A Group Build of Building Your Perfect Commuter Bike

by Bike Shop Girl

Over the next couple weeks you the readers and I will be walking each other through the process of building up a commuter bicycle.  This isn’t only going to be a how to, but also going to go through the questions you need to ask yourself as you are building or picking out a bike for daily use.  From the position you want to be in, if you want to carry things to the look and feel of the bike.  Along the way I’ll keep some boundaries, mainly to keep this affordable out of my pocket, but keep an open mind as well.

Now go test ride, ask yourself what you want out of a commuter bike and come back tomorrow to read our introduction on who the rider will be (me!)

Phase 1 : Bicycle Type
Phase 2 : Which bicycle frame/fork
Phase 3 : What type of shifting
Phase 4 : What type of components
Phase 5 : What type of lights
Phase 6 : Fenders or no fenders
Phase 7 : How to carry your belongings
Phase 8 : Putting it all together.

Also, read all post using this link to our tag system for the Group Build.

 

51 Responses to “A Group Build of Building Your Perfect Commuter Bike”

  1. Isolation Helmet says:
    February 9, 2010 at 6:04 pm

    I have already built the perfect commuter and have been using it for two years. I commute from Fairfax, CA to San Francisco and use the following:

    Surly Cross check fixed gear (two speed)
    42 and 38 chainrings with a Surly Dingle cog 17 X 21

    Steel Surly fork. Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 x 32 tires.

    Use your fingers to move the chain for tough hill climbs no need to adjust the tension of the chain

    Light and Motion Stella 200 and a blinky for the back along with reflective triangles on my panniers.

    Planet Bike Acadia (sp?) fenders.
    Tektro Road V Brake Levers and any shimano v brake you find cheap on the net.

    Two pannier so you don’t get a sweaty back

    The whole rig cost me less than $800 using ebay for frame, fork and cranks. Web for everything else. I have a Pletshcer rear rack that cost me $20.

    I end my ride every evening with an 800 ft climb to my house so don’t tell me a fixed gear bike is not practical.