Bicycle Commuting/Riding Help
MayDay10
Posts: 11,761
recently been searching for the right bike to buy. I havent found the exact information/bike to conform to my situation.
I think I need a road bike... but here goes:
I am going to be looking to commute to work. About 7-8 miles each way. Some hazardous-type spots (somewhat busy street/no shoulder).... but I think I could get through it all if Im careful.
Also, I run a lot and was thinking about getting into some biathlons with running and biking. I wouldnt be too, too competitive in the cycling portion, but I would like appropriate equipment there.
I was looking at this one: http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycles/0 ... volpe.html
Anyone know a good bike for this type of use?
Thanks
I think I need a road bike... but here goes:
I am going to be looking to commute to work. About 7-8 miles each way. Some hazardous-type spots (somewhat busy street/no shoulder).... but I think I could get through it all if Im careful.
Also, I run a lot and was thinking about getting into some biathlons with running and biking. I wouldnt be too, too competitive in the cycling portion, but I would like appropriate equipment there.
I was looking at this one: http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycles/0 ... volpe.html
Anyone know a good bike for this type of use?
Thanks
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Well it all depends since you're only traveling 16 miles round trip which is about a 25 minutes. That's a nice choice of a road bike and they can be costly. Since you appear to be of the athletic type a road bike might be a good choice based on how much you may want to spend. A hybrid bike could be another option however if you still want to compete in biathlons a road bike is the way to go.
I travel twice a week 44 miles round-trip in my 6 day work week from Lake Worth to Palm Beach, FL. I use my R800 Raleigh road racing bike to make the 1 hour 10 minute ride. It's sort of easy down here considering how flat Florida is many times I yearn for a HILL or a MOUND.
Anyway take your time and tryout several bikes including mountain bikes let the comfort of the bike and how deep is your pockets are be a factor. Good luck.
Peace
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Bianchi makes great bikes.
How much do you want to spend?
Since I have a few rough'ish roads to travel, I went with a cross bike (not pure road). http://www.bikemag.com/gear/bikes/021206_schwinn/ Since it was an old model year I found one for $600.
You should also look at the Kona Jake the Snake. I see many commuters on those! Kona makes some rockin bikes!
Want more of a road bike? Try a Felt F85 or F75! I absolutely love Felt bikes. I've owned 2 and they're great!
Good luck!
... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/75fx/
It has some features of a hybrid and some of a road bike. I added full fenders, which has come in VERY handy for a commuting bike, particularly through our nasty winter.
work to eat
eat to live
live to ride
ride to work
Maybe you could buy a used bike to ride back and forth to work and then buy a good road bike. But if you have to choose one, definitely get a road/racing bike.
1.5 years ago I bought a Serotta Fierte Titanium road bike (a splurge). I love it, but I have been riding bikes for years and years. If you are new to cycling I would suggest an entry level bike just to see how you like it. Then if you stick with it, in a couple of years, you could always convert the entry level bike into a commuter bike and then move up in a road bike.
The most important thing about buying a bike is buying one THAT FITS! You need to make sure you go to a bike shop where they spend time on your measurements and making sure the bike fits.
Some things you need to research on the internet before buying:
Frame material: steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or titanium.
Component quality (groupset = gearing, cassette, brakes, etc). In Shimano there are different "quality" levels. Tiagra is the lowest, then Ultegra, then Dura Ace. You have to decide between a 9speed cassette or 10 speed cassette.
The fork material is also important.
And finally, the pedals. Do you want SPD, Look, Speedplay, etc. They all require different cleats and they are expensive so make sure you do the research.
I think many times people just do what my Grandma called "sponge baths" in a sink and use wet wipes and probably baby powder.
I read that when Lance Armstrong opened up his bike shop in Austin in put in showers so people commuting to work in downtown Austin would have a place to clean up. I thought that was cool.
Don't wear your work clothes on the bike - or at least I wouldn't. When I commute I bring clothes on a day when I am not bike commuting and leave them here. What few things I have to carry on the bike I put in a back pack.
I've tried racks, panniers and such, but I've had the most luck just by carrying my work clothes (I typically wear dress pants and a dress shirt, with a tie every so often) in a messenger bag neatly folded. Getting into the routine was easier than I expected once I found what works for me.
haha, nice analogy...i am in the same boat as well, mountain bike for me.
www.seanbrady.net
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bik ... 268/32201/
it has road bike tires but sits up like a mountain bike. i couldn't get comfortable with the hunched over road bike style, so this worked for me, and was ~$600.