road bikes?

[manon1wheel]

hey! i got an awesome job for this summer. but the problem is that i cant afford a car and my job is around 6 miles away... i was thinking that i could maby walk the first coupe weeks until i have enough money too buy myself a bike.
so does anyone know enough about road bikes that they can give me a few pointers on how too buy the right bike?

i just want something not too expensive... that will still get me from point a to b.
im 6'1'' and weigh 155. if that helps.

thanks!!!
-Riley

[lpounds]

Have you thought about buying or acquiring an older steel road bike and converting to singlespeed or fixed?

Also, these can be bought used on CL season round. I don't know if you're a fan of no gear, but I love it for its simplicity and reliability. Once you are used to it, you rarely wish you had gears, if at all.

[manon1wheel]

i would imagine a single speed costing alot less.
but wouldn't the gears be real handy in some situations?

[lpounds]

i would imagine a single speed costing alot less.
but wouldn't the gears be real handy in some situations?
It is really a matter of personal perference. My extended use of the unicycle has made me fall in love with the fixed gear bike.

If you were riding singlespeed, though, you can go as fast as you want downhill. The only forseeable problem is on hills. In general I find that the rule is, depending on your gearing, a singlespeed rider will go up the hill much faster than someone with a granny gear. This is only out of necessity because you want to keep your momentum. Despite this, with enough hills, the singlespeeder will tire more quickly.

Remember though, our legs are conditioned for a singlespeed and fixed gear cycle already: the unicycle.

What tends to annoy you first after your new bike becomes a little more broken in? For me it is almost always some weird clicking or misshifting with the gears. This is all moot with a fixedgear/singlespeed (many hubs, flip flop hubs, allow for both a fixed gear and singlepseed cog).

[StephenH]

For 6 miles each way, just about any bike will work. (With some minor exceptions, come to think of it). If it's hilly, then yeah, you'll want some gears. Otherwise, singlespeed would be fine.

[phlegm]

There are hardly any hills in the Valley of the Sun. Why not ride a unicycle? I mean, 6 miles on flat roads on a 36er is hardly that far.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a singlespeed bike, freewheel or fixie. Simpler is better, especially when you rely on a bike for transportation. You really don't want to come home tired from work and have to mess with fixing gears that don't shift quite right if you don't have to.

Make sure that whatever you get is comfortable, and I would probably favor something used or inexpensive. Expensive looking bikes are thief magnets. Make sure you can secure your bike at your place of work.

For spec comparison, I'd probably get something like this, only less shiny: Bianchi San Jose (http://bianchiusa.com/08_san_jose.html)

[Seager]

Step 1: Get a cheapo $45-$150 bike off of craigslist.
Step 2: Put slick high PSI tires on it and adjust the gearing so it works well. (this is easier than converting to a single speed)
Step 3:
Step 4: Profit

When buying a bike a good rule of thumb is when straddling the top bar with both feet on the ground you should be able to put 2 fingers between your crotch and that bar. No less, and more is ok but not ALOT more. But really, get whatever you can. I wouldn't spend much money on a commuting bike. If you go too nice it'll just get stolen.

As per commuting on a bike vs a coker - a bike is a heck of a lot cheaper and way faster. I coker commute one day a week because my job starts late that day, otherwise I bike. (10-14mph vs 16-25mph for a 9 mile commute) You can build up a good commuting bike for far less cost than a low-end coker as well.

[kington99]

Have you thought about buying or acquiring an older steel road bike and converting to singlespeed or fixed?

Also, these can be bought used on CL season round. I don't know if you're a fan of no gear, but I love it for its simplicity and reliability. Once you are used to it, you rarely wish you had gears, if at all.


Yeah do it, a friend and I have just built a singlespeed/fixie from an old steel road frame and it's a brilliant machine.

