I began riding simply for the sake of riding. Now that I'm commuting a lot I'm wondering if it's worth investing in a urban/townie/commuter bike. Any suggestions?
I ride a single speed I built for commuting. I wanted a bike that had no quick-release anything and was really rugged. I also wanted a more relaxed geometry/comfortable ride.
Like Kyle says, simpler is better. If it isn't I can't break it.
I'm solidly Meh on the whole fixie trend. I guess they sorta make sense if there aren't many hills (and it seems your commute route looks pretty flat), but frankly I like using physics to my advantage. All it takes is a couple clicks on my derailer and I'm flying past all but the most puissantly peddling fixie hipster.
Also, there are more factors to consider with commuting:
How much do you carry on a typical commute?
I'm a big proponent of getting stuff off your back. Either with a good backpack that has a support system and allows air to flow or better yet a rack and pannier. With nothing on your back you're more agile, less sweaty, and less prone to back pains.
How heavy is the traffic?
Personally, I prefer riding up in prairie dog mode when dodging the big metal beasts that come with traffic. Which is why my commuter bike has flat bars so the brake levers are nice and available. Bull horns are good for this too.
How bad are the roads?
If your ride has tons of potholes and sharp debris you'll want a heavier tire. This can still be a 700 size. For this very reason, I've been eying getting a pair of Panaracer T-Serv tires or maybe the Panaracer Ruffy Tuffy tires.
Also figure how determined you are to ride rain or shine. If so you'll probably want to add fenders and get yourself a rain jacket and pants when it comes around to the wet season.
catcubed - I've been avoiding the idea of a fixie for sometime because it's got such a "cool" stigma attached to it (for now anyway). And you bring up some great factors to consider.
I'm on a flat 8 mile commute so gears won't be missed. Well, once i get used to it they wouldn't.
Plus, having a few different bikes in the quiver would help keep thing fresh.
i used to have a cross bike that I thought was a perfect commuter bike. Fast but a little more bomb proof than a road bike.
Then last week it got stolen.
i've replaced it with a 1970s fuji that I got for $75. i thought about making it a fixie but that requires putting money into it. and now i am paranoid that any signs of worth are a liability. and i figure i could just let the cables get old enough so that it stops shifting and at least then i'll have a single speed.
jccrocsby, I'd recommend looking into some of the more beefy cyclocross bikes out there. Alum. frame with some slightly fatter tires. These bikes are rather rugged but are still built for speed which should commute nicely. I'm not 100% what you mean by singletrack though, since that can vary from compacted dirt that resembles concrete to rough and tumble downhill madness full of boulders and rocks. The latter would obviously be far too much for a cross bike... Something like this looks like a good (and really cheap), fun bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm -- Good luck, and let us know what you decided!
Joshua Talbot, May 15, 2008
I began riding simply for the sake of riding. Now that I'm commuting a lot I'm wondering if it's worth investing in a urban/townie/commuter bike. Any suggestions?
Kyle Ellman, May 15, 2008
I love commuting on a fixie, but then again, I love doing everything on a fixie.
They're really nice to commute on, plus there's a lot less maintenance required since there's practically nothing on the bike
Jonathan, May 16, 2008
I ride a single speed I built for commuting. I wanted a bike that had no quick-release anything and was really rugged. I also wanted a more relaxed geometry/comfortable ride.
Like Kyle says, simpler is better. If it isn't I can't break it.
Teevio, May 16, 2008
I def. like the concept of the fixed gear being low maintenance. I wear out my brakes way too fast.
Joshua Talbot, May 21, 2008
I'm warming up to the fixed gear idea. But being "fixed" still scares me a bit. I need to get on one and play around.
Joshua Talbot, Jul 08, 2008
I saw this at the bike shop and it really got me thinking about a solid fixed gear for the commute.
catcubed, Jul 10, 2008
I'm solidly Meh on the whole fixie trend. I guess they sorta make sense if there aren't many hills (and it seems your commute route looks pretty flat), but frankly I like using physics to my advantage. All it takes is a couple clicks on my derailer and I'm flying past all but the most puissantly peddling fixie hipster.
Also, there are more factors to consider with commuting:
How much do you carry on a typical commute?
I'm a big proponent of getting stuff off your back. Either with a good backpack that has a support system and allows air to flow or better yet a rack and pannier. With nothing on your back you're more agile, less sweaty, and less prone to back pains.
How heavy is the traffic?
Personally, I prefer riding up in prairie dog mode when dodging the big metal beasts that come with traffic. Which is why my commuter bike has flat bars so the brake levers are nice and available. Bull horns are good for this too.
How bad are the roads?
If your ride has tons of potholes and sharp debris you'll want a heavier tire. This can still be a 700 size. For this very reason, I've been eying getting a pair of Panaracer T-Serv tires or maybe the Panaracer Ruffy Tuffy tires.
catcubed, Jul 10, 2008
Also figure how determined you are to ride rain or shine. If so you'll probably want to add fenders and get yourself a rain jacket and pants when it comes around to the wet season.
Teevio, Jul 11, 2008
The biggest plus in my mind about the fixie is the low(er) maintenance. But the gears are definitely nice for hills and stoplights.
Joshua Talbot, Jul 11, 2008
catcubed - I've been avoiding the idea of a fixie for sometime because it's got such a "cool" stigma attached to it (for now anyway). And you bring up some great factors to consider.
I'm on a flat 8 mile commute so gears won't be missed. Well, once i get used to it they wouldn't.
Plus, having a few different bikes in the quiver would help keep thing fresh.
localcyclist, Jul 12, 2008
i used to have a cross bike that I thought was a perfect commuter bike. Fast but a little more bomb proof than a road bike.
Then last week it got stolen.
i've replaced it with a 1970s fuji that I got for $75. i thought about making it a fixie but that requires putting money into it. and now i am paranoid that any signs of worth are a liability. and i figure i could just let the cables get old enough so that it stops shifting and at least then i'll have a single speed.
Joshua Talbot, Jul 14, 2008
lol - the Zen way to bike alteration.
Such a bummer to have to worry about theft. nowhere to keep the bike indoors?
localcyclist, Jul 20, 2008
there are some bike lockers but their is a wait list and a stolen bike apparently doesn't move you up the list
jccrosby, Aug 28, 2008
thinking about getting a new bike....looking for something that is cool with the commute and fun on the singletrack...any sugestions?
fusatia, Sep 09, 2008
jccrocsby, I'd recommend looking into some of the more beefy cyclocross bikes out there. Alum. frame with some slightly fatter tires. These bikes are rather rugged but are still built for speed which should commute nicely. I'm not 100% what you mean by singletrack though, since that can vary from compacted dirt that resembles concrete to rough and tumble downhill madness full of boulders and rocks. The latter would obviously be far too much for a cross bike... Something like this looks like a good (and really cheap), fun bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm -- Good luck, and let us know what you decided!
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