Well as we are moving into fall it is still bicycle commuting time. As many people commute all year. Up north in the rain and snow. Cold and wind. Today in Florida it got to 90 degrees. After we have been having a nice cooling trend into the 80's. Commuting after all takes place in all types of weather all year long.
I recently sold my Trek 800 mountain turned commuter to a friend so she could give it to her son in law a a bike to commute to work on. So I have trimmed my stable by one. From four to three. As I said before two is probably the right number of bikes. The next one to sell is going to be a harder choice however. One is too large for me and the other is too small. Maybe I should sell them both and wait for one the right size to show up in the future. But that would make too much sense for me. And it is also hard to find cash buyers.
I have found that the type of tires make the most difference as to how a bike will travel over different terrain. Off road and racing tires being the least practical for commuting purposes. So touring, city and urban type tires are the most practical. They roll well and have enough tread to get you through something like gravel and grass. The bike that was sold had Bike Nashbar Streetwise tires without kevlar. I did however install the Slime tire liners. They were a pain to install but did not have any flats on that bike after installing them last year in October. Running over all kinds of stuff commuting through a construction zone. They are $10 a piece (you need two) and are hard to install. But no flats in a year makes me seriously consider them for the bike that will take on the major commuting role. Not too much fun walking out to a flat after a long day at work. So I am considering getting the tire liners.
The used bikes I have bought were not especially the right size for me. I actually didn't realize that except for the obvious, child's, girls, BMX that there were so many size choices for adults. So the first thing you need to worry about is size. The two road bikes I have are either about 2CM too small or large. So remember size. www.ebicycles/artice/bicycleframe-size-charts.html. This link will provide you with information as to a size that will work for you. You will be then able to get a bike that will last you a long time without having to get another one that fits!
A road bike, mountain bike, cruiser, single speed or hybrid all will work just fine as long as it fits and has tires to cover your route. Remember that even if you have a bike lane all the debris ends up on the side of the road where you will be riding. After the almost two years of construction I will have access to a bike lane and a deserted sidewalk that now has street lights. Makes it nice coming home at night as the highway I ride on has a 50 MPH speed limit and those week end nights where someone may have had a few too many or texting on the phone.
Riding your bike to work is green, frugal (saves money), and gets you some basic exercise. In many cases it is as fast as driving and you get to see things you would have never noticed before.
I recently sold my Trek 800 mountain turned commuter to a friend so she could give it to her son in law a a bike to commute to work on. So I have trimmed my stable by one. From four to three. As I said before two is probably the right number of bikes. The next one to sell is going to be a harder choice however. One is too large for me and the other is too small. Maybe I should sell them both and wait for one the right size to show up in the future. But that would make too much sense for me. And it is also hard to find cash buyers.
I have found that the type of tires make the most difference as to how a bike will travel over different terrain. Off road and racing tires being the least practical for commuting purposes. So touring, city and urban type tires are the most practical. They roll well and have enough tread to get you through something like gravel and grass. The bike that was sold had Bike Nashbar Streetwise tires without kevlar. I did however install the Slime tire liners. They were a pain to install but did not have any flats on that bike after installing them last year in October. Running over all kinds of stuff commuting through a construction zone. They are $10 a piece (you need two) and are hard to install. But no flats in a year makes me seriously consider them for the bike that will take on the major commuting role. Not too much fun walking out to a flat after a long day at work. So I am considering getting the tire liners.
The used bikes I have bought were not especially the right size for me. I actually didn't realize that except for the obvious, child's, girls, BMX that there were so many size choices for adults. So the first thing you need to worry about is size. The two road bikes I have are either about 2CM too small or large. So remember size. www.ebicycles/artice/bicycleframe-size-charts.html. This link will provide you with information as to a size that will work for you. You will be then able to get a bike that will last you a long time without having to get another one that fits!
A road bike, mountain bike, cruiser, single speed or hybrid all will work just fine as long as it fits and has tires to cover your route. Remember that even if you have a bike lane all the debris ends up on the side of the road where you will be riding. After the almost two years of construction I will have access to a bike lane and a deserted sidewalk that now has street lights. Makes it nice coming home at night as the highway I ride on has a 50 MPH speed limit and those week end nights where someone may have had a few too many or texting on the phone.
Riding your bike to work is green, frugal (saves money), and gets you some basic exercise. In many cases it is as fast as driving and you get to see things you would have never noticed before.
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