it's too large for you. Are you female?

No Fat Albert here, or any of the Cosby Kids...........carrying on.

You should if you would like to make it MUCH easier to pedal on pavement.

Don in Austin

Since you already have a bike that fits you and your budget is tight, just make do with what you have....

Yes! Switching the tires to slicks would work much better on paved roads than your knobbies.

Use the $120 for your brand new slicks. That wouldn't be so crazy!

You don't need anybody's opinion concerning a bike that you already own and have ridden.

Your mountain bike will do just fine!

Bring your budget up a bit and get a really good vintage road bike. Here's one that would be awesome:

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bid/3754536553.html

I would, and then use any money left over for accessories and a tune-up if your bike needs it. MTB gearing will help if you have serious hill climbing, and your setup will work just fine for as long as you need to decide for yourself what would work better.