Good commuter bike?

[wdinc01]

Hey, I was hoping I could get some advice on a bike. I'm going to get an apartment off campus, and the one I'm seriously looking at is about three miles from campus. Not far, but this being Pensacola, its very hilly.

I figured I should get a hybrid bike, because I don't stick to the road all the time. I plan on riding this bike around campus as well as on the road.

Basically what I'm asking for are some good brands/models to look at. I don't want to spend more than $500, and would rather stick around $400. Other than that, all suggestions are welcomed. And if you could explain to me why one choice is better than another, that would be great.

[yellofury]

My wife bought a PAIR of Dahon folding bikes used on Craigslist and although I haven't been riding mine as often as I should, she has been tearing up 12 mile rides on average a few times a week

A. great because you can fold it and and place it INSIDE your apartment and takes up very little room and away from bike thieves

B. great because if you plan on driving to a location and then biking or vice versa the bike stores INSIDE the trunk or cargo bay (mine came with a bonus tote bag the bike fit into) and again away from bike thieves

Ours came with a 7 speed grip shift and although the turning radius is quick at first you will get the hang of it. It adjusts completely to your height

heres a vid on my YouTube account after we picked ours up and came home on the highway with both of the bikes in the back of my Nissan Maxima
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELFZUdNaq3w

Oh we paid 300 bucks for both bikes

[Thunder Pulse]

If you're only going to be 3 miles from campus you don't need to spend $500 on a bike. If you get something too nice it's just going to end up being a magnet for thieves.

Check Craigslist, there are always bikes on there. A hybrid would be a good choice, but if you can't find one just get a mountain bike and swap the tires for something non-knobby (slicks).

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/1678920681.html
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/1678198852.html
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/1675529290.html
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/1675456933.html
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/bik/1672733151.html

[bassteban]

Thunder Pulse, sorry- I can't stop myself: The first bike you linked is pretty iffy; the last is one is pure CRAP(search all my posts- I don't use that word lightly).
$500 will buy a bike that will tear a 3-mile commute a new one & give you the option of going way beyond that. A $200 used load will do nearly the same if you have a knowledgeable cyclist help you out.
wdinc01, Specialized & Trek are nice. PM me for further info.

[Thunder Pulse]

Yeah, I couldn't tell what model that last one was. Mongoose makes some decent stuff, but they also make stuff that's sold at department stores. Kind of like guitars and basses - there are well known manufacturers that make great stuff, but that also have questionable entry level gear.

What I got out of the first post was that he only needs some decent transportation to and around campus, nothing more. Just keep your eyes on the classifieds. You might also see if there are any bike shops in the area that sell used bikes.

[LarryO]

Wait, your profile says you are in Jacksonville but your post says Pensacola AND Pensacola isn't hilly at all..... I'm confused.


http://www.google.com/products?q=tri...ed=0CEEQrQQwAg

[wdinc01]

Originally Posted by LarryO

Wait, your profile says you are in Jacksonville but your post says Pensacola AND Pensacola isn't hilly at all..... I'm confused.

I know. I'm from Jacksonville, but I go to school in Pensacola. And yes, Pensacola is hilly. Or at least, more hilly than the rest of Florida.

When I say I need a bike for commuting, I would be using it for some other things as well. Basically, I want something that will hold up with little problems for a normal six miles every day, but I may still take it further. I wouldn't be using it for mountain biking or trails though. I'd probably use my current bike for that kind of stuff. Essentially it just needs to be able to handle some bumps and going off of a curb.

Also, just out of curiosity, is anyone familiar with Kona or Raleigh?

[bassteban]

For me, bumps & curbs says decent($300-$400 list, just over half that used)mountain bike. Road or hybrid will be less durable and limit your options for going beyond the basic commute, IMO.

[wdinc01]

Aren't hybrids built to take bumps?

Also, are street prices for bikes the same as they are for guitars, i.e. whatever the MSRP is you take 20-40% off to get the actual price?

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by wdinc01

Aren't hybrids built to take bumps?

Also, are street prices for bikes the same as they are for guitars, i.e. whatever the MSRP is you take 20-40% off to get the actual price?

Yeah, but for hard core stuff a mountian bike is better built. Plus you can get a sick suspension. Make sure you put road tires (Like Michelein Country Rocks. They're wide road tires that can do a little gravel and grass, about as much as you'd expect in an urban environment, but they roll nice and smooth) or else the bumpy mountain bike tires will slow you down.

