Buying a new bike is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Whether you plan on bike canyon road bike commuting every day or just one or two days per week, you’ll be spending significant time in the saddle, racking up many miles on those wheels. You need a bike that you look forward to riding every single day.
If you want to get the most bike for your hard earned dollars, a bike that you’ll truly love and cherish, taking some time to learn what’s available and how to choose the right bike will pay off big time.
Ready to start shopping for that new commuter bike but aren’t sure where to start? Use this article as a guide to help you make sense of all the options available and to figure out which is the best bike for you.
What to Look For When Shopping for Your Perfect Bike
See below for a a quick overview of the factors that should inform your buying decision when shopping for a commuter bike.
Distance: How far do you plan on riding every day?
Terrain: What type of ground will you be riding on?
Comfort: How comfortable do you want to be while riding, and would you be willing to give up some speed for a more comfortable ride?
Gearing: Do you need multiple gears to make riding up hills easier? Do you prefer the simplicity of a single-speed bike?
Rack compatibility: Do you plan on installing front or rear racks to hold pannier bags?
With these factors in mind, let’s focus in on what to look for in a bike that will match your style and riding preferences.
Finding a Bike That Feels Good
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You can have the most stylish, eye-pleasing bike in the world, but if it doesn’t feel good to ride, there’s a chance you’ll give up on bike commuting altogether. To make the most of your investment of both time and money, you need a bike that you actually look forward to riding. You need a bike that feels good.
Rider Position
Generally, for shorter rides that require less exertion, a more upright and relaxed riding position is preferred. You’ll find many hybrid bikes, classic bikes and urban bikes with this upright and relaxed position.
For longer rides, with sustained effort and exertion, a more athletic, forward leaning riding position is preferable. Road, triathlon, and track bikes all have this aggressive forward position.
For the average bike commuter who rides moderate distance with some sustained effort and physical exertion, a riding position that falls midway between a fully upright position and a fully forward position is the ideal blend of comfort and performance. Urban and commuter-specific bikes such as flat-bar road bikes feature this intermediate riding position.
Gearing
If you ride primarily on flat ground, a single speed or fixed gear bike (bikes with one gear) may be all you need. Still, some like having multiple speed options even when riding on flat ground.
If your daily ride requires you to ride up inclines of any grade, having the right gear set up will make life much easier. You’ll find commuter friendly bikes with as few as two gears, and as many as 27 gears.
To help you make sense of the gearing options available, here is a brief overview of the different drivetrains you’ll find on commuter friendly bikes.
External Drivetrains
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The most common multiple gear set up is the external drivetrain. It’s what you’ll find on most road, mountain, and urban bikes. A set of sprockets at the front which are connected to the pedals and a set of sprockets connected to the hub of the rear wheel are joined with a chain. Derailleurs move the chain between the sprockets when the shift lever at the handlebar is actuated.
While there are external drivetrain bikes with over 30 gears, urban bikes usually have between 18 and 27 gears, which is really all you need. External drivetrains are smooth shifting, reliable and have stood the test of time – although do require occasional maintenance.
Internal Gear Hubs
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Instead of having all the gear sprockets on the outside of the bicycle, an internal gear hub has its gears nicely contained within the hub of the rear wheel. From the outside, the bike’s drivetrain looks very similar to that of a single speed bike. You’ll find commuter bikes with internal gear hubs with up to 8 speeds.
Here are some key benefits of internal gear hubs:
Easy maintenance. All the moving parts of an internal gear hub are sealed and protected against water, dirt, grit and any bumps or dings that could damage the gears. You just need to make sure your chain is kept clean, lubricated and properly tensioned.
You can shift gears from a stop. Unlike external drivetrains, you don’t need to be moving to shift gears. You can be standing still and shift into any gear you’d like. Many cyclists also find it easier to shift gears while riding up a steep hill with an internal gear hub.
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