5 type of Commuter bikes

What are the type of commuter bikes? I am commuting for 4 years now, and I had various steeds to carry on the road to work. I propose you to review the different bikes I rode for commuting and give for each some pros and cons.

1. The single speed / fixie

My first bike, a £65 fixed gear bike I bought from Gumtree, did not look great at first. Whitechapel 2017

Let me be straight forward, single speed is my favorite commuting bike! I discovered fixed gear bike first time when I was 16 in my local skatepark and I found it so cool. It wasn’t that often you could see that kind of bike in France. When I arrived in London in 2017 I was seeing them everywhere. Taking the tube in London is expensive so it was a no brainer for me to go get a bike, I found a single speed from the No Logo brand on Gumtree for 65 quid.

This bike was so perfect to me, nothing fancy or special on it, it was the simplicity I loved on it: I have used it for almost 3 years, in my opinion here are the pros of using the single speed:

• price: first reason for me was to save money as I just came into London, and I wanted to be careless about the bike (I think you are less devastated if you get stolen a £100 bike compare to a £500 brand new one), this bike did not cost me that much even with the different upgrades I have done on it I spent less than a £100
• maintenance: simplicity again, this type of bike requires few maintenance and is really easy to look after: simple brakes, no gears, a quill stem, it is also a good base to learn how to adjust a bike
• fun: this bike was really fun to ride, beside pedalling I was having fun doing bunny hop, riding fakie. I also switched the hub to fixed gear which allowed me to learn to skid and do track stand.

Cons?

• Simplicity of the bike can also be a default, no gears on it makes it difficult if you have hills to climb, yes you will struggle.
• Comfort is not the best you can get, especially if you have to ride long distance.

It really was good memories I had on the fixie: go to work passing by Tower Bridge, freestyle rides after work in London, coming back home from parties half hangover, or heading to Waltham Abbey riding along the Thames. It stays for me a do-it-all bike, I ended up selling it after moving, I had too many bikes with me (4) and had to make a choice… If I had the opportunity to buy an other bike, I definitely would buy another fixed gear.

After some upgrades, it looked much better. Canada Water 2019

2. BMX

My best BMX so far, so much to say on it. Mile End 2019

I arrived in London with my BMX bike, so it helped before getting the fixed gear. I commuted with it few times when I was also living in Paris, main reason for me was to be able to go to ride the skatepark right after work or seek for any street spot.

This was for me the benefit of BMX, being able to throw some tricks on his way to work, bunny hop on any possible obstacle.

However we pedal more on a BMX bike and if you are brakeless, you might need a spare pair of shoes.

3. The folding bike

Folding bike I had been given, some maintenance to do on it. Canada water 2018

I have been given a folding bikes I had the opportunity to ride few weeks with. Only rode short distances with (for no more than 20mins). It is not my style of bike but I have to admit you get a comfortable position on it (similar to the dutch bike), I do think folding bikes are perfect for people who are not at ease when riding a bike. Moreover if you have to travel in the tube you can take it with you once it is fold, which also makes storage easier if you dont want leave the bike outside.

However the bike is more suitable for short ride, I wouldn’t use for an hour of commute.

4. The road bike

Btwin Triban 100 I gifted to myself for my birthday, it was a simple but nice bike to ride. Beckton 2018

It is my current commuting bike and I would say it completes what you could miss from the fixed gear: more comfort and also gears.

Definitely faster on the road, it makes you work against the watch, I have a feeling of challenge and to really do sport before starting to work. Maybe I am less careful, important to stay more focus on the road and less on the time as you can tend to quickly forget safety first.

5. Other bikes?

My first MTB in London, hardtail DiamondBack Myers 2.0. Rotherhite 2019

A Raleigh Dutch bike I got in the street, with maintenance to do on it. A tall bike to ride for me. Surrey Quays 2020

I have been able to commute also with a Dutch bike and a MTB but it was for a really short period of time: less than a week and I have few to say about it except that both bikes were comfortable to ride but you dont have a feeling of being fast: so I would also go on that kind of bike if it is for a short distance or if you are not in a rush to go t work.

If I had to change, I would like to try an e-bike like the one from VanMoof or a cargo bike, I am curious about feeling you can get on those? And you what is your commuting bike?

An Amateur Cyclist.