Commuter Bike

Good stuff! I'll keep trolling Craig's list for a used bike and I'll take Mahi's advice about the local PD's and SO. Maybe I can score a deal. For me I'm starting to lean toward a new bike only because most of the used bikes I'm finding are being offered at $300+. Considering my lack of bike knowledge I'm thinking that if I spend around $400-$450, I'm getting a bike that's properly fitted and comes with a warranty. I think if I am going to buy used I'm going to have to find a smoking deal.

But if you have any intention of doing off-road, rear suspension is a really nice.  (sorry to add to the variables)  performance will typically do first tuneup free, and if you have any problems, you can always warranty the bike back to them.

No off-road intentions for me unless you count the pot holes and construction all over Mare Island on my way to work. It's like a combat zone out there! 

ideally buy a decent frame with low end components to keep costs down.  you will swap them out over time, and if you're getting hard core, just upgrade them later.

Also beware, bikes are like kayaks and fishing equip.  You start with a beater.  Then get a hardtail.  Then full suspension. Then one for XC, one for downhill.  Then steel roadie.  Then TI. Then Carbon Fiber.

one other thing, if you go road bike, I recommend against the triple front if you can.  You can get similar gearing by adjusting the size of your rear cogs, but not have to deal with the touchy triple adjustments.

Eugene

Look for a kona jake the snake too!  Crossbike  style- it was my commuter for about 5 years ( i commute 3 days/week).  Kona offers some really good frames, with great parts, at occassionally stupidly low prices. They're known for their downhill bikes, but have a great stable of road and crossbikes- and the downhill durability has trickled across

if you are over here in marin, drop the "trips for kids" shop in San Rafael, they've got tons of gently used bikes, more info than you can shake a stick at, and the proceeds go to a great cause.

one other thing, if you go road bike, I recommend against the triple front if you can.  You can get similar gearing by adjusting the size of your rear cogs, but not have to deal with the touchy triple adjustments.

Eugene

what is it with the triple thing? 
Eugene, i've got to disagree here.
 you CAN get close to the same gearing, but you DO lose all kinds of top end (your speed gears)-at least 3 gears). The touchy part I just don't get, its like some kind of bizarre myth.  I've now had my triple (i'm old, lazy and weak now) for almost 4 years and haven't experienced that behavior.
I went from nearly standard (42/54 x 23) when i was strong, to standard 39/53 x 23, to weak (34/50 x 25) to a triple-- 32/39/53 x 25 -- mostly cause i missed my top end.  Now mind you, i'm a climber- i SUCK in the flats...but i did miss the spinning along at 25mph behind some masher.

ideally buy a decent frame with low end components to keep costs down.  you will swap them out over time, and if you're getting hard core, just upgrade them later.

 

Most MFG's will usually have 2 lower cost variations of their high end bikes.  Same frame with cheaper components, just like cars. The lower priced bikes will do fine on the road.  

Couple other tips:

Breathable fleece > windbreakers
Moisture wicking shirts > spandex ($20 champion shirts and Polo's at Target)
and fenders like on Bsteves throwback may not look the coolest but they are money.  



    

I was basing the no triple on the type of riding Fishin Jay would most likely do.  Assuming he wont be drafting semis.   You can tweak it and get it just right, like I do on my triple and most shimanos have that half click to get it right.

For many folks, the front derailluer ends up rubbing on both the high and low end of the range. It ends up being another 'sound' that drives them crazy.  Add in the fact that most commuters will not be facing long or steep climbs, so will not use the triple anyway.  Most riders that seek out climbs, will either be fit enough to handle the gears, or have a second cassette/wheel that is geared for the climbs.

so I figure a 39/53 with a 12/27 works for most uses.

I have to add that I started riding bikes as a football lineman doing knee rehab.  So I am not your typical cyclist (long, linear, lean) .  That may be clouding my opinion, but I am also the "can you look at this" bike guy on my block.

Eugene

You are probably right on the triple for Jay- not needed. its the comments on the difficulty on them that i think is a thing of the past.

Most riders that seek out climbs, will either be fit enough to handle the gears, or have a second cassette/wheel that is geared for the climbs..
Eugene

Guess i don't fall into either category!  Dont' have a second wheel, and ain't gonna mash a standard anymore!

my background, isn't that of a typical cyclist either-- I'm slow, and i'll be the first to admit it, always have been always will, BUT i can ride forever.
background:
started mtb cycling as a way to cross train for rockclimbing (1985), first long tour-- NM to WY (70% offroad) '97, first 24hour mtb race '97, first solo 24hour 98, last solo 2002 (12 total), death ride five times, pyrennes, a few small climbs in tucson (lemmon, kitt, etc)...started coaching for TNT in 2000, stopped in 2002...living in fairfax i dont' get to be the goto guy on bikes at least in my neighbor.

