Don't forget "the high likelihood of your bike being stolen." I made the switch to Cabi after losing two bikes (and U-locks) that way -- one in Mt. Pleasant and one in Dupont. Thankfully, they were cheap Target bikes, but still.

by Kevin on Jun 15, 2011 10:47 am • link • report

As for a lock, what I really like, and what seems to be a lot more popular in Europe, are the locks that stay attached to your frame. It makes a bit less fuss, and I guess it is a bit more like CaBi, in that your lock is somewhat "integrated" with your bike. For an example, see http://x.vu/216101">this, and the available snap-in chains and cables.

I've had people caution me that they would not be as secure as a Kryptonite lock, but I've had no stuff stolen while using this, and some stuff stolen while using a Kryptonite U-lock. Might just be the factor of not knowing what to do with a less familiar style of lock.

by Lucre on Jun 15, 2011 10:56 am • link • report

For a gentleman such as yourself take a look at Linus Bikes:

http://www.linusbike.com/models/roadster-sport/

1) Upright posture
2) Internal 3 speed hub
3) Fenders
4) Rack
5) Bell

These are sold at Bicyclespace.

by JeffB on Jun 15, 2011 10:59 am • link • report

Those Dutch-style wheel locks are definitely not very secure. Even in Amsterdam, a rental shop will tell you to use that if you're running into a cafe for a moment, but if you're leaving it outside any longer to use the chain they provide you. Perhaps there's some unfamiliarity, but it may have to do with just not having any thieves come across your bike. Hundreds of unsecured or poorly-locked bikes don't get stolen every day!

by Steve D on Jun 15, 2011 11:01 am • link • report

republicbike.com

bought my wife a three speed plato dutch step through 2 weeks ago. Ships in a box 90% together. Not bad. She is happy with it. There is a custom color version of this at the CB2 store in Georgetown.

by NikolasM on Jun 15, 2011 11:07 am • link • report

You could simply change the handlebars or stem on the bike you already own. But if the bike is that uncomfortable, you should work on your fitness and flexibility before you invest in some cheap beach cruiser.

by mtp on Jun 15, 2011 11:11 am • link • report

From a change of just a few years ago, many major US Bike companies have bikes labeled for "commuters" or "urban." They all have the upright posture and most have some type of chain guard. Adding a rack/bell/lights/lock is not difficult to do yourself & most bike shops will install any additions you buy there at minimal or no cost.

When I was in a similar place to you a few years ago, I did some online research, but ended up realizing that each local bike shop carries only a few brands. I ended up going to a few bike shops to try the various models and ended up picking the one that was most comfortable for me at my price point (A Jamis Commuter 3 @ Proteus Bikes near College Park). The big cost splurge for me was an internally geared hub, which is a bit heavier & a bit less efficient, but means I can change gears without moving & I'm never dealing with derailleur issues.

Doing a quick look now, it's actually a bit amazing how many companies jumped into the commuter bike market or greatly expanded their lines:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/index.html
http://fisherbikes.com/bike/series/commuter/
http://www.breezerbikes.com/index.php/component/content/article/35-bike-categories/51-citytrekking-bikes.html
http://spotbrand.com/bikes/#
http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/milano/
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/commute
http://www.rei.com/search?search=Novara+Commuter+Bikes&cat=4500003_Bicycles&cat=40004202&hist=search%2CNovara+Commuter+Bikes^cat%2C4500003_Bicycles%3ABicycles^cat%2C40004202%3ACity+Bikes

by dan on Jun 15, 2011 11:22 am • link • report

Keep your search simple. Start by figuring out the closest decent bike shop to your home and then figure out which of their bikes you want to buy. If you end up riding a lot you will have to hit the bike shot every so often. No point adding extra distance to that trip which can be a problem if the bike is not working properly.

by mike on Jun 15, 2011 11:22 am • link • report

I bought a bike after using CaBi for a while. I got a 2011 Trek 7300 which is a comfort hybrid. It features an upright sitting position, comfortable gel seat, 24 speed, trigger shifters, etc. It is great fun to ride and is a very good commuter bike. I added a Topeak rack because of the brand's large range of slide on/off panniers/baskets/etc.

