What to Consider when Buying a Commuting Bicycle

Given the recent rise in costs for just about everything, folks are going back to the basics to save money. Among the more expensive items on the list of household expenses is automotive fuel. Because of this, we see more and more people hitting the road, this time not in a car, or even a motorcycle - but on a bicycle.

Another reason to get on a bike are the rising costs of health care and the ever ambiguous value of what one actually gets when purchasing health care. More people are choosing to skip the health care hassle altogether by keeping in shape. Health is yet another great reason to grab those metal steer horns and get riding!

Bikes are fun and easy to ride, and they offer an excuse to get out and see the world. Aside from that, a bike is your ticket to an easy commute!

Bicycle Commuting

Some months back I got a new job as a furthering to my career as a technical writer (read about this by clicking here).

By a stroke of fate, my place of work is now only a few miles from where I live. Given that I find it increasingly more difficult to find the specialized parts that will keep my older mountain bike in running order, I've decided to consider trading in my old steed for a horse of a different breed: a commuting bicycle.

What Is A Commuting Bike?

While pretty much any bike can be used for the job, there are some bicycles touted to fit the commuting bill exactly. Commuting bicycles tend to offer simplicity, riding comfort, and an overall ubiquitous mix of features to match an equally ubiquitous landscape over which you will ride.

While a hunched-over speed demon posture is the match for most road bikes, a similarly stretched out posture comes with a mountain bike. While this posture helps to reduce wind drag, it also forces you to keep your eyes squarely on the road - something you may be fatigued with after long stretches.

In stark contrast to the eyes-down posture of road and mountain bikes, commuting bikes offer the comfort of an upright sitting posture. This affords an all-around sense of ease you enjoy while sitting in the seat of a car. As a bonus it allows you to keep your head upright, thus giving you the chance to see some scenery.

If this sounds good, then a commuter bike is the way to go.

So Many To Choose From - Which To Choose?

Luckily there's lots of variety among bicycles made for commuting. Depending on what you want from your commute experience, there's a bike to match your needs.

On the converse side, perhaps there's too much variation among what's available. If you're at a loss as to what to select, here are a few factors to think of before making your purchase.

Hybrid Use

Assuming you have both the floor space and the desire to own two bicycles, perhaps you can keep your old one as a spare and ride it mostly for the purpose for which it was carfted. Meanwhile you can buy a different one specifically made for what you want while commuting. However, if you are working with limited space, or limited funds, sometimes owning a single bicycle that tackles several roles may fit the bill.

Thus enters the hybrid commuter cycle.

A hybrid bicycle (sometimes known as a multipurpose or "cross" bike) takes the features of one or more kinds of bicycle and wraps them into one frame. For example, many hybrid bikes try to emulate the durability of a mountain bike, yet retain the rocket speed of a road bike.

Given that you might like to jump off the asphalt for an occasional dirt romp − yet still retain an overall agility for a Monday morning sprint to the office − the flexibility that a hybrid commuter bike offers might make your dream come true.

Weather

Not surprisingly, weather factors in heavily on the design of the bicycle you choose for commuting.

For dryer more temperate climates on smooth roads, a lightweight upright commuter with narrow tires can do the job. However, for colder, wetter, or even snowy climes, a bike with a more robust frame made to withstand more frequent spills on slippery roads matches the need. Slippery-wet and snowy road conditions also call for a bicycle with wider tires offering better traction. Roads like this tend to have more potholes, and thus would require the extra shock-absorbing comfort a fatter tire can provide.

While a commuting bicycle with a chrome molybdenum ("chromoly") steel frame may come at a cheaper price, don't buy one for use in frequently rainy conditions. Over time the steel may rust, thus making for a frame that can eventually fail. A broken frame on a remote trail may leave you with a long walk home.

As an alternative to steel, try aluminum. Costlier frames are made of carbon fiber.

Quality of Parts

While everyone wants the best that money can buy, sometimes the best comes at too high a cost. Compromise comes into play.

Most commuter bicycles are designed for "light duty use". What this means is getting a bike that will be used for overall smooth riding, with as an occasional spurt of shifting gears and hard brake applications.

Over time, heavy use in these applications will cause inferior components to wear out or break down. Gear shifters (derailleurs) may crumple or come out of alignment, and brake pads inevitably wear down. Likewise, cheap chains, lower-end chain rings (in the front), and inexpensive gear cassettes (in the back) may wear out quickly, too.

Consult with your bike salesperson - or bring a trusted friend when shopping - to determine whether the quality of parts will give you the best bang for your buck.

Maintenance

Frequently you get what you pay for. By putting out a few more dollars on your purchase, you may avoid more frequent maintenance and much more costly replacement of bicycle components.

For example, older model commuter bicycles use brake-pad style brake systems. Modern more expensive bicycles may incorporate the use of low-maintenance disc brakes. While disc brakes may be more costly, they last virtually forever and provide superior braking power under adverse conditions such as in rain or on muddy trails.

Motorcycle High-Tech

For maintenance-free convenience, some commuter bicycles don't have chains. These commuting bikes use a rubberized notched belt very similar to those found on some modern motorcycle drive trains. When used on commuter bicycles, belts offer reduced friction, make little to no noise (unlike a rusty metal chain), and they last virtually forever.

