Comments on: Check it out: Overview of 2008 commuter bikes http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/check-it-out-overview-of-2008-commuter-bikes/ Todd Van Campen on average-guy commuter bicycling Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:31:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Paul Stein http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/check-it-out-overview-of-2008-commuter-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-1241 Paul Stein Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:01:45 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/check-it-out-overview-of-2008-commuter-bikes/#comment-1241 Comment on Mellisa's question. I live in Beavercreek, near Dayton, Ohio, recently retired, and bought a Schwinn automatic 3 speed coaster. Hadn't biked in 45 years. The bike shop told me it was a good bike for flat surfaces. No problem, I said. It's very flat where I live. Turned out to be a $ 400 mistake. The bike itself is well made. I always thought Dayton was flat, until I purchased my bike. I ride the bike trails, which are fantastic. The 3 speeds kill you on even very modest hills. The coasters are particulary bad, because they shift when they want to, not when you want them do. Within 6 months, I upgraded to a Giant 8 speed internal hub. So beware. What seems flat when driving your car, can be very hilly by bike. Comment on Mellisa’s question. I live in Beavercreek, near Dayton, Ohio, recently retired, and bought a Schwinn automatic 3 speed coaster. Hadn’t biked in 45 years. The bike shop told me it was a good bike for flat surfaces. No problem, I said. It’s very flat where I live. Turned out to be a $ 400 mistake. The bike itself is well made. I always thought Dayton was flat, until I purchased my bike. I ride the bike trails, which are fantastic. The 3 speeds kill you on even very modest hills. The coasters are particulary bad, because they shift when they want to, not when you want them do. Within 6 months, I upgraded to a Giant 8 speed internal hub. So beware. What seems flat when driving your car, can be very hilly by bike.

]]> By: Melissa http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/check-it-out-overview-of-2008-commuter-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-90 Melissa Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:03:30 +0000 http://kentuckybicycling.com/01/2008/check-it-out-overview-of-2008-commuter-bikes/#comment-90 Hello! I'm sending a comment because I can't find an e-mail address. I'm also in love with the Uptown 8 (the U-frame version). Unfortunately, I'm not sure that I can really afford it, so I'm looking at less expensive options. Do you think that Lexington is too hilly for a three-speed or a seven-speed? Thanks! <blockquote>Melissa, Lexington is not too hilly for either a 3- or a 7-speed, in my opinion. In fact, I was riding a bus once with a European (can't remember which country) who was visiting town, and he could not believe the lack of bicycles on the road. He had tried to rent a bike but couldn't find a place to do so. He thought the terrain was perfect for cycling: "It is so flat!" A 7-speed especially would have great gearing for anything you are likely to face pedalling in Lexington. But a 3-speed would do the trick just as well. -6-</blockquote> Hello! I’m sending a comment because I can’t find an e-mail address. I’m also in love with the Uptown 8 (the U-frame version). Unfortunately, I’m not sure that I can really afford it, so I’m looking at less expensive options. Do you think that Lexington is too hilly for a three-speed or a seven-speed?

Thanks!

Melissa, Lexington is not too hilly for either a 3- or a 7-speed, in my opinion. In fact, I was riding a bus once with a European (can’t remember which country) who was visiting town, and he could not believe the lack of bicycles on the road. He had tried to rent a bike but couldn’t find a place to do so. He thought the terrain was perfect for cycling: “It is so flat!”

A 7-speed especially would have great gearing for anything you are likely to face pedalling in Lexington. But a 3-speed would do the trick just as well. -6-

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