I want a commuter, but I have no idea where to start

[ginny]

Hi - I also have been researching commuters for awhile now. For me, I think I'll go with the Surly Cross Check. Here's why: it comes in smallish frames, but maintains the 700cc tires. A complete brand new bike is around $850 (I know that's a bit more than you mentioned, but...). It's tough as nails that bike. It is a great commuter, and you can use it for touring too. The only thing I'm not really crazy about is that the shifters are down on the drops, but I figure I'll get used to it. It is a cyclocross bike with wider rims than the road bikes and a double in front. The gearing ratios are good for me - I live in the rockys and (needless to say), there are TONS of hills. Nonetheless the gearing is pretty good. It's a chromolly frame which I like better than aluminum for commuting (dampens the bumps), as do the beefier tires. So, that's my opinion... the bikes are a bit hard to come by. You need to go to the Surly web page and look up your state and they have the LBS listed that sell them... Good luck!

[Blueberry]

I have a cross check and LOVE it! If I were starting from scratch and buying a commuter, I would probably either buy a cross bike or a touring bike (also made to carry stuff, and has wider rims, etc.). I love my Trek 520.

Another bike to look at (since you have a Jamis dealer) is the Aurora. It's "MSRP" is $865, but you may be able to find one for less. Not sure if your preferred shop could get it or not. I do know that all shops can get Surly bikes, so that may be a consideration - the Long Haul Trucker is nice too

Good luck!

CA

[NoNo]

Thanks for all the great advice. Good to know I'm not the only person who's thought of "cheating" on their LBS Ideally, I'd be able to try out bikes at other shops and my place would order something if I really wanted it, but I haven't checked with them yet.

Wider tires and lots of gears are definitely pluses

[mimitabby]

parallel train tracks can get almost any bike though. I am riding on 25mm tires, i want wider ones, but i have never fallen on train tracks, and i pass over them every single day. You just have to be careful. I know that Dolce is a sweet bike. Although I applaud your choice of a Surly Crosscheck, I don't want you to think it will be "traintrack proof"

[Blueberry]

Really good point, Mimi. And one that even the most experienced cyclists seem to occasionally forget

[KnottedYet]

It is a cyclocross bike with wider rims than the road bikes and a double in front. The gearing ratios are good for me - I live in the rockys and (needless to say), there are TONS of hills. Nonetheless the gearing is pretty good. It's a chromolly frame which I like better than aluminum for commuting (dampens the bumps), as do the beefier tires. So, that's my opinion... the bikes are a bit hard to come by. You need to go to the Surly web page and look up your state and they have the LBS listed that sell them... Good luck!

For $19 I added a third chainring to my Cross Check. Now she's a triple. If you find the gearing isn't working for you on your hills, consider adding a ring up front. (the spider has recievers, and the bar-cons can take the 3rd ring no problem!)