I've already put on 1K miles in less than 6 months and I still use CaBi on occasion.

The only thing I don't like about this bike is the weight but it's not really noticeable until you start logging 35+ mile rides.

I bought mine at Spokes in Alexandria. Their sales people are so-so but their service people are great.

by Kathy on Jun 15, 2011 11:26 am • link • report

I recently bought one of these: http://publicbikes.com/

A bit expensive, but very comfortable so far, and not that much maintenance because of the internal gearing.

by sam on Jun 15, 2011 11:29 am • link • report

Nice @ $499:

http://republicbike.com/build_plato.asp

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 11:33 am • link • report

At the risk of making this more complicated, I would encourage people who are graduating from CaBi to their first bike, to look around at a few other bike styles and options. This isn't a rant about getting a "real" bike at all. If you want an upright, euro style bike, then have at it. OTOH, you can still use CaBi for that experience, and maybe branch out in another direction with your own bike.

Personally, I came to CaBi as an experienced road cyclist. I love having an option available for a cruiser. Those of you rediscovering cycling might also find that having a choice of rides suits you as well.

by CJ on Jun 15, 2011 11:36 am • link • report

As a 16 year old who tried to bike with some friends to georgetown instead of getting on stuck-in-traffic buses, CaBi was very frustrating. None of us had a credit cards so we weren't able to use or unlock the bikes. Also, so occasional rider could try it out, they should be able to charge you for a single ride, without having an expensive membership for 24 hours, just to ride the bike once.

by Alex on Jun 15, 2011 11:37 am • link • report

My brother commutes by bike virtually every day on a Breezer Uptown 8. It has built in lighting and a multi-speed rear hub. It's also equipped with fenders and rear panniers. I think Big Wheel and City Bikes carries the brand.

by ksu499 on Jun 15, 2011 11:40 am • link • report

@Alex,
The credit card is an insurance policy in the scenario one of the bikes go missing. They are quite expensive to replace and the company has to make sure the user is accountable.

by cmc on Jun 15, 2011 11:47 am • link • report

Also, so occasional rider could try it out, they should be able to charge you for a single ride

They are able to charge you for a single ride! If you have a credit card.

by JustMe on Jun 15, 2011 11:59 am • link • report

One general principle: getting a slightly more expensive bike, with sturdier build and better components, pays off in the long term, both in intangibles like enjoyability and feel, and in financial terms like part lifetimes and frequency of maintenance.

I'll echo CJ's suggestion of trying more than one kind of bike. You might be surprise at what you prefer.

Personally? I like road bikes. I dislike riding upright, and find leaning forward, with a slight arch in the spine, to be a far more comfortable posture. But that's me.

by David R. on Jun 15, 2011 12:04 pm • link • report

I got one of these for home and one for work. They work well:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/archives/09-bicycles/09-cross-terrain/09-xt-cortina/

by Michael Perkins on Jun 15, 2011 12:15 pm • link • report

I should mention that I added a rack and fenders to that bike, and I should probably add a light, too.

by Michael Perkins on Jun 15, 2011 12:19 pm • link • report

Something else that is less easy to fix but can inhibit frequent cycling is home storage. Apartment dwellers like myself have the choice of lugging bikes up and down stairs, dragging them through door-upon-door to get to basement storage rooms, etc. I have two bikes that lived in the foyer until we decided to move them to the basement bike room. I haven't ridden either since. Between the itches for gardening, having a second dog and easy bike storage, I've started looking at houses.

by MDE on Jun 15, 2011 12:33 pm • link • report

I like Republic, but they were not in the running b/c they lacked multi-speed. That apparently has recently changed.

I like the Linus bikes, but they need some more jazzy colors.

I liked previous model years of the the Novara commuter bikes, but the current lineup doesn't float my boat.

Electra Ticino is euro sexy.

by spookiness on Jun 15, 2011 12:35 pm • link • report

CaBi bikes are nice and sturdy, just what you need to city biking. It would be nice if they have some suspension for the uneven roads in DC, but the thing I miss the most is a higher gear. Going downhill or on longer trials, it is unsafe that you go faster than paddling allows.