[patsandy100]

spend the money get a 36 !! Maybe invest in a motorised bike or scooter if your lazy :P

[mill_mobile]

I ride a flat bar road bike, its a Norco VFR 4 2007 model.
I love it.
I know this doesnt help much, but if you dont like the 'leaning over' position of a full on roadie then a flat bar roadie is for you!
(i am looking at changing to a full on roadie but cash is a bit tight to do everything i want!).
J

[kington99]

I ride a flat bar road bike, its a Norco VFR 4 2007 model.
I love it.
I know this doesnt help much, but if you dont like the 'leaning over' position of a full on roadie then a flat bar roadie is for you!
(i am looking at changing to a full on roadie but cash is a bit tight to do everything i want!).
J


personally i like 'flick bars', drop bars that have been turned the other way up and then cut down, they closer simulate the 'up' position on drop bars than flat bars do, like so. (http://velospace.org/files/singleSPEEDER.jpg)

[Seager]

I enjoy flying past single speed riders who have maxed out their gear on the road. I also enjoy flying past them crouched against the wind on my drop bars while they are stuck upright.

I like single speeds, but they really have a specific use, I believe, which is riding in super busy traffic (although a fixie is even better for that) or maybe mt. bike racing. For everything else gears are better and more efficient. If you have issues keeping them adjusted just slap on a pair of $5 friction shifters and the problem is gone. I haven't adjusted my shifting since last Sept, and I ride every day in the rain and over rough roads.

Personal preference I guess, but I wouldn't recommend single speeds to people who just want a simple commuting bike. Gears are freakin' awesome.

[mscalisi]

They SHOULD cost less, but that's not always the case.

Single speeds are fine, fixies are fine, gears are fine, bikes, trikes and unicycles ...just get out there and ride.

i would imagine a single speed costing alot less.
but wouldn't the gears be real handy in some situations?

[kington99]

I enjoy flying past single speed riders who have maxed out their gear on the road. I also enjoy flying past them crouched against the wind on my drop bars while they are stuck upright.

I like single speeds, but they really have a specific use, I believe, which is riding in super busy traffic (although a fixie is even better for that) or maybe mt. bike racing. For everything else gears are better and more efficient. If you have issues keeping them adjusted just slap on a pair of $5 friction shifters and the problem is gone. I haven't adjusted my shifting since last Sept, and I ride every day in the rain and over rough roads.

Personal preference I guess, but I wouldn't recommend single speeds to people who just want a simple commuting bike. Gears are freakin' awesome.

Yes i guess I only ride short distances in reasonable to heavy traffic, and almost entirely flat. Certainly the chances to spin out a middling gear are small.

My everyday ride is a 26" mtb, no suspension, hybridised with some decent tyres, good v-brakes (had cantis) and mudgaurds. if it wasn't for the fact it's 4" short for me it would be a good bike.

[Mikefule]

Any decent bike properly adjusted for your size will do for a 6 mile ride each way.

Single speeds are simple. Fixed wheels are fun.

There is no connection between the number of gears and whether the bike has dropped handlebars.

Gears are only complicated because modern gears are designed for people who have no mechanical sensitivity. They have one lever to click up, and one to click down, and they have to be adjusted just right.

For simple gears, you can't beat an old style derailleur 5 or 6 speed without click stops on the lever half way down the downtube. You just throw the lever until your legs are going around at the right speed, then twitch the lever to stop the chain tinkling. It works even when the cable is slightly out of adjustment. They were't days.

Or you can try hub gears. Sturmey Archer 3 speed gives you a direct drive and one gear 33% higher and one 25% lower. Perfect until some posterior orifice steals that little dog chain at the back.

Or, if your route is safe, 6 miles is next to nothing on a Coker and not far from nothing on a 29er.

[Seager]

There is no connection between the number of gears and whether the bike has dropped handlebars.

But there is a positive correlation between people who ride fixed gears and people who ride weird upside-down sawed off upright handlebars. At least in this town, I think it's a hipster thing.

Good for heavy traffic, lousy for wind and speed.

[manon1wheel]

wow! thanks guys!
i think ill go with a single speed, not fixed.

i cold get a coker, but id prefer a bike.
hey phelm, how much would that bike you gave me a link too cost?

[Seager]

That bike he linked was $700. A single speed, in general, will cost MORE, not less, because they are rarer and they are "hip" and in high demand. A used single speed will also cost more than a used regular bike for the same reason.

If you really want a used single speed buy a used geared bike and convert it. Personaly, I'd just buy a geared bike and keep the gears. Either way $50-$150 on craig's list or at goodwill. $500 or more for a new bike (either type) at a LBS.

[Jerrick]

Id rather have gears. As much of a unicyclist as I am, I like to coast down hills at 45-50mph and keep up with cars on the flats.

