Which bike would be best
 

Last summer was the first time I ever commuted to work by bike. I probably did about 20 km daily (round trip). I bought a Globe Daily 2 that had fenders and a rear rack I could hang a side basket for my backpack. It was great up until somebody stole it late last summer. I ended up using my (what I think is) a 1990's Bianchi road bike that had no room for fenders or braze ons for racks for the rest of the summer. It made for an uncomfortable ride with my backpack and drop bars and limited the days I would ride due to not wanting to get splashed on wet days. Now I'm thinking of getting another upright commuter but have basically gotten to the point that all my choices have become overwhelming and am hoping to get some advice from the community.

My budget's about $1000 canadian dollars including taxes. Fenders being included is a bonus but any included racks/baskets would probably be replaced by rear and porteur racks that I've already kinda picked out. That's probably the most I would want to spend but at that price point, it would have to be a bike that I might one day use for longer treks if the budget does go that high. Here are a few things I have in mind:

Aluminum Frame
- Get another Globe Daily 2 (8 sp sunrace?) $700
- Get a Globe Daily 3 (has nexus 7 IGH) $900

Steel Frame
- Viva Legato from MEC.ca (Nexus 7 IGH, Viva Chromoly) $560
- Globe Roll 7 ((Globe chromoly nexus 7) - no brazeons and was told fenders may not fit. $900
- Kona ***** Tonk (Reynolds 520 9 speed) $830
- Kona Paddy Wagon (Reynolds single gear flip-flop) $650-700
- Bikesdirect motobecane cafe noir (4130 double butted chromoly) $700 usd... after figuring out how to get it to canada and customs, the total might come out to about $1000 cnd after the exchange rate is applied.

For either Kona and motobecane, I would switch out the drop bars for a Nitto Albatross. I already have the proper grips and brake levers so the extra costs here are the handlebars themselves and possibly new shifters. I'm not sure how I feel about single speed bikes but I'm willing to give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I would replace it with a nexus 7 IGH.

I also have an old Raleigh Superbe that's currently not rideable (busted wheels, internal hub may be fixed but not working right at the moment). I have to decide if I would keep it as a 3 sp or switch to a nexus 7 IGH. I was thinking of replacing all the parts and modernizing it... I would only have the frame/fenders/chainguard as original pieces. This might end up costing too much time/money for it to be worthwhile.

I also happen to have a Bianchi pursuit bike that's pretty fun to ride but fairly uncomfortable due to the positioning (not the same bike i mentioned above). I don't have the space for three bikes so I would probably have to part with this guy. I am totally open to trading it in at a LBS that is willing to give me something fair. The only reason I haven't pursued this as a first choice is that many bike shops are closed for a few more weeks and I'd need to move fast to get any of the other choices I've listed as I'm hoping to get the older models which are currently at clearance prices. Whenever I've gone to a bike shop with it, all the mechanics seem to be interested in buying it but I don't know if a trade is something they would normally accept or if they would just think is weird of me to even ask. Would this be a good idea to expand my choices while keeping in my budget?

Sorry for the long post. Any advice is appreciated. I have looked at All-City, Soma, Surly and a few other steel bikes but they seem out of my price range. I'm not against an aluminium frame, but steel has just been more enjoyable in my experience. If it's helpful, I want a sturdy bike that's not overly heavy as I will be adding a few pounds by adding racks and I'll need to carry it up a few stairs everyday.

Thanks again.

Have you looked into any bikes made by Norco?

Buying a new bike with drop bars, with the intent of immediately switching to upright bars, doesn't make much sense. You need new bars, brake levers, shifters, stem, grips, maybe cable housing. Why not buy the correct bike to begin with?

Considering a single speed, that you're going to load with porteur rack and presumably loads, when all the other bikes you're considering are IGH, doesn't make sense. Converting that single speed to a Nexus 7 IGH will be costly and, again, why not buy the correct bike to start with?

I think you should make a list of the attributes you want in your next bike, and then look only at bikes that actually fit that list. Your thought process currently seems a bit scattered and random.

Also, if you are able to work on bikes, since you're talking about swapping bars and converting a single speed to IGH, why not use the Superbe? So it needs new wheels including a new hub, what's the big deal. There is probably a Sturmey Archer hub that is a direct replacement for the original.

can you find all those in shops where you live?


turn off the computer go to a bike shop and test ride bikes in person. Shops can change components , for a bit more money before or after you take it home..

If your local bike shops sell reconditioned bikes, you could buy an upright commuter, and a lighter road bike, or more upright road bike hybrid for fun.

That is certainly a list of bikes.

Get the bike that's the most like you want in the first place - you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Drop bar bikes are typically already an inch or two shorter in the top tube than hybrids or MTB's, because their handlebars go further forward; and so when converted need very little sweep. Vice versa is also true, that's why if you look at the converted MTB thread in the C&V forum you see a lot of tall stems on small frames or short-reach stems on right-size frames.

Thanks for your input, jyl!

I agree it seems ridiculous to swap bars on a bike that's ready to go. I've never been as comfortable riding a bike than when I rode with upright bars. I've also never been properly fitted for a bike with drop bars so would probably ride with the drops for a couple of weeks to see how i feel about them if i go in this direction. If I feel great, no need to swap.

I also agree that I'm scattered here. The ideal bike for me would be:
- Steel Frame
- Upright bars
- Brazeons for racks
- I don't need a tonne of gears but would like to have at least 7. IGH sounds appealing but I can live without it if the above are met.

The Viva Legato actually meets all the requirements and is the cheapest option i currently have. The only thing holding me back is the lack of reviews and the heavier steel (compared to the reynolds on the Kona ***** Tonk). I have plans to check both today.

I go to a bike coop where i can work on bikes. I've changed handlebars before and know the process. I would need to learn how install/adjust a IGH and replace the cog/chainring to something with a friendlier ratio. I need to stretch out the fork if i decide to replace the dynamo hub with one that works. I'd have to make a few trips to the coop to get it all right so it's going to take some time to get it ready. I haven't priced everything yet but believe I'm at least at the $500 point (wheels, hub, tires, cog/chainring). It's also a heavy bike. Aluminium wheels might reduce the weight but after all the costs, i may be better off getting the Viva if weight is equal. Thanks for suggesting I keep it to a 3 speed though... I have been debating that for quite some time.

I'm checking out the Kona H. Tonk and Viva Legato today at separate bike shops. Not sure if I'll be able to test ride either very much as it's currently -30 Celcius. It just might be too cold or the shops might not want me to take it out with all the snow/slush/salt on the ground. I'm already familiar with the Globe bikes and won't be able to check out the motobecane at all before buying.

Most of the smaller shops I go to that have reconditioned bikes are closed for the season but should re-open in a couple of weeks. I'll certainly have a look if I haven't made a decision by then.