Any Commuter Bikers? Need Advice

Here's a post discussing bicycle with trailer versus tricycle.

Several good suggestions and links.

I'm looking at an Electra Townie 3 (Aluminum frame) or the Electra Coaster or possibly a Canondale comfort 4. (You can always add fenders)

I also like THIS one a lot. It has the crank forward, fenders, and comfy seat and handlebars. The Torker Bermuda RS. But I do not like that it is all steel. I looked at a Raleigh Gruv but it is all aluminum. I want an aluminum frame and steel fork.



I'm also considering an extended long frame in the back to accommodate a longer pannier.

I like THIS trailer because you can unhitch it and it converts to a shopping cart. When you're done shopping, you just attach it to your bicycle again. I would get the optional swivel wheel and cover.

 

Most bikes built for touring or commuting will have attachment points for racks and fenders, so those can always be added later. The internal dynamo hub on the bike you linked to sounds interesting, though eight gear ratios may not be enough for serious hill climbing. It would help to know the gear range, particularly the low end. I'd also be concerned about heat build up in those internal brakes - discs would be much better in that regard.

 

I've never had too many gears on a bicycle. I've had too few, but never too many. I need to live somewhere flatter, and with less wind.

Tom

 

The viability of the solution really depends on how physically fit you are I know many people here at work that bike in every day, but it does tend to be a little flatter up here. Some even bring their kids in in trailers (we have a daycare center too). I know for them the biggest worry with the trailers was safety - strong frames, a roll cage, etc. But i haven't heard of any problems from any of them, so things seem to be working alright.

I bike in myself, but it's only 1.6 miles over relatively flat terrain.

 

I need one of these, but its too much moola.

If I were towing a trailer, I would want extra low gears (triple chainwheel) for pulling up hills. Unless you have thighs that look like a speed skater.

 

Hi Boulder,
You might want to also consider a Trek Portland or a Trek 1200. Both are great commuter bikes that you'll be able to use during the Fall / Winter also. Having a carbon front fork will also help with dampening of the road. For the rear cassettes consider getting 12-27 in the rear and either a triple chainring in the front or a compact chainring (Shimano is a good brand). Most important though...make sure you get a good fit (right size for you). Most bike shops will be happy to take the time to get you fitted correctly.

 

I would never consider towing a trailer up a hill with a bike because I am old and do not have the thighs of a speed skater. I live on a plateau that is relatively flat. I'd only be using my bike/trailer combo for local shopping.

I like those wike trailers. They have a configuration for everything and are so adjustable. If you have kids, you can turn the trailer into a stroller or jogger.

I love my dog, but no way I'm carrying him around in a trailer. He can just stay home.

Did you see they had a kit for a build your own? Only $75.00.

 

I live in South Denver, and have ridden countless miles in Castle Rock area. I agree with the other posts...can never have too many gears, specially if you are going to be towing the baby. I would also caution you to be weary of heavy bicycles. Don't need to go nuts and worry about grams, but that bike sure looks HEAVY! I had a trailer back when, and towed both my children. Having a cover in the front that is transparent but protects them from the rain (not that we get that much of it here) is great, but having one that lets the breeze through while giving the some protection from the sun is very important, specially with the heat and sun that we do get. Also keep in mind the weight of the bike if you are going to put a hitch type carrier. I have head roof top racks, and can't tell you how many times I came close to fortetting the bike was up there and enter a parking garage or my own! A heavy bike on the hitch could be a problem, and getting it up on the roof, could also be a problem depending on your hight and physical ability. The trailer needs to be easily collapsible if you want to take it places and fit it in the back of your Pri.
I would look closely at the Denver Craigslit. Many listings for bikes and trailers! Take your time and test them out! Hybrids are great, or a mountain bike with tires who's knobs are not as aggressive will also work great. You will have all the low gears to climb Wolfsenberger road, and be able to use the bike for other activities.
Good luck!

 

I bought a Springer (attaches dog to the bike so they can run along) when I first got Dingo, but she didn't seem to really like it and then she later got hurt (long story) so I haven't used it since.

Two reasons for wanting a dog trailer:

1. GF would like to go riding more often, but I feel guilty about leaving the dogs.

2. We took our bikes along with us when we traveled in the motorhome, but didn't use them because we can't/don't want to leave the dogs behind. A bike trailer would be great for this situation.

I will look into the kit. $75 is reasonable.

 

If you want to do it right, get a full suspension mountain bike. It's only around $1300 if you can find one on sale. The more gears the better. If you use the bike regularly, you'll find a use for those extra gears, believe me. Don't got the cheap route, you'll end up having to buy up later anyway.

