NYC bike

In a comment, Carlos DJ writes:

Hey Astoria Bike, I'm sure you get emails like this all the time. I just moved to astoria (close to astoria park) and wanted to get back into biking. I haven't biked since the early 90's when i was in high school so I'm quite outdated. Do you have any tips for buying a bike fit for nyc? I plan on doing mostly weekend daytrips to central park, brooklyn, and that sort of exploring fun stuff. ... Great blog, it's been fun reading it.

A lot of email? Maybe you mistake this blog for something people actually read!

I was at a wedding last night, and somebody asked me the same question you did. My first answer always is: not a mountain bike. That usually gets a strange look and a quizzical, "Why?" Because you just know they were eying some high-tech full suspension aluminum frame thing is the bike store. Why? Because we have no mountains!

If you go bike in mountains, get a mountain bike. That's what they're designed for. If you bike in cities, get a city bike.

But what is a city bike? Here's my answer. Something comfortable, fast, and able to carry.

Ask yourself which of those three things is most important to you and go from there. Fast? Get a nice road bike? Able to carry? Get any bike with eyelets for a rack installation and buy some gigantic saddle bags online from Holland or somewhere. Comfortable? Well, all bikes should be comfortable. But think of the seat and the handlebars you like most. But that's hard to know without riding.

I will say this, the most comfortable position for you hands on a bike is when they're in the hand-shaking position. What you don't want is the flat straight handlebars of a mountain bike. Drop handlebars and old-fashioned shaped (bending back) handlebars are the best. In general, until you know better, get a super high stem for your handlebars so you can sit upright. But keep in mind there's nothing naturally uncomfortable about drop handlebars at about seat height.

And whatever you get, make sure you can carry something, even if it's just a bike bag. And make sure you have fenders. And don't get knobby tires (see my no mountain bike rule) unless you plan to biking off road... which you simply won't do in NYC.

I'm very partial to steel frames because 1) they give a much softer ride, 2) they're safer, and 3) they look better. Aluminum frames are popular because they're easier for machines to weld.

I'm against suspension, but don't want to preach against it, because it can be kind of cool. Maybe it's right for some people. But if people didn't ride aluminum frames and hold on to those dumb flat mountain-bike handlebars, there probably would be no need for suspension on bikes. Ride steel. Don't grip your handlebars tightly. And ride around potholes. Plus, without suspension, you can hop over things.

To answer your question, the ideal bike for a city is a city bike. The best city bikes are out of Holland and France. But you should avoid French bikes because they have non-standard sizes for everything (well, I'm sure they're standard for them). But you'd be hard pressed to run across a French City bike here anyway.

If you ever come across a used Batavus Barcelona, grab it. I also think the Bluebird (featured on this bike), is a pretty damn good city bike.

On money, the more you spend, the less trouble you'll probably have. Newer bikes have fewer parts. That means less to brake. Spend money on tires, because they won't get flats. Think about what you want in a bike, and then start hunting. Astoria, by the way, is not a bad place for finding and buying old bikes. There are some nice Schwinns in these parts.

Ask Mr. Astoria Bike (1)

From a comment:

I'm trying to decide on a new bike for riding in the city, commuting to work, and getting to farmer's markets. I figure regular rides will be short- 3-5 miles, but there will be a random 10+ miler once in a while. Any ideas?

I'm looking at some touring bikes and I'm really new to this commuter bike idea. My old cheap mountain bike has an okay frame, but I'd rather not ride it for a while. I'm looking at an old Lemond Zurich frame, but I'm not too sure what the best option is for a commuter bike. What do you suggest- a mountain bike frame or a touring/road bike frame?

Also, is there really any point to a fixie? Thanks.

Unless you actually go mountain biking, I’m strongly against mountain bikes. For the life of me I can’t figure out why people think a big bulky knobby-tired is better for riding down the paved road. Would you try to ride a smooth-tired racing bike down a sandy mountain trail? Of course not. So why would you choose to ride a bike designed for a sandy mountain trail on a paved road? It’s like the SUV mentality for bikes. Bigger isn’t better.

I’m also strongly for steel (or “cro-mo”) frames (and carbon fiber forks). They give so much more than aluminum. And last longer, too (I also think they look better, but that’s not really the point). Aluminum gives a very hard bumpy ride. And then they invented suspension to compensate. But you don't really need suspension on a road bike. And I ride over some bumpy-ass roads. Aluminum is cheaper to make (robots can weld them together very easily), but they’re not better to ride. But it’s getting harder and harder to buy a steel frame. But I would definitely seek one out. You can always buy a good used frame on e-bay, the problem, of course, is the sizing. I frame is more than just height measurement.

I don’t know anything about specific frame brands. I love my Bianchi Alfana road bike more than any other bike I’ve ever had (but don’t tell my other bikes). But that’s a matter of frame geometry and my body. Every person is different. All touring/road bikes are lighter, faster, and more fun to ride than a mountain bike. I also don’t like the bar handlebars. They kill my wrists and arms.

I also say don’t be afraid of thin tires. I’ve never had a problem with 23mm tires. And I weight over 200 pounds. Some people say wider is better… but I don’t agree. I’d say at least give a nice steel-framed road bike with thin tires well inflated (at least 100 psi) a test run. The difference should be something you notice right away. Except for body position with drop handlebars, there should be nothing that you “have to get used to.” Maybe you’ll instantly fall in love like I did. You can also get upright handlebars on a road frame.

Of course for commuting you to worry about carrying things. And then you may want to get a bike more designed for that.

And there are advantages to a fixed gear. Also see this. I like my fixed gear. If I only had one bike, it would not be a fixed-gear. But it is fun to ride one out of 4 times and also makes you a better rider. They’re so simple and so efficient. Going up hills is a breeze (that’s the irony about the one speed). Also good for very slow speed maneuvering (like moving around cars at red lights).

Just call me Mr. Astoria Bike

If you Google "Astoria Bike," a link to my blog comes up first. Cool. Since there's no "Mr. Subway," and my friend Tamara already has dibs on "Ms. 30th Avenue," I'll gladly settle for "Mr. Astoria Bike." I can't wait till posters go up with my picture and are defaced with devil horns, blacked-out teeth, and cocks in my mouth!