Boosted by the development of well-established cycling infrastructure, the explosion of electric bikes and the growing ecological aspirations of a large part of the population, commuting — that is, using a bike in the city on a daily basis as a means of transport — has grown significantly in recent years.
Naturally, bike manufacturers have seized on this trend to offer models more or less dedicated to this use.
But which bike should you choose for your daily commute? Probikeshop gives you the keys to help you make your choice!
Commuting: what is it?
Behind the name commuting lies a practice shared by more and more city dwellers: making your home-to-work or home-to-school journeys by bike on a very regular, even daily basis.
A practice encouraged by public authorities through the development of infrastructure (cycle lanes, 30 km/h zones, contraflow cycling, bike parking), as well as financial incentives (grants for purchasing an electrically assisted bike, cycling mileage allowances, sustainable mobility packages).
Also known as vélotaf (a contraction of "vélo" and "aller au taf", meaning "cycling to work"), commuting is thus part of a broader trend towards the development of soft mobility in urban and peri-urban areas.
What is a Commuting Bike?
Whether you call it commuting or vélotaf, in practice this covers a very wide range of realities, depending on the distance you need to cover, the type of road you take and how often you ride. That is why there is no single specific type of bike, but a very broad offering to meet every need.
Depending on the situation, it may be wise to look at a sports city bike (sometimes called a fitness bike), an All-Terrain Bike (ATB/Hybrid), or a Gravel bike.
All these bikes can be chosen in standard (muscle-powered) or electrically assisted form depending on your wishes, your physical fitness and your requirements (strict dress code, no showers at the workplace or place of study).
The goal is, however, always the same: to cover the distance between home and work as quickly as possible, safely, reliably and comfortably.
What selection criteria?
The variety of bikes that can be used for commuting is such that a few key selection criteria need to be presented.
A robust, manoeuvrable and lightweight frame
Doing the same journey every day on a heavy frame can end up tiring you out, or even put you off cycling altogether. Lightness should therefore not be overlooked. Moreover, weight can be an important factor if you need to carry your bike every day, in your building's stairwell or at work. This consideration will also be essential if you are hesitating between a standard model and an electrically assisted one, since in that case even the lightest models rarely weigh less than 15 kg.
At the same time, riding every day in the city, on roads in varying states of repair and/or on tracks, puts a lot of strain on the equipment. Robustness must therefore be present. Favour an aluminium frame, or possibly a high-end steel frame. Carbon should be reserved for the most sporty riders covering significant distances every day and seeking the most responsive frame possible.
Manoeuvrability and responsiveness are also important criteria to help you navigate the urban jungle with ease. Make sure you choose a bike with a slightly sloping or fully horizontal top tube, a limited wheelbase and relatively short chainstays. Ideally, your upper body should be leaning forward and the saddle should be above the bottom bracket for the most efficient pedalling possible.
On a practical level, it will be worthwhile to opt for a frame accepting a wide range of tyres (see below). Finally, it is recommended to choose a frame with mounting eyelets for mudguards, and possibly for a pannier rack, even though in the latter case many alternative solutions now exist.
A rigid fork
You might be tempted to opt for a bike fitted with a telescopic fork to make your commutes more comfortable. But you may come to regret it, as a suspension fork will add weight to your bike and reduce efficiency without necessarily providing more comfort, particularly on entry-level bikes. Moreover, it will require regular maintenance. If your route takes you along tracks, you can gain comfort by choosing suitable tyres (see below).
650B or 700c wheels and robust tyres
If your route is entirely on tarmac, opt for 700c wheels (or 28'') for the best possible efficiency.
If your route combines tarmac sections and tracks, opt for a frame with 650B wheels (corresponding to 27.5'' MTB wheels), which offer the best efficiency/comfort compromise. Some frames even allow both formats (650B and 700c) to be fitted for total versatility.
Narrow and slick tyres will give you optimal performance on tarmac in dry conditions, while wide and knobbly tyres will ensure comfort and grip on rough roads and tracks whatever the weather. And between the two, an almost infinite choice!
Durability and puncture protection should however guide your choice, with reinforced models or tubeless tyres, meaning without an inner tube.
Flat Handlebar or Road Handlebar?
Here, the choice will be a matter of taste.
Apart from aesthetic considerations, the flat handlebar allows the cyclist to find a more comfortable hand position, less demanding than that offered by a road-style handlebar. It also ensures better control, and quicker access to the brake levers than from the hoods, in an emergency. The position is slightly more upright, offering a better field of vision.
The road handlebar, narrower, allows you to weave more easily through traffic. It also allows you to vary positions, which is appreciated by commuters covering long distances every day. Finally, the position is more inclined, offering better dynamism, greater aerodynamics and more efficient pedalling.
Drivetrain and braking
The drivetrain is a key element when it comes to commuting. Beyond your route, which will partly dictate your choice of gearing, you should favour reliable and robust components, particularly if you plan to use your bike during the winter months, when moisture, rain and spray put much greater wear on equipment.
All scenarios are possible here. The single chainring has the advantage of simplicity, but will necessarily offer less progressive gearing and less versatility than a double chainring.
The internal gear hub (from 2 to 11 speeds depending on the model) is an ideal solution for moderately hilly routes as it is simple and very comfortable to use. Allowing gear changes while stationary, it also requires virtually no maintenance. Combined with a belt drive rather than a chain, it ensures absolute silence and riding pleasure by eliminating any risk of catching your trouser leg in the chain and/or getting grease on yourself.
It should be noted that belts can only be fitted to frames specifically designed for them.
For braking, the preference should be for disc brakes — whether mechanical or hydraulic — as they simply offer the most effective braking in all conditions. Mechanical disc brakes admittedly offer slightly less power but are easier to adjust and, above all, to maintain.
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