How to Choose a Bicycle for Commuting

A few factors will determine the right bike for your commute, including personal preferences, how many bikes you want to own, the load you'll be carrying, and what the route is like.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cleated Bicycle Shoes
• Padded Bicycle Shorts
• Bicycle Route Guides
• Bicycle Helmets
• Bicycle Jersies
• Bicycle Lights
• Gel-cushioned Bicycle Saddles
• Reflective Vests
• Children's Bicycles

1. Determine what style of bike would work best for your commuting needs: road, mountain or hybrid.

2. Consider your route. Does it involve long, uninterrupted stretches, or lots of stop-and-go pedaling? Road bikes are the fastest way to get from point A to point B, but the racing-style seating is not as comfortable in stop-and-go situations as the more upright position of hybrid and mountain bikes.

3. Think about the amount of gear you want to carry. Road bikes are fine for light loads; the sturdier frames of mountain and hybrid bikes make it easy to attach all sorts of gear and packs.

4. Decide if you want to use the bike for more than just commuting. A road bike works great for the road; a mountain bike is, of course, great for trails; but a hybrid's performance in either situation will usually only be tolerable to the most casual of riders. Alternatively, consider adapting your current bike for commuting if it's comfortable and you like it.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out the new commuter bikes, which are hybrids that come equipped for the road - with features such as fenders, horns and comfortable seats.
• Don't forget to look in the classifieds or at bike shops that may sell used bikes. It's a good way to get a "new-to-you" bike without paying new prices.
• Make sure the frame fits you. As you straddle the bike, standing upright, there should be about an inch of space between you and the bar.
• Bike shops will let you test-ride bikes. That's the best way to figure out what is comfortable, and to try out a good cross section of different sizes and styles.

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[jeratzlo]

on 10/4/2006 ALL bicycles are now made overseas. There is nothing wrong with the components of discount store bicycles. Routine maintenance will need to be done on any bicycle you purchase - no matter the cost. Brakes need to be adjusted or cranks need to be tightened or axles bearings need to be replaced on every bicycle that is used a lot. Find a good bike shop to do that work for you.

Discount store bicycles are usually a little heavier than more expensive bicycles, but that is not an issue unless going very fast is important to you. (I always carry a backpack of books and tube repair supplies, so my weight is higher anyway).

I have been riding a Walmart Mountain Bike for three years. I have had normal maintenance done to it. It has been very dependable, and is very comfortable to ride. I use it to go to work three or four days a week.

There are many benefits from this bicycle - reducing pollution, saving money in gas and vehicle maintenance, plus I am in much better shape than before I started riding to work.

on 6/30/2006 Don't buy WalMart, Target, Kroger (yes, it is true. I have seen bikes at Kroger), or K-Mart bikes. First of all, the tires usually are very cheap. You will end up riding the bikes for about 1 year maximum, and before you know it you are walking your bike up a hill, your brakes don't work, your gears don't work, and so much more. Those bikes rust easily and are not worth your money. Either buy a crappy bike and fix it, or buy a nice bike from a bike shop. Never buy one from a general store. For things like bikes and canoes (exclusive sports items), you must go to a person who actually knows what they are doing.

on 2/25/2006 Get an old steel frame that fits. Commuting is not about speed, so stay away from the racing road bikes, plus these bikes normally don't accommodate fenders and racks. That also means no disc brakes, they also prevent you from using fenders and racks.

Get an old (read: cheap or free) bike (most likely steel) that looks ugly. Ugly bikes, despite possibly costing lots (1000+) will not get stolen, only nice shiny looking bikes get stolen.
Stay away from suspension, you do not need either rear or front suspension. Especially inexpensive shocks. They do much more harm than good. Keep it rigid.
It needs to have eyelets (for fenders and racks). It sucks commuting with a backpack all the time. Get fenders, and a rear rack with panniers (saddle bags).
Get 2 rear blinker lights, just in case one goes out (they are $6). When commuting you will, despite telling yourself otherwise, end up being forced to commute after dark (or before sunrise in my case). A white LED for the front is also nice, a real (rechargeable battery, not AAA) head lamp is really nice.
Get fenders, except maybe if you live in the desert, you have no idea how nice they are until you are forced to ride in the rain, or 4 inch deep water.

Get a U-Lock.

I recommend really cheap bike shorts, for commuting over 45 minutes each way, and somewhat nice shorts for more than 1.5 hours.
Clipless pedals are great (especially at trip times over 45 minutes), but you do have to bring real shoes with you sometimes, get ATAC or Egg beaters with a platform so you can ride in sandals or regular shoes.

I use a 40 pound steel mountain bike I got for free, that I put about 6 hours of work into make it ride-able again.
I recommend you get a really inexpensive bike (try to stay away from the WalMart bikes) and have someone who knows about bikes to get your bike into good ride-able condition. Then spend money on good, full fenders, and a good rear rack. Maybe some reflective tape to make yourself super visible.

Get some high pressure (90ish psi for road tires, 70 psi for the typically thicker MTB tires) tires that are smooth. They will make a world of difference. I waited after my old tires were ruined, but consider doing it earlier, especially for knobby MTB tires. They are much safer and much faster on the road.

on 2/23/2006 Upright bicycles are becoming a lot more common in the US. Upright meaning you ride your bike with an upright position, instead the the prevalent crouching one, very common on road and mountain bikes. It is more common in Europe and is usually a lot more comfortable to ride in, though they are not designed for long commutes(15-20+ miles). But they are great if you are going to integrate into the mass transit system, shorter commutes in street clothes and riding in more densely packed places. Other names include utility bike, comfort bike, European bike. Brands include Breezer, Electra and bigger manufacturers tend to have comfort versions. Some come fully equipped (more expensive), with fenders, racks and lights, and some don't but it should be fairly easy to find the right equipments.

on 11/22/2005 Gel seats are more comfortable than hard seats and are better for your body.