Real Geeks Ride » Tips http://www.realgeeksride.com 2 Geeks biking across the USA to make a point Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:48:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 What type of bike should I get to commute to work? http://www.realgeeksride.com/2009/03/05/what-type-of-bike-should-i-get-to-commute-to-work/ http://www.realgeeksride.com/2009/03/05/what-type-of-bike-should-i-get-to-commute-to-work/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:31:36 +0000 carlos http://www.realgeeksride.com/?p=123 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.

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