Which is the best road/street bicycle and why?

Question

I have been thinking about commuting to work three times a week on average of 26 miles ,which bike is a good choice ?

Answer 1

If you will be carrying stuff with you, you might want to consider a touring bike. If you will be able to commute sans stuff, get the nicest road bike that feels comfortable that you can afford.

I am going to assume you will need to carry stuff like work clothes and such. In this case, having a rack and panniers will save your back and help you be a lot more comfortable on the ride than carrying a bag on your back. However, it does add a lot of weight.

A Surly Cross-Check is a good option--relatively inexpensive, built to withstand a lot of (ab)use, braze-ons for racks and fenders. But it is on the heavy side. Surly also makes a dedicated touring bike--the Long Haul Trucker, which has slightly different geometry. I have only ridden a cross-check (which is technically their cyclocross frame) but you can compare specs on their website. The LHT is also going to be on the heavy side because Surly uses straight guage steel tubing--cheap, sturdy and long-lasting, but not light.

If you want to go with something a little more svelte, Cannondale, Specialized and Jamis all make touring bikes. The other major brands probably do as well, I am just not familiar with them. Touring bikes are often, but not always, made of steel because it is more pliant, so it absorbs more road vibration, giving you a more comfortable ride. These bikes will have braze-ons for racks and fenders, usually more space for wider tires (in case you want to use something wider and with a bit of tread for more stability with racks or more traction in rain or snow). Many of them come with cantilever or v-brakes for better tire clearance.

The geometry on touring bikes will be a little more relaxed than a road bike, as well, which might offer a bit more comfort. I would advise you stay away from flat bar road bikes or comfort bikes. Flat bars offer more stability and may be more comfortable for shorter distances, but for a long ride like you are suggesting, you will appreciate having the multiple hand placement options of drop bars. You can alway have cross-levers (brake levers along the tops of the bars) added for another braking location.

Check out the:

Jamis Nova (Listed as a cyclocross bike, but comes with a triple crank and brake-ons, so it would work really well as a touring bike. I have one and LOVE it.)

Specialized Sequoia (double check on whether it has braze-ons. I can't remember)

Cannondale T2000 or T800--these are serious touring bikes with racks already installed. One of these is the bike you want if you are riding across country.

Bianchi Volpe--another one classified as a cyclocross bike, but it has braze-ons, so it would make a good touring bike.

Racks and Panniers: You can buy a rear rack at most bike shops. Make sure you get one with side rails for panniers.

REI makes some nice panniers for a pretty good price. You an also check out Performance. Jandd makes some great stuff available at a lot of bike shops. They even make a garment bag type thing for suits that fits on a rack. I have never used it, so I don't know how well it works.

You will probably only need rear panniers and it is likely the Cannondale bikes are the only ones listed here that come with braze-ons for a front rack, anyway.

Answer 2

Hybrids are relatively a flow between 3 bicycles. With the upright using place, they are area convenience bike and/or old college cruiser. With the 700C tires that are taller & thinner than a mountain bike - they are area highway bike. however the tires are no longer quite as slender as a organic highway bike & they have a extra aggressive tread layout - meaning the bike could be taken on mild trails of overwhelmed stone or packed earth. area convenience bike - area highway bike - area mountain bike. they do no longer do anybody specific activity super. inspite of the undeniable fact that - they do many stuff sturdy. sturdy "all-around" variety of bicycle.

Answer 3

you could try a single speed custom made bike, i work in a bike shop called pearson cycles in south london, we can make any custom bike, from racing to touring to single speed, but at the moment single speed bikes have had a massive revoloution, they are inexpensive and maintenance free, they can handle a lot of abuse and also come with the braze ons for mudguards and pannier racks, please give us a call and we would be happy to sort you out with one of our own single speed bikes for around 550. otherwise hybrids such has the specialized crossroads and sirrus are great bikes for the money.

Answer 4

Surly Cross-Check. Its a great versatile bike to use for commuting and performance.

Answer 5

I would check into the Giant fcr line they have three models starting at 500.00 add on some fenders for the narrow tires .

Answer 6

specialized s-works tarmac SL. best components ever compiled into a bike, precise frame geometry beyond any other bike.