With an ailing planet, flooding roads and fuel prices spiraling out of control whenever there is a small hitch in the Middle East, it is about time that people find a better faster and more convenient way to get from one point to the next. Obviously, such a mode of transport would not to be eco-sensitive, able to maneuver through traffic and not use fuel. There is no better answer than commuter bikes. While they have been largely in use in highly populated countries like China, it was not until recently that people really started to figure out the essence of bikes as a mode of transport and not just for sport. But, what about a commuter bike?
Click here to see the best seller commuter cycle on Amazon
With increased popularity of commuter bikes, more people now see their essence and how they cannot only save you time but also money and lessen the carbon footprint. However, it is critical to make sure that you buy an appropriate bike. Just because it is touted as a commuter bike does not mean you can just pick it up. First, you need to make sure you pick up the best commuter bikes. To help you with that, here is a small guide that you can use to make the right choice.
Considerations
Before you settle on the kind of bike you’re going to buy, there are a couple of considerations you have to have in mind. They’re geared towards getting you the most functional bike for your use. The first consideration is where you plan on riding the bike, you also have to consider how much you’re willing to spend on the bike, your preference as well as the type of riding you plan on getting into. You should know that commuter bikes come in different shapes and sizes. Each of these is built for different types of use.
Types of Commuter Bicycles
The secret to being able to buy a quality and fitting commuter bike is knowing what kind to buy. Buying a good bike for the wrong use will lead to increased wear and tear and longer and more frequent needs for repair.
Comfort bikes: first you have the comfort bikes. These are ideal for those that don’t need much from their cycling other than leisure. They are built for recreational and smooth riding on the pavements and at worst on smooth paths of dirt. They’re characterized by a wide and soft seat, high handlebars and shock absorbers on the fork or seat. You should note that these might give you a hard time when peddling up a hill.
Mountain bikes: If you would like your biking and your wild side to merge, mountain bikes offer the best possible experience. They’re built for rugged trails and come with a shock absorbing suspension at the front and in some instances, you might also get one at the rear. They are best used in a rugged terrain and are able to provide comfort and control even in such adverse conditions. They’re characterized by the moderately narrow saddle, knobby and wide tired also flat handle bars.
Road bikes: if you intent to use your bike for long rides and want some serious speed to it, then a road bike is what you should be looking into. They have a lightweight frame, narrow tires and even a narrow seat. Everything about these bikes spells lightweight and speed. They feature drop handle bars, and some also have the short top and long top tubes. Within the road bikes, you also have a subsection. This is the cross bikes. They’re more or less the same but have wider tires that are meant for off road traction.
There is a plethora of other bikes that you can look into depending on your demand and what you plan on using the best commuter bikes for. These would also include the fitness bikes.
Once you choose the bike that you would like to buy, there are some features that you should pay special attention to. These include the brakes, the drivetrain if you choose one that does not have a fixed gear, the handlebars, shifters, saddle and also some accessories like the bike helmet (you can never overlook your safety).
5 Commuter Bike Reviews That Are Sure To Make You Smile
Now that you know what you need to be looking into, how about some reviews of some of the best commuter bikes in the market to help you shine a light on your way to your top rated pick. Reviews are a great way to gather information about great bikes instead of having to scour the internet looking for detailed information which could take ages and a handsome deal of corners making you even more confused.
Pure City Dutch Step-Thru City Bicycle
For city dwellers, this is a great bike that will not only take you from point A to point B but, will do that in class and comfort. The Pure city Dutch bike has a vast collection of features most of which are geared to make your cycling experience and maneuvering through the standstill traffic much easier.
It features a step through design when mounting the bike. It is not only easier but also makes it a great choice for women as opposed to having to work with the high bar which you have to get your leg over when getting on the bike. The frame of the bike is built to outlast the demanding nature of the city. Its hi-tensile steel frame, frame and chromoly tube ensure that you have a bike that you can rely on at all times and make the most out of.
For the sake of comfort, the bike adopts an upright riding design that allows you to ride for longer without tiring your back or shoulder and also has an extra wide saddle which is also spring mount to reduce the amount of shock from the road. Considering that this is a city bike, you don’t need to have the shocks on since they would just drive up the cost unnecessarily.
You can never be too sure of where you will need to go tomorrow. Be it hilly, a plateau or downhill, you can rely on the Pure City Dutch bike to get you there with ease. It even features a 3-speed Shimano Nexus Twist shifter and you can also choose and 8-Speed Shimano Twister or a fixed gear. The choice is really yours. This way, you can enjoy the perks of your bike even when cycling uphill.
