https://www.bikeforums.net/ en Sat, 02 May 2026 21:04:47 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.bikeforums.net/ https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320455-rim-brake-drop-bar-commuter-road-bike.html Fri, 01 May 2026 17:36:38 GMT I work at a shop that refurbishes and sells used bikes. If someone comes in looking for a commuter that they can install a rear rack and fenders on, we point them towards the hybrids. Occasionally, they want a drop bar option. This got me looking for who currently makes a drop bar, rim brake... I work at a shop that refurbishes and sells used bikes. If someone comes in looking for a commuter that they can install a rear rack and fenders on, we point them towards the hybrids. Occasionally, they want a drop bar option.

This got me looking for who currently makes a drop bar, rim brake bike with eyelets for a rear rack and fenders. Bikes from the early 2000's will come through and seem to fit the bill: 3x7/8/9, drop bars with integrated shifters, dual-pivot caliper brakes, eyelets on the seat stays for a rear rack, endurance road geo, usually aluminum but sometimes steel, often maxing out at 700x28. To me, they're a great option for someone tight on space (NYC apartments) who wants to ride to work, hauling some stuff on a rear rack, with the option to knock out some miles on the weekend without breaking the bank. Maybe they aren't planning to make cycling their identity, or they want to figure out what they do/don't like before diving in. There's also the very real consideration of, "What if my bike gets stolen?".

So, I've been looking at what's out there over the past day or two, and it seems like slim pickings. I figure some of y'all may have already been down this road. Older/vintage model suggestions are welcome. The criteria that I'm most interested in would be:

• Drop bar, with integrated brake/shifters; or the ability to easily convert to this setup
• Eyelets present at rear dropouts and seat stays for rear rack (bonus for additional fenders/front rack/etc mounts)
• Rim brake; ideally dual-pivot, standard reach; short reach or cantilevers are perfectly fine, too
• BSA68 threaded bottom bracket shell
• 1-1/8" threadless steerer

These certainly are not high-end bikes; the options I've found are all sub-$700, which I think is a fine price point to aim for. They also don't all adhere completely to the spec "wishlist". I've also seen my fair share of uninspiring quality control and component selection from Public and Retrospec.

1. Public R18 Drop Bar — Meets all criteria, main concern is the quality of the wheels/bearing systems.
2. Retrospec Culver Road Bike — Odd thumb shifters, low-level components.
3. State Bicycle Co. 4130 Road — No accommodations for housing stop on NDS, down tube shifter is polarizing for many casual riders.

A good example of what I have in mind would be something like the Cannondale touring series from the mid to late 90s (touring bikes of that era in general fit the bill), or the Jamis Satellite (steel) and Ventura (aluminum).

This seems like a dying, maybe dead, breed. What else is out there? ]]> Commuting Rooney https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320455-rim-brake-drop-bar-commuter-road-bike.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320439-how-many-decals-do-you-recommend-do-you-think-will-take-make-bike-unsellable.html Fri, 01 May 2026 00:09:06 GMT I'm trying to protect my bike by making it look unsellable someone suggested I put stickers so I'm choosing decals how many decals do you suspect is enough to make these two bikes on sellable and to be left alone

These are all decals that will be on my bike both bike will get one of each I'm wondering how many decals will make it unsellable I'm also leaving the natural stickers that were on the bike previously alone and I'm putting them in certain locations

Awesome maybe add your own ideas to help make it look unsellable and just not worth bothering with

I was told by a cop they believe the most common reason that people in my area are stealing bikes is it's the homeless to want to get quick cash there are others but it's the most common so I'm trying to reduce chances of my bikes being stolen

But they have no idea how their stealing them like how they're breaking the locks because they take the locks with them





]]> Commuting Chec704 https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320439-how-many-decals-do-you-recommend-do-you-think-will-take-make-bike-unsellable.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320338-replacement-commuter-decisions.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 01:19:58 GMT I recently had my Novara Verita fail (cracked drop out on rear) and I'm looking to replace it. I've had the Novara for 11 year and put over 15,000 miles on it. I ride year round in Ohio - hot, cold, rain, snow (I have a different bike with studded tires for when the roads are unplowed). The Verita was a decent bike that I enjoyed riding and have slowly upgraded over the years. Most frustrating is that I have a Tiagra set, 2 wheels, and two tires all less than a year old on it.

In my 13 years of commuting, I've developed some preferences. I'm only interested in steel - no carbon forks, no aluminum frames. No hydraulic brakes, mechanical disc are fine. I like drop bars and really enjoyed the "light touring" geometry of the Verita. It needs to support racks, fenders, kickstand, and general abuse because I'm not cleaning it after every ride. I'm also a clyde - 250 lbs / 6' and carry probably 10-20 lbs of gear with me.

I've noticed that this type of bike is far less popular/available in the post-COVID world. I've found a couple that seem like contenders: the Surly Preamble and Marin Nicasio. The Marin Four Corners and Surly Disc Trucker seem a little too much for what I'd actually use it for. I haven't found a bike that really strikes me like the Verita did - and the modern color selection is bleh.

I can't find anything near me that is my size frame to really try out and compare.

I've come up with a few options and looking for other ideas:

• Ask my LBS to get a Nicasio my size and test it out (they'd probably do that for me, but I worry about deciding I don't like it and leaving them with a bike they wouldn't have ordered). I'd probably move over my saddle and Tiagra set
• Purchase a Surly Preamble from another shop and again move over a few things
• Order a Preamble frame and ask my LBS to build it out for me - customizing everything and reusing what makes sense
• Continue looking...

