My crappy old hybrid has finally died (buckled rear wheel) and I would like to get a new bike for riding the 17km each way to and from work.

The question is what sort of bike should I get? I am leaning towards a road bike but I have always sort of considered them to be rather fragile. I don't like to stay on the road if there is a bike path on the footpath or the road is too narrow so it would need to be sturdy enough to handle a few bumps now and then. So should I get a mountain bike instead?

Also, since the purse strings are rather tight should I get a cheap bike from K-Mart? As I said, I only ride it to/from work so speed etc is not really an issue.

Thanks for your thoughts.

As a commuter myself and a bike rider I would probably advise against a road bike if you are not going to stick to the road. Road bikes are inherently fragile if constantly riding up over gutters etc. They also get stuck in grates and suffer more from punctures etc.

As to quality I would advise buying the most expensive bike you can afford. This is a wide ranging term but I dont believe the k mart bikes offer long term real value. I would advise spending around $500 minimum to ensure the bike is robust enough to suit your needs for a period of longer than 6 to 12 months. I believe this would be all you would get from a K mart bike if you were doing the 34 km (return) commute each day.

I would advise a solid MTB and replacing the knobbies with semi slicks. This will help increase your speed. You wont be as fast as a road bike but you cvan jump gutters etc when those pesky cars try to eat you. Besides its fun trying to give the roadies some stick when they catch you and you stay on their tail or you catch and pass them.

If you cant justify the cost to SWMBO then work out the cost of commuting by bus/train for a period of 6 months or so and you have probably paid for your investment. Also, you cant put a $$ value on the health benefits as well the positive feeling you must feel when arriving at work each day having contributed zero emissions. (apart from the odd fart but then we all do that whether driving or riding). )

Anaconda has some good specials on bikes at the moment...

http://www.anaconda.com.au/Specials.aspx?p=11

Thanks for the advice beatlloydy.



As I mentioned, my current bike is a hybrid (Giant Cypress SE). Is there a difference between a mountain bike and a hybrid other than the tyres?

I've also heard that shock absorbers are a bad idea if you are going to use it mainly on the road as the shockies absorb some of the energy you put into riding. Is this true?

I think the gearing is different on a comfort/hybrid. But then theres 2 sorts of hybrid as well. Giant for example have the elwood/cypress/innova/farrago/perrigee range which is more a road/bikepath orientated hybrid (700c wheels) nd the sedona range which is leaning more towards mountain bike (26inch wheels)
Tyres and wheels are different. I think the gearing as well.
Kmart bikes and the like are cheap and as far as i'm concerned only for a ride every now and again. The quality is poor in my experience (all my kids have elcheapo bikes) and usually have uncomfortable seats which you'll want to replace straight away. 2 out of the 3 kids bikes have flimsy plastic brake components which you wouldn't really want to trust your life with. Ok for a kid riding around the back streets but not much else.
Suspension does rob you of power-fronts not too bad but the back is. It's mainly on cheap bikes-you pay more it gets less. I had a cheap mountain bike (was free actually with the phone) with dual suspension and the back of the bike bounced with every pedal stroke. But as I said the front wasn't so bad. I dont know what suspension seat posts are like though.
I think the quality of kmart (and others) cheap bikes can be summed up with the label on their mountain and BMX bikes. "not for off road use or stunts". My daughters bike is called a "Kent offroader" and it has one of these stickers! We got that from toys r us.
bottom line-take lloydy's advice, spend $500 or so and get something safe and comfortable. You're talking some serious kilometres-dont waste time and money on a cheap bike.
If you want to save a few dollars there are good second hand bikes about-people buy with good intentions then dont use them. give ebay a shot.

Thanks wombat.

I might check out the bike shop in town tomorrow. Can anyone recommend a good bike shop in Brisbane - preferably south side.

Thanks

Hi there balri;

I reckon front suspension is a must for commuting. More for the comfort on your wrists, arms, shoulders, from not jarring over every little bump/divet/crack. You do forfeit a *bit* of energy in your pedal stroke, but not enough (I think) to offset the benefits.

Cheers.
.

Try these links
http://www.bicycles.net.au/links/shops.html
http://www.bq.org.au/cycle-info/bikeshops/
Good Luck!