[Din Of Win]

3 Miles you could do on anything, honestly...

In any case, get a beater road bike off CL and slap some cyclocross tires on there.

/done


MTN bikes are for off-road and chinese food delivery only.

[wdinc01]

Well like I said, I wouldn't really be doing any hardcore stuff. I have another bike for that, if I chose to.

I was told by someone working at a bike shop I should probably avoid front wheel suspension because it takes away from power when going up a hill, thus slowing me down.

Would new tires be necessary? Or does it depend on the brand of the bike?

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by wdinc01

Also, are street prices for bikes the same as they are for guitars, i.e. whatever the MSRP is you take 20-40% off to get the actual price?

Bikes these days are so over-inflated in regards to pricing, it's rediculous. Think of bike companies, in general, like Gibson.


LIKE guitars though, it's ALWAYS a better idea to go used.

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by wdinc01

Well like I said, I wouldn't really be doing any hardcore stuff. I have another bike for that, if I chose to.

I was told by someone working at a bike shop I should probably avoid front wheel suspension because it takes away from power when going up a hill, thus slowing me down.

Would new tires be necessary? Or does it depend on the brand of the bike?

Well, seeing as how you're in FredDurstJacksonville, Florida I don't think you have any hills....but yeah it can cause it absorbs the forward thrust.

[wdinc01]

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

Well, seeing as how you're in FredDurstJacksonville, Florida I don't think you have any hills....but yeah it can cause it absorbs the forward thrust.

Oh man, don't mention that name around me.

And again, I'm going to be using this in Pensacola. There are some hills over there, especially around my school.

I understand that going used would be a better bet. However, I also understand that I know very little about bikes, and I think buying used without any knowledge as to what you're looking for is probably a terrible idea.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

3 Miles you could do on anything, honestly...

In any case, get a beater road bike off CL and slap some cyclocross tires on there.

/done


MTN bikes are for off-road and chinese food delivery only.

I wish I could take you for a little town cruise...
And Chinese food is best.
A crosser would probably be nice, but I'd steer a semi-noob clear of a twitchy, fragile roadie; I re-vote MTB. Front shocks are not necessary, but they do come stock on lots of bikes. You will not have as snappy a sprint as a fully rigid bike, but I hope you're not gonna be racing cars just yet anyway.

[wdinc01]

Originally Posted by bassteban

I wish I could take you for a little town cruise...
And Chinese food is best.
A crosser would probably be nice, but I'd steer a semi-noob clear of a twitchy, fragile roadie; I re-vote MTB. Front shocks are not necessary, but they do come stock on lots of bikes. You will not have as snappy a sprint as a fully rigid bike, but I hope you're not gonna be racing cars just yet anyway.

Car racing will come soon

I will look into some mountain bikes as well. I think I'll avoid front shocks because I really would like a snappy sprint going up a hill. Some of the ones around where I am are pretty steep.

Is there a good website or resource I could look into to get a better idea of the kind of maintenance and things I need to look for? I'm not really an enthusiast, I just want to be able to take care of my bike so I don't have to keep buying new ones every few years.

I think I should also note that there's a bike shop on campus that's ran by the cycling club. I've taken my current bike there to get my inner tube fixed, and they could probably do some more serious maintenance if need be.

[bassteban]

Not sure where to go to get your feet wet- bike shops can be incredibly helpful & encouraging or full of elitist snobs(mine leans strongly toward the former but can be a bit snobby). I'd at least suggest going into whatever shops are in your area & check the vibe.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by bassteban

I wish I could take you for a little town cruise...
And Chinese food is best.
A crosser would probably be nice, but I'd steer a semi-noob clear of a twitchy, fragile roadie; I re-vote MTB. Front shocks are not necessary, but they do come stock on lots of bikes. You will not have as snappy a sprint as a fully rigid bike, but I hope you're not gonna be racing cars just yet anyway.

Haha fair enough... I get too snobby sometimes


TBH, because they're so ubiquetous, i doubt the front shocks will be THAT much of a hinderance. As long as you stay hard-tail, your not gonna feel too much suspension lag on a 3 mile ride.

Also, ASIAN FOOD IN GENERAL is the best. We have a rad array of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, and Japanese restaraunts all in a 3 mile radius, it's awweeessooommeeee.

[CapnSev]

If Pensacola is hilly, then I live in Hell on Earth.

Get a single-speed road or cross bike and forget all that extra weight and maintenance. I'm sure a college dude like yourself can handle the "hills" on it.