Chainlink, tell me what bike to get! - The Chainlink2024-03-29T11:10:10Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/chainlink-tell-me-what-bike-to-get-2?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI'm leaning toward the Cross…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-20:2211490:Comment:10801542017-10-20T03:18:15.848ZKathttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Kat770
<p>I'm leaning toward the Cross Check or All City. I test rode a couple Surlys that were too small for me. If anyone sees a 58cm of any of these around, please let me know. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm leaning toward the Cross Check or All City. I test rode a couple Surlys that were too small for me. If anyone sees a 58cm of any of these around, please let me know. </p>
<p></p> Another +1 for Surly Cross Ch…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-19:2211490:Comment:10800152017-10-19T08:54:16.216ZGarry W.https://thechainlink.org/profile/GarryW
<p>Another +1 for Surly Cross Check. It is stable, durable and light in weight.</p>
<p>Another +1 for Surly Cross Check. It is stable, durable and light in weight.</p> Here are a couple of bikes th…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-16:2211490:Comment:10795542017-10-16T15:23:39.668ZNoah Learnerhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/NoahLearner442
<p>Here are a couple of bikes that I've been digging of late that could be good for your use. When I commuted with kids on the back I tried both cross bikes and fast commuter bikes and I always gravitated towards bikes with a flat or riser bars so that I would feel more upright. I also dug tires that were a little wider in front with traction for year round riding. One of the bikes I dig is the <a href="https://theracery.com/products/haanjo-2017" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diamondback…</a></p>
<p>Here are a couple of bikes that I've been digging of late that could be good for your use. When I commuted with kids on the back I tried both cross bikes and fast commuter bikes and I always gravitated towards bikes with a flat or riser bars so that I would feel more upright. I also dug tires that were a little wider in front with traction for year round riding. One of the bikes I dig is the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://theracery.com/products/haanjo-2017" target="_blank">Diamondback Haanjo</a> and I'm also really digging the functional front basket and full fenders of the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.joe-bike.com/product/raleigh-port-townsend-240663-1.htm" target="_blank">Raleigh Port Townsend</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Both of these options are inside your budget and will excel for year round commuting. Best of Luck.</p> I'd say the Surly Cross Check…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-14:2211490:Comment:10794032017-10-14T17:09:09.992ZMarc A. Irwinhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MarcAIrwin
<p>I'd say the Surly Cross Check also, but the Surley Straggler is the same with disc brakes. The disc brakes make the bike even more versatile because you can switch different sized wheels easily and have an even greater range of tire sizes available for different uses.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Marc </p>
<p>I'd say the Surly Cross Check also, but the Surley Straggler is the same with disc brakes. The disc brakes make the bike even more versatile because you can switch different sized wheels easily and have an even greater range of tire sizes available for different uses.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Marc </p> One of the big deciding facto…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-14:2211490:Comment:10791442017-10-14T02:09:14.668ZBrian Shttps://thechainlink.org/profile/BrianSobolak
<p>One of the big deciding factors for me on bikes is the frame material. Lots of manufacturers like aluminum because it's a lot lighter (and doesn't rust) but you feel. every. bump. on. the. road.</p>
<p>I only ride steel bike frames (with the exception of the aluminum road bike I was gifted) and I feel like it makes a pretty big difference.</p>
<p>Also, consider bike touring instead cyclo-cross!</p>
<p>One of the big deciding factors for me on bikes is the frame material. Lots of manufacturers like aluminum because it's a lot lighter (and doesn't rust) but you feel. every. bump. on. the. road.</p>
<p>I only ride steel bike frames (with the exception of the aluminum road bike I was gifted) and I feel like it makes a pretty big difference.</p>
<p>Also, consider bike touring instead cyclo-cross!</p> If you're looking for comfort…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-10:2211490:Comment:10790982017-10-10T23:12:54.702ZYanivhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Yaniv
<p>If you're looking for comfort over speed then I fully endorse looking at these bikes. I sport the WorkCycle Secret Service for my daily 8 mile commute and absolutely love it. JC Lind is a great place to try out non-traditional commuter and family friendly bikes. And as Ken pointed out, Jon is super helpful and friendly.</p>
<p>If you're looking for comfort over speed then I fully endorse looking at these bikes. I sport the WorkCycle Secret Service for my daily 8 mile commute and absolutely love it. JC Lind is a great place to try out non-traditional commuter and family friendly bikes. And as Ken pointed out, Jon is super helpful and friendly.</p> +1 on the Surly Crosscheck (o…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-09:2211490:Comment:10790822017-10-09T22:27:49.325Zadhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AdrianRohrer
<p>+1 on the Surly Crosscheck (or comparable All City), which is what I commute on. </p>