For the brakes you have alloy caliper brakes at the front and rear for assured reliance and prompt deliverance. The bike is powered by a 3-piece crankset complete with a chain guard to keep the oil from gushing on your clothes. You never have to carry a set of clothes to change be it as a result of the sweating or damage by oil.
Other than the practical features and matching fenders, you also have additional accessories like a silver bell, a kickstand, leather grips and even a rear rack for small luggage like your suitcase.
The sizeable tires, a great collection of features as well as the prime focus on the comfort of the riders are what makes this bike one of the best commuter bikes there is and one that is a must have. It benefits include the comfortable ride, reduced need for maintenance and easy maneuverability. You don’t need to be a bike guru to be able to work with this bike. All you have to have is know how to ride. You’re also covered by a warranty when it comes to the bike.
You might have a little bit of assembly to get done when the bike first arrives. A good bike shop should help you with this in the event that you don’t know the ropes yet. After that, it should be more of smooth sailing from there on.
Click here to check Pure City Dutch Step-Thru City on Amazon
Vilano Women’s Classic Urban Commuter Bike
Simple yet classy. That is the message that this commuter bike passes on to the users the moment you set your eyes on it. It has a vast collection of features that are ideal for use in the urban centers and better yet, it is built for use by women. So, you know you have a feminine bike that meets the feminine demands as well as the roads.
Everything about the Vilano women’s bike is dedicated to comfort. From the moustache handlebars that offer reliable control while reducing strain on the shoulders, to the spring mounted leather saddle, all you get from this bike is utter comfort. It features a frame made of steel which assures you the bike will be able to last for eternity and match the strain of everyday use. While the frame is made of steel it also adopts a relaxed geometry design which makes for a much comfortable and smoother ride for the user. Definitely something that every woman can see themselves using.
For easier and more reliable braking, the bike makes use of coaster braking. You never have to worry about your brakes failing again. The bike also has free platform pedals and as an added advantage, you also have a kickstand included and some comfort grips.
There is no doubt that you will love this bike. From the color to the make of the bike, the aura of the bike is every bit appealing to women. It offers for a smooth ride with reliable breaks and comfort guarantee materials.
However, there is the slight concern of the fact that the bike does not come with a chain guard. While this does not affect the experience of the ride, you do run the chance of getting oil on your clothes which would call for a change of clothes. However, you can buy a chain guard from a bike store and have it installed. It shouldn’t cost you much.
Click here to check Vilano Women’s Classic Urban on Amazon
Schwinn Men’s Siro 700c Hybrid Bicycle
Simplicity and especially when it comes to bikes is not everyone’s cup of tea. For those that care about the looks of the products they use, this bike will definitely step up to the place. With a sporty design and intricate engineering, this is the one bike that will have people drooling and your friends chattering. Its features are as impressive as its look and its ability to meander through tight spots is definitely unquestionable.
Considering the fact that weight is a sensitive factor when it comes to cycling in urban areas, this Schwinn bike is made from an aluminum hybrid frame. Do not be fooled by the material. It gives you the better of two worlds. A highly durable bike for everyday use with a high tolerance for the modern and unpredictable roads as well as a lightweight bike that is easy to lift in case you need to get over a barrier or get into the house.
For the sake of comfort, you have a Schwinn suspension fork a padded comfort style seat that has a suspension seat post as well as a swept back handlebar that offers the ideal position for riding. You never have to battle with the rough patches on the road or the sudden bumps and with the swept back handlebar, you have a great bike that offers comfort and mobility.
For performance, you have a 21 speed rear derailleur that is packaged with Shimano EZ Fire Shifters. Whether your daily route to work is plagued with hills or a steep gradient, this bike promises to give you an experience for the ages and an ability to scale the hills without you having to get off and push it. It is also worth noting that the handlebar is adjustable so you can find the best riding position for you.
Most men will agree that this is what they have always seen when they picture the best commuter bikes for them. It has a vast variety of benefits to offer too. These include its alluring and sporty design that is very appealing to most men. The lightweight nature of the frame is also a great plus since it makes the bike much easier to lift and the added shock absorbers make for a better and smoother ride for the user. Not forgetting the adjustable handlebars that offer a more complete and comfortable ride with less fatigue.
There is the slight question of durability of aluminum as opposed to steel. While there is a difference, with proper care the frame of the bike is able to hold up pretty well and last just as long as the steel counterpart.
