New Commuting Bike Suggestions?

[alice]

Hello,

It's time for me to get a new bike. And while I'm not entirely new at riding, I'm very new at purchasing. So I need advice.

The primary purpose for a new bike would be "general transportation" a.k.a. I share a car with someone who uses it 8-9 hours a day and need an alterantive form of transportation. However, I would like a bike that I could occasionally do longer rides with on the weekends (in the 20-50 mile range).

My budget is somewhere in the ballpark of preferably around $600 but possibly up to $750 range.

I've ridden the Giant Escape City W; I loved how fast it was, but I know I'm going to be pretty enchanted by any bike I try. I've been eyeing the Specialized Sirrus for six or so years, so I definitely want to try it before I make a decision (and I noticed the Vita, which I think is new since I fell in love with the Sirrus).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Tri Girl]

Surly and Soma make great bikes that will be heavy duty enough for daily commuting, yet comfortable enough for longer(ish) rides. They are both steel.

I honestly don't know how much they are, tho. I'm guessing on the upper end of your budget (or more). They can accommodate racks, fenders, wider tires, etc. which would be nice if it's primarily your transportation bike.

[Kitsune06]

Some people are pretty fond of Kona Dews, as well.

[Tri Girl]

I forgot about Kona's. Those are some sweet rides, too!!! I'm a big fan of steel for commuting. I rode an aluminum bike for a year, then built up a 90's steel Bianchi and wow- what a difference!

[Catrin]

I love my Surly Long Haul Trucker and it will eventually become my commuter bike if'en I ever get comfortable enough with urban/downtown riding to do it. A new one would be over your budget, but you CAN find used ones that would likely fall in your price range. As others have said, it is steel and very solid. I do see quite a few Kona bikes used as commuters around here.

[zoom-zoom]

I rode a Surly Crosscheck this weekend...I could totally see using that as a commuter bike. A friend of mine had that as her first bike...she used it for road and cyclocross races (how, I do not know...the thing is like a freaking tank!). She now uses it as her "Winter beater" with studded tires and is planning to put fenders on it and maybe a rack.

For a heavy bike it was very comfortable and not hard to keep moving pretty fast. It convinced me that I no longer want a cyclocross bike...I NEED one! I need more bike surface options than dry, well-maintained asphalt.

[tulip]

If you like the look of the Sirrus, you might really like the look and feel of a Jamis Coda. The Jamis is steel, Sirrus is aluminum. Many folks, myself among them, find aluminum bikes to be uncomfortable and jarring. My Coda is my commuter bike and I really like it.

One thing to consider is whether you want drop bars or flat bars. The Coda (and Sirrus) have flat bars. I would like to have a commuting bike with drop bars, like a Surly. But there are no more bikes in my foreseeable future.

[alice]

Thanks for all of the good advice so far!

I've thought a little bit about the whole steel v. alumninum thing. My hesitancy with steel is that bike transportation in my area necessarily involves a lot of carrying the bike up and down stairs (and lifting it onto vertical racks on the train). I'm not out of shape, but I'm definitley not considered a strong person, so the added weight concerns me.

That being said, I took a look at the Jamis Coda on their website- I'm a little smitten with it (especially in the red ). I definitley want to find one and try it out.

As for drop handlebars... eh. I don't like them enough that I feel like I would get the functionality out of them that they deserve. I always feel guilty for not liking them more though, so maybe I should look at some of those bikes too.

[Melalvai]

I'm very happy with the Trek 7.2 FX WSD, and I think it is within your price range. However I'd actually recommend you consider a used bike. You can get it so much cheaper, and then have some to spend on accessories. The main thing is to get one that fits you and is comfortable. If you aren't in a rush, if you can take some time to find it, you can get something that will work well for you.

Accessories I consider indispensable are fenders, lights, and something to put things in (rack/panniers, basket).

[Velocivixen]

I have a 2011 Trek FX 7.3 that is a hybrid with flat handlebars. Their FX is their most popular platform and it can be used as a commuter bike, fitness bike, leisure bike, etc. I put on fenders, a kickstand and a rear rack, along with lights, a loud bell and a computer. It has 700 x 32 tires, so thin but not as thin as a formal road bike. I am in a bent over position, but not nearly as much as I would be on a true road bike. It cost around $750 without all the accessories. If you want disc brakes you can get those for $100 more.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Have you thought about 2010 close out models?