<p>I think the plus with something like a Surly Crosscheck is that it can make a great commuter, especially if you ride at a faster pace, AND it can double as a road bike/cyclocross bike in the future if you do decide to get into longer rides outside of commuting. If you already have the Yuba, which I assume is set up like an upright city bike, I'd personally go with something sportier that gives you a bit…</p>
<p>+1 on the Surly Crosscheck (or comparable All City), which is what I commute on. </p>
<p>I think the plus with something like a Surly Crosscheck is that it can make a great commuter, especially if you ride at a faster pace, AND it can double as a road bike/cyclocross bike in the future if you do decide to get into longer rides outside of commuting. If you already have the Yuba, which I assume is set up like an upright city bike, I'd personally go with something sportier that gives you a bit more range. A crosscheck is basically the swiss army knife of bikes. </p> Kat - take a look at these Ga…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-09:2211490:Comment:10789452017-10-09T14:06:41.758ZKenhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Ken74
<p>Kat - take a look at these Gazelle city bikes at JC Lind Bikes on Wells St: Upright positioning, come complete with fenders, racks for bags/baskets/cargo, chain guards, ring locks for rear wheels (such a convenient feature), bells, roller brakes in hubs (so wet roads do not affect their stopping power) and dynamo lights (Heavy Duty has dynamo front, battery powered rear light) - built for city riding (commuting, shopping, hauling kids): $1149 for the steel-framed Tour Populair, $749 (on…</p>
<p>Kat - take a look at these Gazelle city bikes at JC Lind Bikes on Wells St: Upright positioning, come complete with fenders, racks for bags/baskets/cargo, chain guards, ring locks for rear wheels (such a convenient feature), bells, roller brakes in hubs (so wet roads do not affect their stopping power) and dynamo lights (Heavy Duty has dynamo front, battery powered rear light) - built for city riding (commuting, shopping, hauling kids): $1149 for the steel-framed Tour Populair, $749 (on sale) for the aluminum-framed Heavy Duty. Both models come in step-through and step-over models: (I have a WorkCycles GR8 that I absolutely love for my city riding and daily commuting). And Jon Lind is a great guy, with a great shop! Good luck!</p>
<p></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://jclindbikes.com/city-bikes/gazelle-tour-populair/" target="_blank">https://jclindbikes.com/city-bikes/gazelle-tour-populair/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://jclindbikes.com/city-bikes/gazelle-heavy-duty-nl-step-through/" target="_blank">https://jclindbikes.com/city-bikes/gazelle-heavy-duty-nl-step-through/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://jclindbikes.com/city-bikes/gazelle-heavy-duty-nl-step-over/" target="_blank">https://jclindbikes.com/city-bikes/gazelle-heavy-duty-nl-step-over/</a></p> All-city, like Surly, and a b…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-09:2211490:Comment:10790382017-10-09T02:06:54.059ZDuppiehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Duppie
All-city, like Surly, and a bunch of other brands, is owned by QBP, a large bike parts distributor base in Bloomington, MN.<br />
All their bikes are TIG-welded in Taiwan, and are indistinguishable in value for money, (i.e. a $1000 Surly will get yo very similar parts as a $1000 All-City). So it comes down to fit, geometry, and brand positioning. Look at both Surlys and All-Citys and see which one appeals most to you.
All-city, like Surly, and a bunch of other brands, is owned by QBP, a large bike parts distributor base in Bloomington, MN.<br />
All their bikes are TIG-welded in Taiwan, and are indistinguishable in value for money, (i.e. a $1000 Surly will get yo very similar parts as a $1000 All-City). So it comes down to fit, geometry, and brand positioning. Look at both Surlys and All-Citys and see which one appeals most to you. This is what I'm hauling the…tag:thechainlink.org,2017-10-09:2211490:Comment:10789412017-10-09T00:49:19.330ZKathttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Kat770
<p>This is what I'm hauling the kid on: <a href="https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65029?feat=502159-GN3&page=folder-1-trail-a-bike&csp=f&attrValue_0=Silver&productId=1060779" target="_blank">https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65029?feat=502159-GN3&page=folder-1-trail-a-bike&csp=f&attrValue_0=Silver&productId=1060779</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>In addition to that, we have a Yuba Mundo (best bike EVER), so the kids are taken care of. That's actually the reason I've gone so…</p>
<p>This is what I'm hauling the kid on: <a href="https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65029?feat=502159-GN3&page=folder-1-trail-a-bike&csp=f&attrValue_0=Silver&productId=1060779" target="_blank">https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65029?feat=502159-GN3&page=folder-1-trail-a-bike&csp=f&attrValue_0=Silver&productId=1060779</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>In addition to that, we have a Yuba Mundo (best bike EVER), so the kids are taken care of. That's actually the reason I've gone so long without getting the bike I really deserve.</p>
<p>I was leaning toward a cyclocross/drop bar bike because I could, theoretically, do cyclocross someday after the kids are grown (are old ladies allowed to do such things?). I have an old Schwinn Suburban and the Yuba fit the cruiser category (and Divvy a fair amount, particularly in the winter). Maybe I should try to commute on one of my road bikes for a week or so to see how I like the dropbars.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Someone suggested an All City or a Focus. Any thoughts on those?</p>