Commuter/Urban Bikes: Help A Homey

[CBA]

Hi there.

I've been meaning to buy a bike for the last few years, but: I am lazy.

What suggestions might any of you have for reasonably priced commuter / "urban" bikes. I live in Ann Arbor, MI, home of the University of Michigan. There are TONS of people that ride their bikes around here, and I'd like to join them in the four miles from my home to where I work.

I have cashe, but of course like to save it when I can.


Any recs?


THANK YOU!

C

[dase]

okay so couple things to consider: do you want gears or single speed, and what's the situation with hills like in your area? And do looks matter that much to you?

Bear in mind I live in a completely different country, but here's what I ride:

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/ ... acomp.html

I ride to work and back every day, it's about a 15 km round trip. Which is nine and a bit miles. I also ride pretty much everywhere else that doesn't involve me bringing amps. It's lightweight, sturdy, good range on the gears and cost me about $600. Bike shop dude described them as kind of like the squier of bikes. Nothing fancy, no space age technology or super light carbon fibre frames or anything; just solid and reliable. The only thing I really want to do with mine is eventually put a more comfortable seat on.

Riding home for me is pretty much all uphill and the winds in winter especially can get brutal, so gears are an absolute necessity for me. You might wanna go a fixed or single speed instead depending on what it's like where you live. Personally I don't see the appeal but hey they're a great way to get fit.

Oh and the other thing about the coda is they're FAST which is cool. But yeah something like that might be a cool idea? I've gotta say, after riding pieces of crap for a couple years, it feels great to get on a really good, light, fast bike.

[madmax1012]

hmm not really sure. I've always rode Specialized. If you can find a used one, they're fucking great. no sense paying a shitload of money for something if there's a chance someone might steal it though. My roommate is looking at an $1100 bike to ride to and from campus. it's kinda stupid really

[dubkitty]

there are a LOT of good bicycles available nowadays. go to as many different shops as you can and try different brands in the price range that you feel comfortable with. most bikes in a particular price range will have similar component specs unless somebody's getting cutthroat with their pricing; the biggest thing is to find a bike that fits you right. when i bought my mountain bike i tried a bunch of different ones before i found my Klein, which was the only one i could steer just by shifting my weight on the saddle. i recommend getting as many gears as you can afford; if you don't want to use them you can leave it in one gear and grind along as if you were on a fixie, but if you really need them you'll bloody well be grateful that they're there.

[CBA]

Ann Arbor is pretty hilly, and specifically on my way to work it would be like half smooth-sailing downhill, and half uphill, and/or vice versa on the way home. I could drop $500 or so, I guess... that seems reasonable. A lot of the bikes I've seen just online are advertised at like $650+... but there are quite a few good bike shoppes in the area, one I used to work at... although I don't think any of the dudes that I worked with are still there... and I was just the bookkeeper!


C

[dubkitty]

this is actually a good time to shop, because spring is when bike companies roll out the new model year. ask about stuff that's left over from last years' line. when i bought my Klein it listed for over $1600 and i got it for $1250 because i bought it in April when they were remaindering the 1996 bikes.

[kaboom]

i bought a cheap road bike off craigslist for a bit over $100, and took it to a shop to get it tuned up and working nicely. needed a new wheel, new brakes, and a new chain i think... cost about $300 after everything, so like $400-$500 altogether. worth every penny!

[dase]

if you don't want to use them you can leave it in one gear and grind along as if you were on a fixie, but if you really need them you'll bloody well be grateful that they're there.

said it way better than I could've. Gears for lyfe.

[aussy]

Thread resurrection: thoughts on this bike? http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/3011363468.html
I'd probably convert it to a single speed
are the core parts good? I know nothing about bikes except for, as with many other things, older Japanese stuff is usually quality and cheap

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, aussy, that's a pretty good deal and I love those Kabuki headbadges. So, that's a bonus.

Take 'er for a spin and see if you like 'er.

[aussy]

No can do! Not in Philly at the moment. Someone on bikeforums mentioned something about it having an expander wedge post. Hmmmm...

[jfrey]

In my experience, everything from $500 to $1000 rides more or less the same, so go cheap, especially if you live in a city. My last bike was stolen 2 weeks after I bought it.

[Chankgeez]

No can do! Not in Philly at the moment. Someone on bikeforums mentioned something about it having an expander wedge post. Hmmmm...

So, you're going to have them ship it to you?

I have no idea if it has an expander wedge post or not. Are you talking about the stem?

[aussy]

Nah I'd have a friend or brother pick it up for me and I'd just get it from them when I visit next (I'm in NJ). The seat post. I hadn't noticed until someone pointed it out, but it doesn't have the usual clamp setup. The same poster said it wouldn't be a problem though as long as rust hasn't formed within.

[SPACERITUAL]

Why dont you just use a car instead you fucking hippy.