Bicycles Asked on May 11, 2021
I’m planning on buying a bike for city commute.
My commute to work is approximately 12km (7.5 miles) one way. I live in Vancouver which means:
And I’ll be commuting mostly during the rush hour.
Here are a few questions:
Is there any other thing I should be looking into?
Disc brakes perform better in wet weather. If you choose rim brakes, aluminum rims offer a better braking surface than carbon rims. Hydraulic brakes adjust for pad wear and both pads move inwards to press against the disc surface. Mechanical brakes push one pad (usually the outer one) onto the disc, and the disc has to flex to touch the other pad.
"Brifters" (brake and shifters) are easier to use. I've ridden with bar-end shifters and like its simplicity.
More surface on wet roads = less grip. Choose a wide tire that offers some cushion, but also offers little rolling resistance. Some kind of protection against punctures is welcomed.
Correct answer by Luis on May 11, 2021
For a city commuter bike, don't bother with disk brakes - go for simple rim brakes. You'll want the reliability over all else. You don't need disks for most types of road cycling, as the limiting factor for grip is likely to be your tyre anyway.
As regards shifters, go with whatever is comfortable for you. I like the combination of brakes and gear levers in the same unit, as you don't need to take your hands off the brakes to change gear. This is very useful in traffic.
I would also recommend touring tyres - offroad tyres lose too much power through rolling resistance, but you want tyres wide enough that you have some comfort and puncture resistance. You could also look into self sealing tyres.
Answered by Rory Alsop on May 11, 2021
Generally you should try the bike, and see if how it feels, including using the components feels good to you, if not look for something else.
If you will be riding no matter what the weather is, I would recommend looking for bike that has internal hub brakes, a full chain-case (which with gearing would normally require hub gears too), and full mud guards (fenders). With a setup like this, the weather will cause few problems to your bike and it requires a lot less cleaning and maintenance.
Normally a set up like this is found on the classic roadster/dutch style bikes, you will not normally get as fast on a bike like this, but if you take your time you are not going to get sweaty and wont need to change clothes at the end of your commute. Over 7 miles the slower ride will add very little time to your commute. The problem with a heavier bike like this could be the hills. There are lighter bike with more "sporty" geometry that are available, with the features I mentioned earlier.
The hard part may be finding a shop that sells this type of bike near you to try it and see if feels good for you.
Another thing to consider would be lighting, for the type of bike you mention, I am presuming you would use detachable lights which run on batteries for cycling when dark. For a simple day to day bike a hub driven dynamo which power both front and back lights is a good consideration.
Answered by esde84 on May 11, 2021
You might find more general commuter bike buying, and bicycle commuting advise in these questions:
My general advise for your specific points would be:
Answered by jilles de wit on May 11, 2021
If you mean Vancouver, BC, I live to the south of you between Tacoma and Seattle and commute 7 miles one-way up and down hills year-round. I use a steel touring bike with a front triple and wide gearing on the rear, though I really only use the granny for hills on longer touring rides. No bar-ends for me in commuting. I need to change gears too often and in traffic. I like drop bars with brifters where I have my hands in position to make any speed/gear adjustment without taking my hands off the bar or my eyes off the road. Bar-end shifters are cheaper and easier to repair/replace, so I guess that why some touring riders like them. I've got cartridge pad cantilevers, but would probably have bought discs if I could have found them on the right bike (fit and price). But... the cantilevers are a breeze to maintain. Wet weather commuting takes a toll on them, even if you have the time and place to clean the bike. With cartridge pads, replacing pads is usually a 10 minute job and requires no cable adjustment. Internal hub would be nice, but I wasn't willing to pay for wide enough gearing for the hills. So I replace chains 2-3 times a year and a cassette every other year. I ride 700x28 or 700x32 puncture-guard tires, but I'm looking at a Conti' 700x37 winter tire for the next cold, rainy season. I wouldn't commute on anything narrower than the 28's, unless all your roads are smooth. Fenders? Yes, full fenders to keep some of the crud off you and your bike.
Answered by RickG on May 11, 2021
My city commuter has Shimano drum brakes, and an internal hub, and I love it. The drum brakes are very low-maintenance and impervious to the weather. They're rare today, having largely been supplanted by disks, but if you find a bike with them, consider it.
Likewise the internal hub, but it is lower range than a derailleur would be, so depending on your hills, it may not be a great choice. In fact I got my bike from a neighbour whose commute took him straight up a hill; mine is in the opposite direction, largely flat.
And as others have said, fenders, and a rear rack for bags. You'll likely be carrying papers, a laptop, your lunch, maybe shoping; that weight doesn't have to be on your butt, and a backpack makes it hard to look over your shoulder to see what's behind you.
Answered by CCTO on May 11, 2021
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