Seager, do you know much about Cyclocross bikes? They are kinda spendy new, and it would be cool if I could just make one up as easy as a road bike (Old frame, sweet new wheels).

[mill_mobile]

IMO for commuting i would get a flat bar roadie - they fall under the category of 'Performance Commuting'...
Here is 2 pics of mine, they are a good commuter for speed as they have the skinny tyres and are also a comfortable ride.
Peace

[Mikefule]

I think it's a hipster thing.


And for square cats too?

[Seager]

Seager, do you know much about Cyclocross bikes? They are kinda spendy new, and it would be cool if I could just make one up as easy as a road bike (Old frame, sweet new wheels).

As far as I know cyclocross bikes refer to strong roadstyle bikes made for offroad. Pretty much a road style frame (different geometry maybe?) with 700cc skinny knobby tires (29ner at that point, I guess) on strong wheels and drop bars. I don't think it'd be hard to build one up.

IMO for commuting i would get a flat bar roadie - they fall under the category of 'Performance Commuting'...
Here is 2 pics of mine, they are a good commuter for speed as they have the skinny tyres and are also a comfortable ride.
Peace

That's a nice ride, but I'd put drop bars on it. I can't stand flat bars anymore. I find drop bars better for traffic, even, as they aren't as wide as flat bars. They also allow a tuck for when you really want speed, and are more comfortable than flat bars for all riding positions. You just can't beat riding on the hoods, imo.

My commuter, which I should post pictures of, is an old mountain bike running slicks that I put drop bars on and converted the old grip shifts to friction shifters for reliability. I absolutely love it. It would be nicer if I had 29/700cc wheels, but the 26" wheels do fine and add a bit of strength for when I ride loaded or pull a trailer.

My Jamis Aurora (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/aurora.html) touring bike (that's an 07, I have an '03) would be the perfect commuter if I weren't afraid of it being stolen. I keep it inside for distance road rides and the occasional long tour. Although I would want to convert the Shimano index shifters to friction shifters like the ones found here
(http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/shifters_and_derailers?page=2#product=none) for reliability. It's a conversion I want to make for touring as well since index shifters can break on the road, which is death to a tour if you are somewhere remote.

[manon1wheel]

dang... tis is gonna be more expensive then i thought. maby ill be able too find a deal.
so what should i get? drop bars or flat bars? single speed or gears?

[Seager]

It will cost you less money to get a used bike with gears. Depending on what kind of used bike you get (mountain or road) it'll come with either flat or drop bars.

After that how you mod it is up to you.

Unless you are planning on buying a new bike, in which case I'd test ride a bunch of different types. I think good arguments have been made here for the different bike types, but in the end it's up to you.

[1-wheeled-grape]

any bike will do for 12 miles a day, and a geard bike will be cheaper. just look around and your bound to find a cheap bike quickly enough.

[markf]

to correct segaer about cyclocross bikes: they're similar to road bikes, but have slightly more upright geometry, sturdier frame (and often parts) build, cantilever brakes, and clearance for wider 700C knobby-ish tires. most 'cross tires are around 700x32, not quite 29er tires which usually start around 29x1.8(700x45). 'cross bikes tend to be slightly more expensive than similarly equipped road bikes as fewer are made and they are a beefier set up. here's what CX bikes are built to do.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VRZOa_E9Qs8

[wickedbob]

I got myself an old shwinn today. Everything works perfect, it just needed new tires and tubes. Cost a whopping 20$ for the actual bike. I'm gonna get some new parts for it this summer hopfully. Maybe even make it a fixie or single speed. It could use a new front fork, bars, cranks, brakes and seat. The frame seems to be fine, just my size.

[manon1wheel]

alright thanks!
if you guys come across a good deal, on a decent bike, shoot me a pm.
thanks!:)

[wickedbob]

Check your local flea markets, I saw a bunch of old road bikes at mine today.

[manon1wheel]

okay. thanks

[Seager]

I got bored today so I took a picture of my commuter. You can build one just like it for pennies out of any mountain (or road) bike that you find - unless it's a crappy wal-mart bike.

It's purposefully made ugly so it's less likely to be stolen, but it rides like a dream. I can easily maintain 25mph on it and the only maintenance it needs is occasional lubrication.