 

If you have the money, it is well worth it to get an electric assist kit on your bicycle. First buy a good, regular 27-speed bicycle that is light, has thin to medium tires, and a better than average set of disc brakes and deraulers. Then get the Bionx electric assist kit or something similar installed on said bicycle. Search for my other threads related to Bionx. Cheers Electric bike, electric power bikes, electric bike kit & electric bike motor hub manufacturer - BionX

 

I always wonder what is up with that obsession people have with the weight of the bike. My mountain bike is much heavier than my road bike but big deal, it makes me a little stronger. Unless you're a total wimp, light-weight is not that useful. The light-weights with the thin tires are a lot more delicate than the mountain bikes and don't handle anything other than smooth pavement very well. City riding will beat the crap out of a bike like that. You're better off with a mountain bike with at least front suspension and disk brakes so that the bike can handle the occasional curb that you have to jump or pot hole or other surface irregularity that you encounter. A mountain bike in the at least $650 range will handle just about anything that you need it too and will last a long time.

 

I am a wimp.

I was told not to get a mountain bike.

 

I don't agree. While you don't have to go nuts, weight IS an issue especially if you are towing a trailer. Fat tires are a waste of energy. Narrow/medium wide tires can still go chip trails. Suspension is also a waste of time. And bikes can be both strong and light. Mountain bikes are for mountain biking. Get a performance hybrid or a touring bike. Disc brakes are good if it rains. Also, get a seat with no horn!! Get regular tune-ups, whatever you buy.

 

nonsense. I've ridden a lot of miles on my road bike and a lot on my mountain bike and weight is negligible. Haven't really ridden a mountain bike, have you? Unless you fancy yourself a Tour de France competitor I think that the lighter the bike is a scam. If I WAS training for a serious bike race like that, I'd be training on heavier bikes anyway. Makes you stronger. Suspension is not a waste of time, it makes a big difference when having to deal with curbs and other road obstacles. I'm seriously considering getting a second mountain bike with full suspension. A mountain bike is to a road bike what an SUV is to a sports car. And my two-wheel SUV gets the same mileage that my sports car bike does. It's also more fun because I can ride it anywhere on any terrain that I've encountered so far.

 

Maybe I can put this weight issue in perspective.

Putting it nicely, if you're the sort of person who happens to be carrying a few extra pounds on your own frame, a bit more on the bike isn't going to make a huge difference. If you're already pretty trim, then a lighter bike will be more enjoyable to ride, and probably faster and more responsive.

Without giving away too many personal details , I find when touring on my road bike that any extra weight makes a big difference, especially when climbing the huge hills. With my 'mountain' bike, the increased rolling resistance from the wider tires slows me down so much that some extra baggage (on the bike, I mean ) isn't significant. Of course, the mountain bike doesn't really belong on pavement, anyway, not with those 4x4 truck knobbies.

 

i did most of my running around on my mountain bike when i was in college. after that experience, for my graduation present to myself i chose a trail bike- not as hardcore as a mtb (because i wouldn't use all that capability anyway) but crosses over to road riding fairly well. not as well as a road bike, certainly. there's a lot more rolling resistance from the trail tires. but it's very capable of hitting any kind of terrain.

mine has an aluminum frame, which comes in handy if it needs to be carried over a fallen tree or loaded into the car. or carried upstairs for that matter.

i'm going to agree with everyone here that says hills make more gears necessary. i hit the bluff trails a few times and found you really need gear range to do it.

 

I think that if I were getting a bike to use as a commuter and I expected to tow a trailer with it, I would either get a hardtail mountain bike (front suspension only) or if I wanted to sit more upright and go slower, a comfort bike (sometimes called a hybrid). You can always swap knobbies on a mountain bike to a narrower street type tire (like a 1.5 inch wide) if you are always on the pavement.

I wouldn't get a full suspension mountain bike unless I expected to descend off road trails (which is what they are designed for). They seem out of their element on climbs and on pavement in my opinion.

I also used to ride road bikes with the 22 mm tires, but these tend to get more flats and are a PITA to fix on the road. In my old age, I will give up some speed for comfort and practicality.

Currently, my road bike is gathering dust in the attic (a late 70's Austro -Daimler), my mountain bike is hanging in the garage ( 91 Bridgestone MB-0) and my comfort bike (06 Trek Navigator 300) is in the basement compartment of the motorhome. The Bridgestone is the best bike of all, but now obsolete for lack of suspension.

 

I have a performance hybrid now and it's way easier to cruise at 30+ km/hr than on my old, fat mountain bike. Of course I cheat with my Bionx now too. :blush: