Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

What kind of bike you use for commuting?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

What kind of bike you use for commuting?

Old 10-21-18, 04:04 PM
  #1  
jay1117
Banned
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What kind of bike you use for commuting?

What kind of bike do you use for commuting?
jay1117 is offline  
Old 10-21-18, 04:44 PM
  #2  
wolfchild
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
I have three different bikes that I use for commuting and all other types of riding.

Bike #1 A fixed gear road bike
Bike #2 A single speed MTB
Bike #3 A fixed gear 29'er MTB.
wolfchild is offline  
Old 10-21-18, 05:38 PM
  #3  
medic75
Senior Member
 
medic75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 241

Bikes: '19 Trek Stache 5, '17 DB Hannjo Trail, '09 Scott CR1 Pro, Schwinn Central commuter, '16 DB El Oso

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 108 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times in 29 Posts
Currently, a gravel / adventure bike.

I am looking for a winter commuter. I am considering a cheap Schwinn in a traditional commuter style because I can't let myself ride something really nice on salt covered roads.
medic75 is offline  
Old 10-21-18, 06:50 PM
  #4  
old's'cool
curmudgineer
 
old's'cool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,417

Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 112 Times in 70 Posts
A commuting bike, silly.
old's'cool is offline  
Likes For old's'cool:
Old 10-21-18, 06:59 PM
  #5  
alan s 
Senior Member
 
alan s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 6,977
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1496 Post(s)
Liked 189 Times in 128 Posts
alan s is offline  
Old 10-21-18, 08:17 PM
  #6  
Papa Tom
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,440
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 863 Post(s)
Liked 234 Times in 136 Posts
1996 GT Outpost mountain bike with 26" X 2.35" balloon tires, rear rack with Topeak trunk bag/pannier combination, daytime running lights on front and rear, Mirrycle side-view mirror.
Papa Tom is offline  
Old 10-21-18, 08:43 PM
  #7  
Gresp15C
Senior Member
 
Gresp15C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,893
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 665 Times in 421 Posts
Right now my main "grab and go" is a single speed hipster bike built up from a 1980s road frame. It's totally inappropriate, but I love riding it. If there's weather or cargo involved, including trips to the store, then it's another old bike, but with a big basket, fenders, and 3 speeds. As winter approaches, I'm looking for an old beater to take my studded tires for winter use.

If you're wondering what to get, my advice is first and foremost to get something that you will enjoy riding. A bike that can be equipped with typical commuter attachments (rack, fenders) is a bonus. Gearing depends on the actual terrain of your commute. It has to look good.
Gresp15C is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 12:28 AM
  #8  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Since there are roads between my house and my work, I ride a road bike. Lately it's been fixed.


Last edited by caloso; 10-22-18 at 01:39 PM.
caloso is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 03:56 AM
  #9  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
cheap FGSS.

5 years since I bought it. Just had to get a new wheelset as I was run over by a van :/

Notice no dropbars in the photo



MARLEY!
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 04:19 AM
  #10  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
I have three different bikes that I use for commuting and all other types of riding.

Bike #1 A fixed gear road bike
Bike #2 A single speed MTB
Bike #3 A fixed gear 29'er MTB.
These links don't work
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 07:17 AM
  #11  
aggiegrads
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sherwood, OR
Posts: 1,279
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Liked 309 Times in 180 Posts
Touring bike. Cyclocross bike (with slicks) when I want to feel fast.
aggiegrads is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 07:54 AM
  #12  
mojojojo
Senior Member
 
mojojojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Hapeville, GA (South of Atlanta)
Posts: 56

Bikes: breezer greenway, mercier corvus, stache 8, diamondback trail bike

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
2015 Breezer Greenway hybrid/ commuter bike.

mojojojo is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 08:17 AM
  #13  
wphamilton
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
1. SS/FG steel frame road bike loaded down with the commuter accessory goodies. It's nice for using as a workhorse and for bad weather.
2. Road bike, pretty generic with basic level Shimano bits, which I keep unencumbered from fenders etc.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 08:29 AM
  #14  
Second Mouse
....gets the cheese
 
Second Mouse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 2,577

Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale Caad 8, Wilier Triestina Jareen

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Wilier Jareen. Still getting it sorted out.
Second Mouse is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 08:56 AM
  #15  
well biked
Senior Member
 
well biked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times in 89 Posts
Currently, my commuter bikes are a Surly Straggler that is set up with a mtb drivetrain (but with bar end shifters), rear rack, and front porteur rack and porteur bag. I really like that front bag setup, it's well made and plenty big for any of my commuting needs; it's my favorite bag setup, for commuting, that I've ever used. The bike is really set up more for carrying lightish touring loads both on paved and dirt roads, and I do use it for that some, but it makes a great commuter also. The other bike is a steel singlespeed cx bike with full coverage fenders. I use a backpack when commuting on it.
well biked is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 09:53 AM
  #16  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,886