As for the locks, the golden rule in Holland is that your bike needs to look crappier and your lock needs to look more secure than that of the neighboring bikes. Then your bike is safe. Most bike thieves (in Amsterdam and other big cities) are junks and they go for convenience, not effort. That's why you can approach any random junk and buy a bike within 10 minutes for 20 bucks.

There are plenty good ring-type locks, as well as shitty ones. Every Dutch kid older than 10 knows how to open the crappy ones - it's one well-aimed kick or hit. In the end, there is nothing that a good bike thief can't open in two or three minutes.

by Jasper on Jun 15, 2011 12:42 pm • link • report

My strategy is actually to have my personal bike be a fast bike (hunched over, skinnier and slicker tires, sensible gear ratios) so that I have a choice. If I want a leisurely downhill coast in a granny bike or am wearing nice clothes, I take CaBi. If I want to climb hills, speed down hills, or get somewhere fast and am wearing appropriate attire I take my personal bike.

I would think that a 3 speed chunky granny bike would just duplicate the CaBi experience, not complement it. You'll have the maintenance and security issues with a personal bike regardless.

The real issue is whether CaBi is just so unreliable that you need a bike to hedge against it or whether the personal bike is providing you a different riding experience altogether.

by Ward 1 Guy on Jun 15, 2011 12:43 pm • link • report

BTW, trying to guess that photo location: Could it be Harvard and 14th St. NW?

by Ward 1 Guy on Jun 15, 2011 12:44 pm • link • report

Yeppers, that's the Greater Washington Urban League bldg.

by greent on Jun 15, 2011 12:50 pm • link • report

I could list off a number of candidates, but perhaps you could do a bit of checking into which shops actively support bike advocacy, smart growth issues, broader community involvement, and focus on transportational cycling, and highlight them and their offerings.

Editorial comment -- It seems there's a huge disconnect between the bicycle retail and bicycle advocacy in this community, that doesn't exist in other cities like Portland and Vancouver. Several bike shops in the area are actively involved in the issues our crowd is interested in, but they get precious little attention. We hear very little (on this blog and others) when an area shop opens, or begins stocking a line of bakfiets, or lobbies a councilmember for better bike facilities, or is threatened by redevelopment. Perhaps that's because the thin margins of the bike biz don't allow for a PR machine, but rather than turning this bike search into a comparison of spec sheets on mail-order hybrids, this is an opportunity to introduce GGW to a business community with the very same interests.

by darren on Jun 15, 2011 12:58 pm • link • report

I recently purchased a Linus Mixte 3-speed to ride to work some days (most days I walk) and I love it! I don't live in an area with CaBi, so I can't say that I'm overly familiar with their bikes, but Linus makes some simple but great, classic bikes.

by Rachel on Jun 15, 2011 12:59 pm • link • report

I too have noticed a huge increase inthe availability of classic/Euro style bikes in the last few years. I remember going to stores just a couple years ago, and all the bikes looked basically like mountain bikes. Yes, there were hybrids and upright, but they still had the basic mountain bike look. Now you can find genuinely different looking bikes.

Personally my approach is to buy a bike relatively cheaply (@$100) off craigslist. If I can get a year or two before it's stolen, that's pretty good. Right now I have a sweet mid 70s Schwinn. If it gets stolen, I'll be bummed, but less bummed than if I spent $700 plus for it.

by TM on Jun 15, 2011 1:04 pm • link • report

Personally, I find the transmissions in CaBi bikes to be junk. They tend to jump out of gear with pedal pressure without warning and don't seem to handle a lack of maintenance very well. I would go with a bike that used a standard cassette.

by Ryan on Jun 15, 2011 1:04 pm • link • report

a good website for reviews of bikes that are not road or mt. or otherwise specialized and are appropriate for city cycling, etc. is bikesfortherestofus (.com? .org? can't remember). Hundreds of reviews.

rdhd

by rdhd on Jun 15, 2011 1:05 pm • link • report

nice to see people in the USA waking up to the idea that in order to bicycle, you do not need racing clothes, you do not need a bike that forces you into back breaking pretzel posture, that a bicycle need not have a "castration bar" for structural support, that you need not use a bicycle only for racing purposes and that you CAN carry stuff on a bicycle, sit comfortably on a bicycle, not have to get chiropractor appointments because of the bad posture racing and athletic bikes force one to take, that you can ride safely and stress free and not have to worry about getting de-balled by the unnecessary frame bar that is now beginning to disappear along with sex distinction in bicycle design. Step thru bikes sit up bikes are the future for all countries and places where cycling has the largest numbers.

