Help choosing budget commuter
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Help choosing budget commuter
I am a grad student with a really limited budget and need a budget commuter bike. I’ve been looking at used bikes on fb marketplace/CL for a full month and any decent bike (or even frame, happy to refurbish/upgrade components) in my size is at or above retail. As a result, I think my best option is actually to go new. I commute for about 5 miles each way mostly on a dirt path, but would like to commute most days of the year so am looking for something similar to a gravel bike. My budget is $600, there’s no way I can stretch to 800-900 where the decent gravel bikes are. The bikes I am now choosing between are:
REI CTY 1.1 - $540 w/ dividend
Motobecane Strada Express X4 - $500
Motobecane Strada Express 24 - $600
Motobecane Gravel X2 - $600
I am pretty handy and can assemble the bike well enough if it’s from BD, and I might take it to the LBS to check wheel tuning, derailleurs, etc.
Would appreciate some input or leads on other bike. Since I’m biking through all conditions, I thought disc brakes might be helpful, but I’m not attached (I’ve always used rim brakes and they’d work fine 99% of the time).
REI CTY 1.1 - $540 w/ dividend
Motobecane Strada Express X4 - $500
Motobecane Strada Express 24 - $600
Motobecane Gravel X2 - $600
I am pretty handy and can assemble the bike well enough if it’s from BD, and I might take it to the LBS to check wheel tuning, derailleurs, etc.
Would appreciate some input or leads on other bike. Since I’m biking through all conditions, I thought disc brakes might be helpful, but I’m not attached (I’ve always used rim brakes and they’d work fine 99% of the time).
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077
Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times
in
972 Posts
If you're located close to an REI store I'd go with the REI, hands down. They have great service, free tune up after break-in, and their house brand is always good value. Plus you have a year to return it if the fit just isn't working out for you.
Bikesdirect is good value, but if something is wrong the service is via mail.
If you don't live near an REI store then all those bikes are roughly equal value, but still I'd lean towards the REI (you could still return it, but you might have to do it by mail).
Bikesdirect is good value, but if something is wrong the service is via mail.
If you don't live near an REI store then all those bikes are roughly equal value, but still I'd lean towards the REI (you could still return it, but you might have to do it by mail).
Likes For tyrion:
#3
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
I think any of those look fine. Availability is the problem this year. I would point you at the salsa journeyman flat bar, which a couple years ago was not very expensive due to a mid year price drop and sold at REI, but I have no idea what the availability is like right now. Priority is a good mail order brand that prioritizes low maintenance in their designs. Diamondback, Polygon, and Canyon are some other brands to order. Most brands have a bike like these. There is a specialized Sirrus and the trek FX and the giant escape.
Better bikes are better, obviously. With a bike at this price level you might find after a thousand miles that some components are giving out that you would not have expected. The component materials are not as nice, being painted rather than plated, and seals are poorer. The build quality on the rear wheel is always a problem. But if you stick with this you are going to be willing to pay more for nicer stuff on the next go round and have some idea what you want and it will be OK.
If you are going on a gravel road in the winter remember that you need fenders and lights come November
Better bikes are better, obviously. With a bike at this price level you might find after a thousand miles that some components are giving out that you would not have expected. The component materials are not as nice, being painted rather than plated, and seals are poorer. The build quality on the rear wheel is always a problem. But if you stick with this you are going to be willing to pay more for nicer stuff on the next go round and have some idea what you want and it will be OK.
If you are going on a gravel road in the winter remember that you need fenders and lights come November
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 09-02-21 at 11:58 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,842
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,062 Times
in
1,080 Posts
REI, of those, if it fits.
Where do you live? Is there any kind of bike co-op? Next Q would be, is it open?
I live in the rainy PNW, and definitely like discs on my commuter.
Where do you live? Is there any kind of bike co-op? Next Q would be, is it open?
I live in the rainy PNW, and definitely like discs on my commuter.
#5
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
I remembered REI carries Cannondale Quick, which is a little more road-bikey, 32mm tires but also generally in this category. It looks like they have mostly dropped Salsa but still have a lot of Cannondales.
Also this Electra which echoes an old Schwinn Suburban, it comes with fenders but doesn't have the deep gear range of a hybrid
https://www.rei.com/product/100808/electra-loft-7d-bike
Also this Electra which echoes an old Schwinn Suburban, it comes with fenders but doesn't have the deep gear range of a hybrid
https://www.rei.com/product/100808/electra-loft-7d-bike
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 09-03-21 at 08:17 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 444
Bikes: 1990 Trek 850, 2005 Cannondale R1000, 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times
in
21 Posts
I agree with the above posters who recommend the REI bike for the in-person service.
As for other bike models, the Trek FX line tends to be a good bang for the buck. I am also partial to the Fuji Absolute lineup, Giant Escape, or Cannondale Quick.
As for the brakes, I have some non-conventional views: at your price range, you can get much better performance and reliability from decent V-brakes than budget mechanical disc brakes. I have disc and V-brakes across several bikes and my commuter has V-brakes. I've only ever commuter in rainy areas (PNW and now Norway) and I stand by the fact that a well tuned V-brake is up there with a mechanical disc brake, and is a LOT less hassle (no rotor rub, better tolerances, less susceptible to road grime...)
