What Kind Of Bicycles Actually Fit You On Commuting?

As we can see, nowadays, there are various different bicycle available on the market. Hybrid, road, mountain bike or gravel and so on, to be honest, it is hard to tell which one is better, for each of them has its specific function. In other words, actually, you can choose one that specifically fits you and your purpose. As a university student, the main concern for me when it comes to cycling is commuting. My university is quite large, even though golf buses can be found everywhere in my school, it is still pretty inconvenient to go to the class during the traffic time. Thus, cycling for commuting is my primary purpose. So today, I would like to talk about what is the best bike for commuting and share some of my experience with you so as to help you make the right choice. Here we go.

Road bikes: best if you are in a hurry on good roads
Actually, the key to choosing the right commuting bike for you is ensuring that it is comfortable and practical for the type of ride you intend to do. Before you make your choice, you should take the following conditions into consideration: how long your journey is, what kind of terrain you will encounter, where you live and simply your taste in bikes. Think about these questions carefully to avoid a hasty decision.

Road bikes are fast, but best suited to smooth terrain and tarmac. The pros and cons for road bike are actually pretty road bikes on commutingconspicuous. Pros: quick, efficient and fun. Cons: easier to damage, less comfortable for casual riders, popular with bike thieves. Anyway, in my point of, I think road bikes best suit students and office worker and those who plan on travelling long distances. I have just got one a few days ago. As the name suggests, these bikes are all about riding on surfaced roads, often as fast as possible. Their lightweight frames and skinny tires are designed to help you achieve maximum speed for minimum effort. When you are in a hurry for class or work, they will certainly help you a lot. However, a road bike subjected to a constant abuse of potholes, poor weather and rough terrain will invariably deteriorate quicker than a harder bike. And in terms of locks, it is worth nothing that thieves really do love a road bike. Therefore, there are some investments are necessary if you purchase a road bike. Give appropriate care and regular maintenance, invest in a chunky and dependable lock that will save on stress and potential heartbreak in the long run.

Cyclocross bikes: best if you are in a hurry on bad roads
A cyclocross bike is actually a road bike with some changes that make it more suitable and comfortable for off-road usage. I never try something like that, but one of my roommates has one. She told me that it is absolutely excellent for bad-conditioned touring for it literally combines road bike looks and speed with loads of frame clearance for fitting fat, knobbly tires of 35mm or more that can get you across almost any terrain, including terrible tarmac, gloopy mud, bridleways, gravel paths and more. However, dedicated cyclocross bikes tend to lack these commuter-friendly provisions and also usually feature a more aggressive fit than their all-road minded cousins, but still, make great commuters with some modifications. Thus for the cyclocross bike, its pros and cons are also obvious. Pros: incredibly adaptable with a fast and comfortable ride. Cons: perhaps not as quick on the tarmac as a road bike, but more suitable for commuting overall.

commuting bikes

Mountain bikes: best if you commute on rough terrain
Mountain bikes are built to roll over truly bumpy terrain but can be heavy and slow elsewhere. Believe it or not, the upright riding position and bombproof construction of a mountain bike has long made it a popular choice for commuters. I am not a regular mountain cyclist, but if you plan on using a mountain bike solely for commuting, I would recommend that you fit slick tires to unleash its full potential and improve your cycling enjoyment. And of course, mountain bikes have their pros and cons too. Pros: great brakes, upright position, bombproof. Cons: heavy, slow on the tarmac.

Fixed gear bikes: best if you are a hipster who hates maintenance
Fixed gear bikes, or “fixies”, are a hipsterific low-maintenance option. Popular with cycle messengers, and the only option if fixed gear bikes on commutingyou are riding on a velodrome, the fixie is the ultimate in simplicity. But a true fixie has no freewheel, so you always have to pedal if you are moving. That brings an unprecedented degree of connection and control once you get used to it, but fixies are definitely not for beginners. Anyway, if you are after an easy to maintain, trendy ride and you don’t mind mashing a hard gear, then a single speed or fixie may be the perfect commuting choice for you. And for the fixie. Its pros are incredibly simple, often good value for money, sweet street cred while its cons are unpleasant in hilly areas, not very adaptable, high risk of being identified as a hipster.

Hybrid bikes: best for casual riders and short commutes
Hybrid bikes strike a good balance for many casual riders. Hybrid bikes are great if you need to cover on-road distance but don’t want to contort yourself into an uncomfortable riding position. If you want to go quickly on good roads but you prefer a more upright position or don’t get on with drop handlebars, this is the way to go. Hybrid bikes often use more powerful disc brakes that give a more consistent performance in wet weather, though at a slight weight penalty. They are also equipped with plenty of mounts that allow you to carry more luggage, such as specialist pannier bags. And for Hybrid bike, its pros are fairly quick, versatile, upright while its cons are typically heavier than road bikes, and not so fast.

bikes for commuting

To recap

Here, our today’s topic has approached its end. I really hope this article could help you pick the best bike to suit you. Anyway, your choice of bike will depend on your own tastes and the kind of distance and terrain you want to ride. My knowledge on this issue is actually pretty limited, thus is you have any better idea, welcome to leave us your message. If you would like to know more about cycling, please read the other excellent essays on our website.