Help choosing a commuter bike
#26
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10 miles each way will be fine for a flat-bar bike. Plus there are lots of ergonomic grips and doodads to make your hands more comfortable.
I really like that Specialized you linked to.
#27
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Thanks everyone for the comments, it was really helpful! It is soooo dificult to choose a bike!! soo many things to consider but... I went for the Marin Terra Linda, which I've just ordered. I will change the flat bar for a butterfly one later on but before I will use the ergo grips and check how it goes.
I will post a pic once it arrives!! :-) can't wait!
I will post a pic once it arrives!! :-) can't wait!
#28
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As for carpal tunnel/tendonitis less time using a mouse usually helps a lot.
#29
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You got me curious, so I looked at the pages for the Terra Linda SC2 and Terra Linda SC4, and they both look excellent. We don't see many Marin bikes here in the northeast, but those I've seen all seem good.
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#30
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Most road bikes will come with 23-25 mm tires, but you should be able to accommodate 28 mm without much difficulty. A gravel or cx bike should be able to take much wider tires--up to 40 mm in some cases, if you ride on paved roads you likely don't need or want tires that wide.
On my straight bar commuter I added bar-ends and an aero-bar. The sheer amount of metal up there seems to impress non-cyclists, and from the right angles it does look almost cool. But it's really kind of a kludge, but one that works for me.
I could get the same or more hand positions with touring or trekking bars that look like butterflies, and I may do that eventually, since may not require a brake swap (although it would still be a fair amount of work to install everything).
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Thanks everyone for the comments, it was really helpful! It is soooo dificult to choose a bike!! soo many things to consider but... I went for the Marin Terra Linda, which I've just ordered. I will change the flat bar for a butterfly one later on but before I will use the ergo grips and check how it goes.
I will post a pic once it arrives!! :-) can't wait!
I will post a pic once it arrives!! :-) can't wait!
#32
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Probably because of bike fit/position if you're getting numb hands. I used to get numb hands when I started my eight mile commute on a road bike. Having proper saddle position and stem length fixed it for me as it has for many others. Now I have more problems on my flat bar bike than either of my drop bar bikes. Ride what you like though and have fun.
As for carpal tunnel/tendonitis less time using a mouse usually helps a lot.
As for carpal tunnel/tendonitis less time using a mouse usually helps a lot.
Regarding the carpal tunnel I know I should be less time with a mouse but I am a developer and it is, at the moment, out of the question, unfortunately.
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You got me curious, so I looked at the pages for the Terra Linda SC2 and Terra Linda SC4, and they both look excellent. We don't see many Marin bikes here in the northeast, but those I've seen all seem good.
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I didn't know that you could add a second set of brakes levers. It would be something to check if/when I decide to go for the drop bars.
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#36
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If these are quite fast rides, perhaps 18 MPH or faster, then yes. Otherwise most people are not using their back enough to pull weight up off their wrists and so too much of their upper body is resting on them which can lead to a lot of wrist and shoulder pain. At speeds below this an upright is more comfortable for most people.
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IMG_6326_2.jpg
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#39
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I paid $30 for this same thing in 2009 and now it is $439??? what's with that?
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I still have my original Lynx trackball from 1987. I loved that thing. Great for pinpoint accuracy and then you could spin the ball to quickly move from place to place. Kind of miss it.
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Hi,
I used to commute by bike some years ago and then stopped.
I decided to start again, for several reasons, and I would like to buy a commuter bike. What do you guys recommend?
I will be cycling 20miles / 36km per day, round trip, in London, UK.
I am female, 51 years old.
My old bike was a very entry level bike which I gave away to a friend, hence need to buy a new one
I would like to commute starting 2 or 3 days per week and build it up to 5 daysper week. I will also like to take it to some longer trips, at some point, like doing the London-Paris ride (4 days aprox.)
Some people said that I would get bored with an hybrid, which is the one I was going for.
What do you think?
Windywheels
I used to commute by bike some years ago and then stopped.
I decided to start again, for several reasons, and I would like to buy a commuter bike. What do you guys recommend?
I will be cycling 20miles / 36km per day, round trip, in London, UK.
I am female, 51 years old.
My old bike was a very entry level bike which I gave away to a friend, hence need to buy a new one
I would like to commute starting 2 or 3 days per week and build it up to 5 daysper week. I will also like to take it to some longer trips, at some point, like doing the London-Paris ride (4 days aprox.)
Some people said that I would get bored with an hybrid, which is the one I was going for.
What do you think?
Windywheels
With that in mind, last year I bought a bike that might be ideal for your situation:
After 40 years of cycle commuting on a year-round minimal one-way 14 mile route, I have finally assembled the perfect bicycle fleet [to include]:
- One year-round wet,dirty-road bike (aluminum road bike, just recently acquired [outfitted with 30 C studded tires for winter, trunk bag with fold–out panniers, computer, clipless pedals and fenders]
.I'm very happy with my Specialized S-Works for dry weather riding, but my Cannondale Mountain bike was pretty heavy and cumbersome as a Wet/Winter beater.So I recently bought a Specialized Diverge Elite aluminum bike as a wet weather beater, and it rides nearly as nicely as the S-Works.
The ride and shifting of the Diverge is as smooth as the S-Works, but the feel is more ”solid,” with 30 C tires. I think this is a great all-purpose bike…, so I'm very happy with the Diverge.
The ride and shifting of the Diverge is as smooth as the S-Works, but the feel is more ”solid,” with 30 C tires. I think this is a great all-purpose bike…, so I'm very happy with the Diverge.
Thanks everyone for the comments, it was really helpful! It is soooo dificult to choose a bike!! soo many things to consider but... I went for the Marin Terra Linda,which I've just ordered.
I will change the flat bar for a butterfly one later on but before I will use the ergo grips and check how it goes.
I will post a pic once it arrives!! :-) can't wait!
I will change the flat bar for a butterfly one later on but before I will use the ergo grips and check how it goes.
I will post a pic once it arrives!! :-) can't wait!
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 04-29-17 at 06:05 AM.
#42
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It's a big country. I think you find Marin mostly on the west coast, where they are based.
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#43
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So I think I've narrowed my choices down to some finalists, and I'm ready to pull the trigger. The whole bike industry is new to me, and reading through manyof the threads on here and other forums have shed some light on one fact: there are few "wrong" answers and there are many "right" opinions.
#46
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i think any of the bikes you posted will work. i understand the desire for flat bars as well. i am a 60 yo man who occasionally commutes 25 mi round trip. drop bars work for me but only if i get them very high. i guess i am saying get flat bars but i also would suggest looking at north road bars. my gf likes them a lot. she says they are very good for her wrists.
#47
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Theyre called cross-top or "interrupter" brakes, I have them on my bike. They're very useful when you're transitioning from flat bars to drop bars or in traffic.
Attachment 561086
Attachment 561086
I will first ride my bike with the flat bars and see how it goes. I am sure I will have to modify the setup but first I need to go for several rides.
I am starting commuting tomorrow! Still I need to add few things, the locks, computer, front rack but here is my bike
#48
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Sorry, here is the pic
https://1drv.ms/i/s!Anu4KKvXSCyigZg91596oatcNJdLoA
for some reason I can't add a picture but I can add a link
https://1drv.ms/i/s!Anu4KKvXSCyigZg91596oatcNJdLoA
for some reason I can't add a picture but I can add a link
#49
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looks awesome windywheels. my gf and i will be coming to london in a couple of years. cant wait!
#50
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Pic assist
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.