Riding your bike to work or school is a great way to get exercise, save money on vehicle wear-and-tear, and help the environment. Picking a good commuter bike can be a challenge, though. Here are some things to consider when you shop.
First, Consider This
You have an infinitely wide range of options when it comes to the kind of bike to get for commuting because you can really do it on just about anything. You can go out and buy something purpose-built, like an urban bike, or keep it budget-friendly and convert an old steel road bike.
The best place to start is by considering your daily ride. How far do you go? Is it all street, or a mix of greenways and cycle paths? An urban or road bike is usually better for long commutes on mostly (or all) street. The maneuverability and wider tires of a hybrid or mountain bike are more useful on rougher urban terrain, like greenways, poor-quality pavement, and curbs.
Another factor to consider is where you’re going to keep your bike while you’re at work or school. You don’t want to drop thousands on something that’s going to be chained outside and potentially stolen. In that scenario, cheap and ugly is the way to go. If you can bring your bike indoors or park it in a protected area, something more upscale, or even a folding bike, might be best.
Which Bikes Are Best for Commuters?
You have a wide range of bikes you can choose from, and, again, you can commute on any of them! Depending on your situation, however, one type might be more advantageous than another. Here’s a quick look at the different types of bikes you might consider for a commuter.
Road Bikes
A road bike is what used to be called a “10-speed” before component manufacturers added more gears. What differentiates road bikes from other types are the curved “drop” handlebar and narrow tires. The shape of road handlebars gives you multiple places to put your hands. This minimizes fatigue on long rides and gives you a more aerodynamic position when you’re down on the drops.
Within the road bike range, some are built for training/racing, while others are intended for endurance or touring. The latter generally make better commuters because they have lots of mounts for racks and fenders.
It’s possible to put a flat bar on a road bike, but you have to trade out not only the handlebar, but the brake levers and gear shifters, too.
Hybrids
Originally, hybrid bikes were meant to incorporate the comfortable upright position and stability of a mountain bike with a road bike’s efficiency on pavement.
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