NJcycles

Road bike? cross road bike? folding bike? electric folding bike? sharing bike? or other options?

s0rce

I use a newfangled gravel/adventure bike (Raleigh Tamland). I'm not sure what exactly differentiates it from an endurance road bike with disc brakes, rack mounts and tire/fender clearance but it works for me and its fun to ride on the road. Hope to take it out on the trails more in the spring and maybe some light touring.

mcours2006

Drop bar road/cx bikes.

Viich

80's road bikes

WillAdams

Started out on my daughter's Trek mountain bike --- bought a Montague Swissbike X50 (wanted a Paratrooper), which I've pretty much gotten kitted out (various bags and tools and accessories and a Montague Rackstand) --- planning to get a Geoorbital Wheel in the spring.

dbikingman

When I had a 30 mile round trip I wanted a drop bar bike so I could maximize speed. With a shorter commute I can use a different bike and will on occasion use a mountain bike in the winter if the roads are worse condition.

One thing I want in my commuter bike is lugs for racks and fenders. My mountain bike didn't have these so I have to use fenders that aren't full coverage and I can't put a rack on it so I have to use a backpack or messenger bag which depends on the temperature and what I'm caring.

I've never been to London, but I have the impression it rains often. If you don't have much riding experience you will soon learn that without fenders you get wet from water thrown up from the road even when it isn't raining, but just from damp roads.

caloso

We were in London this summer and I was very impressed with all the bike commuters. Serious traffic. Lots of riders on road bikes, hybrids, a few fixed gears. Not too dissimilar than American commuters.

Personally, I prefer a road bike, given that I commute on roads.

rodteague

A bike of traditional geometry; preferably a lugged frame with wider 700c/27" tires. 32mm minimum; 34-36mm ideally, but up to 38mm. Fenders a must.

Regards

Rod

RunForTheHills

A road bike most of the time. However, if I need to drop my car off for service I throw my folding bike in the back and ride that in to the office after dropping the car off.

Darth Lefty 

Two wheels, pedals, handlebars, the works

MJBikes99

In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, a lot of people ride folding bike for commuting as we have to transfer from the subway to bus etc. Folding bikes are easy to keep in the office and very portable, that is going to make the life easier in the urban area. For myself,
I ride a Dahon EEZZ, which is a very compact and lightweight folding bike.

KD5NRH

One with ET levitating it.

52telecaster

like using a touring bike. can haul lots of stuff and its comfortable.

Skipjacks

The best possible bike for commuting is the one you are comfortable riding and enjoy riding. Period.

I'd HATE commuting on a road bike. But if you like it, it's the best possible option for you.

As for what generally works for a lot of people...

Mountain bikes are great if you go cross county on your commute where you need a little extra grip from a knobby tire or do dirt hills, etc etc. But for a strictly paved ride they are heavy, not geared for speed, and the tires aren't ideal for pavement. They do give you a GREAT workout as a commuter though. So if exercise is your goal, a mountain bike can make a great commuter. If a nice fun ride is your goal, they aren't ideal.

Hybrids (rugged frame, mid width tires designed for pavement) are very popular for commuting. They are sturdy enough to hold up to the urban jungle of going off curbs and cutting through the occasional field or relatively smooth dirt path. Plus they can be loaded down with bags to carry books/a laptop/change of clothes/ whatever you need for the day. They aren't as rugged or all terrain as a mountain bike, and aren't as speedy as a road bike. But they are a good balance between the two for a mostly paved commute.

Road bikes are faster and easier to pedal, but lack off road capability. If there's a shortcut you want to take through a grassy field with a few rocks or roots, you're walking the bike. If you want to carry 30 pounds of stuff with you, you're going to feel the extra weight on the thin tires bogging you down. But if your commute is a bit of a distance, and its' a nice smoothly paved road the whole way, and all you need to bring is a change of clothes, then a road bike might be fantastic as a commuter.

It all depends on what your environment is and what you feel most comfortable riding.

Darth Lefty 

Hybrids are the best start if you haven't developed a preference yet.

I have a "cross commuter" bike which has both drop bars and rack mounts and allows larger tires. I've also given it a very wide gear range. That means I can have road bike position and yet do all the hybrid things like a trailer, a rack, a kid seat. Once my kids are all too big for a trailer or kid seat, I'll probably switch back to a road bike for on-road use. However, in a few years when my kids have outgrown that stuff, I'll probably re-evaluate.

I also sometimes take my mountain bike and a backpack. For a rare treat I take my classic road bike, it's fast and smooth.

rumrunn6

for me? a drop bar road bike

pdlamb

My commuter is (are) a touring bike.


Why? Drops to help me cut wind resistance and ride 10 miles faster than a MTB would allow. Wider tires to soften the bumps in city streets, and a bit heavier to resist flatting. Attach points for rack to hold panniers that carry lunch and clothes.

doubravsky 

I commuted with my road bike for quite a while. It was always dirty, and got lots of flats. Recently I bought a city bike (Breezer Beltway) with flat bars and 700x38 tires. Added an aero bar and lowered the stem and I'm really happy.

davei1980

Started out on an inexpensive but good Fuji MTB; just sold it and got done building this Nishiki single speed. Will let you know how the single speed works out!

OmegaWolf

I use an old road bike in the spring/summer and an old MTB in the fall/winter.

wipekitty

Generally, a single speed or fixed gear set up like a proper road bike (drop bars, etc.) My current one is a low-maintenance setup - no derailleur cables to fiddle with - and it can get dropped, bashed into, locked outside, and scratched with no serious problems. Being a road setup, it's comfortable on...the road...for bonus miles going to and from work or on a break!

Everything changes in the winter. If we ever get one.

matimeo

I've tried lot xs of different bikes for commuting, and I've ended up and stick with a cross bike. Find one that will accept a rear rack (and fenders in a wet climate) and you're good to go. Disc brakes are also advisable, especially if you get rain. My first cross bike didn't have disc's and I wore through the rims in about one (very wet) winter. I wouldn't go single speed unless you live somewhere flat or are a masochist. C

salcedo

In a world without a budget, I would have two commuter bikes

Sometimes, when I want to take it easy and enjoy a nice, slow, and relaxed commute, I would like a very sturdy relaxed geometry Dutch bike. I would ride in an upright position enjoying the nice weather, listening to the birds chirping, saying hello to everyone I pass by, and maybe even singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah. This bike would have a front rack for my lunch and/or office stuff. It would have full mudguards, and convenient dynamo front and rear lights. Maybe I would even consider adding pedal assist.

Other times, when I'm feeling sportier or when I'm late for a meeting, I would love a cyclocross bike with dropbars and a racier geometry to push the speed. It would have 32 tires, fill mudguards and a rear rack with panniers. Hydraulic mechanical discs. No dynamo lights and definitely no pedal assist on this one, as it would kill half the fun.

Ok, if there is no budget I would also like a cargo bike for errands, a foldable bike for days when I don't feel safe parking outside or have to take the train. You know what, add a fixie and a velomobile too just to have some variety.

Ahhhh a world without a budget is a nice place

gregf83 

I use a cross bike (Tricross) with fenders in the winter and a road bike (Tarmac) in the summer.

PaulH

For me, the essence of cycling is convenience. Other than putting on a warm overcoat and stuff in the winter, there's got to be no preparation. Internal gearing, drum brakes, hub dynamo, fenders, rack, panniers, chainguard are necessities.