While not unheard of, some bicycle companies borrow again from motorcycle design (such as BMW) by incorporating a shaft drive − a narrow metal shaft affixed to a simple gearing system for trouble-free power delivery.

While buying a commuter bike with these features may be more costly, you may come out ahead in the long run due to reduced time lost on maintenance issues as well as cost for upkeep.

Gearing & Terrain

Most commuter bicycles come with two kinds of gearing arrangements: single speed and multi-speed.

Single speed bikes are just that: bikes with only one gear. Going with this kind of bike is a move toward utter simplicity. A single gear ratio between the front chain ring (attached to the pedals) and the drive gear (attached to the rear wheel) takes into account the overall terrain of a typical bike ride. While the single gear may be slightly tough to push from the start, it offers little resistance when pedaling at a comfortable pace. While workable in some hilly areas, single speed commuting bikes are best used for commutes where the terrain is overall flat and uneventful.

Single speed bicycles are at a disadvantage in varying terrain. In steep climbs on a single speed bike, you may need to hop off and walk to the top. Multispeed gearing offers several gears with which to leverage your leg power: you can muscle comfortably to the top of the hill. Likewise when going downhill, you can thrill at the speed that gravity gives you with a single speed bike. But you can add more to the charm with the higher gear a multispeed cruiser offers.

Other Pros & Cons

Aside from cleaning and oiling the chain, a single speed commuter bike requires very little maintenance. On the very long-term (say, over 2000 - 3000 miles of riding) the chain and front and rear gears wear each other down. All three will need replacement.

Because multispeed gear systems are more complex, they naturally require more maintenance. The chain they use is designed to flex from side to side. This is in contrast to the relatively simple straight-and-rigid chain of a single-gear drive. Because of this flexing, multispeed chains may wear out faster. What's more, multispeed chains are more prone to "throwing" (flying off the gears) during a bad shift.

As an additional concern, multispeed gear shifters (also called derailleurs) may be prone to damage. In crashing one's bike, riding over stones or logs, or (heaven forbid!) running into a pedestrian, derailleurs may become bent or damaged.

No matter which gearing system you decide to go with, consult with your bicycle shop every few months to see whether adjustment or replacement of parts is needed.

Comfort & Anatomy

Unlike its gate-crashing mountain and road bike cousins, the modest commuter bike is comfortable to ride.

While some people will swear the same can be said of a mountain or road bike, fatigue seems to show up relatively quickly. The hunched over stress on the road rider's arms factors in. Likewise riding the narrow "crotch crunching" seats commonly seen on mountain bikes begs you take measures to protect the family jewels.

Once again, consider the more natural upright sitting position you can enjoy with a commuting bike.

Lifestyle

On the topic of comfort, lifestyle ties in greatly.

If you demand power and the thrill of imminent danger, then go with a downhill racing mountain bike. Likewise if you crave the speed of the race, then hop onto a skinny-tired road bike. Remember, you need to commute somewhere. Given the more extreme riding conditions for which these other bikes were designed, they may not fit well with your commuting needs.

Speed and survivability issues aside, one thing many bike commuters enjoy is the sheer pleasure of the ride. By being in a more or less upright position, you may be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Being able to look around with greater ease, scanning the area also fosters greater safety in high-traffic conditions bike commuters frequently see. One is able to see more easily what's going on while sitting upright, and thus more readily avoid mishaps.

Bells & Whistles: Optional Equipment

A good commuting bicycle is usually purposed for an office worker.

While it gets you from point-to-point, it may offer a few bells or whistles to help along the way. Some commuting bicycles have chain guards which ensure that your pants leg don't get dirtied by oil or caught in the chain. Speaking of bells or whistles, having a bell or whistle handily mounted on the handlebar may warn pedestrians of your approach. For low light, early morning, or late evening riding, make certain to buy a flashing light and headlamp for your bicycle.

Surprisingly some commuter bicycles do not provide an essential set of equipment that most commuters need: a rack and saddle bag (sometimes called a pannier bag). Assuming you don't want to carry your laptop or paperwork in your backpack, having a saddlebag and a rack upon which to mount it is the next best thing. What's great about this setup is you can have two saddlebags - one for each side - and you can carry loads of heavy stuff in them. By using saddlebags you also bring your overall center of gravity closer to the ground. This enhances balance and maneuverability, which translates to greater safety as well.

Among the shelves of any well-stocked bicycle store are loads of other goodies with which you can embellish your commuting cruiser ad infinitum.

Build Your Own Commuting Bike?

If you are a more particular rider wishing to be aware of every competent of your bicycle, you may want to consider building your own commuting bicycle from scratch.

Some stores can offer you assembly of a new steed customized to your smallest specifications. Going this route may be more expensive.

Recycled Bicycle Parts

However, assuming you have the mechanical ability, you can go with a more economical alternative. Some communities offer do-it-yourself bike assembly and maintenance classes using recycled bicycle parts. Some communities simply sell recycled bike parts, and let you take care of the assembly yourself.

Ride Safely, and Have Fun!

By considering your needs versus the features available through purchase (or self-assembly), you can end up with a really cool set of wheels for a zippy and fun two-wheeled commute!

Ride safely, and enjoy the ride!

*****

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