Looking for advice on a good road bike for commuting 20 miles?!?
Hi, I'm looking to get to work about 20 miles round trip 5 days a week. I know it will take some getting used to, but I'm in decent shape (I'm a sailor seven years) and I looking forward to the challenge. Its mostly flat and downhill on the way to base, flat and uphill on the return. I tried to do some research but I'm really in my head and its proved to be very time consuming! I was hoping someone could suggest a bike decent starter, I'm not ready to throw a few thousand dollars until I get used to riding and to find characteristics I like! I am looking to spend less than $ 1,000, but I'm hoping to get one around $ 500. Thank you for your time! Hey Matt, thank you for advice on the bike, I actually have one and I love him, I am looking for info on a bike, road bike specific!
Well, one of the easiest things to do is just go to local stores in your area and see what they have actually bikes for size / price range. You can search all day, but if no one close to you has the bike you think you want, what difference does it make? Unless you are desperate to a bike and hope you like it, stick to what is available. First, are you sure you want a road bike? Reason I ask is that if you're traveling, would not you want something that would allow you to add media and panniers to carry your extra material in? A road bike is not generally true welcome them, and I am sure that you want a change of clothes with you as soon as you start working. You can try something called a road bike to handlebars, like Sirrus special line, or the Trek FX series. They are designed to give the wheels more than a road bike with relaxed geometry and friendly suburb of a hybrid bike without a grandfather. You will not get the speed you can on a road bike very light but you can easily haul gear on it, so it's just a suggestion. There are real road bike made just for commuters, allowing for racks and things, but they tend to be really expensive, and probably more than you want to spend right away. As for what to spend, cycling $ 500, and a $ 1,000 bike and see if you can really make a difference. More money is usually the equivalent of a lighter cycling, better wheels, better derailleurs, etc., but these may not make a difference for you as a new future, especially if you are already good shape. In short, just go ride some bikes, see what you like and buy what suits you best, even if you hate the color.
Energy Audit by Bike! Commuter Challenge 2011