As for other bike models, the Trek FX line tends to be a good bang for the buck. I am also partial to the Fuji Absolute lineup, Giant Escape, or Cannondale Quick.
As for the brakes, I have some non-conventional views: at your price range, you can get much better performance and reliability from decent V-brakes than budget mechanical disc brakes. I have disc and V-brakes across several bikes and my commuter has V-brakes. I've only ever commuter in rainy areas (PNW and now Norway) and I stand by the fact that a well tuned V-brake is up there with a mechanical disc brake, and is a LOT less hassle (no rotor rub, better tolerances, less susceptible to road grime...)
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 895
Bikes: 2017 Co-op ADV 1.1; ~1991 Novara Arriba; 1990 Fuji Palisade; mid-90's Moots Tandem; 1985 Performance Superbe
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 390 Post(s)
Liked 572 Times
in
332 Posts
I have 2 REI bikes; good value. You should negotiate up-front for one-day service on the tune-up. When I took my ADV1.1 in for the tune-up, they said I had to leave it for a week. Not practical for a commuter.
City 1.1 looks reasonable, I thought their urban bikes came with fenders and a rack but I see that’s not currently true.
IMO a 30 year old steel rigid mountain bike, covered with dust in a garage, $50 plus $150 for tires, chain, rubber goods etc is the ticket for your application if you can do basic maintenance. Problem is finding one.
City 1.1 looks reasonable, I thought their urban bikes came with fenders and a rack but I see that’s not currently true.
IMO a 30 year old steel rigid mountain bike, covered with dust in a garage, $50 plus $150 for tires, chain, rubber goods etc is the ticket for your application if you can do basic maintenance. Problem is finding one.
Last edited by flangehead; 09-07-21 at 03:58 AM.
#8
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,695
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
916 Posts
I'll second flangehead's suggestion of an old rigid mountain bike. Well, except for the $50; no one sells for $50 anymore. But find one for $150-$200, put in the $ to get it running, and if you like it you can upgrade as your budget permits. I've put $800 into mine, but it's a better bike than you can buy new for the price.
Likes For flangehead:
#10
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,695
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
916 Posts
Well of course you did. You live in Houston! I live in the backside of the beyond, aka behind the Redwood Curtain; vintage steel is hard to come by and sells for $200 - $300.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,842
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,062 Times
in
1,080 Posts
I'm here in Portland, OR trying to sell my Priority Eight - IGH, Belt drive, dyno lights, hydraulic discs, fenders, and an hardly getting nibbles at $500. Shrug
#12
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
You could tag it AS SEEN IN ZOOM COMMERCIALS maybe...
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#13
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Spokane Area
Posts: 312
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Warbird, (Specially Love my) 2021 Salsa Cutthroat, 2012 Surly LHT, 2015 Surly Cross-Check, 2008 Giant OCR A1, 2005 Leader 735R, 2005 Gary Fisher Montare, 1991 Nishiki Pueblo,
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 84 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times
in
38 Posts
No, REI They have not dropped Salsa. Salsa bikes are sold faster than they become available. Some cutthroat and warbird became available this past summer and they were all sold, all gone quickly in about a week.Shortage of bikes,
Last edited by Eds0123; 09-11-21 at 11:44 AM.
#14
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
You might be right. But they’re not showing sold out on the website. They’re not listed any more.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#15
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Spokane Area
Posts: 312
Bikes: 2021 Salsa Warbird, (Specially Love my) 2021 Salsa Cutthroat, 2012 Surly LHT, 2015 Surly Cross-Check, 2008 Giant OCR A1, 2005 Leader 735R, 2005 Gary Fisher Montare, 1991 Nishiki Pueblo,
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 84 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times
in
38 Posts
Sold Out, non available, we don't have any. whats the point of putting that on website? .... : - ) If it becomes available for your area, You'll see it on website,
Last edited by Eds0123; 09-11-21 at 09:19 PM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Houston area
Posts: 245
Bikes: 1961 Higgins Flightliner
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 101 Times
in
70 Posts
Used and modded MTB is great for the 5 mile dirt path commute.
if you plan to take longer commutes on pavement in the future, spend the money you budgeted for a newer commuter with narrower tires.
if you plan to take longer commutes on pavement in the future, spend the money you budgeted for a newer commuter with narrower tires.
#17
Banned
No reason not to buy a cheap used road bike if you can find one in a size you can ride. It may need new tires and brake pads but that is about all to worry about for commuting. A cheap bike is less likely to get stolen and less of a loss if it is stolen. You may want to add fenders and a rear rack and LED front and rear lights, but these can be moved to your next bike and continue to be used.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
school commute? locked up outside a school? new bike? here's hoping the school has an indoor bike cage!
#19
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 490
Bikes: 2022 Priority Coast, 2022 Priority Current
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
99 Posts
Go with the bike that fits you the best as you will be spending a lot of time on the bicycle. Good luck to you.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,900
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2603 Post(s)
Liked 1,925 Times
in
1,208 Posts
REI does that when they're out of stock. We've had a few panics of the "They've discontinued the Randonee!" variety over the past few years; March rolls around and it shows back up.