Were you happy with your current Hybrid? I have the same bike for cross-training and commuting and fine it great. I'm not after speed or distance and appreciate the extra comfort. I also think it's worth buying the best quailty you can afford. I would stay clear of Kmart type brands. Good luck.

No, I wasn't happy with it because I continually had all sorts of problems with it.

I went down to the bike shop on Albert St yesterday and bought myself a Trek 7.0 FX for $399. Unfortunately, I can't try it out today because it's raining.

Rain!!!! You are a fair weather person like me it seems.

You will have to get use to rain sometime. If you commuting and it suddenly rains you can't stop your ride forever. You still have to get where you are going.

Pouncho or light weight jacket you will need and change of clothes at work. If you have all this stuff, then my spiel was just confirmation.

BTW $399 for a bike would of been at least double that a few years ago. Value for bikes is so much better now.

Nice choice-trek have a really good name. for that price you have to wonder how kmart sells bikes at all. people don't know any better I guess

The reason that I don't ride in the rain is one of safety. I have no problems running in the rain but, when riding on wet roads, I don't trust motorists to drive sensibly.

Obviously, if I am riding and it starts raining then I will keep going. But I won't start riding if it is wet or raining.

Hi

I have been researching bikes and am in the same boat as you Balri...I had been looking at this exact same bike myself when I came across this thread. Can you tell me how you found for this bike for commuting and have you had any issues with it? Has anyone else bought this bike?

Thanks FNH

Its a great bike Fnh. I have done over 4000kms on it since I bought it and never had any problems with it other than the usual wear and tear stuff. I ride it to and from work each day (15km each way).

FnH, have you seen this bike in stores around Adelaide?

Thanks Balri so you would recommend? I have almost made up my mind then...I think I will wait til after my Biks SA course, but then might go and buy...

I am always worried when spending a few hundred dollars and there are so many bikes around, but a bike nut said that this bike was ok as well for what I need, it must also have some type of warranty.

Yep Colsy I found it in Trak Cycles on The Parade this week. The guy there pointed it out to me as one suitable for me. Why do you ask?

Just saw this thread when it was bumped to the top.
A buckled wheel does not mean the bike is dead - it's just a flesh wound.
Much cheaper to buy a new rim than a new bike. I hope you recycled your cycle!

I've still got it and occasionally plunder it for parts. The buckled wheel wasn't the only problem though. It was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

I am considering buying a new bike and this one would suit. My old girl is looking a bit tired, buckled wheels, brakes shot, gears dodgy...I love her but it might be time for retirement.

If you decide to buy I would love to hear how you go with it...I am still deciding if I can really afford this week or do I need to wait til next fortnight...Decision decisions!!! I want more money!

If you can wait to buy any new bike until Late July, August time. All the new models for 2009 start to appear and the shops (in Melbourne) start there clearance sales and you might be able to pick up something a little better for the same $$$'s or get the bike you want a little cheaper.

Thanks RFCRunner, so would I be looking at specials next week? I was thinking of ringing around just to see if anyone had the bike a little cheaper, but hvaen't got there yet. I was looking at buying this Thursday, but may be able to put off...Not sure as I am really excited to go for a ride after so many years without a bike...I guess putting it that way though a couple more days won't hurt LOL

I am from Adelaide though so does it work the same down here?

I have a Diamondback hybrid bike for my commuting. I swear there must be something wrong with it as I find it really hard to ride! I glide along with my road bike but the commuting bike is really hard!

I'm dreading my move this week which will mean an increase of my commute from 3km to 10km (which I know still isn't far ) I'll be doing footpath riding too which will slow down things a bit anyway.

I assume it does as nearly all manufacturers bring in the 2009 models around this time. I've just check the Giant website, as they are usually first, and they have a limited number of 2009 bikes already on the site. So it will not be long before they start to make there way into the shops. I would hold out for a while and see what bargains you might get, if you know it's going to cost $400 now it will be $400 in 3 month time for a 2009 model so waiting to see if the 2008 gets reduced might just be worth it.

