If you are planning to ditch the car and ride to work via bicycle to reduce costs and enjoy life more, be sure to get yourself an appropriate and trustworthy bike to do it on. Navigating all of its various components – type, materials, size – may seem daunting at first, so here is my article as an aid for selecting a good commuter bike.
There is a vast selection of bicycles on the market today. Bicycle manufacturers have become adept at creating bikes to meet specific niche needs for riders seeking them out.
Realistically, any bike that gets you from point A to B quickly and comfortably in an acceptable amount of time should suffice as long as your commute doesn’t change too drastically over time. Although certain bike types might offer additional features or functionality that you need for your commuter needs, if it comes time for a change it would be prudent to opt for the ideal bike type (what constitutes that ideal type will depend on what characteristics are unique to your commute). Here are the general categories available to choose from:
Road Bikes: Road bikes were originally created for bicycle racing at high speeds on smooth paved surfaces. High-end road bikes can be very pricey and made with materials not suitable for city conditions; their slim tires, thin frames and lighter weight construction typically enhance speed while carbon frame components provide weight savings but may not hold up well during rougher rides. Road bikes make an excellent commuter option on smooth surfaces; otherwise I advise against considering one as your primary mode of transport.
Fitness, Transit and Urban Bikes all refer to the same thing. These road bikes with flat (as opposed to drop) bars and slightly wider wheels and tires make an excellent option for commuters.
Mountain Bikes: Mountain bikes have become lighter in weight with improved components, and are designed for durability on rough off-road trails. While mountain bikes could work well as commuter bikes on short/bumpy commutes, their tires often create high friction resistance on roads which wear quickly; so, if sweaty rides to work are what you prefer then perhaps staying away from a mountain bike may be wiser choice.
Hybrid Bikes: Hybrid bikes combine some aspects of road bikes (slender frames, lighter materials and multiple gears) with mountain bikes (medium to large tires, durable frames and sometimes front shocks) in order to create an all-purpose commuter bike with diverse riding experiences over rough or paved surfaces. These hybrid models were originally intended for short to medium distance cycling across rougher surfaces – making them highly suitable for daily commuting purposes.
Cyclocross/Gravel Bikes: Cyclocross or gravel bikes may seem like suitable commuter bikes at first glance; however, they were originally developed for off-road racing with geometries that cater to that purpose. Similar to road bikes in many ways, these durable models feature slim wheels with many gears but durable construction; any decent cyclocross bike will cost a good chunk of change; therefore using it as your primary mode of transport might seem overkill; therefore I would advise against it unless much of your commute lies on trails or long trails
Touring or Adventure Bikes: Touring bikes differ from road bikes in that they are designed with durability in mind, typically using steel frames instead of aluminum, carbon or titanium materials and designed to carry heavy loads for long distance bike touring. They also make great commuter options.
Fixed Gear/Single Speed (Free-Wheel) Bikes are currently the trendy thing. A fixed gear bike features a rear cog that rotates continuously with your pedals – meaning once you start pedaling you cannot stop; your pedals must always move along as the ride. Therefore you cannot coast. Single speed (free wheel) biking refers to riding using just one gear but you have the ability to coast while riding. These bikes typically feature steel frames, thin tires and have similar aesthetic qualities as road bikes – their fans appreciate both their simplicity and cost effectiveness – there are no costly gear components involved! Fixies/Free-Wheel bikes make climbing hills difficult due to a lack of gears; however, if your commute is very flat they can make for great commuter bikes due to their durability and lack of components that might break. When traversing any significant hills though you are sure to sweat.
When in doubt, it’s hard to go wrong with a hybrid or fitness/transit/urban bike for urban commuting and anything other than a mountain bike for rural commutes on well-maintained roads. A free-wheel could meet your needs more effectively while offering considerable cost savings.
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