I Need a Commuter!

[GLC1968]

GLC- Would the SusanB be equivalent? How hard (time and money) was it to convert to drop?

I think the SusanB is the *replacement* for the Classic...or as close as you'll get. It doesn't appear to have front rack mounts, but other that that, I think it's similar. Make sure you check out the buy/sell section on the Terry site...that's where I found my Classic.

The conversion wasn't too hard or expensive at all. BUT, I did kind of create a 'frankenbike'. I exchanged a few emails with Georgena about the conversion and based on what she said, I opted to go with bar end friction shifters for the front deraileur and STI for the rear. I don't know if the SusanB gearing would present a similiar need or not. Luckily, this made the conversion inexpensive. To accomodate a big mirror on the left, I put my front gear bar ends on the right...so it's a little weird. I like it though!

I'd say all told, the conversion was less than $150 with my stem being the most expensive item at like $70. All I needed were the bars, the stem, one STI shifter, one brake lever, cables (I had to replace both brake and shifting cables, but that may not always be necessary), the bar end and tape. I did it in less than a week working in the evenings for a hour or so and I had no prior bike maintenance experience. I did have DH looking over my shoulder to make sure I didn't really screw up!

I really disliked the flat bars and upright stance for that commute (which is funny, since that's the type of bike I now want for my current commute!), and I was VERY pleased with the bike after the conversion.

[Zen]

I second Queen's Trek.
having just bought one myself

[7rider]

I have a flat bar road bike for my 7.5 mile commute. I love it. Speedy like a roadbike, but with a heads-up riding position for in the city. I put bar ends on it and I've got multiple had positions. Some options I can think of would be the Jamis Coda, the Novara Big Buzz. My bike is unfortunately no longer being made (a Felt SR81).

If you like drop bars, a Trek Portland is pretty sweet. Compare to a Jamis Aurora, I believe.

[Aggie_Ama]

Regina- Can you use a slightly wider tire? I am concerned about the amount of road debris.

I should have mentioned earlier I will only be riding about 2 miles of city and of that 1 mile is just a HUGE shoulder but there is a hairy intersection. Otherwise it is a huge shoulder I frequently ride on the weekends. I also work 7-4 and would be in moderate traffic. I will be at the office before traffic really picks up and the afternoon I will mostly be ahead of the traffic again. I have never commuted by bike so I am not sure what I want. I am liking the options so far!

[7rider]

Regina- Can you use a slightly wider tire? I am concerned about the amount of road debris.

I should have mentioned earlier I will only be riding about 2 miles of city and of that 1 mile is just a HUGE shoulder but there is a hairy intersection. Otherwise it is a huge shoulder I frequently ride on the weekends. I also work 7-4 and would be in moderate traffic. I will be at the office before traffic really picks up and the afternoon I will mostly be ahead of the traffic again. I have never commuted by bike so I am not sure what I want. I am liking the options so far!

My Felt can't really handle more than a 28 and that's my "winter" tire. It works fine for my needs. During the summer, I run 25's.
My DH has the Big Buzz....that bike is pretty slick. We're about to put some cyclocross tires on it...it has plenty of clearance. We'll put, likely, 32's on it. We also have a seatpost mounted rack for it and the disc brakes are da bomb! MDHillSlug has a Coda for her commuter. I think she also runs 32's on it, but can also put 28s (or maybe even 25's) on it.

[Crankin]

I got the Jamis Coda, with the intent of using it to commute (14-15 miles each way). I bought it because it has low gears and I live on a very big hill and an even steeper driveway. And, I am short. It makes it up both of these fine, but there is no way I could ride it to work and get there in decent time because it is SO heavy compared to my road bike, by the time i have the pannier on, even heavier. I love riding it into town and for short errand commutes, but I can't get my average over 12.5 on this bike. Maybe I am weak compared to some of you, but this is like 2.5-4 mph slower than on my road bike.
If I lived in a flatter area, this would be fine. I don't mind the flat bars, either.
But, it will be back to wearing the empty Camelbak as a backpack on my road bike.

[Zen]

I can't get my average over 12.5 on this bike. Maybe I am weak compared to some of you, but this is like 2.5-4 mph slower than on my road bike.

Sheesh. 12.5 is my top speed carrying nothing but water on my road bike
Just leave earlier

[NbyNW]

I actually just ordered my new commuter from Dahon, who makes the Fly By for Novara. I went with the Speed Pro which has a few more gears than the Fly By, which should be handy for Seattle's hills.

In my case I'm very concerned about storage and security since my last bike was stolen, and the idea of a folding bike that is multi-modal and can be stored under my desk is attractive . . . and a friend of mine has actually been at Dahon for a number of years so on a personal level I feel that it's a very good company that is always trying to improve their products and still keep them affordable.

I'll post when my bike arrives and I've had a chance to ride it a bit. Maybe that will provide some useful information for you.

[7rider]

I got the Jamis Coda, with the intent of using it to commute (14-15 miles each way). I bought it because it has low gears and I live on a very big hill and an even steeper driveway. And, I am short. It makes it up both of these fine, but there is no way I could ride it to work and get there in decent time because it is SO heavy compared to my road bike, by the time i have the pannier on, even heavier. I love riding it into town and for short errand commutes, but I can't get my average over 12.5 on this bike. Maybe I am weak compared to some of you, but this is like 2.5-4 mph slower than on my road bike.

My commuter is also a whole lot heavier than my road bike. My average speed is also a whole lot slower than on my road bike (around where yours is). I don't think I would expect any different...it's a stouter bike...it carries a load...it has bigger tires run at lower pressure...it has lower end (i.e., heavier) components...it's an apple to my road bike's orange. I don't view that as a problem...I just make an account for it in planning. Plus...a week of lugging my heavy commuter around makes my weekend rides on my road bike that much faster!

[Crankin]

Ah, Zen I already leave at 5:45...
I am a middle school teacher. It takes me about 56 min.- 1 hr 1 min to ride my commute to school on my road bike. I like getting there at the same time I usually get there when I drive, because I want to be there well before others arrive (to change, wash up, and make myself look presentable) and definitely before kids start showing up. I need this time to do work before my day starts. In fact, I was thinking of waiting until 6, so I could start riding in a little earlier in the year. Right now it's still quite dark and I can't put lights on my road bike.
I might *try* to ride the Jamis in after a couple of commutes, when I am in better shape. We'll see.

[Jolt]

I got the Jamis Coda, with the intent of using it to commute (14-15 miles each way). I bought it because it has low gears and I live on a very big hill and an even steeper driveway. And, I am short. It makes it up both of these fine, but there is no way I could ride it to work and get there in decent time because it is SO heavy compared to my road bike, by the time i have the pannier on, even heavier. I love riding it into town and for short errand commutes, but I can't get my average over 12.5 on this bike. Maybe I am weak compared to some of you, but this is like 2.5-4 mph slower than on my road bike.

Wow. That makes me feel a little better about my speed (or lack thereof) if the heavier bike makes such a huge difference, given that mine isn't exactly light (and I have fat tires on it)!!