by w on Jun 15, 2011 1:11 pm • link • report

Counterpoint:

I ride a road bike for everything, including routine daily travel. I move with 14-20 pounds of stuff - laptop, tablet (I teach classes that require both), books, suit jacket, camera, water, and my mysteriously large bag of extra stuff in case of the Rapture. All this goes into a pannier on a rack. The bike does superbly.

Even with a load, this bike fairly glides up hills on its own. It's a far more responsive bike than the others I've ridden, and riding requires just a few pedal strokes here and there. Thinner tires make a big difference - the extra effort required is quite noticeable even when these tires need re-inflation.

And it's a joy to ride, I find, in a way that heavier bikes were not. Even with the big weight on the racks, it's still sprightly.

This is my bike. It's what works best for me and I'm uninterested in the judgements of others. I wouldn't presume to provide an unconditional recommendation to anyone else, but I would urge others to *try* a range of bikes rather than accept any kind of orthodoxy. Go for a European-style city bike. What about one of the Surly commuter/touring hybrids? Road bike? Make like it's Venice, California, and scoot about on a beach cruiser? Have fun on a fixie?

I don't care; just ride, but know that there's no one right answer. Your mileage may vary, so to speak.

by David R. on Jun 15, 2011 1:45 pm • link • report

@w wrote:
nice to see people in the USA waking up to the idea that in order to bicycle, you do not need racing clothes, you do not need a bike that forces you into back breaking pretzel posture, that a bicycle need not have a "castration bar" for structural support, that you need not use a bicycle only for racing purposes and that you CAN carry stuff on a bicycle, sit comfortably on a bicycle, not have to get chiropractor appointments because of the bad posture racing and athletic bikes force one to take, that you can ride safely and stress free and not have to worry about getting de-balled by the unnecessary frame bar that is now beginning to disappear along with sex distinction in bicycle design. Step thru bikes sit up bikes are the future for all countries and places where cycling has the largest numbers.

I've taken your advice, and purchased my new ride. I've never felt more alive:

Alas, I'm waiting for a comprehensive system of segregated bike infrastructure to be fully completed in DC. Until then, I'll be practicing my track-stands on my back porch.

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 2:02 pm • link • report

sounds good to me- do as thous wishes !!!
however- I must point out- that as someone with chronic back problems, shopping for an ergonomic bicycle even 5 years ago was virtually impossible- and it is a delight to now have a variety of choices . Up until this time- the only kinds of bicycles available in most bike stores were athletic orientd bikes- and that was simply out of the question for me.
It is nice to see that the rise in popularity of heavier and less speed oriented bikes- and more of them for people of all ages. As the population grows older - I believe that more sit up bicycles will become popular. And the accessories that the over zealous racing culture in the USA has denied for years; fenders, baskets, lights, bells, horns, hub gearing, sturdy frames, step thru frames, upright posture and large comfy bike seats- all of these things will bring more and more kinds of folks into bicycling.
But if you like the skinny tires- go for it !!

by w on Jun 15, 2011 2:04 pm • link • report

Best quality at lowest price is Giant brand bikes. Still going to set you back 500 after you trick it out with rack and lights. And for u locks, get a mini and follow the Sheldon Brown method of locking.

by TGEoA on Jun 15, 2011 2:04 pm • link • report

@oboe lives to scorn and negate everything I say or post

by w on Jun 15, 2011 2:05 pm • link • report

I just want to inject a note of sanity here: there's no reason you have to sacrifice climbing (or rotational) weight for upright riding position, or vice versa. You can have it all:

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 2:07 pm • link • report

I highly recommend a foldable bike. There are many manufacturers with a wide range of prices. They can fold up to go inside a hall closet for storage; can be taken on MARC, can go on the Metro during rush hour (folded) or wheeled on as a regular bike when it's not rush hour. I have even folded one up and slipped it under the table of s very nice restaurant when my lock decided not to work.

by Htindc on Jun 15, 2011 2:07 pm • link • report

Damnit, stepped on it:

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 2:09 pm • link • report

Get a cyclocross. Versatile. As for locking, read about the Sheldon Brown method of using a u lock. If you've had a bike stolen with a unlock, then you werent using it correctly.

by TGEoA on Jun 15, 2011 2:13 pm • link • report

@TGEoA:

No lock is perfectly safe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LahDQ2ZQ3e0

(Obviously, that's an older model Kryptonite, but it was considered the safest available a few years ago.)