Be a little careful with Giant-the 2008 bikes were slightly cheaper than the 2007 bikes-looked like great value but they downspecced the components-so in reality you were getting alot less for your money. Take a good look at what you are getting.
Dont take that to mean dont buy a Giant-nothing wrong with them. Although when I was researching bikes last year (when I thought I could afford a new one) I found that value for money Shogun was one of the better ones-higher level componantry for the same money. At Melbourne Bike SHop the bottom of the line Shogun Katana (drop bar road bike) is $899-thats with Shimano 105 derailleurs and levers and carbon forks.

I agree with beatloydy's advice. I have an Avanti hardtail MTB where I can lock the front shocks, Specialized Armadillo slicks, and you'd have trouble breaking anything using it for commuting. Has the advantage that in about 10 minutes you can change to off-road tyres and hit the trails, AR/MTB races, etc.

Also fun to go in road races and see the effort the people on road bikes put in when they are overtaken by a MTB.

It would be nice to have a dedicated bike for each purpose (road, commute, hard tail, soft tail), but most of us cannot afford this. The comment about getting this years model cheap in Aug is what I did, $2200 down to $1700 and if you are going to keep for 5+ years, who cares.

I was talking to my local bike shop about how the top road bikes are cheap compared to a few years ago (well not cheap, but $2k-$3k now compared to $5k-$6k previously). He said this is likely to end as its now considered bad practice for big companies to use cheap labour in China/Taiwan and labour costs will increase and we will see prices rise.

Thanks all for your help. I decided to order the Trek 7.0 FX yesterday as it's in my price range and Balti has tested for me, thanks Balti.

I am getting lower bar (girly style), and should come in towards the end of next week. I found most shops aren't lowering the prices for the Trek range...I'm hoping I get the 2009 model, but in reality I won't even notice the difference!

Not long now until I can test out the commute. I've got everything sitting at home ready now all I need is the bike!

Balti?

Good choice. Its a good bike

I bought a Trek 7.3fx about 12 months ago for $799-. No problems at all. It's now my wifes bike as I bought myself a new Triathlon bike. $2750 reduced to $1850- including pedals and shoes. Bargain.

FNH,

The 7.0fx is a great choice. Hope you have lots of fun on it.

Cheers
Andrew

Sorry Balri... I didn't think it sound right



Thanks Andrew I can't wait to get it and take it for a test drive along the Torrens! Report to come

Make sure you don't damage the new bike by running over Frank whilst riding along the Torrens!

Thanks WOOH I sure don't want to damage the new bike...I'll keep my eyes open! Maybe we can encourage Frank to wear a nice bright fluro vest...

Tuffy liners for tyres. Important if you want to get there on time every day, regardless of the type of bike

I've seen some people lately riding very basic looking bikes ie no gears & straight handle bars. Are these flat bar road bikes?
Why would bikes with no gears be coming into vogue & would they be suitable for a flat 25km commute?

Apparently there is a very dedicated sub-set of bike riders who love their Fixed Gear bikes.

Thanks Tubby for the advice. I have asked the bike shop to put these tyre liners in for me...They sound good!

Fixies are kool. Lots of couriers ride them (which makes them less cool) but they are fun to ride and if you are strong you can ride them uphill (i cant...) They can help your cycling cos you cant stop pedalling. I want one.... Would be suitable for a flat commmute as long as brakes are fitted. the kool kids dont run brakes but they damage their knees. Most fixies come with a flip flop hub allowing you to go fixed or free wheel which is also handy.

I picked up my nice new bike today, Trek 7.0 FX, can't wait to test drive it tomorrow!

Hi Fitnhealthy,

How's the new bike? Looks like I might be making the same purchase after reading this thread. I need to do some crosstraining (is it still cross training if you're not running at all.....? ) and can't handle sitting in a gym on a weekend. Hope it's all worked out well.

Cheers
Steve

Hi Steve

I think I just responded to you on another thread, but I love the bike. It is very easy to ride and comfy. I took it for my first real ride to work yesterday 13k each way and it worked really well. The worst part is the seat (boy my bum was sore), but I have heard that is very normal for bike seats. I may get a gel cover or wait and see if my bum gets used to it.

I would definitly recommend and this is coming from a non bike rider who has just started riding... I look forward to every ride!

Just make sure they fit it for you (the correct frame for your size)

Cheers
FNH