A question for the bicycle community out there

[sauergeek]

I am pondering acquiring a bicycle, and am looking for recommendations. I would use it for two primary purposes:

1) Riding from my condo to the train station. This is a distance of about a mile, over cobblestone, brick, wood, and asphalt pavement. (Mostly asphalt, with cobblestone a significant second.) There are bike racks in the parking garage at the train station.

2) Grocery shopping. The store I usually go to is about 2.5 miles away; there's a closer one that isn't as good about a mile away. Either way, I'm still facing the same pavement mix as above. I have not looked for bike parking at either store, but I believe there is none.

I may also use a bike for random short rides around the area. I am unlikely to take up any sort of long distance, competitive, or significant unpaved riding (though there may be a bit of unpaved riding here and there).

Any additions to a bike for carrying groceries should be either easily removed or so integral to the bike that it would require significant disassembly of the bike to get them off -- to prevent theft when they're not in use. (I'd prefer the former, and just bring them into the store with me.)

I would prefer regular bike pedals so I don't have to change shoes when I get where I'm going. I vastly prefer drop handlebars to straight ones.

Thoughts?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_nicolai_/]

I suggest you get something with a short-travel front suspension. I have a Marin Sausalito, but that particular model won't do you since it has straight handle bars.
I was getting quite pissed off with the battering my arms (and particularly wrists) were getting from the shitty roads I have to commute over, and I am much happier now I have front suspension.
Don't get long-travel suspension or soft suspension, as they absorb more energy than is necessary. I also like the fact that you can get (and the Sausalito has) forks you can lock into a no-suspension mode so they don't move if you don't want suspension, like touring on good roads.
I suggest getting a luggage rack and panniers. I tend to leave the pannier on the bike, secured to the frame with a cheap bike lock, and noone's nicked them yet. If your local thieves are too bad for that, then most panniers can be easily clipped on and off. I use Altura panniers.
Overall remember that once you have a frame, you can have most any compnent replaced or added as you wish, so it should be possible to fit drops to any frame, a rack and panniers to most any frame, etc.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_nicolai_/]

As for pedals, strapless toe clips help a lot (they are a simple bucket-shape that screw to the front of the pedal) and will take any normal shoe that isn't excessively pointy.
Also get pedals which have fairly prominent grip points on the upper surface; the sort that are of an open-frame construction with blunt teeth built into the top tend to work well as long as there's some pattern to the bottom of your shoe or it's got a soft or rubber sole. The grip points on the pedal will lock into the pattern on the shoe and that works quite well. I've got whatever pedals came with the Sausalito and they're fine, but a cow-orker just got a pared-down touring bike with some amazingly tenacious pedals, I can find out the name if you want.

[snolan.livejournal.com]

Since this is going to be parked at the train station a fair bit, my suggestion would be to go as cheap as possible; perhaps even used junkers. 1 mile is pretty tiny ride, so comfort is not a huge requirement. Theft is probably a bigger concern I am guessing (though I'm not familiar with the locations). Small loads are best done in a back pack - it moves with your body the most naturally.

Front baskets can carry a bit more, but they are notorious for destabilizing the bike and impacting steering.
Rear paniers/saddle bags on either side of the rear tire are pretty stable for big loads - if you keep the split close to balanced between both sides.

Cobblestones will play hell with ultra-efficient super-skinny tires; so even if you get a street bike, try to get hybrid bike wheels and tires (which may mean you have to change brake configuration). An alternative is to simply get a mountain bike or hybrid - which will have the better tires for short rough runs like you describe.

I second _nicolai_'s recommendation for simple strapless toe clips, or even no clips at all considering the short ride. I dunno how much storage you have - but you might consider two bikes. I cheap used mountain or hybrid, or even comfort bike for the short runs on cobblestones and stuff... and a better bike for longer rides if you take them. Longer rides on smooth pavement want thinner tires; but they give up handling rough surfaces.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_nicolai_/]

Yeah, skinny wheels and tyres aren't going to work on cobbles (and aren't going to like New England potholes either). I agree with the idea of armoured (puncture-resistant) hybrid tyres and corresponding wheels. You can get tyres which have tread to the sides of the wheel and a thin slick strip down the middle, which I find works well for lower rolling resistance while still being able to handle mud, loose dirt, etc. I like Schwalbe Marathon, haven't had a puncture for ages with them.
I find a backpack to be very uncomfortable in any sort of weather that isn't cold, hence panniers. If exercising with a pack strapped to you isn't a problem, that's also an option.
Front baskets, just say no...

[milknut.livejournal.com]

I loved my hybrid, when I actually remembered to ride. I recently sold it to a coworker because I realized my riding days are pretty much over ( and I hadn't ridden it in more than 5 years.) I was usually on pavement, but it could handle the occasional off the beaten path ride too. I had a Specialized Hard Rock. I got it from Cycle Loft in Burlington... when I decided I wanted a bike I went there and looked at last year's models, clearance and sale items. The staff was very helpful.

I am of no help with fancy bits on the bike... toe clips freak me out, even on a stationary bike. Good luck!

[andrewfeland.livejournal.com]

I've ridden all kinds of bikes all over the Boston/Cambridge/Somerville area--in college, I'd bike more often than I'd take the T, mostly to save money. I've had eleven of them stolen out from under me. Note that I am in no way a "bike person" and usually rode whatever piece of junk I could lay hands on for $25 or less.

That being said, my best experience was with a basic mountain bike. Big, knobby tires can chew up anything that New England can throw at them, and in almost any weather. The only thing that will stop you from riding right over it is ice. If you're only riding a mile or two, I wouldn't even be too concerned with weight, and toe clips are right out--or will be, the next time a truck pulls out in front of you and you have to make a quick stop and put your feet down. I had a nasty bruise on my arm for a month from one of those. :P

Good luck!