Help for an incipient re-commuter...

[Tri Girl]

Glad you're considering jumping back on the bike and commuting again. Woot!!!

I just adore Surly's. The Cross Check is my next bike build... drool...
http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check_complete/
They are super sturdy- and an incredible value for the price.

Or how about a flat-bar road bike (hybrid) like the Cannondale Quick?
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/recr...creation/quick
I can't tell if it has eyelets for a rear rack or not, tho.

[mariacycle]

no advice but I wanted to cheer you on!!

[redrhodie]

You should probably start your search with a trip to a bike shop to test ride some bikes. Any type of bike can be a commuter. I've commuted for several years on a racing bikes. I now also have a 'cross bike that has a rack, but I commuted for a long time without it. I just didn't carry anything.

As for brands, I'm a huge fan of Soma Fabrications (maker of my Doublecross DC). The quality of the ride is excellent, and they have several models that are perfect for commuting, with eyelets for racks and fenders. I also think they're really reasonably priced for what your getting. http://www.somafab.com/index.html

[Tri Girl]

Red- you said Soma. That made me think of their mixte... and I started drooling. Maybe *that's* my next bike build.... love that mixte of theirs.

[redrhodie]

I know! I love that bike. You need it.

[Tri Girl]

I'm pretty sure if I buy that bike, it will come with divorce papers. It took a LOT of convincing from the DH, but I finally sold 2 of my bikes that I hardly ever rode. I'm finally down to 3 bikes (well, 4, but the 4th is headed to the homeless shelter soon). Don't enable me!

Now, the OP needs that mixte for SURE!!!

[628BJ]

Thanks for the suggestions. Weather is expected to be crummy here on Sunday so I'll see if I can find my way to a bike shop and try a few to get some ideas. Then, thanks to your suggestions, I'll also be surfing Craig's list and deciding what my budget is for this.

I can hardly wait to ride!!!!

[paiger81]

Or how about a flat-bar road bike (hybrid) like the Cannondale Quick?
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/recr...creation/quick
I can't tell if it has eyelets for a rear rack or not, tho.

Just wanted to chime in that it does have the eyelets :-) I checked that when I test rode one last night. I am only 8 miles from work, so I might be commuting as well. Even though I think I'm leaning towards a Cannondale Adventure 3.