City bike recommendation

DE · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 281

Hi,

The recommendation threads have been interesting to read. I'm in the market for an around town bike. I'm not a good cyclist, but I enjoy it. I currently ride a road bike - Bianchi C2C - three times a week for exercise and to clear my head. The Bianchi is a bit over the top for a town bike, so...

The city bike will be for transportation - market runs, coffee runs, riding with my teen aged kid, and similar. I want a comfortable ride that isn't a complete slug. I'm 6' and 200 lbs. Downtown markets are 3-4 miles from home. I have to ride up a 700' hill to get home. I probably won't be riding in really bad weather, but will ride at night. I'd like something that's a bit unique and doesn't require a ton of maintenance. I'll probably buy a new bike, but right now, I'm not planning to spend enough for a custom frame/build.

I've considered touring and cyclocross bikes, and I have checked some of the recommendations made in recent threads.

Any other recommendations or thoughts an alternative to those?

robrox · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject:

Have a look at some "Hybrid" bikes, ones with standard non-suspension fork. Great gearing for hills, not all that heavy, racks and fenders if you want'em and they will tow trailers in case the shopping trip includes a run to the garden center.

Happy Trails.
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Dirk · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 5340 Location: Vermont

Trek has a nice line of town bikes - look at the Soho.

TeleKay · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject:

Public Bikes has some good city bikes - my wife has an M3 and she loves riding it to Trader Joe's and the farmer's market and to the local burrito place - you know, city stuff.
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SkaredShtles · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject:

Plug for a mate's city bike offering:

http://www.straycatbicycles.com/

Grant · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 8582 Location: Firmly planted

I'd find an old MTB on CL or a tag sale for $20 and not worry about locking it. Slicks or semi-slicks are a good tire choice (less than $10 each on sale) and drop a bike rack/cat food pail set of panniers on it.
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DE · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 281

gdaut · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 2079 Location: Utah

Might also check out Bikes Direct for city bikes with internal hubs.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/city_bikes.htm

Same caveats as in the previous threads for Motobecannes. As I understand it, Bikes Direct owns a few brand names (Moto, Windsor, Dawes, etc.). They source bikes form Asia and just slap one of these brand names on them.

For town riding, I have a couple of old road bikes with "albatross" or "3 speed" style bars. I really like that style of bar for town riding. But, with the price of used old road bikes these days, it is probably better to just buy a new townie-style bike.

robrox · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 4:51 pm Post subject:

twopass · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 6542 Location: Behind the wheel

http://www.devinci.com/bikes/browse_19#19_59_197

or

http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+METROPOLIS_SEA.html?BIKE=1024&CATID=3&SCATID=27&Y=2012

or (I'm kinda' partial to Jacob's offerings....)

http://www.konaworld.com/asphalt_commuter.cfm?content=dr_fine

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Pinnah · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3551 Location: Bahston

Where do you live geographically? This has a bearing on gearing and fenders and tires.

What is the crime like in your area? Will you be locking the bike outside and unprotected? Will you consider it "disposable"?

What kind of things do you plan on carrying? Groceries? Commuting stuff? Have you given any thoughts on how you will be carrying things? Front rack? Front basket? Panniers? Backpack/courier bag? This has a bearing on racks.

Will you be riding at night or dusk? This has a bearing on lights.

What kind of shoes will you be wearing? This has a bearing pedals.

Will you be riding in slacks? This has bearing on chain covers.
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robrox · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:54 pm Post subject:

and if Kilts are part of the calculation?
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"Moderate is not the new Low" - Chris Joosen, USFS Lead Snow Ranger (Tuckerman Ravine, White Mountains National Forest)

bergbryce · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2986 Location: The ED

DE · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 281

DE · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 281

Thanks for the suggestions. I think fixed/single speeds are out because I'm not strong enough to get them up the hill I live on and still have a gear ratio that will work everywhere else.

I've looked at a few bikes like the Kona, but didn't know about that specific bike. Thanks for the pointer.