Categories: Adventure & Sports; Jobs & Education

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Commuter Bike Shopping in Denver

By Head
updated about 1 month ago

With gas prices going through the moon roof, you may be considering a more earth-friendly alternative to commuting, like riding a bike. In this guide I will share my experiences while shopping for a good bike like what features to look for, and where to shop.

Style

Some of the hippest bikes today are being built by Electra Bikes. They have cruisers that are pimped out with some of the coolest features like leather grips, tassels, and big comfy seats. And who wouldn’t like a bike model name like “Boney Finger”, “Ratrod”, or “Hellbilly”. But Electra’s “Townie” models are more suited to commuting.

If you’re in the market for cruiser but can’t afford the high prices of Electra, you should also consider Nirve. If you have a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket then check out The Ride by Ellsworth.

Comfort

If comfort is important then you should weigh several factors. How upright is the ride? Does the fork have a shock absorber? What’s the butt/seat ratio (if your butt is huge, make sure the seat matches your girth)?

Many manufacturers are beginning to build some of their bikes with the crankshaft mounted more forward than your traditional bikes. The advantage of this configuration is that it puts your body in a more upright position so you’re not hunched over as far. This makes for a more comfortable riding position as well as putting your head higher above the ground which helps you see things better. The main disadvantage of being this upright is that your body acts as more of a sail in windy conditions.

The more common way to make you more upright is to sweep the handlebars back towards the rider. There are more of bikes that use this approach to getting the rider upright. If you care about comfort then you may want to consider how upright you feel on the bike so think about how much pressure is on your hands when you test ride bikes.

Another factor in comfort is shock absorption. There are usually two areas where shock absorbers will be found; in the front fork and in the seat post. Shock absorbers help smooth out the bumps along the way but nothing can completely eliminate them. The tradeoff of shock absorbers in the fork is that it can make the ride feel “mushy” and you may feel like you lose power climbing hills. But you’re just trying to get to work here, not win a race. If it doesn’t cost much more, get the shock absorber.

Don’t forget about the seat. Sure you can easily replace your seat later. But why not get a bike that already has a comfortable seat. Most bikes that are geared towards commuters have fairly wide soft seat so that’s usually not an issue. If you’re looking a bike with a tiny hard seat then chances are it’s not meant for commuting.

Stopping and Going

Don’t buy a bike without brakes. OK, maybe I could be more specific. The truth is, most bikes have pretty darn good brakes on them these days. But the best brakes in terms of pure stopping power in all conditions are disc brakes. The main advantage of disc brakes is that they aren’t affected by rain like pad brakes are. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if all else is equal, including the price, take the bike with the disc brakes.

When it comes to “going”, most bikes these days come with 21 or 24 gears. But how many people actually use anything besides the middle ring on the front sprocket. If you’re a middle-sprocket rider and you’re not commuting on the hills of San Francisco, then give serious consideration to a 7 or 8-speed model.

The advantages to having a 7 or 8-speed are lower maintenance (less moving parts), and it also allows you to have a chain-guard on the front. For commuters, a chain guard is a nice feature because it means you don’t have to worry about your trouser leg getting caught in the chain.

The 7-speeds tend to be your traditional external-hub shifters with the chain derailer doohickey (that’s the official term). However, many newer bikes are now being shipped with 8-speed internal shifters. The internal shifters are a very nice feature on a commuter bike because they (a) tend to be low maintenance because the lubrication is all self-contained and (b) you can shift while stopped. You’ll really appreciate being able to shift at a stop after having to stop quickly to avoid running over a suicidal prairie dog.

Extras

There are several other extras you’ll probably want to consider when shopping for a commuter bike.

Fenders are a must for those days when you get caught by an unexpected rain storm. Fenders that come stock tend to be a better fit for a bike. Look to make sure the fender coverage is good for the low side on the front wheel as well as most of the back tire.

Lights are a must for commuting in the cooler and darker days of the year. That doesn’t mean your new bike has to come with lights installed but it can be a nice feature. Many commuter bikes come with a light powered by the front hub which is nice if you don’t like to worry about batteries. But be sure to ask how the back light is powered. When you’re stopped at a traffic light, the hub-powered lights go out but some bikes have rear lights that will stay on in the back.

Racks and baskets are a nice feature to add if you like to cart lots of stuff back and forth. Sometimes these features will come stock but usually you’ll find them as optional accessories.

Bells and odometers and tassels and kickstands… theses are a few of my favorite things. But they’re not deal breakers. I think the inclusion of these types of items can reflect well on a manufacturer though, so think about what other things you might want on your bike before you plunk down the plastic. Maybe you can get the store to throw in an odometer to close the deal.

Where to Look

Where you shop for a bike depends in part on the qualities you are looking for in a bike. I recommend finding a shop with a good reputation. But don’t discount the vibe you get from talking to the employees. You can tell when someone really enjoys what they’re doing and knows their stuff. If you know more about what you’re looking for than the salesperson, then it’s probably time to move on to the next shop.

The other consideration on where to shop is who carries the brands of bikes you are interested in? I recommend looking at bikes for style and comfort by manufacturer as listed below in the manufacturer links. Of course most companies have both stylish and comfortable bikes, this is just my opinion of what the company’s strengths are.

Rei-Recreational Equipment Inc

1416 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202

Brands: K2, Electra, Novara, Ellsworth

The flagship REI store has a well-stocked bike shop with knowledgeable salespeople. It’s also one of the few places you can find K2 bikes and the only place with the REI-branded Novara bikes (Novara has some good commuter options).

Brands: K2, Electra, Novara, Ellsworth

Turin Bicycles Ltd

700 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203

Brands: Nirve, Specialized, Trek

The staff at Turin are some of the most knowledgeable you’ll find anywhere. Their bikes tend to be higher-end performance bikes with corresponding prices but it’s worth a stop by to talk to them and see what you can learn.

Brands: Nirve, Specialized, Trek

Campus Cycles

2102 S Washington St, Denver, CO 80210

Brands: Electra, Trek

They have a good selection of Electra bikes including the Townie and Amsterdam models in addition to a few other brands that might meet your needs. And the staff seems generally friendly and competent.

Brands: Electra, Trek

Derby Bicycle Center

410 E 104th Ave, Northglenn, CO 80233

Brands: Giant, Electra

This is where I ended up buying my commuter bike, a Giant Tran Send, and they were the only store that seemed to have it in stock. They have one of the best selections of Electra bikes you’ll see anywhere. And they are also friendly and knowledgeable. Do yourself a favor and put them on your short list of places to visit.

Brands: Giant, Electra