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

[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...