OK, this question got me in a little trouble with people. Most people agreed that if you want a good bike, don’t go for the cheapest, but get what you need.

I think my best rule of thumb is if you want a decent commuter bike, get it at a local bike shop that you know and trust. Some good brands are Trek, Giant, Specialized and Electra.

That being said, the type of bike you want to buy, and how much you want to spend, also depends on how much you’ll need the bike and what you’ll need it for. I know there are many people who get a beater bike for winter biking and have a nicer bike for the warm months. That beater bike can be pretty cheap, as there are many available at Kiwanis and Recycle Ann Arbor.

Some comments from others:

For me, an old Schwinn three speed works great for a one to five mile
commute. I like having a chainguard to keep road dirt off the
trousers. An old bike can cost very little, but you need to be ready to
throw some money at it. A used bike fixed up for commuting will run
$100 or so, $200 at worst.

–Mark Chase, goloco.org

Other sites to check out

• Reviews of Commuter Bikes

You might wonder what kind of bike I use to commute. We’ll I’ll show you:

Click here to see my commuter bike and read all about it

And yes, I do commute all year round, except when it’s really, really snowy, icy or rainy.

I recently did a little research on bike commuting. I’ll be posting the answers in a series of entries to this blog. Please add your thoughts below.

What is the best bike for bike commuting?
I asked a bunch of people this question.
The bottom line: it really depends on you.

There are many types of bikes out there that can work for bike commuting. You can go for something like a hybrid bike (a combination mountain bike and road bike with road bike tires, this is what I have), a fixed-gear bicycle or one of the new and snazzy commuter bikes like the Breezer or Townie bike. One of the great advantages of commuter bikes is that they have internal gear hubs, which keep the chains cleaner. Also, many commuter bikes come with lights and racks already installed, which is nice because these are generally essential items for commuting.

All of these bike styles can be purchased at area bike stores, including Great Lakes Bicycling and Fitness and Two Wheel Tango.

Local shop Wheels in Motion even has a page that talks about How to Pick the Best Bike for You.

Here are some other thoughts:

The “best” bike choice depends on a lot of factors, such as: distance of commute, how hilly is the route, how secure is the workplace parking, fitness level and ability of the rider, their budget, and more. There are a lot of bikes that are classified as “commuter,” but in general any bike that has a relaxed riding position and can accommodate the installation of a rack will probably suit the needs of most commuters. Having a rack and panniers (a.k.a. saddlebags) makes hauling paperwork and a change of clothing simple.

A quick Google search on “commuter bicycle reviews” yielded a good starting point for someone doing bike research (see link below). But the best thing is for a person to go to a number of bike shops, talk to salespeople about their needs and ride a few bikes to find one that will work for their individual needs. A bike should fit the rider’s needs, so there isn’t one specific “best” bike out there. And, I’m not sure you want to steer people to the cheapest option, being that you get what you pay for and putting people on a ill-fitting, crummy bike just because it’s cheap is a good way to turn someone off of bike commuting altogether.
http://www.epinions.com/bike-Bicycles-All-city_commuter

–Dan Kaempff
Regional Travel Options Program, Portland OR

The best bike is one that’s fun for the rider. Other considerations are
something that won’t get stolen. If you have secure parking, then you
can ride a fancier bike. If you have to park out where theft might be
a problem, then you look for an “ugly” bike that functions well. Also
important is the length of the commute. If it’s just a few miles,
comfort isn’t such a big deal. Luggage is a consideration, too.

–Eric Holeman, www.wilbursmith.com

For further reading on bikes to buy and bike commuting in general. Man oh man is there a lot writing on this subject!

• Paul Dorn’s Bike Commuting Tips

• Commute by Bike

• Jennifer’s Bicycle Commuting Suggestions

• Bicycling Life Bike Commute Guide

• League of American Bicyclists Tips for Commuters

• Another great bike commute guide

• Reviews on commuter bikes
• Another page with extensive information on bike commuting, commuter bikes, and the like.