Bike type choices

[coyote]

Hi,
I'm in the market for a new bike. My current bike is too small. I've been looking at the Jamis Commuter 3.0. It is more in the comfort bike range. Most of my biking is commuting to and from work, 6 miles round trip, and then sometimes errands on the weekends. I'm getting bitten by the bike bug though. Now I'm thinking I may really want a road bike...something I can do 20-25 mi/h on. On the other hand...I've been commuting to work for 3 years on a bike and I have only been on one 20 mile ride. But on the other hand....

See my delemia. Unfortunantly I do not have the money for 2 bikes.

What do you all think?

- Mary

[Zen]

Who says you can't commute on a road bike?

[coyote]

The fenders and luggage rack kind of take away from the speeding around town effect. Mostly I'm pretty self conscious and I'm not sure I want to ride around town with my butt in the air. The thing I like about the Jamis is that it has a chain guard so I can just jump on it and go and it is really upright.

[Torrilin]

I see people riding around Madison on all kinds of bikes. Mountain bikes (no suspension, front suspension and full suspension), road bikes, vintage bikes, cruisers, folding bikes... If the weather is good, you'll see lots of nekkid bikes with no fenders or just a rear rack. The moment the weather gets bad, it seems like every bike you see has fenders (and half the saddles are wrapped in a plastic bag).

Go with a bike that you're happy with, and don't worry so much about style. I *know* I look incredibly dorky on my mountain bike, but it gets me grocery shopping and to the library. And I wouldn't look any less (or more) dorky on a cruiser or road bike. I also get passed by plenty of road bikes fitted out with a rack and panniers . Most of 'em don't have their butt in the air either... it's pretty common to use a more level setup.

If there's a lot of bike parking in your area tho, think about getting a steel bike over aluminum. A lot of the common bike racks make it hard to use a U lock on a big fat Al bike, and it's easy on the steel bikes. I dunno if steel is "realer" or not, but it's a lot easier to park.

[Zen]

...I'm getting bitten by the bike bug though. Now I'm thinking I may really want a road bike...something I can do 20-25 mi/h on...

- Mary

You can put a removable rack on a road bike that will carry enough weight for a work commute. If you find out it's not really what you want you could sell the road bike for near the same amount it will cost for a new commuter.

[Sheesh]

I had an aluminum road bike, but eventually bought a carbon fiber road bike. Once I started riding the carbon fiber bike on the weekends, I decided the aluminum bike would become my "commuter". But, eventually, the cf bike became so much more enjoyable to ride, and I got rid of my aluminum bike. Now, I commute on my Giant TCR C3 and I love it! Of course, I don't leave it locked up outside because I'm afraid someone will steal it. Either way, though, I think commuting on a road bike just makes sense for me since I also ride on the weekends and don't need to own two bikes.

I say, buy the bike that makes you happiest because you're more likely to get on and ride it.

[Thorn]

Absolutely, buy what you feel comfortable on, but here's a suggestion...consider a cross-bike. They tend to have a road geometry (although slightly relaxed, I think), but take wider tires for handling bumpy roads.

There is a recent review on the Surly CrossCheck on the boards and many people swear by the Bianchi Volpe. Both bikes are on my "gotta try 'em out" list as I'm looking to replace my winter-riding hybrid with a low-end cross this fall.

[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...

[coyote]

Hmmm you all have given me a lot to think about. I can not wait to get a new bike. I've known for a while that my current bike is too small for me but lately I've been having problems with my knees and the few times I've tried riding for longer times my hands have gone numb. But maybe I'll hold off a little longer and check out a few more bikes. I think I have been shying away from the road type bikes becuase all the bikes I have owned as an adult have been too big (hence the small bike now).

A guy at work commutes on a Jamis Aurora. It looks really slick with fenders on it.

I think I'm going to see if I can rent a road/cross bike for a weekend, one that fits, and see what it feels like.

The Bianchi Volpe is affordable and does have the all important rack eyelets. If the rent-a-bike goes well I think I'll check out the Aurora and Volpe.

Thanks all of you for your input.

[BikeDutchess]

REI has the Marin Belvedere Bike - 2007 model on sale for $440 right now. Commuter bike with fenders, and I believe it also allows you to attach racks (no racks included).

[TsPoet]

I know the bentvangelists on bikejournal can get rather annoying, but have you considered looking at a bent? A Giro 20 or 26 would fit your bill nicely.
But, as Sheesh pointed out, you may want a road bike, or a road bent, and just use it even though it isn't officially a commuter bike. I have a Giro 20 and a Corsa (the bent equivalent of a fast-ish road bike). I ride the Corsa most often, just cause it's more fun. The Giro is more logical, but the Corsa is more fun!

[coyote]

TsPoet,
What is a bent? I tried googling Giro but all I get is the helmet and I get a bike shop when I tried Corsa.