Hi all, I'm new here so go easy on me. I own a GT Mountain bike which I use to commute to work. I am finding it too big and bulky and would like a road bike. Is there anything anyone can suggest for a commute only bike either new or vintage. We have lots of bike shops here in town and the wonderful world of the internet. Thanks Mike.

There are a lot of choices. Do you think you want something like a hybrid, with straight handlebars and more upright seating position, or more of a road bike with drop bars?

I would prefer a road bike with drop bars. I never liked the straight handle bars on my present bike.
Mike

Open yourself up to the notion of owning a few bikes? Not sure what your budget is about, but I have managed to accumulate 5 bikes at present, and a couple sets of extra wheels. I've been riding seriously since about 1962, and can afford to ride what I want. An MTB, 3 road bikes, and a cruiser for town and the beach -- where I live.

But you sound like you know what you're looking for. A road bike, with the road bars. Probably road tires too. You probably don't need super light minimal spoked wheels.

You're not going to race. How about 'training" ? Are you going to ride long distances with the objective to get more fit?

Are you going to "tour" ? Will you be packing up some clothes, maybe a tent and doing over-night trips? Or are you more interested in just getting into the shorts and a jersey and riding for a couple hours?

I don't race. That means I don't need a high-end, carbon fibre, unobtainum component bike. By the same token, I don't want fenders, a carrier, lights, etc. I don't ride to "get somewhere."

If you're commuting, you may want fenders, lights, a carrier. If you stop during a ride and look at sights, shop, etc. you'll want shoes you can walk around in, a lock for the bike.

If you're not racing but riding distances, a triple chain-ring is nice. This lets you have low, low gears for long climbs so you don't have to be "racer fit" for the road.

There are a few things on my newest road bike that I don't need. Carbon fork, radial 20 spoke front wheel, 24 spoke rear. I have a set of blade spoke wheels too. But they're indulgences. 32 spoke wheels are a good choice. Alum frame, middle of the road components -- not high end race stuff.

The difference between really decent components and high-end race components is $$$. The decent stuff is decent. You're not racing, so the extra $$$ isn't going to buy you much more than status appeal.

I have "no name" brakes. The bike is a Trek. Bontrager components. Trek is a "name" and I trust their choice of brakes.They stop me just fine. Bontrager is decent stuff, not high end, but well made. It's not a high end race machine, but it's light, fast, and designed for "fitness" riding. That's my interest.

Put a list together, a physical, hard-copy list. Take your list, a pad and pen to the shop. Take notes. Talk to the LBS guys. Tell them what you're looking for, how you expect to ride. Look at the options, ask questions. Check out several shops and decide which one serves you best.

Read up, go online and look at bike sites. (You're doing that.) Bike makers all have their models online. You can compare components, prices, features.

Figure out what you want to spend, but don't spend heaps of $$$ just because it's a high-end, top of the line bike. You CAN get more bike than you need!

Any dealer should be able to take your list and pare down the options for you. Beware the LBS that trys to tweak up the price point, get you into the next more expensive bike. By the same token, when they show you the more expensive bike, ask about how the models compare for components, features, etc. That will train your "eye" to what is different about one bike over the next. A good dealer won't sell you too much bike just to make a sale. He'd rather have your loyalty and return business.

Finally -- It's not like you're getting married. ANY bike you buy after some serious shopping around will be just fine. And in 5 years bikes will change, and you'll be looking at the "new stuff."

I have a 1988 road bike, and a 1964 top of the line racing machine too. Both are "perfect" and in good shape. But I got the new bike because -- more gears, a 3rd chain ring, it was really neat, and I decided I'd like to have a new machine. Then I bought a cruiser because they're neat too.

This forum is here to answer questions!

I think alot depends on what your commute entails, whether you ride every day, just in fair weather, how much you carry, how far you go, what the terrain is, etc. That being said, I've got a couple of concrete suggestions

1)Surly cross check (http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes.html)- a steel frame go anywhere do anything all arounder. Set it up with fat tires, fender, rack, panniers, lights and you're good to go. A very popular choice on the commuting and touring board. Can be had as a basic bike in the $900 range.

1.5)Schwinn Super sport DBX (http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=401) I hesitate to use the word "Hybrid", more of a Mountain/Road fusion. My local dealer can't keep them in stock

2) Bianchi Volpe (http://www.bianchiusa.com/570.html) Another great all arounder. A bargain at $850 and very similar to the cross check with less street cred.

3)Bianchi Castro Valley (http://www.bianchiusa.com/607.html) Already set up for fast commuting with fenders and a dynamo powered light-COOL! Alot of bike and doo-dads for $800

4) Multiple cross frames: Gunnar cross hairs, Kona Jake, Bianchi Axis, et al. All more expensive and can be set up for commuting

Hope this helps