The bicycle you select to ride, for fun or function, should be comfortable and fit you properly. Your local bike shop will have professionals on hand to properly fit you to a bike that will meet your needs. When properly fitted, you should have adequate stand over height, that is, you should be able to easily and comfortably straddle the frame of the bike without causing undo harm to your more sensitive parts. If you do not know what size bike you should ride, this will limit the following category, source.
The source of your bike is an important factor in selecting a commuter bike. Sources include your local bike shop, internet auction, classifieds (online or paper), or even a garage sale. Bike shops are a great place to start, as they will have new and used bikes for you to consider. Many bicycle manufacturers even have purpose built commuter bikes with racks and fenders included. Your local dealer may even have used bikes available, too. Used bikes make great commuter bikes. They are inexpensive, tend to come with accessories, and they already look a little worn, and hence less attractive to any thief. Used bikes can be found at your local bike shop, internet auction website, police auction, or even pawn shop. Of course, if you start looking at used bikes outside of a bike shop, you better know the product you are purchasing and are certain that it will function and fit you properly. If you are concerned about the size, function or customer service aspects of your bike purchase, I would purchase your bike through a shop. I have had good and bad experiences purchasing bikes online through e-classifieds and auctions. However, I have always had great experiences getting a bike through my local bike shop.
A primary consideration of the bike that I commute on is cost. I tend to invest less into my commuter bike than on a bicycle that I use for recreation. At times, this seems counter intuitive, as you may be commuting five days a week on an inexpensive bike, and recreating on a thousand dollar bike one or two days a week. Although your commuter bike may see more use than a bike that is used for recreation, it will also be subjected to the elements for long periods of time. Not only will it be possibly subjected to rain and rust while you ride, but also as it waits for you outside of work or the store. I would define the elements as anything out of your control, including both mother-nature and human-nature. Rain, criminals, snow, bad drivers, pot holes, rust, and criminals are all elements that your bike will be exposed to while you are at work or shopping. Did I already say that criminals will probably be checking out your bike? Well, they will. A great way to eliminate any concern for how the elements will impact your commuter bike is to invest as little money as possible into a reliable bike, conduct regular maintenance to reduce wear and tear, and always lock your bike. Following these three rules will ensure that you get the most out of your commuting experience and investment into your commuter bike. Now, understand that the elements will eventually win. Your chain will wear, components will eventually rust, your bike may eventually get stolen, however, your concern should be to make the elements work as hard as possible to achieve their goal: to destroy your bike. Locking and maintaining an inexpensive bike will ensure that you maximize your investment.
The type of bicycle best for commuting depends upon your style of riding. There are three main types of bikes: road, mountain and hybrid. Road bikes are built for speed on smooth, paved surfaces. They are best at getting you from point A to point B in a minimum amount of time. Their speed and efficiency is due to the large diameter wheels with thin tires as well as a drive train that is designed for speed. However, road bikes do have some disadvantages for those looking to commute. Road bikes tend to be the least comfortable to ride for those not accustomed to their aggressive geometry. Their thin, high pressure tires require frequent examination to ensure proper inflation. Also, their tires do not allow for much ‘fudge factor’, in that a sloppy curb hop or sharp pothole will see you in need of tire repair. Entry level road bikes also tend to be more expensive than other bicycle types. It may be possible to find an excellent deal on a used road bike on Craigslist or at a local garage sale. One of my best commuter bikes was a $20 Trek road bike that I purchased from a neighbor at a garage sale. The bike worked great, was fast, and I was never concerned about theft or wear-and-tear.
Hybrid bicycles are just that, a hybrid design between a road and mountain bike. They tend to feature the straight handlebar and drivetrain from a mountain bike. Their wheels, however come from touring road bikes, and as such the overall bike tends to ride like a mountain bike while providing more road bike speed. They are a great bike for the city, and there are more types of hybrids available than ever before. Many manufactures are designing urban specific hybrid bikes with mountain bike frames, road wheels and matte black paint jobs to blend in and avoid unwanted attention.
Part 3 in the Series: Customizing Your Bike for Commuting
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