The Sheldon Brown's article on locking your bike is here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

The basic idea is, you lock your rear rim to the rack through the frame. Brown suggests using a cable lock to secure the front wheel. (I take my front wheel off and just lock it with the rear, so I lose style points.)

I'm also a proponent of cyclocross bikes, but that doesn't really address the "upright position" thing. At the same time, I can't imagine riding a multi-day tour on a Dutch-style step-through bike. Or riding off-road. Or participating in a cyclocross race, for that matter.

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 2:25 pm • link • report

@oboe-
why are you so compelled to ridicule those who need ergonomic bicycles or bikes other than what you desire to ride?
As far as I'm concerned you can do what you want and ride what you want- but don't tell me that what I like is automatically bad or worthy of ridicule.

by w on Jun 15, 2011 2:56 pm • link • report

@w,

I actually enjoy riding a nice omafiets. I also like a good cargo bike, and would ride a $9000 road bike if someone handed one to me. Heck, I'd even buy a recumbent if I had the space. I just like to ride a bike.

I have nothing but goodwill to anyone who's on a bike--any bike--unless they're endangering pedestrians or other cyclists. At the same time, I think extremism of any kind is faintly ridiculous.

Having gotten the throat-clearing out of the way, if there's an opportunity to post an image of a $8000 Trek Madone with Zipp 808 tubular wheels converted into an upright bike with bar-mounted mirrors, a luggage rack, and toe clips...well, I simply don't have the self-control to hold off.

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 3:36 pm • link • report

what's a step-through bike.

by HogWash on Jun 15, 2011 3:38 pm • link • report

@oboe:
on the upside, you won't need a bike lock. Looking at that bike brings back memories...
From a functional perspective, just swap out the front wheel for something that matches the rear and you would have a sweet daily commuter; it would be the bike equivalent of an '88 Ford Escort with 600K miles on it.

by Smoke_Jaguar4 on Jun 15, 2011 3:46 pm • link • report

@HogWash:

A girl's bike.

**ducks**

by oboe on Jun 15, 2011 3:52 pm • link • report

if a step thru bicycle is a "girl's bike" then all of the Cabi bikes are girls bikes.
If so, why is that a bad or even perjorative thing?
Hogwash
a step thru bike is made for those who are not able to climb onto a typical mens bicycle- they are ergonomical designs that are the trend in Europe where many more people bicycle for everyday purposes than in the USA.

by w on Jun 15, 2011 4:03 pm • link • report

@oboe

I bought a hybrid last year and now wish I had just gotten the cyclocross to begin with. Riding the handle bars is upright enough for me. If Alpert plans on using CABI, then he might as well get a different style bike.

Regarding u locks, the smaller ones are harder to break open because it is harder to get tools in there to snap it open.m I laugh at the people who pay for a 1k bike then secure it with a cable lock.

by TGEoA on Jun 15, 2011 4:09 pm • link • report

I do appreciate how y'all try to make me feel at home by using Dutch words like omafiets and woonerf :-) Just for clarity, the plurals are omafietsen and woonerven.

by Jasper on Jun 15, 2011 4:25 pm • link • report

http://flyingpigeonla.bigcartel.com/

by charlie on Jun 15, 2011 4:37 pm • link • report

Most people know us, Bike and Roll, as a tour and rental company, but in order to maintain the highest quality equipment, we order new bikes each year and sell the previous years fleet - essentially at cost.

The bulk of our fleet are Trek 7200 and 7300 comfort hybrids which are versatile 28 speed bikes perfect for urban riding. (our 2011 is the same bike someone mentioned buying new from Spokes above)

This provides an really great opportunity for those who have started cycling as a result of CaBi and now want their own quality bike for a tremendous value. In fact we had a fair number of new-to-biking CaBi members who purchased during our last sale in May.

