Any recommendations for a commuter?

Alright... I'm motivated by all of you (and gas prices, and the environment). I'm planning to STOP DRIVING as much! We live a bit out of town, and my typical trip to the store or gym (usually both), is about 8 to 9 miles away. I'd like to start doing it by bike. But theft is huge around here, so my road bike will stay home for these rides.

I cannot bike to work at this point -- it's 31 miles each way, and I work 14 hour nights... not much time left over to ride, sleep, eat and ride back! Someday maybe.

Any suggestions on what works well for a basic commuter? I'll probably look for used. I have a couple hills here and there, if I take the back roads, one is steep but only 1/4 mile. So, I need gears! Looking to spend 400 or less (easy to replace sort of price! :()

What do you all like / hate in a commuter?
Thanks to everyone!
Jes

I now have a Breezer for the grocery, clothes, library etc trips. I've been doing the car-free with a bike thing for a year now, and I had a very clear idea of what would make the bike easier for me to use. I needed a regular length bike that could handle a normal load (50 lbs) and would be easy for me to carry up and down stairs. Carrying trailers up and down stairs isn't fun.

If you're reasonably familiar with bikes, I'd look for a used bike for your commuter. A rigid frame is important. That means if you find you're carrying More Stuff, you can add a front rack. 42 cm chainstays are about the shortest I'd want. The Breezer has 45cm. A low bottom bracket also helps make carrying a load feel stable. Touring bikes will be somewhere in that range and will have a low bottom bracket. You will not get as much bike for $400 buying new, and in that range a lot of the bikes are too focused on being "sporty" to do much real work.

If you're grocery shopping for one or two people, most any bike can handle it. If you're feeding more or you like to buy in bulk, you'll want one that is better suited to hauling a load. If you've got 3 teenagers, a trailer might be called for. At 8 miles and with your schedule you will *not* want to shop every day.

JVM - maybe get a "girls" bike? I know where you are, and if theft is as big a problem as I hear from my family folks there, a "girl" bike might fare better. It's not as macho to have one, and they don't re-sell well.

GT made some pretty decent girl mtb, I almost bought one for $125 at my used bike shop. Some of the older Trek girl mtb are nice, too. Of course, if you can find a girlie road bike that would be even better for your 8 mile commute.

Then, if your nice girl frame doesn't get stolen for a while and seems safe from theives, you can start subtly upgrading components.... :D

Let me know if you want me to scope out Recycled Cycles for you. Right now they have very few used bikes in stock because they are selling like hotcakes. But, y'know, any excuse to go hang out at my LBS! :p

I am using Trek FX 7.3 WSD. its a hybrid. and i go it for around 500 $ (new)
I am pretty happy with the bike, its pretty nice and comfortable.
i am using it for commute to work almost 3 days a week (32 miles round trip)

also for cheapest pannier, you can buy stand and hook milk crate. it really looks ugly but very convenient. you can put lot of stuff into that.

Thanks

Thanks for starting this thread, Jes. I, too, am thinking more and more about biking to work. I have a 10 mile commute one way. Not much in the way of hills between the two points, but there is a river to cross and really only two direct routes from my town to cross the river, both very busy local roads with absolutely no break-down lane to ride in. I figure morning wouldn't be a problem, but once I get to downtown Hartford, I've got to get to the other side of the city, and that's the part that scares me. Again, no shoulder, parked cars, and buses everywhere.

But, that's beside the point! :D I love my LeMond, but it's obviously not something I can put a rack and panniers on. I don't have $1,000 to shell out for a decent commuter bike. And nobody around here sells used bikes except old 10-speeds that nobody wants anyway. I could ride my 15-year-old, 36 lb., girlie mountain bike .... :eek:

I'll be watching this thread for ideas!

Louise

Jesvetmed, maybe you need a Mixte. They are pretty cheap and i think they are semi-immune to theft as guys don't want to ride girl bikes.

Actually a nice vintage 10 speed may be an excellent choice depending on how long and level your commute is.

Thanks, everyone! Knot: I've read about Recycled Cycles. I might have to make a trip! But if you just HAPPEN to be there..;) Really -- if you run into anything, let me know. I'll be fairly busy the next week or so, but will probably get down that way in the next couple of weeks. I'll start at my LBS and see what they have, and let them know I'm looking.

