Comments on: The Magic Number for Commuter Bikes

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:46:58 +0000

Has anyone tried the SE Draft. Saw one last night – black, looked very slick. Under $300. Maybe a bike for review?

By: 2whls3spds

2whls3spds — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:25:56 +0000

Val,
What they may be thinking is that it could disappear (stolen) on them? I know I would be pissed if my $25 35 year old Raleigh Sports beater got stolen, much less one of my nicer bikes. If I was riding in a high theft area and had to lock up outside it would be the cheapest, easiest to replace POS I could find.

Aaron

By: Val

Val — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:39:12 +0000

One of the most frustrating recurring moments in my years of bicycle retail is the point at which a prospective rider says “Well, I don’t want to spend much on it – after all, it’s just my commuter.” What they forget to consider is that this is the bike that they will be relying on to get them to work on time every day. It is also the bike that they will spend time on every day, often more time than they spend on any other bike that they own. If showing up on time at work is not an important priority for you, fine, go ahead and skimp on quality in the commuter bike. If comfort and pleasure during a major portion of your life do not matter, then sure, you can pay no attention to fit and ergonomics. The commuter bike is arguably the most important bike in the quiver, and I have never encountered anyone who felt that they had spent too much on one that they were using – in fact, most of them tend to be thinking about upgrades for convenience and comfort. Having said that, it is quite true that you can get one hell of a lot of bike for $500.00. I used to think that $500.00 was a lot to spend on a bike, and I fooled myself by building mine up one piece at a time, and never looking at a total. Anyone who has done this before is laughing now – what can I say – it was worth it.

By: bikingbristol

bikingbristol — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:29:19 +0000

I spent about $350 on a Fuji Venture (any one review it?) . My first 600 miles have been great. The only problems I’ve had were expected things (two flats… broken spoke). I needed to put a rack on it, saddle bags, light, computer, two water bottle holders, basic tool kit, pump, and a good bike-car rack. All told I’ve spent about $600. Of course I still look around. Like my first girlfriend, I’m infatuated with the Fuji…. but I’d like to get to know a few others!

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:05:13 +0000

I would have to got with 400 to 500. That is a nice price point and something feels good about getting something for under $500 dollars. That Redline 925 does look awfully nice. I ride an old cannondale road bike that is great condition, I have been riding it about 10 years and it is probably about 25 years old. I do think spending in the $500 range will hopefully equal a longer lasting bike, and less headaches.

By: 2whls3spds

2whls3spds — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:06:53 +0000

I think that is the range most people are willing to spend. It may change a bit as more people move over to transportation cycling. FWIW I paid $600 for my Redline R530 and then about another $250+ in upgrades for lighting, Brooks saddle and a decent lock. In today’s dollars that $500 price point is pretty close to what a 1972 Raleigh Superbe sold for back then.

If the manufacturers would quit worrying about the latest gee whiz golly gotta have and build a basic solid fully equipped bike in a decent color for that $500 I bet they would have a helluva time keeping up with demand.

I also have a 9.2.5 mine is a 2006 model and well worth every penny I paid for it.

Aaron

By: Mike Myers

Mike Myers — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:17:16 +0000

$500 is just about the maximum I’d spend on a bike that would spend a good deal of time locked up out of my sight.

By: Boar's Head

Boar's Head — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:37:37 +0000

That would be great for most folks with a moderate commute. The price would change (i.e., “go up and make wife mad”) depending on needs:
1. How long of a commute?
2. Over what terrain?
3. In what seasons?
3.5 In what area of the country?
etc.
I believe this is BikeJax’s point.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:12:30 +0000

But I only paid $10 for one of my commuter bikes (a bike that brand new cost about $150). That bike is 37 years old, and I rode it today to work…

BikeJax, I’m happy to hear that you’re not the only one who gets inundated with those kinds of incredibly hard email requests. I, too, have a generic “template” to answer them (using links to our reviews, of course!).

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:40:50 +0000

$350 is just fine. I’ve been absolutely abusing a Mongoose MTB that probably retailed for around $200 new for over 5 years. The only thing I’ve replaced have been the tires and brake pads, although I do perform regular maintenance on it.

Better to buy a passable $300 bike (say, a Marin commuter, or something used) and spend $200 more on the extras – wet weather gear, bags and racks, good tires, a nice helmet.