Wow, them are some serious stats, anybody who solos a 24 hour once
 
but 12?

fishin Jay, listening to me over Steve would be like taking car driving advice from a forklift driver over an Indy racer.  They dont call it the death ride for nothing!

my 2 cents; I am a long time bike commuter.  for 15 years my commute was 40 mi round trip. I worked shift work so much of the ridding was at nite, last 11 years commute is 16 - 36 depending on route daylight.
You can always find a deal on a bike. They are plentiful and frankly many do not hold there value. Bikes can be customized extensively. Commuters are my favorite and recumbent commuters top my list.
I just wanted to reiterate something that was mentioned earlier in the thread but is I believe one of the most important comments made so far. Fit. it is al labout the fit. Do yourself a favor and go spend an afternoon a a really excellent bike shop and have them fit you. Many people get by with the old "fit kit" but the high end shops these days really have it down to a science using trainers and video and a fully adjustable shop bike.Find out what works for you down to stem and crank lengths (easy fellas) and all other aspects of fit (seat hight, frame size cleat position etc etc. ) then you will have all that information and when you find that deal you just can't pass up on craigs list cuz its such an awesome bike and it is so cheap you will really know if it is a deal because you will know if it fits you.....if it don't fit it aint worth sh#t. Best of luck, ride before u buy.
cheers,
Mark

This would my vote - K2 Tradewind. I test rode this at REI and LOVED it. As much as I love my MTB, It's nice to have a roadie for a change of phase 

....and if you wanna upgrade your grips, get these: Serfas Connector SX grips ($20.00) VERY COMFY 

Thought I would join in I have been bike commuting off and on for the last fifteen years, more so recently I have been averaging about three to four days a week, My commute now is only 18 miles round trip. I went from a MTB to a road bike to a hybrid and back to a MTB, speed is not a factor for me now comfort is. Hear is a couple of pic of my urban assault vehicle . Be aware be safe.

Pat R       

Now ya got the real commuters punching in! 
Those are who you want to listen to!  Not the the "indy driver" -that REALLY does make me LOL I'd be the guy gettng constantly lapped) - or the forklift driver.

FIT -- yes!   If the shop won't spend time and switch out parts (stem,etc) go to another shop. If it don't fit, you won't ride. 
PatRs comment about Urban Assault kinda hits the nail on the head for me...commuting isn't "riding" in some ways...as much as making sure you get to your destination.  That's where I drifted off with the triple discussion i think- apologize for that.

when you get your kit together, my last comment ( I promise) is "have a towel at work."  A towel is the most massively useful thing in the universe.

In the middle of this discussion, I heard from my brother in Davis, who works in Sacto right where they are closing I-5 for the summer for repairs.  He's gonna bike to Amtrak then on the other end have a beater bike to get to work.  Ought to be great fun getting home during the heat waves! 
   This has been an interesting thread.  If I get serious about another bike, I'm going to remember it.  I can see I've got to get beyond the phase of "if it gets you there, it's good enough".

Thank you everyone who chimed in on this thread! There's some great advice in here and when I went to the bike shop I felt a lot more confident about knowing what I wanted and what I didn't want. 

I went down to Performance Bike in Walnut Creek and they took good care of me. They made sure I was fitted properly to the bike I wanted, and when they didn't have the size of frame I needed in stock they didn't try to pressure me into something else. So I ended up ordering my bike through the Performance Bike web site and I'm having it shipped to their store to be assembled. I also came in with a list of accessories I wanted and they helped to ensure that everything I wanted would fit on my new bike and would work well for my planned commute.

So here's what I went with:
2008 Mongoose Crossway 450 Hybrid Bike http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=25454&item=30-0751&slitrk=search&slisearch=true
Freddy Fenders
Pannier Rack
A collapsible grocery bag pannier (open on the top)
Metro Pannier (basically a messenger bag pannier that's removable with a shoulder strap for carrying my computer and other work items)
Bell helmet with detachable blinking red light on the back, helmet mirror, and breathable/detachable rain shield
Roadside tire repair kit w/CO2 inflation kit
Cable lock

With accessories, shipping and tax, I came in about $75 over my planned budget, but I think I got a great  deal on everything I need to make my commute doable and fun.