Commuter Bike Recommendations
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Commuter Bike Recommendations
Hi all I am new to this forum. This is my first post! I have always tried to commute via bicycle as much as possible. I have been choosing to commute on my bike more often and further in distance lately. The added distance has made me reconsider my current bicycle. It has gotten me through many years- snow, rain, four different states, hit by a car. I really like it but it is a rather heavy bike and I am looking for something lightweight that I can travel many miles on with ease. Ideally what I want is something similar to a road bike (I have clipless pedals that I would use) but with the ability to accomodate racks or fenders if need be.
Does anybody has any commuter bike recommendations that seem to fit my description? Also, sorry if this questions has been asked before. If so, a link to that thread would be helpful. Thanks!
Does anybody has any commuter bike recommendations that seem to fit my description? Also, sorry if this questions has been asked before. If so, a link to that thread would be helpful. Thanks!
#2
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Welcome to Bike Forums
What is the budget you have set aside for this purchase? That will help you receive suggestions for models that fall within your budget.
What is the budget you have set aside for this purchase? That will help you receive suggestions for models that fall within your budget.
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#5
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Look at cyclocross bikes. Basically road bikes with room for bigger tires. Many have rack and fender mounts. Here is my Fuji Cross 3.0 (don'ty have a pic handy since the fenders went on but running 700cx35 with full fenders):
Purchased here:
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1117975_-1___000000
Purchased here:
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1117975_-1___000000
#6
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$1500 would probably get you one of the fancier bikes they have marketed as commuters - like the Novara Gotham (https://www.rei.com/product/825377/no...tham-bike-2013), which has a belt drive, NuVinci hub (a CVT, no discrete gears), disc brakes, fenders, a rack - basically the ultimate commuter. Heavy, but you can ride in any weather.
Or, if you want something more sporty, as mentioned before, cyclocross bikes are a good choice.
Or, if you want something more sporty, as mentioned before, cyclocross bikes are a good choice.
#7
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#8
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$1,500 is plenty but save some money for clothing, accessories, lights, etc.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#9
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At $1500, you have plenty of choices. Based on your post, you want a lighter bike that can accommodate racks, so I would presume your current bike does not have eyelets on the dropouts. Typically 'road style' bikes as you mentioned, do not have mounts for racks, you'll need to look at touring or cross bikes, or even rigid mountain bikes, which may be heavier and not have the drop style handlebars. You might also consider ride quality if you are looking for a 'lighter' bike. You're not likely to find a carbon frame for touring, but mostly you'll find aluminum frames with carbon or steel forks and all steel bikes. Aluminum is lighter, but more rigid, which is why they use a different fork material (most of the time, not always). Trek and Specialized have nice cross bikes in the 1k range that are aluminum. Moving closer to your limit, you have Salsa Vaya 3, Surly Cross Check, both of which are steel with the Vaya having disc brakes and CrossCheck cantilevers.
You may also take another look at your current bike and think about upgrading the components and wheels. You likely won't save much weight but might get a whole new experience. I bought an old rigid mountain bike off CL for $45 and put about $400 into it to upgrade it to 9 speed with Deore components. I noticed afterwards that in bike shops, most bikes up to $1000 did not have Deore level components, so I would presume my bike in many ways rides better than those. But taking that route is a more hands on approach, something you may not be interested in.
You may also take another look at your current bike and think about upgrading the components and wheels. You likely won't save much weight but might get a whole new experience. I bought an old rigid mountain bike off CL for $45 and put about $400 into it to upgrade it to 9 speed with Deore components. I noticed afterwards that in bike shops, most bikes up to $1000 did not have Deore level components, so I would presume my bike in many ways rides better than those. But taking that route is a more hands on approach, something you may not be interested in.
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Phew .. long, unformatted post. Hope it helps you though .. good luck.
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I had rigid mountain bike, road bikes (several), touring and city (upright riding). My commutes have been in several places around the US. Indiana, California Vally, Michigan, Oklahoma, with distance from 4miles to 10miles one way. The bike that I used the most was/is the touring. The convenience of the rack, the ability to fight head wind with drop bars (like road bikes), and with narrow tires, it becomes a fast road bike. Because it had a granny gear, I have been able to pull the kids trailer, grocery gather, even have manage to do a touring trip or two!
I don't load my bike any more, I have converted it to a fast commuting bike with 700 x 28 tires (had 27x1 1/2). Never own a cyclocross, but I think that would be a good choice too. Double O
I don't load my bike any more, I have converted it to a fast commuting bike with 700 x 28 tires (had 27x1 1/2). Never own a cyclocross, but I think that would be a good choice too. Double O
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#15
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Wheel Away on Hamilton in Campbell, just west of 17 is a great shop.
Hyland Family Bicycles on Meridian is AWFUL.
Performance Bike at the corner of Hamilton and Bascom is not interested in servicing or maintaining bikes.
REI in Campbell is more like a Target that sells sports equipment than a bike shop.
Those are the four that I have done business with, and now only go back to Wheel Away.
Hyland Family Bicycles on Meridian is AWFUL.
Performance Bike at the corner of Hamilton and Bascom is not interested in servicing or maintaining bikes.
REI in Campbell is more like a Target that sells sports equipment than a bike shop.
Those are the four that I have done business with, and now only go back to Wheel Away.
#16
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$949 for a Carpe H30. Bought one last July and I've laid down 2,400 commuting miles since then. Solid steed for sure. Entry price leaves budget room panniers, a rack, lights, etc.
https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/carpe-h30/
https://www.orbea.com/us-en/bicycles/carpe-h30/