I am very interested in commuting bikes. Of course, they take all forms. In England folding bikes with 20” wheels are popular. In Japan, the famous ‘shopping bike’ rules. Trekking style in France; Dutch type in --- well you get it.

But what do USA customers really like? We have several bikes that we sell to commuters; and I will post those below so that members can criticize them; I can learn a lot from what people do not like about our current bikes.

I am interested in commuting for people who want utility at under $1000; and even better if they get good durability and function under $500. I view commuter bikes as second bikes for enthusiasts or primary for those with low income. Of course, bikes with rack braze-ons and eyelets for fenders and racks.

So what do YOU like in commuter bikes [include light touring if you like]

FRAME – aluminum or high-grade steel [no Ti or CF at this level]
Traditional, compact, pedal-forward, folding, bent

FORK – Rigid; steel, aluminum, or carbon: Suspension

STEM – Quill or aheadset; if aheadset, fixed or adjustable

SEATPOST – standard or suspension

GEARS – single-speed [FW or Fixed]
3-speed internal [coaster or FW]
5-speed or 7-speed internal
Single Der 7S, 8S, 9S, 10S
Frt & RR Der 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27, 30

HUBS – ball&cone, precision

WHEELS – 20”, 24”, 26”, 700c, 29er

TIRES – slick, thread, wide, medium, narrow [pv or English]

BRAKES – V, canti, sidepull, Disc [hyd or mech]

SHIFTER – Road, Trigger, Bar-con, Stem, DT

BARS – drop, flat, special bend

Any other special ideas? I am determined to increase the number of bikes we offer that can be used by commuters for several reasons. I have added eyelets and rack braze-ons to our cyclo-cross bikes, new SS ATBs, and many road bikes. But I think there are commuters around with lots of ideas I have not thought of.

I appreciate any ideas and all input I can get

Mike

Some bikes that commuters buy are posted below; so anyone who would like can criticize these and give ideas for improvement


http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/images/gal07_big.jpg

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/images/tourist_big.jpg

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/cfn07_big.jpg

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/dlx_big.jpg

SS [fixed & FW] 29er with eyelets& rack brazeons

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/cyclespectrum/IMG_0190.jpg

SS [fixed & FW] ATB with eyelets& rack brazeons

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/cyclespectrum/IMG_0180.jpg

Pedal Forward Aluminum with 3-speed internal eyelets & rack brazeons

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/cyclespectrum/100_4597.jpg

[FRAME – high-grade steel, Traditional, compact,

FORK – Rigid; steel

STEM – Quill or if aheadset, adjustable

SEATPOST – standard

GEARS – single-speed [FW or Fixed] for commuting
Frt & RR Der 18, 20, 27, or 30 for touring

HUBS – ball&cone

WHEELS – dominant size in the area for road bikes

TIRES – slick, fairly wide, presta valves unless schraeder dominates the area

BRAKES – V, canti, sidepull all work well

SHIFTER – Bar-con - my preference, but likely not many other people's

BARS – drop,

Any other special ideas?

A small menu of tires would be nice and light systems for commuters. The problem with specing bikes like this is that so many of us who have them have a Frankenbike built for specific and individual needs. Whatever you come up with should have bosses or eyelets for everything, long chain stays, and plenty of clearance for bigger tires, fenders, etc.

I built what I consider to be the "ultimate commuter"--setting up a Surly Cross-Check with flat bars, road cranks, 700x32 tires and fenders. Details here:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=78173

I seriously considerd getting a ss 29er (my commute is only 5-6 miles, so I thought it would be pretty hilarious, and a better workout), but most that I was looking at lacked fender eyelets, and there didn't seem to be many hugely fat fender offerings. Maybe that has already changed. But that Motobecane ss 29er you have there looks pretty cool. What's the price? Is it made in China like the Redline?

I built what I consider to be the "ultimate commuter"--setting up a Surly Cross-Check with flat bars, road cranks, 700x32 tires and fenders. Details here:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=78173

I seriously considerd getting a ss 29er (my commute is only 5-6 miles, so I thought it would be pretty hilarious, and a better workout), but most that I was looking at lacked fender eyelets, and there didn't seem to be many hugely fat fender offerings. Maybe that has already changed. But that Motobecane ss 29er you have there looks pretty cool. What's the price? Is it made in China like the Redline?


Henry

thanks for your post

that Surly is cool - nice looking commuter
what would you think of a bike like that with Juicy 5 hyd disc?

The Motobecane SS 29er is made in Taiwan; No Motobecane bikes are made in China.
I understand that Redline, Cannondale, Specialized, Scott, etc have gone to China for even the top end frame stuff. However, Motobecane will be the last brand onto that boat.

mike

Henry

thanks for your post

that Surly is cool - nice looking commuter
what would you think of a bike like that with Juicy 5 hyd disc?

The Motobecane SS 29er is made in Taiwan; No Motobecane bikes are made in China.
I understand that Redline, Cannondale, Specialized, Scott, etc have gone to China for even the top end frame stuff. However, Motobecane will be the last brand onto that boat.

mike

Yeah, discs would be cool. Maybe a bit of overkill for commuting, but the rain is pretty brutal on brake pads.

Is that Motebecane ss 29er available yet? And it has fender eyelets? I don't think anyone makes fat fenders yet. I was thinking fenders with the really fat Big Apple tires would be cool.

