A little over budget at $700 but I think the Kona Coco would be a good choice. http://konaworld.com/coco.cfm I think the local Trek stores are all Kona dealers.
2013-10-13 18:49:27
22
Commuter bike for a woman
Someone who I know well has drifted into bike commuting. But her current bike is what's usually described as a "crappy mountain bike".
I'd like to recommend a better bike and would appreciate some guidance on brands and shops.
Her criteria:
-- step-through or something that can handle a knee-length skirt.
-- agile enough to do SSide->Oakland->SqHill->RegentSquare (and back) trips. This itinerary is a composite but includes the expected climbs. Note that this is someone who, on her current bike, can handle Butler->Stanton->Negley.
My elaborations:
-- lights + fenders + rack + pannier(s).
-- slick tires, preferably 35mm (this is Pittsburgh, after all) but maybe 28mm's.
-- Probably a Cro-Mo frame, though a relaxed Al frame could work.
-- clips
I google/binged around but nothing struck me as a obvious choice. I did see some bikes with pink frames and such: No. Also artisanal bikes, with prices to match.
Something with a max ~$500 base price would be great.
Thanks!
2013-10-13 18:34:50
There's also the Raleigh Clubman mixte version... looks like they discontinued it for 2014 but maybe you can find the current version if you call a distributer.
2013-10-13 19:00:08
One more detail:
She has a triple but tells me she sticks to the two smaller rings.
I'll have to check it out but I expect this might mean being able to get down to a ~25in gear.
2013-10-13 21:07:50
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1139241_-1_400322__400322
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1127525_-1_400322__400322
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1147189_-1_400317__400317
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1147164_-1_400317__400317
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1116063_-1_400322__400322
2013-10-13 21:28:25
Kona MinUte 2014 looks very attractive but it's around $1,000.
http://www.bicycling.com/node/59321
Raleigh has attractive bikes -- http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-road-city-path-detour -- don't know the price (Thick Bikes is an official dealer).
2013-10-13 21:34:55
You could always go the (puts paper bag over head) bikesdirect route... http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_latte_x_disc.htm
2013-10-13 21:46:03
My favorite bike is a crappy mountain bike with a few key upgrades to make it a good commuter. It is not very attractive to thieves, and I ride it more because it is completely unperturbed by crappy roads, weather, and I don't worry a whit when I lock it up. I think I have about $150 into it. Let me know if you want details.
2013-10-13 22:01:13
edmonds59 wrote:My favorite bike is a crappy mountain bike with a few key upgrades to make it a good commuter. It is not very attractive to thieves, and I ride it more because it is completely unperturbed by crappy roads, weather, and I don’t worry a whit when I lock it up. I think I have about $150 into it. Let me know if you want details.How does it feel when you wear a knee length skirt?
2013-10-13 22:14:16
I must admit I haven't tried that. lol.
Also that Kona Coco is sooo purty. I have a fondness for Kona.
2013-10-14 06:09:12
This is why we need another Bridesmaid Dress Ride. If nothing else, it gives the long-dress-wearing folks among us to share their experience base in preparing for riding everywhere in dresses and skirts.
Last October's Halloween Flock Ride, I wore the same full-length dress I wore on the 2010 Bridesmaid Dress ride (it is such a dress), using the blue step-thru frame. Dress and bike got along fine.
Separately, I put close to 2,000 miles on the blue bike in the last couple of years. It's a plain, low-end, old 12-speed. Roads, trails, hills, no matter. Simple, routine maintenance, plus fenders and lights. Beyond that, any changes you might want are personal preference, like drivetrain, saddle, pedals.
2013-10-14 06:35:10
Here's a KHS that's $500, and comes in a step through frame.
http://khsbicycles.com/bikes/2014-khs-models/xcape-14/
The Torker Graduate mixte is a little more ($630), but might do the trick too.
http://www.torkerusa.com/bikes/commute/2012-graduate
Pretty sure there are shops around here that carry these.
2013-10-14 08:15:12
Torker interurban (drop bars) and Torker Graduate (riser bars) can be had for a bit over $600. They both have a nice mixte style version. Both have mounts for racks and fenders and have decent components. My lady got the interurban from thick bikes and reallly digs it.
2013-10-14 08:38:43
She should definitely consider Terry. And if she travels to NYC she might check out Adeline Adeline.
2013-10-14 09:14:31
jonawebb wrote: And if she travels to NYC she might check out Adeline Adeline.I'd give a digit or two for a Pashely or an Omafiet.
2013-10-14 09:22:41
@ Ahlir
I think she should take a couple of folks she knows with different perspectives on biking (like, say, just for example, you and me) to the bike shop and pick out a bike.
2013-10-14 10:02:53
Adeline Adeline = lust, lust. I need to go to NY and hang out.
2013-10-14 11:01:28
Golden Triangle is selling their rentals... a few step-throughs too... just add a rack!
http://www.bikepittsburgh.com/used-bike-sales
2013-10-16 15:26:13
I do those routes on a bike that fits those specs: The mxte version of the khs urban xpress. Usually stocked at Iron City. I love it for commuting. My only beef has been the locaton of the water bottle mount. takes a rack, fenders, variety of tire widths. Great bike for the price.
Mine is silver.
http://www.khsbicycles.com/06_urban_xpress_l_12.htm
2013-10-17 02:10:59
just ordered one of these for my mom to replace her comfort bike now that she's really stepping up the mileage.
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-15-stagger
2013-10-19 15:38:44
I'm way late to this thread but what did you end up suggesting? Just my 2 cents but I ride in skirts frequently and do not have a step through frame. I have a rebuilt Trek cross bike that has a slightly slanted top tube. As long as the top tube isn't completely parallel it's usually not hard for skirt riding.
2013-10-31 12:40:19
for my mom its more an issue of getting on and off the bike than skirt riding. she's only 5' tall and not as limber as she was 30-40 years ago.
2013-11-01 13:37:29