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 1,919 Times in 1,203 Posts
Touring bike. Outfitted with racks to hold panniers with clothing, lunch, etc., and a dyno lighting system (supplemented with one or two blinkies in case the dyno rear ever doesn't work). Elevated bars are a bit easier on my aging back, and the relaxed posture makes it easier to keep an eye on traffic, while I can still get in the drops for the nastier headwinds. Wider tires soak up nasty urban road surface and the extra tread depth reduces fl@ts (mustn't write that word again!). FWIW, my commute is ~10 miles one way.
pdlamb is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 10:18 AM
  #17  
Steely Dan
born again cyclist
 
Steely Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,402

Bikes: I have five of brikes

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 201 Post(s)
Liked 78 Times in 31 Posts
everyday: a disc-brake CX bike with slicks, rack, and fenders

winter: an IGH/disc bake hybrid with studs, rack, and fenders

special ops: a 20" wheel SS folder

Last edited by Steely Dan; 10-22-18 at 10:21 AM.
Steely Dan is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 10:19 AM
  #18  
joelcool
Senior Member
 
joelcool's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 303

Bikes: Road, Commuter, Mountain, Tandem and a couple others

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 41 Times in 27 Posts

Road bike if the weather is decent (Pinarello K8) or a belt drive if it's crappy (Priority 8).

Last edited by joelcool; 11-02-18 at 12:55 PM.
joelcool is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 10:25 AM
  #19  
mcours2006
Senior Member
 
mcours2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,201

Bikes: ...a few.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2010 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times in 234 Posts
This one...once in a while.
mcours2006 is offline  
Likes For mcours2006:
Old 10-22-18, 10:52 AM
  #20  
seamuis
aire díthrub
 
seamuis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: chatham-savannah
Posts: 553

Bikes: Raleigh Competition, Pashley Roadster Sovereign, Mercian Vincitore Speciale

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 259 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 35 Posts
Singlespeed steel road bike conversion. 32mm tires, full fenders, porteur rack, porteur bars, velogical rim dynamo, son edelux II front light, knog battery rear light.
seamuis is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 10:53 AM
  #21  
no motor?
Unlisted member
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
I have one bike, it makes the decisions easier. It's an old school steel hardtail former MTB with a bunch of commuter friendly additions.
no motor? is offline  
Likes For no motor?:
Old 10-22-18, 01:59 PM
  #22  
Wolfhaven
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NW, WI
Posts: 223

Bikes: Salsa Fargo, Surly Disc Trucker, Surly ECR, Cannondale Cujo, Rocky Mountain Blizzard

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Varies but normally I've been using a Surly Disc Trucker with 45's for the long stretch of gravel. Some days I'll mix it up and ride my Surly ECR or my Giant Anyroad with 40's. Used my Anyroad today but the gravel is tough to see the good line down some bigger hills, even with a headlamp and a handlebar lamp. Back to the DT.
Wolfhaven is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 02:04 PM
  #23  
cyccommute 
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,334

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6192 Post(s)
Liked 4,190 Times in 2,351 Posts
One of those over to the left. The main 4 are these


DSCN0164 by Stuart Black, on Flickr


DSCN0165 by Stuart Black, on Flickr


DSCN0387 by Stuart Black, on Flickr



DSCN0947 by Stuart Black, on Flickr

The last one gets studded snow tires in the winter.

But I have also commuted on a dual suspension mountain bike, a fast road bike, and a touring bike. If it has wheels, I’ve commuted on it.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 02:30 PM
  #24  
revcp 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,257

Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 65 Posts
After thinning the herd significantly over the last year, I am down to two bike. For most weather I commute with my 1985 Trek 720. In snow I commute with my 2016 Borealis Yampa.
__________________
Don't complain about the weather and cower in fear. It's all good weather. Just different.
revcp is offline  
Old 10-22-18, 08:13 PM
  #25  
Hatchet
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 237
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Currently I am mostly using this bike:



But have also commuted on:






I experimented with commuting on the fat bike last winter (my first for commuting) and wasn't happy with the way it handled, so this winter the Huffy and RockHopper are getting studded tires (two different types) to see how they handle the variable snow conditions I get here.

You can ride any kind of bike you want to for commuting - which ever one you like to ride the best is the one you should use. I currently prefer the Bianchi as it comfortable, absorbs road noise nicely and I can go (relatively) fast.

-Dave
Hatchet is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.