I worry about not liking the bike without having ridden them, but at the same time, it's not like my Verita was magical. I really worry about customizing a Preamble, but that also seems to be the direction I'm leaning. I'm also concerned that the bikes I think may be "too much" might be right, but a too small Trucker I all I have found in the shops.

I'm not in a rush - I have two other bikes, but I don't prefer commuting with them.

Ideas/thoughts? ]]> Commuting AstroEng https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320338-replacement-commuter-decisions.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320306-aggressive-tires.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:14:30 GMT So i really like my rigid frame. Just a thing but I use it both for local commuting and woods riding sometimes there the same thing! I also like the look of the aggressive knobs. Any recommendations? So i really like my rigid frame. Just a thing but I use it both for local commuting and woods riding sometimes there the same thing! I also like the look of the aggressive knobs. Any recommendations? ]]> Commuting Kmeyer93 https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320306-aggressive-tires.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320263-rack-specialized-sirrus.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:11:35 GMT My friend wants to try commuting. She has a Specialized Sirrus hybrid, an aluminum frame bike. I'm struggling to find a rear rack that will fit. It has a 135mm rear spacing and the frame members are thick, so any rack needs to very wide, in the range of 150mm/6" or so. Any recommendations? ]]> Commuting gna https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320263-rack-specialized-sirrus.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320190-road-bike-saddle-vs-commuter-saddle.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:33:49 GMT My backside gets rather irritated and sore after a couple of days commuting (6 flat miles each way) so I'm thinking a different saddle might be in order. Would it make sense to try the saddle I use on my road bike? Or are there different characteristics you look for when riding in slacks vs cycling shorts? ]]> Commuting urbanknight https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320190-road-bike-saddle-vs-commuter-saddle.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320149-hiboy-ex-9-commuter-pound-pound-best-commuter.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:22:17 GMT Now that I have my Beast of a Trail Rider it was time to look for a commuter. I was considering the surface 604 Rook...but wasn't really happy about the 500 watt considering my weight being 250 lbs...so I just picked up this beauty today. I have tried expensive class 1 name brands and they were simply not adequate commuters. The EX-9 is total comfort. I haven't even needed PAS 3 or the throttle on my first trip...PAS 1 and 2 is plenty for most situations you will find in a daily commute. No problem on Hills. I have a basket on the back ready to go get my groceries... Open suspension on the front living the life. :)

Specs of the 2024 hiboy ex9
+7The 2024 Hiboy EX9 is an urban commuter e-bike featuring a 500W-750W motor, a 48V 11.6Ah battery, and a dual-sided torque sensor for a natural riding feel. It is designed for both city streets and light trails.


Motor & Performance

• Motor: 500W rated (1000W peak) rear hub motor, delivering 65 Nm of torque.
• Max Speed: 32 km/h (approx. 20-28 mph depending on region and model).
• Climbing Ability: Up to 20% incline.
• Sensor: Double-sided bottom bracket torque sensor.
• Riding Modes: Pedal Assist (3-5 levels), Throttle, and Walk Mode.

Battery & Range

• Battery: 48V 11.6Ah (556.8Wh) Lithium-ion, removable and waterproof (IPX5).
• Range: Up to 100 km (62 miles) on pedal-assist; roughly 50 km (31 miles) on pure electric.
• Charging Time: 7–8 hours.

Components & Structure

• Frame: Step-through 6061 Aluminum Alloy.
• Suspension: 80mm travel front suspension fork with lockout.
• Brakes: Dual hydraulic disc brakes (front & rear) with power-off functionality.
• Tires: 26" × 2.5" pneumatic tires.
• Gears: Shimano 7-speed.

For those naysayers I'm all for limiting bikes to that speed and not allowing non pedal or mock pedal "mopeds" in bike Lanes or trails or or paths.
]]> Commuting Ebike Mike https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320149-hiboy-ex-9-commuter-pound-pound-best-commuter.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320093-has-anyone-here-used-knog-scout-bicycle-security-alarm-if-so-please-give-me-experienc.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:31:42 GMT Knog scout

I want to get one for my bicycles for added security but I have some questions I want to see from actual people who've actually used it if it actually does what it says it will do and if there any downsides to it
There's a link above just in case if you need to double check to see what I'm talking about ]]> Commuting Chec704 https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1320093-has-anyone-here-used-knog-scout-bicycle-security-alarm-if-so-please-give-me-experienc.html https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1319954-what-s-good-holster-bike-lock-attach-frame.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:33:06 GMT I'm hoping this is the right thread for this post

What is a good holster for a u-lock I don't know the brand or the type of you lock yet but

I would prefer the holster to attach to the bike frame preferably to the front reason it's too cumbersome to put it on my hip I already carry pepper spray on my hip especially at night I carry a backpack which is overloaded with gear already the back usually feels like it's already got too much weight on it because of me and my backpack

My father said one of his friends used to own a bike shop said he's going to get me a lock I wanted to and high quality ones but my dad don't want me spending much money on a you lock that's probably going to be broken and the bike is going to be stolen

And yes I already know about the whole muncher where you buy a bike lock that is worth for your bike that is likely to be stolen I'm just sick of losing my bike that's all
]]> Commuting Chec704 https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1319954-what-s-good-holster-bike-lock-attach-frame.html