https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:09:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1730260 Wed, 21 Sep 2016 18:41:45 +0000 Sally 1730260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isis.....oooh nice...what a great bike. I'll look that one up. So much to think about. I want mines for riding around town too....doing errands etc as well as getting to work. Thanks for all the tips. I'll definitely post what I end up getting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1730151 Wed, 21 Sep 2016 15:11:20 +0000 Isis 1730151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bike everyday to work, and I also bike as much as possible around town.&nbsp; </p> <p>I would NOT go for the lightest bike.&nbsp; Usually, if midpriced,&nbsp; this will mean a frame of aluminum.&nbsp; Instead, I'd go for a steel frame, which will make roads as smooth as butter.&nbsp; I'd also look for a frame that will accept a rack as panniers are MUCH more comfortable than a backpack.&nbsp; Get lights too, in case you are caught after dark, and fenders to keep the rain and mud splatter off of your clothes.&nbsp; I like cages on the pedals so I can wear my regular shoes.&nbsp; I love my Brooks saddle, but that's a personal thing.&nbsp; I wear regular clothes to commute (if it is super hot, I'll towel off and bring a shirt to change into) and for rides under 10 miles.&nbsp;&nbsp; I wear shorts under a skirt or dress and then slip them off at work. </p> <p>This is my steel-framed bike, made by Surly.&nbsp; It's a Long Haul Trucker, and the Surly Crosscheck is also a great commuter bike.&nbsp; Both are steel frame and have eyelets for fastening racks and fenders .&nbsp; Note that the geometry of these bikes mean that the handlebars are pretty level with the seat so I"m not that bent over.&nbsp; My laptop and lunch are in the pannier that clips onto the frame.</p> <p>Have fun; I love riding my bike to work and have ridden the same bike on long trips, cycling 80 miles per day for a week! (I usually wear a helmet but took it off for the photo op!)</p> <p><a href="http://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker#stq=&amp;stp=0" rel="nofollow">http://surlybikes.com/bikes/lo.....#038;stp=0</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1729535 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:19:27 +0000 Sally 1729535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>wow thank you <b>everyone</b> and sorry for taking so long to get back to you. &nbsp;Today I asked a colleague who I had heard rides the same route what bike he had and he took me to see his bike in work room he keeps it in. &nbsp;Like <b>Sally</b>, he has an avanti and told me about a specialist shop I could look at more avantis and another shop called specialist with other bikes. &nbsp;<br />He said the main thing i need to look at is not how many gears but where the gears are....apparently if you need to get up hills you need big gears at the back and small gears at the front...and the opposite if speed is more important. &nbsp;His tyres were thin but said he paid extra for special protection tyres &nbsp;and hadn't had a puncture in a year. He has panniers so that is a must. &nbsp; There is a mammoth hill on the ride so the placement of gears is important. &nbsp;Like others have said, mudguards are important and a good seat. Another thing was hydraulic brakes...he paid extra for these. &nbsp; I was a bit surprised how heavy his bike is...it wasn't light.... He is saying I can get a lot of that built into a bike I like. &nbsp;He suggested a place that would even change the gears on my current bike. &nbsp;but i might be best to just to try and trade it in. &nbsp;I think i need something like <b>Runcarla'</b>s fitness bike. &nbsp;I also like the look of yours <b>JAileen</b> too. <br />I'll post a picture and give an update on what I end up getting...its quite exciting. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1729478 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 03:53:47 +0000 gradfashionista 1729478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahh, my bell comment disappeared when I rearranged my suggestion. Yes, definitely a bell, as Runcarla says. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1729456 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 02:33:25 +0000 Carla 1729456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...and a bell. It's the law in some communities! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1729119 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:55:06 +0000 gradfashionista 1729119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There's some great advice here. <br />One issue to consider is the condition of the roads. While road bikes might be more appealing because they're lighter, the thinner tires can be ill-suited for poor road conditions and potholes. <br />I also find very large seats with shock absorption much more comfortable--from the very first ride--than other seats, even though people claim that you "just need to get used to" the smaller seats.&nbsp;<br />You'll probably want to get tire guards, lights (if you plan on riding in the dark), and possibly a chain guard. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1729001 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 01:19:21 +0000 Carla 1729001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my racing bike and used it to commute to work before we moved. The commute was 20k one way. I had a full sized locker and access to a shower, so did it in biking gear with a backpack. DH worked in the same building and would bring my lunch, and an am coffee! </p> <p>I also have a fun bike for getting around. Mine is light, on skinny tires, built like a road bike but with T-bars for upright riding. Lots of gears. A hybrid of sorts. I would suggest you look at what makers call a 'Fitness' bike. Mine is older (by Trek) but looks like the bike below. You can use a back pack (hot!) for toting, but panniers these days are made very light. