Best type of bike for daily commuting.

[bharathreddy]

Hi,

I live in chennai, and I am thinking of getting a new bicycle for daily commute to work. I am not sure about which bike to buy as the[b] roads in chennai are mostly potholled[/b].

Commuting distance is about 20 km daily or may be more. I see that MTBs are not a good choice for city and long rides are tough.

As of now, I have narrowed my choice to trek 7100(front suspension), trek 7.1, and LA sovereign urbano.

My budget is <30K INR.

Please help me choose a bike, or recommend any other company bike because, I'm unaware of the companies.

Thanks

[shankarbn]

The best type of commuter is a single speed bike with a hub dynamo powered headlamp and tail lamp, full fenders and rack. Also, in my experience, I was faster on my MTB during my commute than my road bike. Also, an MTB with semi slicks is more or less equal to a hybrid and you'll have the advantage of being able to take it trail riding as well. 30k will get you a mid level hardtail mtb with hydraulic disc brakes and lockout suspension which I suspect will be as fast(if not faster) than the trek 7100. Also, spares for 26" wheels (tires, tubes, spokes etc..) are easily available which is awesome if you mean touring when you say "long rides".

[Bent_gate]

The best type of commuter is a single speed bike with a hub dynamo powered headlamp and tail lamp, full fenders and rack. Also, in my experience, I was faster on my MTB during my commute than my road bike. Also, an MTB with semi slicks is more or less equal to a hybrid and you'll have the advantage of being able to take it trail riding as well. 30k will get you a mid level hardtail mtb with hydraulic disc brakes and lockout suspension which I suspect will be as fast(if not faster) than the trek 7100. Also, spares for 26" wheels (tires, tubes, spokes etc..) are easily available which is awesome if you mean touring when you say "long rides".

Seconded. An MTB with slicks is as efficient and more versatile than a hybrid.

[hitanshu]

bergamont transmit (?)

search for thread by a user called Glifford

[arvindg]

Do you intend to go for longer rides or just use the bike for commuting? If just commuting, Shankar is right - a single speed bike will do in Chennai. IMHO, the roads in Chennai are better than in Bangalore. And a lot fewer speed bumps! Definitely plan on fenders and lights.

[wanderingwheels]

My commute is 17 km to and fro. I rarely use more than 2 gears. In about 6 months, I will get rid of my bike and get a good single speed / fixie for my commutes. I like Mongoose Maurice; I'm not sure how it rides. IMO, you don't need suspension for city riding. I jump my bike on footpaths and throw it at potholes and humps. It takes it well Mine's a RR 5.0.

[farazs]

If by commute you mean "Home->Office" only, then by all means spend 30k. But if you're planning to use the bike as a complete mobility solution, I'd stick to something less fancy - single speed, no suspension, under 7k or so. BSA Mach/Photon, HeroHawk, etc.

Bicycles can take a fair bit of abuse on pot-holes - much more than any motorized vehicle (of course, the rider has to take some too). I wouldn't worry too much about suspension if I were you.

[bblost]

My commute is 17 km to and fro. I rarely use more than 2 gears. In about 6 months, I will get rid of my bike and get a good single speed / fixie for my commutes. I like Mongoose Maurice; I'm not sure how it rides. IMO, you don't need suspension for city riding. I jump my bike on footpaths and throw it at potholes and humps. It takes it well Mine's a RR 5.0.

Come to Hyderabad. Use all the gears and search for more.

[vikramkc]

Hey bharath,
You could try Bianchi camaleonte Uno, Cannondale Quick 4, Cannondale Quick 5, Trek 7.1 FX , i found them to be good comfort riding ( hybrid ) bikes. The posture is comfortable and feels really good to ride ( smooth and effortless ).

If you want to go beyond just commuting...you already have suggestions from BZers

[bharathreddy]

I think i'm more inclined to MTB than hybrids or roadies. How would a gary fisher be compared to trek 3700D. Me being 6ft 1 in Tall, I have read somewhere that GF are better for tall people as it has more cockpit?

And also, I was not able to find a MTB with hydraulic brakes less than about 32K (trek 4500D). Are there any other bikes with in the 30K range, so that i can buy the accessories for it in this budget.

[wanderingwheels]

Come to Hyderabad. Use all the gears and search for more.

High time. I have a friend in Hyderabad who doesn't talk to me anymore because I don't call him up regularly.