Our sales are in fall and spring and are announced on our website as well as social media outlets such as twitter (@bikeandrolldc) - so there is bit of a wait at the moment.

All of our staff ride and many have CaBi memberships - they use both - it just depends on their plans...

by Cat on Jun 15, 2011 5:06 pm • link • report

For a lot of people, an old English 3-speed (e.g. Raleigh) can be an excellent and inexpensive option.

by Kagi on Jun 15, 2011 11:10 pm • link • report

I also prefer to have a marked contrast between the bikes I own (light, responsive, road and mountain bikes) and the bike I share (CaBi). It's like having different pairs of shoes: CaBi is a heavy dress shoe, not a running shoe, not a hiking boot.

That said, a few years ago I seriously considered purchasing a US-built city bike in the UK and re-importing it back to the US. This particular large bike manufacturer only sold its premium city bike line abroad; they didn't see the point in even distributing them to the US market, where instead they sold clunky "trail comfort" bikes. I ended up buying a considerably different bike, though I'm glad I waited since some technologies have really improved recently. Lately, I've been eyeing the lineup at Civia, the new Surly/QBP brand aimed at this performance-commuter market. Plus, their lineup is Minneapolis themed. Specialized re-launched Globe as a standalone brand in a similar market space.

Bike dealers in other cities that have introduced bike sharing also report that bike sales increased dramatically after people had a chance to re-learn biking, and wanted to upgrade their experience. The 3-speed Nexus shifter on the CaBis is the same cheap one as on my cheap folding bike (hm, time to upgrade that). It most annoying habit: downshifting moments after I turn the knob, which has the unfortunate effect of knocking the saddle into, well, my knob.

@oboe: keep it to BSNYC! Or maybe we should convince him to move his consciousness here?

by Payton on Jun 15, 2011 11:48 pm • link • report

@Alpert

So what are you getting?

by TGEoA on Jun 16, 2011 11:03 am • link • report

TGEoA: I need to try out a lot of these bikes people have suggested and will write up something about that.

by David Alpert on Jun 16, 2011 11:27 am • link • report

@Alpert

I'm fairly certain you will have buyers remorse if you try to get a CABI type bike. I liked someone's suggestion of throwing new handlebars on your MTB. After you realize you really want a road bike it won't have cost you very much.

by TGEoA on Jun 16, 2011 11:49 am • link • report

Good points about the benefits of CaBi. But I have to comment on the comfort factor of the upright riding style. The upright position on CaBi bikes can be more comfortable for beginners and on shorter trips. But for longer trips, I find it uncomfortable to sit upright on the bike. It puts all of the weight on the "sit bones". In a forward-leaning position, you can balance your bodyweight between the seat and your upper body (hands/arms/shoulders).

True, a forward position requires a little extra flexibility in the lower back and hamstrings. A stronger core can also help to avoid discomfort and fatigue. It doesn't take much time to do a few bodyweight core exercises every week, maybe 5-10 min. a few times a week after you've warmed up.

If you go with a mountain bike or a hybrid, I'd suggest that you add those angled bar ends. That gives you extra handlebar positions. On longer rides, it helps to shift your hand position from time to time, to avoid hotspots and fatigue in your hands, arms and shoulders. Bikes with suspension and fatter tires are nice for dealing with potholes and rough streets. You also have the option for taking short detours over grass and soil. (I'd stay away from extremely rough surfaces unless you have a serious mountain bike.)

If you're going to do even longer trips, a road bike would be best. Or a lighter hybrid with skinny tires. It's not easy to do long rides on a mountain bike because of the weight of the bike, especially if you are not a competitive cyclist/triathlete.

by Michael H. on Jun 16, 2011 1:06 pm • link • report

@Michael H:

More reason to get a cyclocross bike (as per TGEoA's suggestion): road geometry, so you can tour, or participate in group rides, but can be bought with good clearance (e.g. a Surly Cross-Check) that will fit 42c tires between the chainstays/seatpost. No other type of bike is more versatile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcfMt14abuE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssqbqo7B6j8

You're right about comfort on short trips versus comfort on long trips, though. I used to own a '70s BMW motorcycle: the European touring version had flat bars, and the American import had monkey-hanger bars and a more upright riding style. There was no question which was more "comfortable", at least if you were on it for more than an hour.

