Denver Decorative Concrete & Custom MasonryBike preferences on commuting?
I’ve done a very little research on different types of bikes for commuting.
I’m kind of into the Trek 7.5 hybrid, supposedly its really great and cost around 500?
OR
A touring bike? I do not know a lot about those so a recommendation would be excellent.
Here is the thing, I will be using my bike to go to work, college, grocery shopping and the point it will be my main mode of transportation for a good long while.
I’d like a fast bike for when Im late or just need to get to class on time, i’ll be carrying books so something thats durable enough to carry a semi heavy load. I’ve heard that steel works best because its strong but aluminum is faster..?
Uhm..I’m 5’10” and 160 lbs I dont know if it matters getting a custom fit bike or not.
People have told me to go with a hybrid so that I can both go on dirt roads or concrete/asphalt. They also mentioned that touring bikes are a very little hard to get used to on account of the low bike handles.
My budget is under a 1000 and I will need a dependable bike for I am to use this for a long, long time.
Lastly do you recommend I get a used or new? How can I tell if the bike I’m getting used is good or not? I really dont want to get swindled into buying a thousand dollar bike that I really dont need from a sly bike salesmen.
I have an old French Gitane touring that is excellent but I bought it years ago and only use it for some of my touring. I usually use a road bike, I do not carry that much.
I can see your point though if your hauling your groceries and stuff you wont beat a good touring with all the bags and everything. It will certainly beat the tail off a comfort bike. You’ll get a nice 1 for a grand too.
Aluminum isn’t that much lighter then a good steel 1 if any at all. You can put any handle bars you want on your tourer, your not limited at all there. My Miyata has strait bars. I always recommend a used bike. you get a lot more value for your money and if you decide to trade it you will lose a lot less money. Do not you have friends that ride? Couldn’t 1 of them take a look at bikes with you. Any reputable bike shop in this part of the country will let you take it for a short ride.
I have a Forge M Street bike that I use om the road and bike trails. No shocks and 700 x thirty two mm tires it works great on gravel or paved roads. The gearing is a very little low for a hybrid but you can climb about anything you want. It has mounts for racks and fenders. I have a few thousand miles on mine with no problems. The nineteen inch frame will fit you and looks great with a black rack and fenders.
http://www.forgebikes.com/mstreetbk.asp
This should be an excellent touring bike that you can use to move about town. Follow the link below. My wife and I rode Motobecane bikes to college in the 70s. They were stolen but a friend is still riding hers three times a week after almost forty years.
Yes the brand new Motobecane are made in Taiwan now, not France, still a great machine.
I just got another Motobecane from bikesdirect, a sporty 1 for I plan to do a few centuries this summer, and was very happy with the service. No sly salesman there. I did order after closing time and next day by noon I got confirmation from Paypal, Bikesdirect and UPS that the bike was on its way. It took five days including Sat. and Sun which did not move.
The only problem with buying direct is that you have to unpack and assemble the bike yourself or take it to the LBS to get it assembled and pay about $50.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/gran_turismo.htm
I am the same guy that told you before not to buy a hybrid. Hybrids can do a lot of things but none too well. My wife got une last year and is ready to trade up. They’re too slow, comfortable but slow. They’re also heavy, if you need to bring it in your apartment. The touring bikes can carry lots of load.
Yes steel has a bit of spring on it and that is comfortable but you won’t notice until you go for fifty miles.
I will go for new. This is your only means of transportation. You do not want to go to the shop every other week. Let the good used bikes out there for the experts that can fix them, get grease on their hands and find spare parts here and there. I got a good used bike from a very reputable shop last August, yet when I went to service it and put brand new grease on the bearings after only 250 miles, I found out that they were pitted and had to be replaced. I was lucky I could find the parts and do it myself, because the shop was suggesting ordering parts from France, and they wanted to replace the hub also. Again, you better buy new. You have the money for it also.
Last Sun I rode thirty three miles with the club, two rode hybrids out of twelve bikes. We all had to wait for them several times.
To insure you get a good bike – get a brand new one. My God…for $1,000 you can buy 1 hell-of-a good bicycle.
And I’m STILL going to suggest that same Raleigh Detour 4.5 for $460 over the Trek 7.5 for $979.99 for college life. More upright riding position for 1 thing & a much higher talked count per wheel for another. That will take more of a load. You wanted to add a rear rack & possibly panniers for carrying things – right?
I haul everything on my 2008 Raleigh! And I do mean everything – no car. In over 2,000 miles & two & 3/4 years – 1 flat tire. Big deal.
People have misconceptions about touring bikes. Low handles? Handlebars are set at a height that is comfortable for the rider. The tops of the bars would be at a height similar to the bars on a hybrid, but there are additional places where you can put your hands. The bottom part, or drop, is lower. This allows you to assume a lower more aerodynamic position on the bike when you want to go faster, or if you are riding into a strong headwind. On a hybrid you can’t do that. Frame material doesn’t make much difference when it comes to speed. Aluminum frames are a bit lighter than steel ones, but that would not make a huge difference in the overall weight of a bike. A frame weighs from Three 5 pounds, while a complete touring bike weighs about thirty pounds fully equipped, so the frame is only 10% – 15% of the total weight of the bike. as far as where you can ride, anything a hybrid can do, a touring bike can do as well.
Another sort of bike you might look at is a cyclocross bike, some of them are very similar to touring bikes, but the handling is more nimble. There are lots of choices, look for ones that can be adapted for racks and mudguards so that you can carry your gear. They will not handle as heavy a load as a touring bike, but can be graet fun to ride.
oh good grief
touring bike – no
just use a backpack
steel vs al –
no diff for what you want
low bike handles
wtf
you should not get used
you don;t know enough
wle