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728977 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 00:36:04 +0000 JAileen 1728977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My favorite bike of all times is a Raleigh 3 speed. I bought mine new in college. I didn't have a car and rode it everywhere - to class, the grocery store, etc. I did sit erect, and when I stopped at a stop sign, I could change gears AFTER I stopped, and be ready to go. Mine looks just like the picture except it's white. I bought it over 40 years ago and still have it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728973 Mon, 19 Sep 2016 00:14:15 +0000 Sal 1728973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have an Avanti mountain bike with 29 inch wheels. &nbsp;It cost around $1000 about three -four years ago. &nbsp;I don't have slick tyres on it as I mostly use the river paths and don't do long commutes. &nbsp;I looked at hybrids, city bikes etc but decided just this one would do for me for mountain biking as well as city biking. &nbsp;I used to have a bike with a basket which is super handy!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728709 Sun, 18 Sep 2016 03:33:37 +0000 SandyG 1728709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In the past I commuted on heavy street bikes and a whippy mountain bike, all with poor brakes and even poorer performance. My current bike from REI is a women's Novara hybrid with 700c road rims, good for streets, not heavy, and a frame size that's a perfect fit for me. I ride with an upright posture and I even had a kickstand installed. It cost more than my previous bikes and is completely worth it, so shop around and don't settle for anything you don't like. Life is good on a bike!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728664 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 22:56:08 +0000 rachylou 1728664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Second the light weight! My bike was 25 lbs...couldn't afford lighter, hehe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728645 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 21:04:45 +0000 Anonymous 1728645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On top of the list (thin tires, many gears) I would say:<br /> -a lightweight frame. you'll notice the difference between a heavy bike and a light one<br /> -good riding position. I made the mistake of getting a bike where I was too bent over. Hated it. Would have much preferred something that would allow a more upright riding position, even though the 'serious' bikers all seem to have the speed bike style. (I don't get it!)<br /> - a bell is nice to have if you're on bike paths with pedestrians.<br /> -a pretty colour.</p> <p>Have fun bike shopping! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728639 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 20:23:51 +0000 rachylou 1728639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Foldables are brilliant. I did try a Citizen foldable first - cheaper - but the Dahom was much better made and worth the price. Had a low crossbar, so dress friendly also. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728634 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 20:11:57 +0000 Sally 1728634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Helen. I do need a Hemet and have one.<br /> Kkards I'll go into a few bike shops in my hols in a week or so. I also have a couple of colleagues who bike. It was them that said I need more gears.<br /> Rachy I did wonder if foldable would be good. I keep the bike behind my classroom at work and my current bike takes up a lot of room.<br /> Jane thanks. I wondered if a folding bike compromises other things. I want to get panniers. I will bear in mind about the Dutch bikes but aren't the Netherlands flat..how do they cope with hills? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728623 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 19:36:16 +0000 Jane 1728623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a step through frame as I find it easier to get on or off, so no boys cross bar to climb over. </p> <p>If I needed a commuting folding bike, I would go for a Brompton. </p> <p>If it doesn't need to fold then I would buy a Dutch bike. They are amazing.</p> <p>I don't commute by bike, but if I did, it would definitely be a Dutch bike. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728571 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 16:49:41 +0000 rachylou 1728571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you don't have to worry about theft... I miss my Dahon foldable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728518 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 14:59:25 +0000 kkards 1728518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>find a good local store, and talk with with the bike tech....make sure you explain what you want to use the bike for and your budget....a good bike is dependant on your&nbsp;<b></b>geography and your goals.<b></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728444 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 12:21:21 +0000 Helen11 1728444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad you are enjoying the riding, Sally. &nbsp;Do you have to wear a helmet? &nbsp;Our local laws require it, and it's a pain. &nbsp;<br />I hope you can get some good advice from the cyclists here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/commuting-by-bikeadvice-on-buying-a-good-bike#post-1728413 Sat, 17 Sep 2016 10:04:44 +0000 Sally 1728413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A few weeks ago I wrote about my commute and how I thought I needed a new bike to bike up and down hills to work. People suggested thin tyres, more gears and panniers. Well I have realised I have some money to buy a new bike. So does anyone have any suggestions for a good commuting bike? What I should look for etc? Any essential accessories? Last time I went for style...I'm being practical this time. I want to be able to bike to super market and library with it too....both a 10 min bike ride away. </p>