Like most city dwellers, I have space constraints, so have limited myself to two bikes: a Surly Cross-Check and a 29" hardtail mountain bike. I used to have a lighter, "racier" CX bike, but swapped it out for the Cross-Check with braze-ons when I needed to add a rack-mounted child seat. If I had space for a third, it'd probably be an Extracycle cargo bike.

I love, love, love having the option of CaBi for getting from Point A to Point B in town, but would absolutely hate riding to Rockville on one. Much less Cumberland, MD.

by oboe on Jun 16, 2011 2:02 pm • link • report

For city riding, I think you want to get the lightest bike possible, since you're going to have to be carrying it up and down stairs, over bike racks, etc. And while the CaBis are fun to ride, I also really appreciate the quicker handling of my road bike. Are there any commuter-style bikes that combine comfort, lightness, and responsiveness?

by M on Jun 16, 2011 4:23 pm • link • report

As someone who treats cycling the same as any other mode of transportation, which is that I use it when it's the most convenient and don't use it when it's not, I want an upright bike that will keep my clothes clean (ie has a fender) and on which I can secure a couple of bags.

I really couldn't care less what makes a good long distance ride, or what's the fastest ride. I don't ride bikes long distances, or go particularly fast.

by BeyondDC on Jun 16, 2011 5:01 pm • link • report

Are there any commuter-style bikes that combine comfort, lightness, and responsiveness?

Bicycle weight tends to follow a very simple law:

mass = dollars / cachet

So, if you find a $1000 commuter bike made by Giant, it'll be extremely light. If you find a $400 one made by Bianchi, it'll be a lead-sled.

by oboe on Jun 16, 2011 5:03 pm • link • report

Why have practical and convenient, when you can have practical, convenient, and fun? The great thing about cycling - and walking, and driving on rural roads - is that the trip itself can be a joy.

The Surly cross bike does look like a ride that does a little bit of everything, and the company has a reputation for building their machines well and for specifying good components. (Component quality will affect your everyday experience, and it will affect repairs down the road.)

Regrading fenders and loads: a lot of bikes have braze-ons and will carry racks, and I think you can find fenders for every bicycle in the world, including things like Oboe's frankenbikes.

by David R. on Jun 16, 2011 5:51 pm • link • report

@oboe

Surly Cross check is perhaps the perfect all function bike. Tough as nails, braze ons EVERYWHERE, can accommodate lots of different tires, nimble and has decent components for about 1k. A bit heavy compared to a road bike, but featherweight compared to CABI.

by TGEoA on Jun 16, 2011 8:50 pm • link • report

Okay, i'll bite. Brompton. a slight bit sportier than CaBi, can use it to easily extend your transit-shed from areas (and other cities) not served by CaBi.

regardless, I do hope you discount the mail-order brands, like (re)public. keep it in the community.

by darren on Jun 16, 2011 9:05 pm • link • report

This is the best bike for a commuter such as yourself:
http://vanillabicycles.com/frames/commuter/1/

by Greg on Jun 16, 2011 10:51 pm • link • report

get what could be properly called a "gentleman's bike". Something you wouldn't look stupid riding if you were wearing a suite and tie (or for ladies, a pretty skirt/dress). It should also be able to carry lots of groceries and be really comfy. Something you can leave outside permanently. Something the Dutch or Danes would ride. Or something you'd see a billion of in some Asian mega-city. These are actually the most popular bikes on the planet. If you get a second bike, get something that folds up really small and is also fairly light-weight.

Do not assume all those Asians and Europeans who consider bikes equivalent to cars somehow got their choice of bikes wrong. That is just typical stupid American arrogance.

by lwatkins on Jun 17, 2011 7:43 am • link • report

Linus is making some good bikes right now.

I think the best-made traditional brand of American bikes is Worksman Cycles. The Worksman Classic cruisers with some Wald baskets is as tough and classic Americana as a pair of Levis Blue Jeans.

folding bike:
Dahon or Bike Friday probably.

one of my fav high-value brands for bikes are Torker, Henry Workcycles or Worksman Cycles.

