5 Tips to Buying the Perfect Commuter Bike

For many cyclists around the world the city streets sing a siren song and people from all walks of life are drawn in and take to them as a commuting public.

If you’ve committed to cycling to work or even just riding around town more, picking the best bike for the job is going to maximize comfort, safety and fun factor.

In this video we are going to be talking about the 5 things to look for when you are getting an urban commuter bike.

[ashokchauhan]

Why don't people just make short and simple videos like this. This was 2:15 video but the guy still managed to give all required info.

[reaper]

Best tip: your bike will get stolen don’t spend to much

[saunniv]

I commute 10 km morning and night in North of France. I would rather advise a bike with:
- mudguards, in order to arrive clean at work
- waterproof luggage rack, so you don't have to have a backpack and sweating from your back
- good lighting with dynamo, to commute by night and under rain. I prefer with dynamo because lightning USB are always out of power when needed.
- position with a straight back
, otherwise in the long terme, the bent wrists
can cause damage as carpal tunnel syndrome


With all of these:
- strong padlock, I recommand having two: a U padlock and a chain lock, to lock both of your wheels and frame. Avoid the tiny cheap wire lock, unless you live in Japan or Swiss, you lucky.
- rain glasses, waterproff breathable jacket and overshoes and ovepants. No poncho, with the wind you can loose balance.
- a phone support if you're afraid to get lost, it's much more comfortable and secure than having your phone in your hand

[thRiflesOCI]

Been using my dahon presto lite for the past 10 years as a daily commuter for work. 15min ride x2, takes 30mins by car x2. Super fast super sleek and comfortable. My tip is to learn your path as those get you faster to your destination if something comes up and draft behind those to get a speed jump when passing.

[Flix-fq]

Tip number 6: buy a big ass lock that costs 10 to 20% of the cost of the bike.

[rnp]

I suggest looking at the bikes the Dutch use as they are designed for cities and commuting

[gabithemagyar]

Actually, I think the best type of bike for commuting is a classic English Raleigh 3 speed (Sport) or a Dutch style bike. Sturdy steel frame, enclosed chain, fenders, built in wheel lock (Dutch bikes), kickstand, partial rear wheel cover so your clothes don't get splashed, no maintenance enclosed gears in hub, upright riding position, comfortable seat, stainless steel rims, rear parcel carrier and/or optional basket in front, generator lamps, puncture resistant tires. The idea is to ride safely and in comfort in normal clothes whether going straight to school, work or shopping on a bike which is extremely dependable and low maintenance. Bike of this nature typically last for decades of daily use in all weather conditions with little maintenance beyond pumping up the tires (and replacing now and then) and a few squirts of oil once in a while.

[RCPrepping]

I'm 62 years old. New to bicycle commuting. Wish I would have started this 50 years ago.

[amermeleitor]

My commute is 10km to the work, 4km of gravel and no so good asphalt and 6km of normal asphalt. I tried some MTBs, but they are heavy and have more rolling resistance than a hybrid or gravel bike with 700x40 tires. So, in my experiencie, the video is pure and real truth: forget suspension and MTBs, and get a commuter hybrid or gravel bike.

[HackersSun]

I've been looking for a bike because I can't buy a good car for $500 😂😂
I just want a bike that'll take me in some way 10 miles an hour from my work to home as apposed to my 2.5 hour trip 😢

[shawnvegavelez]

Very helpful video. I always questioned why a front fork with a suspension is needed.

[sktmpsm]

I've been looking for this vid for like 2 months, so informative and precise, wasted my time watching other bicycle tutorial vids

[KandiKlover]

I commute on time trial bike. Doesn’t take long to get there at all.

[noisepuppet]

Rigid fork with fatter tires rather than a cheap suspension fork is one of the best choices you can make

[PapaOystein]

That bike is NOT a commute bike at all! No dirt fenders?!? What the heck!? No back rack? How are you going to transport groceries, folders, your laptop computer...?
Also: Sure, you need a nice saddle - but what makes a nice saddle? No information provided other than it needs not be a slim road race saddle. Like d'uh! -> The most important bit about a good saddle is that it has the correct width for your individual anatomy - the distance between your seat bones. Have that measured, buy a saddle of that width, and you'll be a happy commuter.
What about GEARS? The smart commute bike comes with simple, robust gearing. No need for 27 speeds - 7 are more than plenty, depending on local terrain 3 might suffice, in both of which cases you can get a bike with hub gear - practically maintenance-free, protected from the elements.
A commute bike is one that you will likely have to leave unattended in some public or semi-public spaces frequently and for extended periods of time, so a good LOCK is indispensable. One with a good gauge and long enough chain or cable to attach to a fixed post.
A smart idea is also to avoid fast-lock type wheels - anything that you can detach from your bike without tools within seconds, an opportunistic thief can also remove within seconds without tools.
And finally: Basic safety. You present there a bike entirely without light and reflectors? Seriously?!?!

[Kref]

Ok I am a bit puzzled here. All the bikes shown in this video are essentially sport machines and not really commuting vehicles.

I own a pretty nice carbon road bike to get physical, but if I need to get from A to B I own a type called Trekking bike in Germany. This is the exact model:


Mudguards, a generator at the front axle to power permanently installed LED front and back light, reflectors, Shimano XT components and - most important - a luggage rack to which I can attach my cycling bags with dry clothes and my working stuff. I hate cycling with a backpack.

(Actually light, reflectors at wheels, pedals and the rear, two breaks and a freehub are mandatory for bikes above 10kg here)

I know these jokes do not look sexy, but those are the bikes that 90% of bike commuters use in Germany for very practical reasons. A sport bike seems very, very unsuitable unless you have a loker room with showers at work.


Is this type of bike not available in the USA? And if not, why? If simply because it is unknown, this might be a big business opportunity. Or is it just the lack of sex appeal?

[Flix-fq]

How about fenders, lights, a rack with panniers, a big ass bike lock, bottle (stay hydrated), Pump and spare tube and appropiate clothing (at least a jacket for really wet conditions)? A garbage bag in your panniers can keep your stuff dry when it pours.

[ozfab]

Great video! - I'm more of a pathway kind of rider myself, but these tips pretty much apply there as well - didn't get a good look at the tires you showed there...WTB's..".thick slicks" I presume? - My personal favorite!

[asdfkie]

Wanted to get a flat bar hybrid at first for riding in the city, but then had to suffer horrible customer service. So I gave up, went to get a road bike from another place and change the tyres out to thicker ones and they took care of me. Same price for better parts and a drop bar which I’ve always wanted. Now people gonna expect me to cycle on the road and wear Lycra, but fuck that, imma use it however the fuck I want

[be]

*You need to MAKE THE EFFING **_'BACKGROUND'_** 'MUSIC'