Yeah, discs would be cool. Maybe a bit of overkill for commuting, but the rain is pretty brutal on brake pads.

Is that Motebecane ss 29er available yet? And it has fender eyelets? I don't think anyone makes fat fenders yet. I was thinking fenders with the really fat Big Apple tires would be cool.


Henry

Yes; I am thinking some commuter sometime with discs

on the Motobecane 29er SS - looks like April they will be in
I designed the frame and added eyelets & rear rackons - eventhough I have not found aftermarket fenders yet. {if those are hard to get and the 29ers are popular; I may need to open a mold to make that}
I think the ride of 29ers is fun fun fun - and we will look at more as time comes by

thanks
mike

on the Motobecane 29er SS - looks like April they will be in
I designed the frame and added eyelets & rear rackons - eventhough I have not found aftermarket fenders yet. {if those are hard to get and the 29ers are popular; I may need to open a mold to make that}
I think the ride of 29ers is fun fun fun - and we will look at more as time comes by

thanks
mike

Cool, well if it's cheap enough maybe I'll get it as my summer commuter. Maybe you could bug Planet Bike about the a fat fenders.

Cool, well if it's cheap enough maybe I'll get it as my summer commuter. Maybe you could bug Planet Bike about the a fat fenders.


MOTO SS 29er will be under $400 delivered; aluminum frame, chr-moly fork; track hubs with fixed and FW; with eyelets

Planet Bike is good idea
I'll look for fenders

mike

When I was looking for a commuter/touring bike one of the most important factors for me was chainstay length. I have size 13 (US) feet so pannier/heel clearance can be a problem. Plus, I like to run grocery panniers for errand running, and they tend to be pretty long. Based on what I see in the LBSs grocery panniers seem to be getting more popular, but they don't work on just any bike.

My grocery panniers:

http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/120106_09.jpg

IMO a well designed commuter would have 450+mm chainstays (at least in the 58mm and up frame sizes) and a longish rack.

My current commuter is a Cannondale Cyclocross Disc. I am big guy who rides in the rain a lot so I appreciate the extra stopping power of the disc brakes. Clearance for fenders and big tires would have to be a must as well as mount points for fenders and racks.

Any thoughts to equiping bikes with anti-theft skewers like the Kryptonites or the Pitlock. Would be nice as an option at the very least.

FRAME – Either material in traditional or compact

FORK – Rigid

STEM – Quill or aheadset; if aheadset, fixed or adjustable

SEATPOST – standard

GEARS – 30 speed

HUBS – ball&cone, precision

WHEELS – 700c

TIRES – slim/medium slick or tread. Puncture resistance a big plus

BRAKES – I like mech discs. For rear disc mount I like what Lemond and Devinci are doing. Makes for easy rack installation.

SHIFTER – Road brifter style. Down tube shifters or bar ends might be ok too. In my case I shift a lot from hills and stop and go traffic.

BARS – drop

FRAME – high-grade steel, compact
FORK – Rigid; steel,
STEM – Quill, adjustable
SEATPOST – standard
GEARS –Rear only, 7or 8-speed widerange--30 gear inch to 90 inch. (internal optional)
HUBS – sealed MTB hubs--Shimano Alivio level
WHEELS – 700c 36 spokes, 3 cross, good rims and spokes, well built.
TIRES – 35 mm, kevlar belt, minimal tread.
BRAKES – V,
SHIFTER – Trigger
BARS – Northroad or Promenade
Fenders
Chainguard
Rear Rack
Kickstand

Solid primary color, no garish paint or decals. Powder coat would be nice.

$250

The VW bug or Model T of bikes.

Ok, I'll bite

Eyelets for fenders and racks

FRAME – Steel, Traditional long stay touring geometry - No slacker MTB conversion

FORK – Steel

STEM – Quill or aheadset; Either but I want something I can swap out to get the positioning that I want

SEATPOST – standard - Standard and micro adjustable - no notched seat post !

GEARS – single-speed - FW or 27 speed for touring

HUBS – ball&cone, precision

WHEELS – 26”, 700c - So many tire choices with these

TIRES – Wide 32-45 mm - Semi Slick

BRAKES – yes, but option for Disk if I decide to go touring

SHIFTER – Bar-con

BARS – wide drop or mustache

I bought a Panasonic Sport 1000 from my LBS. It has Tange DB tubing, old Shimano components, 6 spd rear freewheel, 27x1 1/4 wheels. It's in great shape. I put Modolo bars and Keo pedals on it. I paid $40.00 for the bike. My commute is a 6 mi. round trip. This is just perfect. My DeRosa was getting pretty beat up during the winter months. If this one gets trashed I won't care nearly as much.

Mike - I love SS 29er. I showed it to my fiance and she approves - any deals on pre-ordering two, one for each of us? Please let us know when you'll be taking orders and when the bikes will ship.

She compliments your choice of saddle - she loves her WTB Speed She and hopes the men's version will be similarly comfortable.

By the way - we turned her Fantom Cross into a pseudo Monster Cross bike with a flat bar and single chainring, it's pretty awesome. I'll have to post a pic sometime.

Make one just like a Rivendell but with a longer top tube and a cheaper tubeset and you have a winner.