Simple 2-speed Kick-shift hub - this is brilliant.
Torker KB2
Worksman now has a 2 speed kickback order option.

Carrying lots of stuff
Torker Cargo T
Worksycles Transport or FR8
Worksman Industrial Bikes

No-nonsense road bike
Torker Interurban
Surly and Soma frames

If you are willing to drop a little extra cash to extend your range - consider getting an electric hybrid from some european make like Gazelle or one of the fancier chinese-made e-bikes.

Carrying as much stuff as a pick-up truck
Get a long-john or bakfiets. "Butchers bike", etc. The "postal carriers" bikes out of Europe are amazing - every village in Africa seems to have one for bringing things to/from a market.

A great source for dutch bike parts is dutchbikebits.com you can use these parts to dutch-ify what you already have.
Start with a 12+" stem and north-road bars. Double-kickstand. Integrated lock with snap-in chain. Dynohub with B&M LED lighting. front-rear racks that can carry passengers and other very-heavy things. Large "Twin" panniers made with tough rip-stop nylon. Schwable tubes w/ their "marathon" tires.

by lwatkins on Jun 17, 2011 8:24 am • link • report

Tips:

- Do not worry about what the bike looks like.
- Do not purchase a city commuter from a high end company like Linus. Your bike will probably get stolen.
- Fenders are the most important thing. Anyone who tells you that fenders are for dorks are, in fact, dorks.
- Get a bikesdirect bike. They are cheap and fairly reliable. The new city bikes have internally geared hubs so you shouldn't require maintenance checks often.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/city_bikes.htm

by Andrew Waldman on Jun 17, 2011 11:38 am • link • report

Do not assume all those Asians and Europeans who consider bikes equivalent to cars somehow got their choice of bikes wrong. That is just typical stupid American arrogance.

This is an example of stupid and arrogant.

by TGEoA on Jun 17, 2011 3:58 pm • link • report

There are a few important things to consider. CaBi bikes are so well designed because of a few reasons: the internal gear hubs and internal brakes mean maintenance is minimal and reliable in any weather; fenders for rain/wet roads; the dynamo generator hub means that lights are always on and always powered; the step through frame is easy to mount for anyone regardless of clothing; the chain is covered so you can just step on in a suite or pants without worrying about grease on your pant legs; and the upright geometry is comfortable. In short, those are the reasons you can just get on and go without worrying about it too much.

The bikes are very heavy, so unless you have to walk them up stairs then weight shouldn't be an issue. The only type of bike that meets all of these criteria is the dutch-style bike, like those from WorkCycles, Gazelle, Velorbis, Batavus, Pashley, and others. These all have chain cases that cover the chain fully, so there is no chance of getting pants dirty and the chain stays clean. Minus that one thing, many other bikes also have a lot of these features. Unfortunately, step through frames are harder to find, especially in tall sizes since they're marketed to women. A cheap route is an old Raleigh Sports 3-speed, possibly with rebuilt aluminum wheels to add a dynamo, reduce weight, or even add a 7-8 speed hub thats even better than CaBi bikes. When it comes to price though, keep in mind CaBi bikes cost around $2000 (with $1000 replacement cost) so the $1200-$1800 cost for Dutch or high end transportation bikes isn't unrealistic. The best transportation bikes available now are from Civia in my opinion, with the Loring model being similar in geometry to CaBi bikes. Others mentioned Breezer too. Aftermarket dynamo lights are awesome, and super bright compared to common battery lights.

So there's my transportation bike spiel. It's too bad most shops are set up only for mountain or road cyclists. This is something you generally have to look to the internets for help, although that can be tough too. I don't agree with every comment here.

by Michael on Jun 17, 2011 10:03 pm • link • report

I see more and more foldy bikes on the streets of DC. I bought a used Breezer on craigslist a few years ago and have gotten a lot of use out of it. It folds up so I can put it in the trunk and take it with me on trips. Plus, it's a fun bike to ride - you sit upright and it corners really tightly, thanks to its small wheels. Here's a pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeflood/4081410085/

by Joe Flood on Jun 18, 2011 8:56 am • link • report