How to Choose the Right Bike for Your Commute

Many people are taking up the idea of commuting by bicycle for various reasons such as cutting down green house emission, avoiding bumper to bumper traffic and so on. Buying a commuter bike is not the same thing as buying a leisure bike and it requires a set of design features that are specific to these cycles.

After all, you need your bike to last and stand up to all kinds of weather. That’s why you need to have a good fastening frame of high quality.

Features to Look For

As you will see, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right bike for your commute .
First of all, what distance of commute do you expect to travel ? This is an important factor when considering your options, as it will determine what type of bike you need for your daily trip.

If you spend most of your time on paved surfaces, then the stiff frames and narrow tyres of road bikes will make riding comfortable. Besides, road bikes are designed to go fast for long periods.

If your commute involves crossing over hilly terrain, seek out a hybrid bicycle with multiple gears to accommodate those hills. Other criteria for consideration would certainly include the capacity for on-board storage (ie, basket), comfortable seating, safe handling characteristics, and puncture-resistant tyres to avoid flat tyres, which are so common on commutes. Other handy features could include racks for hauling your belongings; mudguards to shield you from rain and sand; and reflective equipment to improve visibility under lower light conditions.

Road Bikes

Comfort and efficiency should be your priority when you’re shopping for a commuter bike – and, to make sure you’re comfortable and safe when you cycle more than a few miles, making sure that the bike’s frame matches your inseam is a must.

Think too about the surfaces you’ll be riding on when choosing a bike for commuting: if most of the terrain involved is paved then a road bike will be best, with lightweight frames and narrow tyres to allow for speed and ease of movement; but, on the other hand, if most of the route is off-road, then a mountain bike might be more appropriate, with its rugged and durable tyres.

Furthermore, make sure your bike has a responsive and reliable set of brakes – a good set of caliper brakes will keep you safe on the road, where you’ll be riding with traffic. Finally, make comfort and quality your watchwords. A sturdy bike will feel better to ride daily and will outlast beauty for thousands of miles around the city – not least because it inspires confidence on busy streets. Look for a bike that feels right to you by taking a test ride.

Urban Bikes

Commuter bikes offer heavy-duty, yet lightweight, solutions for the daily trials of commuterdom, be they skinny lanes, potholed avenues, or … the world of potholed avenues. If possible, choose an urban bike with a lightweight yet rust-proof frame – aluminium or steel will handle their construction and upright riding position with ease.

Apart from that, it’s important to know that your bike fits you. When you’re buying a new commuter, check your inseam length to get the correct size and then use a bike sizing guide.

Another factor to think about when choosing your bike concerns the type of surface you’ll regularly be commuting on. If your commute is primarily composed of roads, then a single-speed or commuter bike with slick tires might suit you just fine; on the other hand, for roads with rougher surfaces, a suspension-equipped model could be more appropriate; or you might consider hybrid and mountain bikes that provide the greatest versatility between smooth and rough terrains.

Hybrid Bikes

For a novice cyclist who wants effortless comfort, a hybrid bike can be a great first bike. While not as fast as a road bike, a hybrid bike is generally better suited for long-distance riding than a mountain bike.

They have more comfortable heads-up ride positions and often include suspension forks to absorb shock on rough roads. Some also feature wider tires and easier-to-access gearing than their road-centric cousins.

The type of bike you choose for commuting is greatly influenced by your commute and the type of weather you are likely to encounter along the way. Be honest with yourself, and you’ll be certain to experience the joy of cycling for as long as possible, with a minimum of back and knee pain.