New commuter bike dilemma

[streetsmarts]

But its sooooo many days away (says the impatient one)

Sent from my SCH-I535PP using Tapatalk

[mstone]

@Crickey7 144470 wrote:

Or you could ask to be seated by the window at dinner.

…so you can fume in impotent rage as you watch someone steal your bike and ride off into the sunset

[rcannon100]

Just go straight to Phoenix Bikes in Balcroft, Arlington – or Ye Old Bike Guy, on Pershing, in Arlington, or Gearin’ Up, north of Union Station….

Phoenix

Toozday 1–6PM
Wednesday 1–6PM
Thursday 1–6PM
Friday 1–7:30PM
Saturday 10AM–4PM
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed

[chris_s]

Perhaps bike insurance is right for you? https://velosurance.com/

[rcannon100]

Check first to see if your bike is covered under your home owners / renters insurance. Also it is frequently better to simple self insure.

[Arlingtonrider]

I like Crickey7’s post. Buy a reasonably priced bike that you will love riding and a variety of bike locks that you can choose among based on your plans. With care and following the advice in this thread, your bike will probably not get stolen. Register the bike with your county and the National Bike registry and attach their stickers to the bike. Save a copy of the receipt for the bike and a photo with your homeowner’s insurance policy. The more you love your bike, the more you will ride. (Jamis Coda and Jamis Sport are examples of such bikes that might be worth looking at. Also, while used is a great option if you can find something you like, if you buy new, you will have the advantage of a fitting and in some shops, some routine maintenance as well.)

[americancyclo]

@streetsmarts 144444 wrote:

So im new at this bike commuting thing. I like it.
and im riding my 10 yr old mountain bike that I bought new in Florida (really!! And Ive never been mountain biking).
I’d like to get a new or newer bike. Mostly because they’re so much lighter and so I can go on longer rides in and out of town. I dont want to go fast, just faster.
Sent from my SCH-I535PP using Tapatalk

For some perspective, I regularly commute on a 20 lb carbon road bike since it’s fun and I have super secure parking.
Occasionally, I’ll have errands to run and commute on a 13 year old aluminum rigid fork 30 lb mountain bike. It’s got slick tires, but they are supremely heavy.

Over my 13.5 mile commute here are my times:
48 min: carbon bike
55 min: heavy mountain bike

I save seven minutes on the carbon bike. It may ‘feel’ faster, but the average speed is barely 2 mph faster over the length of the ride.

You should get a nice ‘fast’ bike if that makes you happy, but I wouldn’t count on a lot of time savings on the 8 mile trip from old town to DC.

[trailrunner]

@americancyclo 144487 wrote:

For some perspective, I regularly commute on a 20 lb carbon road bike since it’s fun and I have super secure parking.
Occasionally, I’ll have errands to run and commute on a 13 year old aluminum rigid fork 30 lb mountain bike. It’s got slick tires, but they are supremely heavy.

Over my 13.5 mile commute here are my times:
48 min: carbon bike
55 min: heavy mountain bike

I save seven minutes on the carbon bike. It may ‘feel’ faster, but the average speed is barely 2 mph faster over the length of the ride.

You should get a nice ‘fast’ bike if that makes you happy, but I wouldn’t count on a lot of time savings on the 8 mile trip from old town to DC.

My experience is similar. I commute on three different bikes: a 25 year old mountain bike with slicks, a new touring bike that’s built like a tank and weighs as much, and my 15 year old Lemond Zurich (a nice steel road bike). On my 12.5 mile commute, my times are similar. My road bike feels faster and is indeed faster, but when I need to bring stuff in to the office or if it’s raining and I need fenders, I ride one of my other bikes and enjoy the extra time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mstone]

@Arlingtonrider 144486 wrote:

I like Crickey7’s post. Buy a reasonably priced bike that you will love riding and a variety of bike locks that you can choose among based on your plans. With care and following the advice in this thread, your bike will probably not get stolen. Register the bike with your county and the National Bike registry and attach their stickers to the bike. Save a copy of the receipt for the bike and a photo with your homeowner’s insurance policy. The more you love your bike, the more you will ride. (Jamis Coda and Jamis Sport are examples of such bikes that might be worth looking at. Also, while used is a great option if you can find something you like, if you buy new, you will have the advantage of a fitting and in some shops, some routine maintenance as well.)

Is there a national bike registry that doesn’t seem sketchy?

[streetsmarts]

@trailrunner 144488 wrote:

My experience is similar. I commute on three different bikes: a 25 year old mountain bike with slicks, a new touring bike that’s built like a tank and weighs as much, and my 15 year old Lemond Zurich (a nice steel road bike). On my 12.5 mile commute, my times are similar. My road bike feels faster and is indeed faster, but when I need to bring stuff in to the office or if it’s raining and I need fenders, I ride one of my other bikes and enjoy the extra time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ahh. So yall are telling me i need 2 more bikes!! I was starting to get that idea. Haha.
seriously… my mtn bike has knobby tires. I could try slicks but it still has mtn bike gearing. So even if do switch the tires id like a road/commuter type bike. I will just choose something and go with it. Will look at used and new. Im a used car person…i think id do well with a used bike. To be continued.
Oh i do know about homeowners ins. It would sure be better not to have to use it though.

Sent from my SCH-I535PP using Tapatalk

[trailrunner]

What’s wrong with mountain bike gearing?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[streetsmarts]

Nothing wrong with it. But it doesnt have big enough gears (small enough ? Big enough? Im new at this tech talk) for me to get as much power as i want on straightaways . I think im saying that correctly.

Sent from my SCH-I535PP using Tapatalk

[huskerdont]

Even with smooth tires, I find you lose momentum on a mountain bike from the shocks on the front fork. You can lock them out, but usually not fully. Sure it doesn’t save a whole lot of time to have a commuter, gravel, or road bike, but the reduced effort compared to something designed for going over roots and rocks is nice.

But yes, don’t get rid of your mountain bike. You’ll likely want that when it snows. And you don’t think you’ll ride in when it snows, but riding is so much better than the alternatives, you probably will want to.

Also, it’s a great relief to have a second bike to commute on when you find last-second that your primary bike needs a repair you don’t have time to take care of before work. Instead of getting stressed, you just hop on the second bike. Or the nth bike.

[streetsmarts]

I know i can see how this leads to n+1 bikes !!!

Sent from my SCH-I535PP using Tapatalk

[Enabler]

@streetsmarts 144491 wrote:

Ahh. So yall are telling me i need 2 more bikes!!

Yes, at least 2 more. Treat yourself, you deserve it! Think of the savings in healthcare costs down the line!

[Author]

Posts