Buying Guide

Buying Guide

The Trek Allant is a great choice for an affordable commuter bike. "It's a good option for people who commute to work or want to ride to a shopping center," says Pluth. Fenders and a rear rack are standard on the Allant, and the handlebars offer the rider a comfortable, upright position with good visibility."Lightweight, superbright, long run times, short charge times, and waterproof," says Criss about the MiNewt. 150 light. It's suited for everything from night riding to safe commuting in the city or on rural roads, he adds. Available in red, blue, green and a disco mode that switches colors.Crank Brothers Multi10 ToolWith seven hex wrenches, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, and a T25 torx wrench for disc brakes (usually found on mountain bikes), this multitool has enough functions for basic athome repairs and is light enough to take on a ride. Comes with a lifetime warranty.Specialized Sport MTB ShoeShimano PDM520L Pedal with CleatsSpecialized's entrylevel Sport MTB shoe is comfortable, lightweight and works with most mountainbike pedal systems. Mountainbike shoes with recessed cleats make more sense for most recreational cyclists than roadstyle biking shoes, which are typically difficult to walk in, says Criss. "We're commuting a lot, going to the store, going to the coffee shop, so most of us are wearing straightup mountainbike shoes." As for a matching pedal, go with these Shimanos that use the common SPD system. It's easy to lock and release the cleats, but you'd better practice to avoid the classic, slowmotion tipover fall at your first stop sign.Pearl Izumi Elite Versa Liner ShortSugoi Pulsar Bib ShortLike a pair of beefy boxer briefs, the Pearl Izumi Versa Liner (left photo) fits under any pair of regular shorts, providing padding and comfort. Liner shorts are a great option if bib shorts are unfeasible because of your body type, says Marty Pluth. "A bib can constrict the ability to bend over, with shoulder straps cutting into shoulders." If your body can take a bib, the eightpaneled Pulsar (right) is an affordable, comfortable choice. The back has three pockets for stashing ride essentials.Bontrager Sport Packable Wind JacketIt's wind and waterresistant and easily fits in a jersey pocket, meaning you won't be caught unprotected on any ride. The semifitted cut keeps riding comfortable while not being so loose that it's flapping in the wind.This Ulock's 13 millimeters of hardened steel will stop most boltcutters, and it comes with a 4foot security cable that loops around the front wheel for added protection. While any bike lock can be defeated, correct locking techniques (locking the frame and both wheels to something secure) will discourage most thieves. Avoid cableonly locks; most are highly vulnerable to bolt cutters. In areas with high theft, buy an extra Ulock for the front wheel (or remove it and take it with you)! The antitheft insurance that's offered with some locks? Skip it. Meeting all the criteria in the fine print makes it tough to collect.