What type of bike should I get to commute to work?
Posted on 05. Mar, 2009 by carlos in Commuting, Tips
I’ve been apprenticing at Tsunami Cycles, a cycle repair shop in Austin, Texas, for the past week. I am continuously reminded of the timeless adage, “the more you learn, the more you realize you do not know.” I learn how to fix a single tire, only to be told that many types of tires exist. I learn one way to remove a part, only to learn that different countries thread parts differently. The vast array of bikes grows with time. Thousands of customizations to each person’s liking are available and only a mechanic knows how to tell the difference.
PHEW…those were my overwhelming feelings, but let’s back peddle a bit. To start off, we do not need to fix bicycles. Let’s put repairs to the back of our mind and learn to simply identify the bikes we will be dealing with. This is the starting point that I needed to grasp.
Below will help you understand some general things about commuter bikes and some important questions to ask yourself.
What is a commuter bike?
Any type of bike can be a ‘commuter.’ The bike that gets you comfortably from home to work and back, is a good commuter. This is not the be-all end-all post for picking your bike, but we both have to start some where.
What questions should I answer about my commute?
Does it have a lot of hills?
If yes, then your answer is in a geared system. Make an automatic assumption that you will be getting a geared bike. Without detail on how gears work, they will ease your climb and give you more power when cruising on a straight path.
Is your ride to work flat?
If your ride is flat the entire way, you have an option of a more simplistic method than a fully geared bike; a ‘Fixed Gear’ or ‘Single Gear.’ The general benefits include less tuning and maintenance. Expect a future post about this type in more detail. For the hasty, Sheldon Brown has a good page on Fixed Gear bikes.
How much are you bringing to work?
A major reason some people can’t bike to work is that they bring half their office to their home, and then back the next day. Luckily for most, a small carry unit for a notebook, briefcase, and lunch will suffice.
Panniers, Baskets, and Trunks are the three main ways to carry your stuff. Posts are coming about each type and their benefits and whether your bike may need slight modifications.
Last note
After you understand the general ideas of cycling, Jim, a mechanic at Tsunami Cycles, strongly urges people to spend time realizing why their commute is unique. He stressed that bicycles are so customizable and seeing your route and needs before getting a bike is crucial when it comes time to decide.
Image Source: Flickr
DDK
06. Mar, 2009
Also consider a folding bike — makes it much easier to hitchhike home with coworkers if the weather gets dire or your tires/stamina go flat.
Jim
06. Mar, 2009
Folders are pretty sweet, especially if you take mass transit as part of your commute.
But I’m sure Carlos will get more into that later.
Steven Jacobs
16. Mar, 2009
Folders are cool but make sure they good ones. The best I have seen are from Montague Corporation. They are full size bikes. Check them out here: http://www.montaguebikes.com
Bryan Wiggins
16. Mar, 2009
I’ve been commuting 100% for just shy of a year, and feel that I have learned a lot. The most important lessons I have learned so far relate to bags and winter.
On the bags front, spring for something good. It will seem expensive, but you’ll be glad. I’ve got a trunk with panniers (saddlebags) that zip out and fold down when needed. It is awesome for carrying clothes and miscellaneous crap back and forth to work, and lets me carry a surprising amount of groceries (yes, I really meant 100% commuting). Mine is a Trek that retails for about $75, which doesn’t count the cost of the cheaper panniers that it replaced.
If you’re thinking that a backpack will be sufficient, well, it’s a free country. But in my experience, riding with a backpack sucks. If there’s anything actually in it, it sucks worse. The lower down you can get any weight, the better. Hence the advantage of panniers, which put your cargo way down by the axles.
Winter… winter has been much harder than I anticipated. You’ll notice that experienced cyclists really love their expensive wool undergarments. Emulate them. They know of what they speak. Whatever the weather forecast calls for, subtract 25°F, as cyclists always have their very own wind chill factor. This is a perfect time of year to buy those expensive winter clothes, as everybody’s trying to clear inventory for summer.
Fort Wayne Bike Commuter
23. Mar, 2009
I ride a Breezer Villager that was designed for the commuter in mind. It has 7 speeds that is handy for the hilss or that steady headwind that blows during the winter months. Light generator that powers fromt and rear , rack, and of course fenders. I love it.
I tried the pannier and didn’t like it so much. It couldn’t hold everything I need. I bought a sweet Mountainsmith pack that holds everything I need including water bottles.
I rode all winter on my marathon tires and dressed like I was going snowboarding and it worked great. I find also that there is a fine line between too much clothing and too little. You have to experiment to see what works for you. If I am too cold I pedal harder, too hot, I pedal slower.
Mr.Bikers
24. Oct, 2009
Bicycle ! This lightweight transportation mode is both fun and very practical for commuters and campers.t. Besides, a bicycle is your ticket to exercise and freedom.
Daisy
12. Mar, 2010
Hey Carlos,
Thanks for this post. As the weather is turning, I’m just starting to look into what kind of bike to buy for my commute to work. This was helpful… there are things that I never thought to consider before buying a bike.
Thanks!
Daisy