im looking for recommendations for bikes that are better suited for a commute to work. i'm commuting 13 miles to and from work once a week on a hardtail with road tires. the trip is pretty much down hill on the way to work and a slight uphill on Lemon Grove Ave and Spring St. going towards La Mesa. I would like to increase the frequency and been considering getting a commuter bike. i haven't ridden any other types of bikes and not sure if i should get a fitness bike like the Trek FX or a road bike. is there a benefit getting a commuter bike or road bike? and will it be the same as using my hardtail as far as comfort and gearing?

I know some guys who have one of these to commute to work. They all love it.
http://www.focus-bikes.com/int/en/bikes/bikes-2011/category/urban-1/model/planet-8-belt-drive-1.html

I think the most you'll notice if you go for a roadbike is your riding position being more hunch over. Also gearing is probably gonna be different depending on the cassette you have on your hardtail but road bike cassette are should I say for lack of better term smaller. Your commute will most likely be faster though.

That Focus looks cool, belt drive. My 2 sense is get a road bike as you are riding on the road. Having road bars allows for different hand/body positions which helps. You probably can score a good used one on CL for not much. Good Luck Abe

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

SSCX

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"Those skilled at the unorthodox are infinite as heaven and earth, inexhaustible as the great rivers."
— Tzun Tzu

That Focus is cool with the belt drive, but I think they run about 1500.00 thats a pretty good grip of cash. I like these http://www.marinbikes.com/2012/bike_spe ... alnum=2212 but there are no brase ons for racks so if you have to tote a lot of crap to work it might not work however,
Old Man Mountain makes stout racks that will fit almost any bike brase ons or not. I just watched a Marin go for 750.00 on E-Bay. Plus it can go off road on truck trails and fire road type stuff. good luck on your hunt.

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"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and
feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize
fishing is stupid and boring."
--Desmond Tutu

The hardtail gives you the option to hit a little obstacle on your route to make it a little interesting, semi slicks are not as fast but gives you terrain options. You can run a road cassette if you want more speed. I prefer to be more upright in a commuter situation and don't forget to show off that Track Stand at the stop lights Be safe, bright colors and reflectors.

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"Just stop this walking shit and let's get this done"
Avidtesty (Arch 2019)

I'm a fan of just commuting on the mountain bike. But then again, I ride like a goof ball and like to jump off of every little thing. Plus there are lots of cool dirt trails all over the place that you can incorporate into your commute for a little added fun.

That belt drive Focus IS super freakin cool though!!

Road bikes get a bad rap. Take it from me, they can bunny hop, jump small things, even go off road. If your tires have enough air pressure they can handle lots of stuff.

I would go to a bike shop, try a few bikes, with flat bars, and road bikes to see what you like. You will feel more familar on flat bars, but keep your mind open on how drop bars can help with wind in your face, fast descents, and hard climbs on the road.

No matter what, you get to think about getting a bike, which is all good.

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

I got a road bike I'll sell ya.

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A mountain biker who doesn't ride road has no legs
A road biker who doesn't ride mountain has no soul

Word.

[quote="McLovin"]I'm a fan of just commuting on the mountain bike. But then again, I ride like a goof ball and like to jump off of every little thing. Plus there are lots of cool dirt trails all over the place that you can incorporate into your commute for a little added fun.

+1 throw some cross tires on and your ready to go.

I think Kimba has some good advise. Who wants to switch tires every time you feel like a different type of ride.

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We'll ride it till they pave it. -Clyde

i would avoid something too nice or expensive if it's going to be a bike you lock up outside. if it's gonna be a grocery getter, i'd look for a old road/touring bike or rigid mtb on craigslist. i'd especially look for something with eyelets for racks and fenders.

edit: i hear mixed reviews about the alfine internal gear hub. i near nuvincis are decent if you don't mind a heavy(!) hub. rohloffs are pimp but $. i think i'd go with a normal chain and derailler setup

edit again: does your hardtail have a rigid fork? is there something about it that isn't satisfactory? hardtail mtbs (especially with rigid forks) make some pretty pimp commuter/beaters. can it take a rack and fenders?

I got a jamis satellite from tfitz for a reasonable price and I ride it to school and back. Which isn't far, but it's way more efficient than my mountain bike, and I don't mind locking it up outside because it's 1/10th the cost. Look into a cheap road bike, the gearing will be fine for a climb uphill, and you will get to work or home much quicker with a road bike.