Overview of Bikes

Picking a Bike that Works for You

The bike you choose depends on many factors: what you need to carry; the mileage and terrain of your commute; the kind of roads you'll be riding; your budget; etc. The table below offers an overview of commuter-specific bikes.

For more information:

Mighk Wilson offers a nice breakdown of the types of bikes and their best uses on his Betterbicycling Blog.

Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips has some advice too.

REI has a quick overview as well.

If you want a road bike, LuvBOBbies.com has detailed information on choosing one.

Buying a Bike

It does make a difference where you buy your bike! Box store bikes are a bad deal. Many people think bike shops only sell expensive bicycles to enthusiasts and racers. The truth is most bike shop customers are casual, recreational riders who want properly-fitting, quality equipment and expert advice and service. Mighk Wilson has adapted a comparison chart outlining the difference between a bike shop bike and box store bike.

Bikes Designed for Transportation

There are an increasing number of bikes designed for the urban transportation cyclist. These typically feature carrying capacity, fenders, hub-powered dynamo lights and internal-gear hubs. Some are even shaft-driven.

Folding bikes are growing in popularity because they offer added versatility to the commuter. They can be stored in your office, rather than out on the bike rack. They can also be carried onto busses and trains when the racks are full.

The commuter-specific bike has the advantage of having all the right tools for the job, but many other types of bikes are suitable with additional equipment or conversion kits.

Below is a list of other types of recreational bikes and the advantages and disadvantages of using them for transportation.

Short list of commuter bike manufacturers

Some of these may not be available in the US... yet. As the price of gas creeps up to $4/gal, there may be more incentive to sell them here.

Bianchi

Bike Friday - folding bikes

Biria

Breezer

Broadway

Cannondale - real commuter bikes only available in Europe

Dahon - folding bikes

Dynamic - shaft drive

Giant

Kettler

Koga-miyata

Kona - longtail

Kronan

Marin

Rivendell

Schwinn

Specialized

Surly - longtail frame

Trek

Velomobile - enclosed recumbent

Xtracycle - longtail conversion kit

Yuba - longtail

Zero - shaft drive

Resource: commuterbicycle.com

Other Bikes

Advantage

Disadvantage

Type of Bike

Touring Bike

Can support racks and fenders.

Drop handlebars offer various positions for comfort and aerodynamics.

Good for long distances on open roads.

Longer wheelbase is more comfortable on rough roads.

Angled brake gripping is less powerful when riding with hands on hoods.

Touring bike gear ratios are overkill for flat Florida commuting.

Road Bike

Light weight and skinny tires allow for higher speeds.

Drop handlebars offer various positions for comfort and aerodynamics.

Good for long distances on open roads.

More detailed information on road bikes can be found on the BOBbies website.

Many road bikes cannot support a full rack. Seat post mounted racks carry less weight and must be mounted on aluminum or steel seat post (cannot be mounted on carbon).

Aggressive riding position can be uncomfortable and not as well suited for traffic.

Angled brake gripping is less powerful when riding with hands on hoods.

Stiff ride on bricks and rough pavement.

Impossible or problematic to add fenders

Upright Road Bike

Aggressive riding position can be uncomfortable and not as well suited for traffic.

Stiff ride on bricks and rough pavement.

Mountain Bike

Comfortable on bricks and rough pavement.

Good for off-road excursions - cutting through parks and empty lots.

Heavy and slow.

Full-suspension mountain bikes absorb a lot of pedaling energy and require expensive rack mounts to add cargo capacity.

Knobby tires have poor traction on pavement - use slicks for road riding.

Hybrid Bike

Lighter and faster than a mountain bike, but more comfortable than a road bike.

Front suspension makes brick roads more tolerable.

Hybrids come in varying frame geometries and often have adjustable stems - offering a choice between aggressive and relaxed body positions.

Usually are made to support a full rack and panniers.

Work well for xtracycle conversions.

Heavier and less aerodynamic than a road bike - not as good for making time on long stretches of open road.

Comfort Bike

Upright riding position is easy on the neck and back.

Front suspension makes brick roads more tolerable.

Heavy and slow.

Upright position is not aerodynamic.

Not a great choice for a commute of more than a couple miles.

Recumbent Bike

Comfortable riding position and seat. Great for those of us with stiff necks and bad backs.

Many designs sit low to the ground, reducing visibility in traffic.