A New Bike for My Commute

I started the blog with this premise that, should I get in a routine habit of bike commuting, I would obtain a bike more purpose-built for the job. My aim was 21 bike commute rides to cement my cycling commitment as a habit. So why am I writing about a new bike since I am not even close to reaching my goal? Well, I haven't been riding the past couple weeks, so I need to write about something...

The blog Commute by Bike started a series recently called "A Group Build of Building Your Perfect Commuter Bike" that explores the characteristics of what makes a good commuter bike, and selecting a fantasy build for the writer, BikeShopGirl. Certainly there is no one-size-fits-all bike that will be best for every bike commuter. It is a worthy exercise nonetheless, as there tend to be some characteristics of what makes for a good commuter bike. It is also interesting to read about particular component or gear choices that you may not have known about. I am eager to see what turns up in the posts and comments. Since I started drafting this post, the series is well underway and they're going down the road of selecting a particular "touring" type frame, as voted by readers. You can follow along to see how that goes, but that initial question got me thinking about what I'd like in a new bike...


First, here's a little more background on my current bike...



I made some changes to my Forge Sawback 5xx mountain bike, since "officially" beginning my bike commute, to make the ride safer, more comfortable, a bit faster, and more convenient - more commute friendly.


These changes included:

• pedals/shoes (Crank Bros Mallet platform/eggbeater pedals, Adidas Minrett shoes)
  
• front and rear lights (Planet Bike Blaze 1W, Blinky 3)
  
• touring tires with reflective sidewalls (Continental Touring Plus Reflex)
  
• a rear-fiitted bike rack (Topeak Explorer Disc)
  
• milk crate pannier bags (Novara Transfer)
  
• water bottle holder  (Planet Bike)
  
• a tune-up (courtesy Bicycle Warehouse)
  
• raising my saddle
  

I've been pretty satisfied with these changes so far. I  could continue to ride the bike as it is, without much need for complaint, but... 

Starting out, I was not concerned with speed. Having done the commute a few times now, on the route that I have (predominantly a fast highway-esque 4-lane road), I would like to be able to ride with a little more speed. Getting passed by senior citizens chips away at your ego, too. I guess I just need to remember, "It's not a race!"


There are a couple major changes I'd like to see in my next bike. The first change is the switch to 700c wheels from 26". People tell me this should help me go a lot faster. Along with that I will probably choose a bike with drop handlebars. If you were to have asked me six months ago if I wanted a drop bar road bike, I would have said no, for sure. Now, I'm pretty convinced this is the way to go for the multiple hand and riding positions this style of bar offers (I think a moustache bar could also work).


I still want to retain the ability to mount a rear rack, and maybe fenders. I'd also like to be have the ability to run larger tires for more comfort. I want to go faster, but I don't think I need to go that fast (maybe that will change, who knows). Fender and tire clearance rule out a lot of road race-type bikes for me. Plus, I can do without the flashy modern race graphics that a lot of these bikes have.


Though I have not had any personal experience yet, I find myself falling toward the "steel is real" camp.  There are quite a handful of new steel road bikes coming on the market. There is also the "vintage" route, which is intriguing, but I have some reservations buying an old(er) bike. A couple aluminum-framed bikes are still on my radar, though.


In another post, I'll get to a few of the bikes I have been looking at lately.