Comments on: Commuting 101: Choosing a bike http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:35:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: UsedMountainBike http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-144290 UsedMountainBike Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:37:14 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-144290 In response to raul jabol who asked "What is the tyoical weight of a good bike regardless of type?" I would say try to keep the bike under 30 pounds. You will enjoy riding the bike more and ride it more often. In response to raul jabol who asked “What is the tyoical weight of a good bike regardless of type?” I would say try to keep the bike under 30 pounds. You will enjoy riding the bike more and ride it more often.

]]> By: raul jabol http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-136973 raul jabol Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:27:56 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-136973 What is the tyoical weight of a good bike regardless of type? What is the tyoical weight of a good bike regardless of type?

]]> By: Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Florida « Wicked Blogging http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-121569 Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Florida « Wicked Blogging Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:00:35 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-121569 [...] Commuting 101: Choosing a bike | Commute by Bike [...] [...] Commuting 101: Choosing a bike | Commute by Bike [...]

]]> By: Todd http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-112902 Todd Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:41:38 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-112902 Most 'cross bikes - unless they are designed specifically for racing - will have rear rack mounts. The racing-specific cross bikes are typically noticeable too from their much higher price tags and abundance of carbon and such. Most ‘cross bikes – unless they are designed specifically for racing – will have rear rack mounts. The racing-specific cross bikes are typically noticeable too from their much higher price tags and abundance of carbon and such.

]]> By: The Blog Planet - What To Consider When Choosing Mountain Bike Tires http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-111123 The Blog Planet - What To Consider When Choosing Mountain Bike Tires Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:30:25 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-111123 [...] Commuting 101: Choosing a bike | Commute by Bike [...] [...] Commuting 101: Choosing a bike | Commute by Bike [...]

]]> By: FritZ http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-83445 FritZ Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:47:41 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-83445 <i>Liz:</i><i> What distance? For anything under about 20 miles the speed difference will most likely be fairly minimal, especially if you have road tires on the cx bike. The cx bike will give you more flexibility on weather and terrain, IMO.</i> Liz: What distance? For anything under about 20 miles the speed difference will most likely be fairly minimal, especially if you have road tires on the cx bike.

The cx bike will give you more flexibility on weather and terrain, IMO.

]]> By: liz http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-83426 liz Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:57:59 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-83426 Does anyone have any idea what the differences in speed would be between a cyclocross bike and a road bike? I am torn. Does anyone have any idea what the differences in speed would be between a cyclocross bike and a road bike? I am torn.

]]> By: Ready 2 Ride http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-83095 Ready 2 Ride Tue, 27 May 2008 23:52:37 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-83095 Hello to all, I'm trying to purchase my first bike for commute. What' s the best bike economically and good for a begginner to purchase ? Thanks in advance for your input. Hello to all, I’m trying to purchase my first bike for commute. What’ s the best bike economically and good for a begginner to purchase ? Thanks in advance for your input.

]]> By: gowestgirl http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-83062 gowestgirl Tue, 27 May 2008 00:09:44 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-83062 I've been commuting to work for about a month on my Specialized Hardrock. The mountain bike has simply proved to me that I can bike to work but I knew right away I wanted something with a more upright position. The up right position allows a better range of vision and is easier on my back. I just feel less vulnerable as well. I tried several models. My favorite by far was the the Breezer! It had everything I could want but at the moment I just can't justify the price so I went with my second choice the Specialized Expedition with the ladies u-frame. It is being built for me with the addition of fenders, rack, kickstand, and a few other accessories (still well under the cost of the Breezer). I see a lot of cyclists in my town on Mountain bikes but an increasing number seem to be traveling on comfort, commuter and cruisers. I’ve been commuting to work for about a month on my Specialized Hardrock. The mountain bike has simply proved to me that I can bike to work but I knew right away I wanted something with a more upright position. The up right position allows a better range of vision and is easier on my back. I just feel less vulnerable as well. I tried several models. My favorite by far was the the Breezer! It had everything I could want but at the moment I just can’t justify the price so I went with my second choice the Specialized Expedition with the ladies u-frame. It is being built for me with the addition of fenders, rack, kickstand, and a few other accessories (still well under the cost of the Breezer). I see a lot of cyclists in my town on Mountain bikes but an increasing number seem to be traveling on comfort, commuter and cruisers.

]]> By: AC http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-80583 AC Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:43:21 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-choosing-a-bike/#comment-80583 Hi, -- I hope thie is the right place for this... I'm going to give commuting a go and need some advice. I'm a SS mountain biker and do not have any geared bikes. I test drove my route today and it's 12 miles with essentially no hills. The only hills are highway overpasses, so I'm sire I can push a big gear over with no problems since they are short, plus I will have a rolling start. The bike I'm going to use for commuting is a GT 9'r and is currently set up as 32x18 with Schwalbe Big Apple slicks. I don't even want to try commuting with 32x18 because I will never get there... It took me 30 minutes to drive the route today and with 32x18 it would take >2 hours. Maybe not 2 hours, but it wouldn't be much fun spinning out for 12 miles. I need a taller chainring, so this is where I need some advice. I can either get a new set of road crankset or just a bigger chainring for my current mtb cranks. Jensonusa has a clearance on 105 cranks, which are 53x39 for $45. I don't need anything highend, so this seems like a killer deal. If I get a mtb chainring I will go with the big ring, which should be a 44t. So, my question is if I go with road cranks is it unrealistic to try commuting on 53x18? I have some 20T cogs, so I could do a 53x20. I know once I'm rolling I can push this gear, but I'm concerned about starting. Is it too tall? Or, should I just go with 44x18? I know this is subjective, but I'm looking for some general advice so I can get started. Thanks! Hi,

– I hope thie is the right place for this…

I’m going to give commuting a go and need some advice.

I’m a SS mountain biker and do not have any geared bikes. I test drove my route today and it’s 12 miles with essentially no hills. The only hills are highway overpasses, so I’m sire I can push a big gear over with no problems since they are short, plus I will have a rolling start. The bike I’m going to use for commuting is a GT 9′r and is currently set up as 32×18 with Schwalbe Big Apple slicks. I don’t even want to try commuting with 32×18 because I will never get there… It took me 30 minutes to drive the route today and with 32×18 it would take >2 hours. Maybe not 2 hours, but it wouldn’t be much fun spinning out for 12 miles.

I need a taller chainring, so this is where I need some advice.
I can either get a new set of road crankset or just a bigger chainring for my current mtb cranks.

Jensonusa has a clearance on 105 cranks, which are 53×39 for $45. I don’t need anything highend, so this seems like a killer deal.

If I get a mtb chainring I will go with the big ring, which should be a 44t.

So, my question is if I go with road cranks is it unrealistic to try commuting on 53×18? I have some 20T cogs, so I could do a 53×20. I know once I’m rolling I can push this gear, but I’m concerned about starting. Is it too tall?

Or, should I just go with 44×18?

I know this is subjective, but I’m looking for some general advice so I can get started.

Thanks!

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