Bicycle for transportation

Question
Hi, Tad,

I've been thinking of buying a bicycle since there's a chance I'll get hired for a job and the site is about 30 minutes away by walking.  I can also use the bicycle to get to the tennis courts around where I live.  I'd say my city has about equal flat level and sloped areas (some being pretty steep) so I was wondering what kind of bicycles you could recommend to me.  I don't plan on using a bike for anything like sports or mountain-biking.  Just something for me to get around.

Also, what kind of bicycle lock is the best for securement and warding off thieves?

Answer
Sean,

Living in Hawaii I would have thought there would be one type, a beach cruiser. OK, I know there is at least one volcano...

I think it is great that you want to commute. I think that you will find that if you outfit your bike to be a real Urban vehicle that more of the trips you take will be by bike. I will go into outfitting your bike in just a bit.

There are so many cool urban bikes out there and since you do have some hills to climb I would go for something with a good range of gears. A bike with an internal eight speed or a hybrid with a triple chainring up front (three gears on the crank where the pedals are). I know that around my town single speed bikes are the rage - nice for short rides but a real bugger on hills. I know, I used to commute on a track bike many years ago!

I would go for up right seating, not bent over like on a road bike. It is much better in traffic as your head is high enough to see over most cars.

So my advice for bikes is pick a couple of styles that you like with different types of gearing options then take them for a good test ride. Don't be shocked if the bike shop asks to hold a license as security while you test ride. But ride in an area much like that you will ride on every day. See if you think the gear range is wide enough to get you up those hills or cruise fast enough on the flats.

Then, after you have decided, outfit your bike for commuting. A few simple additions will make your bike into a well rounded vehicle. A couple thinks I think are essential on a commuter are a rear rack, a bell, front and rear lights, and that lock you asked about (big dogs work the best!). Additions that really make life easy are a set of commuter panniers (bags), fenders, and a really good lighting system. Of those three you may want to consider the panniers. Many shops will give you a discount when you buy accessories at the time you buy your bike - if they don't offer a discount ask for one!

The rack will be nice to hold things, such as your lock, and with good bungees you can strap many things to the rack. Lights don't have to be expensive and the small LED lights just let cars know that you are there - I see more and more people using them even during the day to alert drivers. Check with your bike shop about locks because it depends on the theft rate of bicycles in your area. A good "U" lock is the minimal I would use and a couple of companies make big chain type locks that are really heavy but really work well. (Check out this video all though it may discourage you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7zb8YXrmIA) Again, head the advice of your bike shop as to what level of security they think you need (a big dog, I'm just saying).

Good luck on your new job! And get into bike commuting, it can become a life time passion!

Tad

PS, one last piece of advice - find a bike shop that you like and can work with. Don't shop on price alone. A good shop will continue to give you good service for a long long time.