I live in Chicago and the roads by me are pretty bad. Lots of potholes, filled potholes, buckles, road work, chunks of pavement missing etc. So based on that, I first bought a full-suspension bike, but found that really ruined one of the other important things for me, being able to haul groceries, as I found that you (nearly) can't install any rear racks on a bike like that. So that one is going back, but I don't even know what to look at now that will be good at going over really bad asphalt most of it's life but will also be able to haul groceries/books.
I'm a woman and probably want a step-through frame. I know those supposedly aren't good for carriers, but I don't really intend to travel anywhere with it.
Any suggestions for semi-cheap bikes or even styles to consider (or avoid) would be greatly appreciated.
That's a great suggestion I didn't think of at all, but that would be quite difficult as I have to carry my bike up and down stairs to go in and out of my building. I should have specified that in the beginning, sorry. So I'm really hoping there's some bike that is reasonably good for bad roads but that still can have a rack attached.
Hi, not really clear on what your budget is, but in terms of specs maybe this is similar to what you're after (?). It has a front suspension and rear rack mounts. I don't believe the front suspension has a lockout switch (in case you ever want to disengage the suspension to ride on smooth pavement), but if that's a feature you want, most of the DS line has that feature at slightly higher prices (but without the gender-specific step-through geometry, I'm pretty sure).
I am in Philly and am currently looking for a bike for commuting on similarly bad pavement, though I'd also like to have the option of riding on dirt trails for fun on weekends, etc. The Trek DS line is something I'm considering. The Giant Roam series seems to be very similar, though much more limited. I'm not at all familiar with full suspension bikes.
to the original poster, there are lots of MTB's with front suspension and eyelets for a rear rack, even the ones with disc brakes, you can carry your groceries inside panniers,
If you are not a hardcore off-roader and have decided to ditch this bike only because you really need a rear rack, so with a Schwinn cruiser. They can be picked up at any department store and as long as you're 250pounds or less you should be fine with about another 25-45 pounds or cargo til maximum [suggested] weight limit is hit. I chose a bike with no suspension for this reason. I'm outside Philly but in the city some of our roads are similar. What else? Oh! I think you can have a LBS or builder add a rear rack to your bike by way of mods, but that could be pricey. So how much do you like your bike despite the lack of a rear rack?
I live in Chicago and the roads by me are pretty bad. Lots of potholes, filled potholes, buckles, road work, chunks of pavement missing etc. So based on that, I first bought a full-suspension bike, but found that really ruined one of the other important things for me, being able to haul groceries, as I found that you (nearly) can't install any rear racks on a bike like that. So that one is going back, but I don't even know what to look at now that will be good at going over really bad asphalt most of it's life but will also be able to haul groceries/books.
I'm a woman and probably want a step-through frame. I know those supposedly aren't good for carriers, but I don't really intend to travel anywhere with it.
Any suggestions for semi-cheap bikes or even styles to consider (or avoid) would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
For you Special Conditions I suggest you buy carbon bike,Sush a carbon bike with 700C wheels is about 8-10kg weight. It's good choice for woman.
If you are not a hardcore off-roader and have decided to ditch this bike only because you really need a rear rack, so with a Schwinn cruiser. They can be picked up at any department store and as long as you're 250pounds or less you should be fine with about another 25-45 pounds or cargo til maximum [suggested] weight limit is hit. I chose a bike with no suspension for this reason. I'm outside Philly but in the city some of our roads are similar. What else? Oh! I think you can have a LBS or builder add a rear rack to your bike by way of mods, but that could be pricey. So how much do you like your bike despite the lack of a rear rack?
And to address another issue...
It's not SPAM. If others can post specific brands, so can you. However I have seen you post in other threads and you seem to mainly suggest CCM bikes.
I suggest CCM because thats the bike line i know best and what i have the most experience with. Its ok to advocate and present cheap entry level department store bikes, essentially by saying ccm that is what i mean.
The reason i promote these bikes is to show that 90% of biking is getting out and doing it and 10% of biking is what you ride. and in the end its personal choice and monetary means that determine what people can ride. also by showing people its possible to do all maintenance on there own bike with relative ease and especially the bottom bracket maintenance that takes care of never having to spend much to get your bike going again and to keep it in good running condition, this just furthers the suiatability of enjoying and utilizing a department store bike to maintain good health and fitness.
By advocating that a department store bike is just fine it allows a greater amount of the population to access this great cardivascular and fun sport for there healthy lifestyle choices.
