Suggestions for a road bike for commute
 

Hi there. I’m new to these forums. I am looking for advice on buying my very first road bike. I currently reside in New York City, so most of my commute to work or school involves public transportation- that of which is often slow and unreliable. Since it’s currently the summer, I thought it would be best to purchase a bike to commute around efficiently and get in some decent exercise while doing so.
My budget at the moment is very limited (I’ll be getting my paycheck soon). The limit is around $550 - $600. I tried a test run at Bicycle Habitat today, a Surley Steamroller (http://bicyclehabitat.com/product/su...ke-45398-1.htm) and the ride was pretty smooth. However, the bike is out of my budget. I’ve been reading around and I’ve decided to look for a singlespeed/fixed-gear road bike.

* I am 5’8.5” and my inseam is 30.5”.

These are two options in mind:
1) Gavin FISSO Single Speed Fixed Gear ChroMoly Steel Road Bike
http://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/single...gear-bike.html
2) Fuji Classic Track
http://bicyclehabitat.com/product/fu...ck-64448-1.htm

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, just to throw this in there: A friend of mine suggested that paying $500 for a steel frame is not worth it. Any suggestions on what material is the best (strength-wise, but won’t kill my wallet at the same time).

Thanks.

If you want to commute with the bike AND buy the bike from your LBS, I'd recommend the Specialized Allez Steel for $550. Yes, its geared, but for commuting, it might help you out alittle. + nothings wrong with gears.

Steel is great, they are strong, they can be fixed, and modern steel are pretty light too. A tiny dent doesnt compromise the strength of the frame unlike al or carbon.

thats my 2cents.

Your friend could go eat a pie.

Steel frames are fine, more than fine actually.
Here's an article regarding frame materials.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-materials.html

If you don't mind me ask, how much do you weight? If you aren't a big guy, steel and aluminium frames are fine for commuting on.

Here are another popular websites that sell fixed gear/singlespeed for a great price.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm

http://www.irocycle.com/markvbuild-a...heelset-2.aspx
In my opinion, the IRO is a marvellous bike for a low price, get it while it's still for sale.

Thanks for the suggestions. I only went to that bike store to browse. I'm mainly looking to purchase online. I prefer fixed gear because I don't want a bigger hassle of fixing it if it ever breaks on me.

@Vixtor: I weigh 140 lbs. And thanks for the IRO suggestion.

Personally I would only buy a steel frame. Not that there's anything wrong with other materials.. but steel feels best to me.

huh?

There's a general consensus on the forum that the Windor Hour from http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm is the same as the Fuji Track, but way cheaper.* If you want a cheap commuter, Bikes Direct is the way to go, me thinks.

* I'm just repeating what other people have said. I personally have no idea, but $200 is enough of a difference that I'll take the chance. Plus, lots of people love their Hours (there's a whole thread devoted to it).

^^^ Just one problem. The Windsor Hour is pretty much sold out. :(

There. I knew what you meant so I fixed it for you.

</sarcasm>

95% of bikes sold today are aluminum or carbon fiber. If there were some inherent risk or "fatal flaws" in using them, they wouldn't be as popular. Aluminum won't fail if you dent it. Carbon fiber doesn't fail catastrophically. The forces that would cause those materials to fail would also break comparable steel bikes.

Regarding steel can be repaired: Very few people actually have their steel bikes repaired.

So, squeegeesunny, when you are dragging that heavy steel bike up that hill every day, just think about how you can repair a dent...if you ever get one. That should be motivating enough to get you to the top :)

To address the OP:

Buying online sight-unseen is OK for experienced buyers. But, it seems that you are new to this. Chances are slim that you will do all of the following:
- Explore multiple types of bikes and buy the right bike for you
- Get the right size
- Test ride the bike before you buy it.
- Feel the bike to see if it's too heavy for you to lift up the steps into your place (if you are smaller person)
- Assemble it properly
- Fine-tune the bike's multiple adjustment points to fit you properly
- Offer free tuneups
- Know how to tune the bike
- Teach yourself how to shift
- Tell you about different pedal options and their pros/cons
- Advise yourself about: helmets, lights, great places to ride, hydration, cycling clothing (roadie or commuter clothing), locks and how to lock the bike...
- Answer random questions (how to pump tires, how tight should the bolts be, how to stop brakes from sqealing, what that clack-clack-clack sound is)
- Make new friends to go with your new hobby

These are all minor services that bike shops provide for the same price as you would pay for a bike online or a minor upcharge.

Between the Windor Hour and the IRO Mark V which one would you choose and why?

Ooh, I didn't notice that OP said "first road bike."

Adroitly, are you looking for a singlespeed or a fixed gear (or both, with a flip-flop hub)? Edit: Never mind, I see you said fixed. See my addendum at the bottom.

The IRO has generally better components than the Hour but at a higher price. The Hour (and the Motobecane Messenger, Dawes SST, Clockwork, etc.) are all pretty much the best deal you can get at that price, so I guess it's up to how much you want to spend.

Personally, I own an '09 Redline 925, which I got used for cheap, so I was lucky. Would I buy it for full price at ~$500? No. (Because I would have bought something nicer for slightly more instead.)

And I guess to answer your question (but not really), I would have gotten either the Timeline or Dawes SST AL from Bikes Direct if I hadn't found the Redline for sale. I wanted a cheap SS commuter. Those are cheap SS bikes (but not like fall apart if you touch it cheap).

I do agree in some respects that buying from your LBS would be best since it's your first road bike, but I also know that bikes are waaay expensive in New York. Craigslist maybe for used stuff?


Er, just because it's a "fixed" bike doesn't mean it's easier to fix . . .

Since I might be doing long distance traveling I am leaning toward a single speed. After @Vixtor suggested to IRO Mark V, I did some research and found that the bike was pretty darn good. I was set for the IRO Mark V until you mentioned the Windsor The Hour. I can't beat the price of the hour, but is it worth the extra 150-200 dollars to get the IRO Mark V?

If you have the budget for it, sure.

I can't help but throw the thread off track a little, but depending on what kind of long distance (and where), you may prefer having gears on your bike . . . :innocent:

Thanks the help. I'm gunna order the IRO Mark V single-speed!