Click here to check Schwinn Men’s Siro 700c Hybrid on Amazon
Diamondback Bicycles 2015 Trace Complete Dual Sport Bike
This commuter bike from Diamondback is among the few that also double up as state of the art sports bike and comes with a demeanor to match. It has great features and offers an efficient, effective and green way to get around. Not only is it easy on your pockets, it is also easy on your muscles because of its unique engineering. All you have to do is get this beauty and your days of getting stuck in traffic or having to walk long distances are over.
Among the diverse features you get to enjoy with the purchase of this bike include the 60661-T6 aluminum alloy construction that comes complete with forged drop-outs. It also features a high tensile steel fork that ensures durability and confidence when steering as well as some impressive Tektro disc brakes that will give you effective stopping power regardless of the weather conditions or terrain.
For improve performance, you have the Shimano 7-speed shifter and derailleurs that provide you with a wide range of speeds expounding further on the range of terrains that you can conquer with this beautiful monster. The dual sport 700c tires have a notoriety for fast rolling and tend to be quite smooth on the pavement. However, they also tend to handle trails just as well.
If you’re looking for a bike that can do a bit of multi-tasking, then this would be a good choice for you. Not only can you use it to get to work on the weekdays, you can also use it for your trail runs on the weekends without having to make any major changes to the bike. It is a real steal. Weighing at only 40 pounds, the light weight nature of the bike is another great addition that will definitely get you going especially when doing the trails not to mention they highly efficient tires. Everything you have ever hoped for on the best commuter bikes, you’re more likely to find it on this one.
Well, you will have to do without a kickstand or a stand at all. But, that is as bad as it gets. Some people have also voiced a concern with the frame but none has registered any real problem other than the preference for steel. Everything else with this bike seems to be just as advised. Oh! And you get a lifetime warranty as well.
Click here to see Diamondback Bicycles 2015 Trace Complete
Diamondback Bicycles 2015 Wildwood Classic Complete Comfort Bike
Back to the conventional commuter bikes that happen to elicit a lot of love. Anytime you hear of a commuter bike, the first thing that jumps to your head is comfort. You want to be comfortable when using the bike. The last thing you want is to ditch your comfortable, fuel guzzling car for shoulder aches and back problems. You would rather hurt the planet than hurt yourself. It’s just how the human mind is hardwired. However, you really don’t have to make that big of a sacrifice. But only if you can make the right move.
That would entail getting the right commuter bike and this right here is one the best commuter bikes that you can come across. It has everything that you would hope for and more. Especially with regards to comfort.
Comfort does not lie on how the seat feels on your tushy or how high the handgrips are. You also have to consider the comfort of using the bike. Even when you have to give it the occasional lift. You need a lightweight bike but not at the expense of sacrificing durability. The Wildwood Classic features a heat treated 6061-T6 aluminum alloy frame which is built to last and brings with it the light nature of the bike. No more back sprains while attempting to lift your bike up the stair case. That must sound really comfortable. After all discomfort is characterized by pain in most instances.
You also get unbeatable performance with a 7-speed drivetrain that will save you from the occasional pushing every time you come around a steep bend. With the wide range of gears, you should be able to tackle a vast collection of terrains. It also reduces the amount of energy you have to spend making cycling a more feasible option for you.
The primary selling point for the best commuter bikes is comfort and this particular one does not slack when it comes to comfort. With a great geometry that allows for the best pedaling position so you’re comfortable as you pedal away. You also get a suspension fork and a seat post suspension that helps to absorb most of the shock allowing you to have a better and much smoother ride. The saddle also has added cushioning. So it is clear that when it comes to comfort, you will be having lots of it.
It would impossible to mention the Wildwood classic without inserting comfort. Hence the first advantage it has to offer is comfort. The presence of gears also makes for a faster and less frustrating ride and its lightweight nature makes it the ideal urban bike for most people. Even the female users.
However, the mechanical rim brakes can be somewhat of a challenge especially in wet seasons so you have to weight that in when making the decision. For the frame, it is a settled case. The aluminum option is almost as good as the steel option only much lighter and more efficient.
Click here to check Diamondback Bicycles 2015 Wildwood Classic on Amazon
Conclusion
Commuter bikes are a great must-have for every user. Whether you’re looking for one for recreational use or everyday use, it is a great way to explore and get around. All you have to do is be sure that you’re making the right decision. With the buying guide and the in-depth reviews you just read, you should be able to make the right decision without much trouble.
Leave a Reply