so what are you guys riding? as always, $$ is the key factor. i like was thinking of getting an old road bike and throwing some 'cross wheels on there (28’s will fit, right?). anyway, i just like the feel of the road bikes more than the typical commuter bike (too upright for me). should i just suck it up and get a commuter bike and forget about converting an old road bike? if so, brand names would be nice.
I use an old steel fuji for commuting, touring and as a grocery getter. (I have a trailer for it) works great. By the way you answered my question that I was going to post, “How wide a tire can I put on my road bike for winter?” 28’s sound about right.
Not sure what you want to spend, but here is my suggestion.
I got a Fisher Montare and I love it. Big fun.
I rode one of these at a bike shop the other day. Very comfortable. Definitely a chick magnet. My next bike…http://www.electrabike.com/04/bikes/streamride/sr_19.html#
Get an old steel road frame with horizontal dropouts and go fixed. I have been commuting on mine for 2 1/2 years for a 35 mile round trip commute. Will improve your strength and your spin, riding home into a headwind builds intestinal fortitude. Almost no maintenance, nothing to go wrong.
Check out sheldonbrown.com for some advice on converting to fixed.
Considering all the money you’ll save from not using your car. splurge a little to get a good ride. That way you’ll want to commute more and save more money! Not sure if you have to lock it outside, then I would get a cheapo.
You can probably get a redline cross bike for pretty cheap. I picked up a Redline Conquest with RSX/105 Components for $500 two years ago new. If you can wait a couple weeks get a close-out cross bike.
Matt
either a Kona Jake the Snake cross bike or a Kona Dr. Dew. Both great rides, both excellent for commuting, and neither will break the bank. One of my clients commutes 35km each way on the Dr. Dew. Loves it. Only recommendation is swap out the stock tires with some Specialized Armadillo flat resitant treads.
I commute everyday rain or shine and really like a old mtb bike for this, wide tires so the tires do not get stuck in ruts or dig in if i need to get off road real quick,get tons of lights and do not worry about the weight,it will be good training
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I picked one of these up at Toys R Us 2 years ago for $99. I since then I have replaced most of the junk components (seat, shifters, pedals, cranks, etc) with spares that I had sitting in the garage. The good thing is that if something bad happens to it, I’m not out enough money to even care.
Get an old steel road frame with horizontal dropouts and go fixed. I have been commuting on mine for 2 1/2 years for a 35 mile round trip commute. Will improve your strength and your spin, riding home into a headwind builds intestinal fortitude. Almost no maintenance, nothing to go wrong.
Check out sheldonbrown.com for some advice on converting to fixed.
++ Fixed or single gear.