Bike type choices

[VeloVT]

I second the cross suggestion. I have been commuting on a Bianchi Axis and I love it. It's much more relaxed than my road bike (which is a little on the "butt in the air" side), and the more upright position is nice for riding in traffic, as it affords greater visibility (also makes riding with a backpack a bit more comfortable). The canti brakes have great stopping power, there's clearance and eyelets for fenders (I have quick-release detachable ones), and the wide knobbies are great for bad weather (I'm warming up to getting "summer tires" that are slick and a bit narrower though).

Anyway it's certainly worth a look. You might also look at touring bikes, Trek makes a pretty black steel one with a full complement of eyelets and bar end shifters (they switch from indexed to friction in case your drivetrain goes on the fritz while your in between towns -- cool!). Also a more upright geometry.

[Kimmyt]

I ride my road bike to work, but then I don't need to use panniers or anything. I have been toying with the idea of building a bike specifically for commuting, though. I still think I would use a road frame, I just really like the way my roadie feels. I would probably put some cross tires on there, maybe mustache handlebars (instead of my drops, but I do love my drops, so maybe I'd stick with those) and probably only a double instead of a triple. Maybe even a single speed! The commute's not actually that hilly, but there are a few thrown in there. I ride with a backpack and regularly find my most comfortable position is in the drops, but then I am very flexible and have never had a problem with the drop position.

I've been thinking about this for awhile... now if only I had the time to actually do something about it!

K.

[KnottedYet]

Cyclocross bikes are very nice for all-round use. I have two: a Waterford X-12 which is my zoom bike (no eyelets for fenders or racks) and has 28mm tires, and a Surly Cross Check which is my commuter/utility bike and has a rack and fenders and 32 mm tires.

I have clipless on the Waterford, and flat pedals on the Surly. My drop-bars are set even with the saddle or slightly higher.

Cyclocross geometry suits my body mechanics and riding style well, so of course I recommend you try the cyclocross bikes, too!

(if you like the Jamis commuter, ask if you can try a Jamis Aurora)

Oh, on the fashion front: it rains here in Seattle, and if you have fenders on your bike folks think you are a serious rider! And since there's so much utility riding around here, same thing for the rack.

[RoseC]

I was just kind of in the same boat, and I'll second the cross bike recommendation, based on my still limited knowledge.

I wanted something I could use for paved trails, mostly, up to about thirty miles. I didn't think I'd use it for commuting or riding the roads, but I liked the idea of having rack options in case I decided to do longer trails someday (didn't consider road trips at the time), and the Bianchi Volpe has the ability to take racks and fenders and all. It's almost a cross between a cross and a touring rig.

Anyway, I sit a bit more upright than on a standard road bike, it's a cushy ride, and I can use wider, more commuter friendly tires on it. And now, with my 350 mile mark coming up tonight, I've fallen in love with biking and want to do *longer* rides. I think I'd be mad at myself if I'd gotten a hybrid as I'd originally planned. You *can* do long rides on one, but this is much better, IMO!

I wuv my bike...