Sunday, 4 November 2012

Choosing the Best Commuter Bike

By Eric Anderson


If you're looking into purchasing a commuter bike, there are plenty of factors to take into account when considering which style of bike to go with. Since you'll be riding this thing to and from work every single day, you should not take this decision lightly. Any style of bike can be a commuter bike as long as you are taking it to work, but not every bike is fit for every commute. So here is a brief overview of the main things you should consider when deciding on your commuter bike.

The first thing to consider is the type of terrain you will encounter on your way to work. You should choose a commuter bike that best fits your ride. Multiple-gear bikes are better for hills and off-road paths, while flat and paved paths are the best fit for a fixed gear bike.

You should also consider how skilled you are a biking, and how physically fit you are. People with less experience or who are more out of shape may want to consider a bike that has gears, rather than a fixed-gear bike.

Don't forget to consider how you'll be transporting all of your work stuff. You'll probably need a change of clothes, lunch, laptop computer, etc. A backpack might work, but if not you may have to consider some sort of attachment to your bike. Most styles of bike allow for an attachment, but this is definitely something you need to look into. Also, the added weight can have a big impact on your commute.

At this point you're basically left with three main choices. While road bikes are great for flat, paved rides (or even some moderate hills for the more experienced rider), mountain bikes can easily navigate off-road paths and extreme hills. There is also the commuter-specific bike that has a fixed-gear and a more relaxed seat position. There are also touring bikes, comfort bikes and hybrid cyclo-cross bikes. Each one should be researched before you come to a decision.




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