[vikramkc]

And also, I was not able to find a MTB with hydraulic brakes less than about 32K (trek 4500D). Are there any other bikes with in the 30K range, so that i can buy the accessories for it in this budget.

Btwin RR 8.1 has, it was selling at 28k at decathlon....never used the bike myself, but felt good when i tried it.

[alphazed1]

i think the 8.1 is all sold..
mongoose tyax comp and KHS Alite 500 come with hydraulic disc brakes.. 2012 models..

[bharathreddy]

Also, the 8.1 is about 38K rather than 28K as you've said..

[adnan]

I have a 7100... use for everyday commuting... rides like a dream..! absolutely recommend it..!

[bharathreddy]

My commute is 17 km to and fro. I rarely use more than 2 gears. In about 6 months, I will get rid of my bike and get a good single speed / fixie for my commutes. I like Mongoose Maurice; I'm not sure how it rides. IMO, you don't need suspension for city riding. I jump my bike on footpaths and throw it at potholes and humps. It takes it well Mine's a RR 5.0.

I have heard fixies are very simple and "efficient" to ride. But i saw the pictures and specs of mongoose maurice and schwinn madison. Their frames and especially tires look really thin. Can these tires take the little abuse of pot-holes? Also, to ride a fixie, we have to keep on peddling, can that be a problem in corners because there may be a good chance of the pedals hitting the road in that case, we have a risk of falling.

And I have another doubt. Does a fixie have a noticeable/substantial advantage in efficiency/performance compared to a single speed especially in city commuting?

[Vj50222]

If there are lot of potholes and bad road ..... you are better with MTB. Gears will help get over the flyovers easily, in a single speed one you'll have to stand on the pedal and push it hard.

A lot of times MTC / SETC A@#Holes will drive you off the road, and you'll end up riding on the dirt, riding a MTB will make a lot of difference in this case !!

[bharathreddy]

A lot of times MTC / SETC A@#Holes will drive you off the road, and you'll end up riding on the dirt, riding a MTB will make a lot of difference in this case !!

Yep, you 100% correct.. here in chennai, these Chennai Metro Rail guys have dug every road right in the middle, making all 4 lane roads into 1/2 lane roads to be precise.. That too in the middle forces people to ride/drive on the dirt, or i'd say trail than on tarmac....
Even a ride on the motorcycle is unbearable.. I just want to 'em up!

[bharathreddy]

And also, I was not able to find a MTB with hydraulic brakes less than about 32K (trek 4500D). Are there any other bikes with in the 30K range, so that i can buy the accessories for it in this budget.

Btwin RR 8.1 has, it was selling at 28k at decathlon....never used the bike myself, but felt good when i tried it.

Are you sure the bike is for 28K? because, if thats the price, then its a Killer deal.

[udayc]

Hi Bharath

Did you finally buy a bike?
I am following your thread to check on what you will buy so I can count on your experience

I am yet to decide between Cannondale Quick 5 and Bianchi Spillo (Rigid) - I like them both.

cheers
Uday

[nitinsgr]

Hi everyone

I am a newbie to BikesZone Cycling as well as cycling in general. Been riding a Yamaha FZ16 to work down from a Swift and now planning to take to biking for good. I am in Delhi, so roads are not a concern really and traffic I believe doesn't affect one's inclination to bike.

I need pro help in finding the right bike then and all primer tips to get started. I will be covering ~12 kilometers one way. Since I am just starting out, I guess I shouldn't opt for an expensive bike right away. Plus I will strictly be biking in the city, so I should be looking at street models right? I will have an average-size backpack on me in the commute.

Kindly suggest bike models, where to buy, biking pointers, accessories, and just about everything that can help me get on the road

Thanks in anticipation.

[ankitjain093]

Hi nitinsgr,

IMHO, pls consider investing those extra bucks on your bike if you really want to take up biking seriously. I've seen so many cases at my workplace who didn't want to spend beyond a few k's on their bikes..(after all, its just a bike!)...and finally got bored/gave up when they couldn't handle the long rides.

Go for a Merida/Trek/Canondale IMO. You can contact this guy called Niki@9818284612(You're in Delhi/Noida right?) Atleast go and have a test-ride on these bikes.

[ResumeSpecialties]

Just for fun: here is a collection of commuting/errand bikes ranging from customs to true horrors. Me, I second the suggestion of a fixie/ss with dynamo lighting.

https://picasaweb.google.com/BERTIN753/DropBox#

[Grimpeur]

^^ Jawdropper alert