I have 600 dollars to blow on a bike. My old bike crapped out and cost 200 dollars just in parts to fix which is more than I paid for it.... I do heavy communting so I need something that will last. Walmart bikes are not acceptible.

no.

Down payment on a cheap car for $600
wtf is this bike bullshit, this isnt 1905

My dog's truck cost about $800 total. Yes, my dog has a truck.

What kind of riding does your commute consist of? And how far?

I'd advise you get at steel frame. But I've only been doing this bike thing for like 9 months.

Originally posted by allnotorious
Down payment on a cheap car for $600
wtf is this bike bullshit, this isnt 1905

I haven't spent a dime on gas in over 9 months. In better shape than I have been in years. The only aspect that sucks is getting groceries, taking ladies home.. but that's why we have cabs.

Also he lives in a much more bike friendly town.

Originally posted by Homage
What kind of riding does your commute consist of? And how far?

I'd advise you get at steel frame. But I've only been doing this bike thing for like 9 months.

I ride 6 miles each way on a regular day, sometimes I ride 8 miles if I stop by the grocery store.

Originally posted by Homage
I haven't spent a dime on gas in over 9 months. In better shape than I have been in years. The only aspect that sucks is getting groceries, taking ladies home.. but that's why we have cabs.

Exactly. Bikes are also something you don't want to go cheap on if you're doing heavy communting.

Originally posted by Pithy Radish
I ride 6 miles each way on a regular day, sometimes I ride 8 miles if I stop by the grocery store.

Yeah but what kind of riding... uphill/downhill? City? both? residential? etc etc

Originally posted by Homage
Yeah but what kind of riding... uphill/downhill? City? both? residential? etc etc

Downhill on the way to work... uphill on the whole way back.

btw why a steel framed bike? Isn't it a lot more bulkier/heavier than its aluminum and carbon fiber counterparts?

Originally posted by Pithy Radish
Downhill on the way to work... uphill on the whole way back.

brutal LOL, I'm the other way uphill to school, downhill home.
Sometimes I cheat and take the train up the hill when I'm lazy and catch it in time.

Still think a steel frame might suit your needs the best as it'll be durable and if you can get a higher grade steel frame, the weight disadvantage isn't all that huge compared to the durability/strength it'll provide.

Originally posted by Homage
brutal LOL, I'm the other way uphill to school, downhill home.
Sometimes I cheat and take the train up the hill when I'm lazy and catch it in time.

Still think a steel frame might suit your needs the best as it'll be durable and if you can get a higher grade steel frame, the weight disadvantage isn't all that huge compared to the durability/strength it'll provide.

Aluminum frames have served me just fine. It's just that my bike had the little parts breakdown. For example, the axle on my bikes wheel bent meaning I had to completely swap the wheel out. Any weight reduction makes a huge deal on bicycles. Some people will pay 1000 dollars extra for a bicycle to have a 1 or 2 pound reduction.

Originally posted by Pithy Radish
Aluminum frames have served me just fine. It's just that my bike had the little parts breakdown. For example, the axle on my bikes wheel bent meaning I had to completely swap the wheel out. Any weight reduction makes a huge deal on bicycles. Some people will pay 1000 dollars extra for a bicycle to have a 1 or 2 pound reduction.

lol... yeah for racing, but you're commuting. You want something that isn't going to bend on you. Your decision man... but for a commuter, I'd go with a 4130 steel frame. Weight difference with an aluminum frame is pretty minimal. Aren't you a pretty big dude?

You'll hit your fair share of potholes alone the way even when you try and avoid every single of them.