My problem is I don't know much about bikes. Alright... I've said it! I'm bike dumb!

I do plan to buy used. I know that the bike I get for that little won't buy me much of a new bike.

So, whatever I consider I'll run by everyone and see what you all think.
Thanks for the help!
Jes

I was thinking mixte too. Tons of people at least on my local Craigslist sell these women's bikes for cheap and have no idea what great bikes these are. I bought mine off a family in the area for $70 and was built in the 80s. Most of those bikes if not all should have the proper eyelets for racks and fenders, etc. Plus, since they are considered a girl's bike most dudes won't want them, maybe thieves won't want them either. Here's hoping, right?

Can you incorporate a bike ride into your commute, by driving part way and biking the rest?

Stay away from mountain bikes that have suspension forks and seats. The ideal commuter bike is a hybrid, it's not light as a feather like a road bike, but there's no point making it super heavy with a bunch of stuff you don't really need because you're not going to be hopping logs and careening down mountains. But you'll probably end up with a mountain-style bike, meaning it'll have mountain bike handlebar instead of drop bars.

Tires are the first priority. Neither skinny road tires (streets sometimes have rough terrain) no knobby mountain bike tires (slow you down) are for you. You want hybrids, and if you have a little extra $$, you want a kevlar lining (armadillo is the brand I have).

After that it depends on how you'll use the bike.
Gears or fixie: do you have hills?
Rack, seat pack, backpack, rack trunk or panniers: how much do you need to haul? Consider a trailer for groceries. Look for a used kiddie trailer.
Fenders: Not necessary for fair-weather cyclists, essential for all-weather cyclists.
Lights: Will you ride at dusk or in the dark?

Once you are riding, you'll find other things you need, like a brooks saddle for your girly-bits. Try a different handlebar, such as an albatross bar, a trekking bar, or a moustache bar, for wrist, hand or arm discomfort.

Hope that helps!

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This is a Trek 800sport. It's about 8 years old, but it's in excellent condition and was seldom used. It should fit most women. It's a hybrid bicycle, so it's a convenient bike for any type of riding. It has 21 speed shimano gears, a comfort seat and is a generally great bike.

Email me if you'd like a "test drive."

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COMMENTS? It's $175.00 listed on Craig's List

I wonder if the specs are the same as this?

If it's near you it's sure worth a look.

Unless you will be riding lots of dirt roads I'd stick to a 700c bike... I outfitted my hardtail MB with road tires, but really miss the efficiency of larger wheels. For the milage you're going to be doing, look for an old touring bike or road machine.

I do like the "girlie-bike" idea, plus maybe do an ugly spray paint job... not camo like but maybe pink and purple.

for a shorter flatter commute, that bike would be fine. if you're climbing hills, it might not be fun.

Great advise so far! I just want to warn you about Knot . . . she is the great bike enabler. Sucks you in with a just come look . . . and the next thing you know your buying a bike! :eek:

bikerHen, who was suck in and came away with my beloved Surly LHT :D:D: Thanks Knot :D

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I just want to warn you about Knot . . . she is the great bike enabler. Sucks you in with a just come look . . . and the next thing you know your buying a bike!

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LOL!!! OK... so I should or should not take Knot shopping?!:p I'm confused! Sounds like what I might need!

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Unless you will be riding lots of dirt roads I'd stick to a 700c bike... I outfitted my hardtail MB with road tires, but really miss the efficiency of larger wheels. For the milage you're going to be doing, look for an old touring bike or road machine.

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See, these are the things I need to know! THANKS everyone!
J

I got a 1968 Schwinn Racer from ebay for $65 (including shipping - the bike was $32). SPent another $50 getting it overhauled and man, it was the perfect commuter. (Gotta fix that flat tire and it'll be perfect again.)

The bottom bracket looks a smidge high. A lot of sellers think all women are the same size, so I'd take the sizing comment with a *huge* grain of salt.

If it feels like a good fit on the test ride, it's probably ok, especially if you've got legs on the short side. My inseam is 29", which means 26" wheels tend to be a bit better for me. I have an easier time finding a small wheeled bike with good geometry for me. Smooth tires do make a big difference, and decent ones aren't an expensive upgrade.

I'd try to bargain them down. $175 is pretty steep for a low end bike (and by 2000, *all* step through frames were low end).