rice

Bianchi San Jose or Kona Paddy Wagon for commute?
What's your opinion? Commute is 15 miles each way, two mellow hills, and is mostly highway.

I was pretty set on the Kona Paddy Wagon, but the guy at the LBS says, BY FAR, the better commuter is the Bianchi San Jose, as it's more upright and more comfortable.

Help!

Bike would be used for commuting only, with riser bars. Fenders aren't really an issue as it doesn't really rain much here.

Thanks!

supercub

San Jose probably has laxer geometry and is more versatile (larger tire clearence and such), but I doubt it's "by far" the better commuter. You'll want to switch out the stock tires on the San Jose, so keep that in mind. You'll probably want to get new tires for the Paddy too though, because people report that the stock tires are prone to flats. Both have eyelets right?

Get what you want. What's important is that you ride it and enjoy it.

Gurgus

I'm kinda biased towards the Paddywagon since I've got an '07. I had a couple of flats with the stock tires until I replaced the crap stock rim tape, no flats since then(almost a year). Watch now I'll get a bunch of flats.

Jerseysbest

Sure you want to do 15 miles each way on risers? Not that far, but if you'll be using it everyday, you may want some more hand positions, at least I would.

marqueemoon

They are both fine bikes. The San Jose is cheaper and will take bigger tires. The Paddy Wagon is made from nicer tubing and the stock wheels are a little nicer IMO.

I think the only place cost comes into play is if it's going to be locked up outside in public all day. Might as well go a little cheaper in that case.

Fenders rule, and both bikes give you the option if you change your mind on them later on.

I would not personally choose risers for a bike I'm planning to ride 150 miles a week, but it's your life.

jim-bob

I did back to back centuries on flat bars with bar-ends back when I was touring, it worked out pretty alright. Bar-ends aren't the most aesthetically pleasing things out there, but the extra hand positions really are pretty nice.

PS: I'd go with the San Jose in a second.

kyle!

san jose.

TehK

San Jose, cantis = huge tire = good.

rice

Thanks. I'll only be doing the commute 2-3 days a week. You think risers are no good for 15 miles? I had a road bike years back and just was not into the drop bars and riding on the hoods all the time.

bonechilling

The San Jose really is a board favorite. Anytime you ask what bike to buy, you're going to get a half-dozen San Jose recommendations. Even Grant Peterson loves it.

knucks

Owning the Paddy Wagon, I'd say get the San Jose

rice

Why?

I'm leaning toward the Paddy Wagon, if only on aesthetics.

jilla82

I have a San Jose and think its a great bike. I use it for commuting and for when I have to carry a ton of crap on my back. Held me down in a great way over the winter and the only thing I have to do is change the chain and true the wheels after beating it up.

MIN 

They are both the same $650 in my town. The San Jose uses canti brakes and the PW uses long reach caliper dual pivot brakes. This, along with slightly bigger clearances give the Bianchi the edge in versatility.

It's a total toss-up, especially if fenders usage is not an issue. Personally I like the looks of the Kona with the skinny fork vs the cheap looking unicrown fork on the Bianchi.

dee-vee

I have a 08 paddy wagon and I love it. I am using it as my summer commuting/play around bike. So far the stock tires have been fine.